Squonk

I'm Moving

2010-05-17T21:21:00.003-06:00

Well, I've been blogging here at Blogger for a few years, sometimes with more frequency than others. Lately I haven't been so good, sorry.

Anyhow, I've started a blog for work through Wordpress, and since I'm enjoying working with it better, I've decided to switch my personal blog over to Wordpress.

You can now find me at www.squonkblog.wordpress.com

Oscars Live Blog

2010-03-07T11:52:00.001-07:00

82nd Anual Academy Awards

Cartoon a Day: Hockey Homicide

2010-02-15T22:45:00.004-07:00

Hockey Homicide
1945
Directed by Jack Kinney
Available on: Walt Disney Treasures - The Complete Goofy

Well folks, life got crazy, so "Cartoon a Day" didn't happen for quite a while. But with the Winter Olympics going on, I just couldn't resist doing a review of a great cartoon that celebrates a great winter sport...the Goofy short, "Hockey Homicide." In my opinion, this may be the best of Goofy's staring vehicles.

Like many of the other Goofy sports cartoons, every character in this short is a variation on Goofy. This time it's presented as coverage of a hockey match with Doodles Weaver (of Spike Jones' City Slickers) as the voice of the play by play announcer. His fast-paced commentary alone makes this funnier than your average Disney short, but there's so much more to love here.

As usual, the animation is masterfully done. The artistry is really where the Disney animation studio set itself apart from the others, but here you also have a level of comedy not often seen from the mouse house. The comic pacing is more like a Warner Brothers short.

Through it all you can see that while the makers of this short poked fun at some of the odd aspects of the sport (the fights and such), that they also had a true appreciation for the sport. That kind of appreciation is often what makes for the best kind of comedy. So during a break in the games from Vancouver, be sure to check out this animated winter sports classic!

Our Olympics - Snowboard Cross

2010-02-15T22:05:00.002-07:00

The next round of our Mario & Sonic Winter Olympics continued tonight with our chosen sport matching up with what was on TV...Snowboard Cross.

In this event, the players shake the Wii-mote to begin and then turn it move their snowboarder around the curves. On the jumps, you need to move the Wii-mote up and then try to do tricks while in the air. This gives and extra speed burst when landing.

Once again we each raced twice. This time around the gold went to...Luigi with a time of 1:11.740. Mom's Mii grabbed the silver with a time of 1:16.444. Shadow got the Bronze with a score of 1:17.062.

So far on the medal count...Shadow (Timothy) has one of each. Daisy (Samantha) has three bronze medals. Mom's Mii (Mom) has two silvers. And Luigi (Dad) has two Golds.

Our Olympics with Mario & Sonic

2010-02-14T19:29:00.006-07:00

My family has been having a lot of fun with the Olympics. One thing that really helped my kids to be excited about the games was the fact that we got the video game "Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games" for Christmas. This is an "official" video game for the Vancouver games, so it uses the official logos and the actual names of the venues for the events. So going into the games, my kids already new about Cypress Mountain and such. Not to mention the fact that they have more of a knowledge of the events. So bravo to the Olympic committee and Nintendo for working together on this! If they goal was to raise the level of excitement about the games...it certainly worked in my household.

We decided that our family would have our own games by way of the Wii. Each member of the family has chosen a character and we will be competing in the various events. We are going to try and update the world through the blog and by the end will see who the Olympic champ of this house is. Timothy is playing as Shadow, Samantha is playing as Daisy, Mom is playing as her Mii character, and Dad (me) is playing as Luigi. Yesterday we began by competing in two events. First was the Skeleton.

The players shake the Wii-mote to start, push a button to hop onto the sled and then turn the Wii-mote side to side, trying to stay in the center yellow arrows to get the best speed. We did two runs each and used each persons best score to determine the rankings. In the end, Luigi had the best time, 1:10.287, to get the Gold. Shadow nabbed the Silver with a time of 1:13.557, and Daisy grabbed the Bronze with a time of 1:15.792.

