Jay Ward was one of American animation's most glorious renegades, an unpredictable auteur whose small-screen cartoon series (Rocky & Bullwinkle, George of the Jungle) aggressively redefined, modernized and matured the medium even as they entertained children and adults alike. His offbeat characters, dry humor and exquisite choice of talent (Charlie Ruggles, Hans Conried, Edward Everett Horton) stand unrivaled, and this evening's Rocky & Bullwinkle & Peabody & Sherman extravaganza will deliver a welcome mega-dose of the wild Ward modus operandi. You'll get a snootful of Rocky & Bullwinkle, Fractured Fairy Tales, Dudley Do-Right of the Mounties, Peabody's Improbable History, Aesop & Son and Hoppity Hooper, plus a climactic post-screening panel discussion featuring the iconic June Foray – voice of Rocky, Natasha and just about every other female cartoon character in history (with the notable exceptions of Betty Rubble and Penelope Pitstop) – along with Ward series artist Sam Clayberger and writer Allan Burns. This is as close as we're likely ever to come to taking a trip in Ward's Wayback Machine – so plan to be there, dahling. Aero Theater, 1328 Montana Ave., Santa Monica; Sun., March 16, 6:30 p.m.; $11 general admission, $9 students, seniors and kids 3-17, $7 members. (323) 466-3456, americancinemathequecalendar.com/content/rocky-bullwinkle-peabody-sherman.

Sun., March 16, 6:30 p.m., 2014
(Expired: 03/16/14)

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