It wouldn't be out of line in any sense to proclaim that United Productions of America (UPA) pioneered the "modern cartoon." Although the name UPA might not be as synonymous with Hollywood animation as Disney or Warner Bros., the studio produced some of the most influential and stylish cartoons of its era. Midcentury America was a time of fantastic design innovation and experimentation across a wide swath of cultural and industrial institutions, and cartoon style, largely through the work of UPA, helped define and influence this moment. It was a time that seemed open and new, like the future had arrived. UPA filled that role in animation. These cartoons were modern art gone pop!

Ushering in a whole new way of making cartoons, combining modern art with slapstick comedy, UPA challenged the way Disney made toons and dominated the Academy Awards during that time in the 1950s. At the same time, UPA also introduced some timeless characters that still entertain today, like Gerald McBoing-Boing and Mr. Magoo. These animated shorts were released by Columbia Pictures in theaters under the “Jolly Frolics” name.