Event 2 was figure skating. This is the part of this game that amazes me. I mean when I was a kid we were playing Space Invaders, now we actually have video game figure skating! We all did our routines to "Swan Lake" for this round (we may do more figure skating to other songs later). For figure skating you need to watch the prompts on the screen and move the Wii-mote up, down or spin it at just the right moment. Additional points are awarded for extra turns that you do throughout the routine. Sounds weird? Just check out Timothy's technique...he's a bit extreme but you get the idea.

The results were very different this time around. The top score was an amazing 98.900, giving the Gold to...Shadow! After a rough first round score, Mom's Mii came in a close second with a score of 98.200. Daisy grabbed the Bronze with a score of 89.400.

So after the first two events: Shadow has 1 Gold, 1 silver...Daisy has 2 Bronze...Mom's Mii has 1 Silver...and Luigi has 1 Gold. Stay tuned for more...not on the networks of NBC.

Costumes by Austin Powers

2010-02-13T17:45:00.003-07:00

My family enjoyed watching the opening ceremony for the Olympics last night. My wife made a unique observation as the athletes marched in. Maybe she's the only one, but she thought the ladies carrying the country signs (in English and French, yay Canada) looked like they had gotten their outfits from the set of an Austin Powers movie. Groovy!

I Love You Canada!

2010-02-13T16:28:00.004-07:00

I love my country. I'm a proud American, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. But...watching the opening ceremonies for the Vancouver Olympics last night, I was reminded of the great appreciation I have for our friendly neighbors to the north. I have many Canadian friends and they are wonderful ambassadors of their great land. There are so many similarities between our countries, but so many things that make them unique as well. Here are a few things I love about Canada!

- O Canada

I'm not Canadian, I've never been Canadian, but darn their national anthem makes you want to be Canadian. I love "The Star Spangled Banner," but this song just oozes with national pride. "God keep our land glorious and free, O Canada we stand on guard for thee." Shivers!

- Canadian Music

There's an awful lot of great musical talent that comes from Canada! Rush, Barenaked Ladies, Alanis Morisette, Diana Krall, and Shania Twain, just to name a few.

- Z (Zed)

Oh come on, am I the only one who thinks it cute when talking to an Canadian and they call the letter Z "Zed?"

- Tim Horton's

If Canada has a plot for world domination, I guarantee it somehow involves Tim Horton's. From what my Canadian friends tell me, Horton was a hockey player who's become much better known for his chain of donut and coffee shops. They are all over the place! Like how Starbucks is in the US. Slowly, "Timmy's" are popping up stateside and I can't wait until they make it to Colorado. They're donuts are goooooood!

- Canadian Comedy

Somewhere between American sketch comedy and British sketch comedy are a bunch of really funny Canadians. SCTV, The Kids in the Hall, The Frantics, and The Red Green Show are just a few examples of the unique Canadian sense of humour (look I used the "U" in humor)

- Gravy on French Fries

When I visited Winnipeg last summer I was caught off guard when ordering a burger and fries. "Do you want gravy," I was asked. "Gravy for what," I replied. "Your fries," was the answer. Hmm, well why not? I gave it a try. It was yummy. Now, Poutine on the other hand (french fries covered in gravy and cheese curds) doesn't sound that tasty to me...but I'll dip my fries in gravy any day.

- Ketchup Flavored Potato Chips

Do you really need an explanation on this one?

- Canadians really are nice people!

I always say one of my favorite places to visit here in the US is Lafayette, Louisiana. The reason is that everyone is so nice. They all call me sir! Well those folks (Cajuns) are descended from Canadians. It has been my experience that Canadians really are very polite and pleasant folks be around.

So here's to the world's longest peaceful border! Yay Canada...Eh!

We are the World...Again

2010-02-13T08:50:00.005-07:00

Last night as were gearing up for the start of the olympics, NBC aired a portion of a music video for a new version of the 80's stars feeling good about themselves song "We are the World." This one is to help with the relief effort in Haiti. I guess I had heard about it a week or so ago but hadn't paid real close attention to the story. Just like how 20+ years ago when stars like Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, Cyndi Lauper, Kenny Rogers, and so on got together to sing on one single...this time we have the likes of Miley Cyrus, The Black Eyed Peas and Celine Dion. And once again, they are all under the direction of Quincy Jones. Both versions of the song represent interesting moments in pop culture history and no matter what you think of the celebrities involved, it is a good thing they're doing.

