The Man Who Hated Laughter, A Coloring Book was published by The Saalfield Publishing Company in New York, USA in 1972. The Coloring Book is fully licensed by King Features Syndicate, with the bulk of internal art completed by Fred Fredrick’s.
The Saalfield Publishing Company published children’s books and other products from 1900 to 1977. It was once one of the largest publishers of children’s materials in the world. The company was founded in 1900 in Akron, Ohio, by Arthur J. Saalfield who had come to take charge of the Werner Company’s publishing department. The company also published educational toys and games, including the game Blockhead! In April 1977 The Saalfield Publishing Company shut down, and its library and archives were purchased by Kent State University.
‘Popeye Meets the Man Who Hated Laughter’, also known as ‘The Man Who Hated Laughter’, was an American 1972 animated 1hr ABC TV film. The Phantom featured in the animated film.
The Coloring Book was released with the cover containing two color variations; Green and Red. The back and front covers are identical to each other. It was the only collectible associated with the animated film released by King Features Syndicate.
The film starred all your favorite King Features Syndicate characters united in one story.
Characters include: The Phantom & Devil; Mandrake the Magician and Lothar; Flash Gordon; Steve Canyon; Blondie and Dagwood; Beetle Bailey, Otto, Sarge, General Halftrack, and Lt. Flap; Loweezy and Snuffy Smith; Hi Lois, Trixie, Dot, Ditto, and Chip; Wimpy, Olive Oyl, Sweetpea, and Popeye; The Katzenjammer kids and Mama; The Inspector and the Captain; Maggie and Jiggs; Little King; Henry; Tiger; Quincy; and Little Iodine.
The book includes a total of 96 pages. 32 character pages and 55 storyline pages are found within the Coloring Book amongst other general content pages. The Phantom and Devil appeared on 9 pages within the book. These pages can be seen below.
Thank you Christopher Smith for assisting with images and information.
The Phantom 