Robert D. Cardona (born in Southern California, USA, March 7th, 1930) is an American animator, director, producer, and writer, who had his main success in England. He was the producer for Theodore Tugboat, and he was Co-CEO of Clearwater Features. He's best known work was working with partner David Mitton on the first two seasons of Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends (1984-1986) and Tugs, thirteen highly sought-after episodes today of which the latter consists (Cardona wrote the episode "Warrior"). He worked on the British shows "Crime of Passion", "Emmerdale", "Fraud Squad", "The Flaxton Boys", "The Four Feathers", and "Thriller". He later provided Tugs footage for Salty's Lighthouse in the 1990's. After production on Theodore Tugboat ended, he went back to the UK and has lived there since then.
Episodes Directed
Season 1
- The Dark and Scary Cove
- Different Strokes - Different Boats
- Hank and the Mermaid
- True Blue Friends
- Theodore the Vegetable
- Is Anybody Listening?
- The Great Harbour Clean Up Contest
- Theodore and the Big Harbour
Season 2
- Night Shift
- Whale of a Tug
- Emergency
- The Cold Snap
- Emily and the Rocket
- Theodore in the Middle
- Snorri the Viking Ship
- Tug of the Year
Season 3
- All Quiet in the Big Harbour
- Theodore to the Rescue
- Big Harbour Fools Day
- Grumpy Garbage Barge
- Hank's New Name
- Theodore and the Northern Lights
- Scally's Stuff
- Theodore's Big Friend
- Emily and the Missing Barge
- Emily's New Hat
- Theodore and the Boat Bully
- Hank and the Night Light
- Theodore and the Pirate
Season 4
- Theodore's Ocean Adventure
- Dartmouth Says Goodbye
- George's Turn
- Foduck Blows His Stack
- Sigrid and the Bumpers
- Hank's Wheezy Whistle
- Theodore's Prize
- Nautilus and the Sinking Ship
Season 5
- Hank Hurts a Ship
- Theodore and the Harbour Crane
- Theodore Gets Lost
- Hank's Funny Feeling
- Theodore and the Runaway Ferry
- Theodore and the Scared Ship
- Theodore and the Bickering Barges
- Theodore the All-Powerful
- George and the Flags
- Hank Stays Up Late
- Theodore the Tattletug
- Brunswick's Big Scare
- Theodore and the Hunt for Northumberland
- Bedford's Big Move
- Emily Drifts Off
- Pugwash is Gone!
- Theodore and the Unsafe Ship
- Foduck and the Shy Ship
- Theodore's Bright Night
- George Waits His Turn
- Theodore's Big Decision
Awards and nominations
- Nominated - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Animated Film for "Thomas The Tank Engine and Friends"
- 1985, shared with Britt Allcroft and David Mitton
- 1987, shared with David Mitton