I remember the album cover of the original "We are the World" which featured a group photo of the stars involved and an alphabetical listing of their names beneath. What always stuck out in my mind is that the first name on that alphabetical list was someone we don't think of as a singer...Dan Aykroyd!?!? Now Aykroyd had done some singing as a part of the Blues Brothers, but I always kind of wondered how Aykroyd ended up among all the chart toppers who gathered to record that song.

As I'm watching the video for the new song last night, I noticed a few more famous faces carrying on the "huh?" tradition of Dan Aykroyd singing on the original. I was surprised to see "the dude" himself, Jeff Bridges, among the crowd. Even more surprising was seeing that musical hit-machine Vince Vaughn (that's sarcasm campers). No disrespect to these two, I mean bravo for helping...but it's still a bit of a "huh" moment.

Early Oscar Predictions

2010-02-03T21:49:00.006-07:00

The Oscar nominees were announced yesterday. Once again I'm having a bit of a contest at my office to see who can pick the most winners. Things are a bit different this year with ten nominees in the Best Picture category, so it'll be a bit harder to pick the winner. Still, here are my early predictions, still subject to change as we see how the wind blows over the next few weeks.

Best Actor

Jeff Bridges - Crazy Heart
George Clooney - Up in the Air
Colin Firth - A Single Man
Morgan Freeman - Invictus
Jeremy Renner - The Hurt Locker

There's no huge stand-out here. I think Freeman having won in the supporting actor category in the past makes him a long shot, Firth's movie isn't as well known, and Clooney...well, I don't know. I'm sure the performance is great but remember back when it seemed like every other movie out had Gene Hackman in it? Clooney has taken over in that department, some folks are a bit tired of him. I think it comes down to Bridges and Renner. Since Bridges has been nominated four times in the past and never won, I think the little gold man is his this year. Having just won a Golden Globe doesn't hurt either.

Best Actress

Sandra Bullock - The Blind Side
Helen Mirren - The Last Station
Carey Mulligan - An Education
Gabourey Sidibe - Precious
Meryl Streep - Julie and Julia

Sidibe has an outside chance since the Academy often awards great performances by actresses in their first movie (Marlee Matlin, Jennifer Hudson). However, I think the battle is between Meryl Streep and Sandra Bullock. Streep can never be counted out, but I think the award goes to Bullock.

Best Supporting Actor

Matt Damon - Invictus
Woody Harrelson - The Messenger
Christopher Plummer - The Last Station
Stanley Tucci - The Lovely Bones
Christoph Waltz - Inglorious Basterds

Here you have another two man battle. This one between the person many think SHOULD win, and the one who probably WILL win. Who should win? I think most would say Waltz as the main baddie of Quentin Tarrantino's latest. However, in Plummer you have a 50-year veteran of the film industry who has never been nominated before. The Academy would be honoring his whole career with a win this year. My pick would be Plummer.

Best Supporting Actress

Penelope Cruz - Nine
Vera Farminga - Up in the Air
Maggie Gyllenhaal - Crazy Heart
Anna Kendrick - Up in the Air
Mo'Nique - Precious

Nothing's for sure, but this may be the easiest one to pick. It's never good to have two actresses nominated in the same category for the same movie. So Farminga and Kendrick cancel each other out. Gyllenhaal doesn't seem to have the buzz the others do so she's a long shot. Cruz has won this award recently, and besides, "Nine" has not exactly been greeted with rave reviews. Mo'Nique gets it not just by process of elimination, but from what I understand, her performance is truly one of the best of the year.

Best Director

James Cameron - Avatar
Kathryn Bigelow - The Hurt Locker
Quentin Tarantino - Inglorious Basterds
Lee Daniels - Precious
Jason Reitman - Up in the Air

Did you know Cameron and Bigelow were once husband and wife? Well they'll be battling it out again, as it would appear they are the front runners. This award is so closely tied to the Best Picture award (get there in a minute), right now it's hard to say how things will go. But I think, even if another film goes away with the top prize, Cameron's innovation on "Avatar" will lead him to his 2nd directing Oscar.

Best Picture

Avatar
The Blind Side
District 9
An Education
The Hurt Locker
Inglorious Basterds
Precious
A Serious Man
Up
Up in the Air

No lie, with 10 films instead of 5 it's harder to pick...and could lead to an upset. I think there are 3 films that have the best chance. "Avatar" dominated the technical categories and is a true movie milestone..."The Hurt Locker" has had almost unanimous critical praise and since it's about the Iraq war some voter may feel they are making a statement by placing their vote with it...and the safe choice for voters "Up in the Air." Anything could happen, but I think enough voters are still amazed enough with "Avatar" to lead it to the win.

I'll probably change my mind on some of this...the awards are March 7.

Groundhog Day!

2010-02-02T17:47:00.004-07:00

Happy Groundhog day woodchuck-chuckers! I've always loved this strange little holiday and it always bring back special memories of when I was first dating my future wife. See, many people love the movie "Groundhog Day," but a lot of folks don't realize it wasn't filmed in Punxatwaney, Pennsylvania. It was filmed in Woodstock, IL...my wife's hometown. The first time I traveled to Woodstock to meet her parents was during the production of the movie. The town had images of groundhogs everywhere. My future in-laws even got their picture taken with Bill Murray and later realized there was no film in the camera. Ahh, the days of film.

Today Woodstock even has their own Groundhog Day celebration and is gradually memorializing different locations where filming happened around the town square. You can visit "The Bum's Alley," "Ned's Corner," and even see a plaque on the sidewalk where the puddle was that says "Bill Murray Stepped Here."

My favorite character in "Groundhog Day" is Ned Ryerson played by the one and only Stephen Tobolowsky. This gives me a perfect chance to mention my new favorite podcast, "The Tobolowsky Files." It's pretty much just Stephen Tobolowsky telling stories, and he's a great storyteller.

Guilty Pleasure 10: Young Einstein

2009-12-10T22:00:00.003-07:00

The summer of 1989 was an incredible year for the movies. Among the films out that year were "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," "Ghostbusters II," "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids," and "When Harry Met Sally." But one studio in particular had a plan for how to rule the summer. That was Warner Brothers. They would dominate the first half of the summer with a little film called "Batman," and that they did. As for the second half of the summer, they looked to an Australian known as Yahoo Serious.

Well, "Young Einstein" didn't exactly set the sort of records the caped crusader did, though it was a moderate success. It is certainly one of the oddest offerings from a major studio during that historic summer.

Yahoo Serious, who was apparently possessed by the same demon of hair care that has long tormented the poor soul known as Carrot Top, plays a fictionalized (to say the least) version of Albert Einstein. Through the course of the film Einstein invents a formula for splitting beer atoms, creates rock n roll and designs the first surf board.

There's nothing really laugh-out-loud funny about the movie, but it's hard not to like. In many ways, the exaggerated behavior of most of the cast, not to mention the physical humor, points to some influence from the days of silent comedies. The level of humor is nowhere near what Chaplin or Keaton could pull off, but it brings a certain innocence that just brings a smile to my face.

I guess the world wasn't completely ready for Yahoo Serious. He's only made a few other films to date and none have had as big a release as this one did. In the years that have passed he's tried some other activities, though, like suing Yahoo for stealing his name. I'll give you one guess how that one turned out.

Guilty Pleasure 9: The Legend of Billie Jean

2009-11-15T18:52:00.004-07:00

Summer 1986 was when cable TV first came to Wheaton, IL. So the movies that we watched endlessly on cable that summer were the films out in theaters the previous summer...including one of 1985's big bombs, "The Legend of Billie Jean." It's a movie that many people seem to want to forget. According to Wikipedia, it's original VHS video release shortly after the film's brief theatrical run is the only home video release the film has ever had. It has yet to appear on DVD. However, through the magic of Netflix and their "view instantly" feature, Billie Jean can be experienced via the internet. It is definitely one of my guilty pleasures.

It stars Helen Slater (who has already made an appearance in my list of "guilty pleasures" thanks to her role as Supergirl) as a girl who ends up accidentally becoming the most wanted criminal in Corpus Christi, TX. It all starts when her brother, played by Christian Slater (no relation to Helen), gets in a fight with some local jerks which results in his prized scooter being trashed. When Billie Jean tries to collect the money for the repairs from the boy's father...well, he has other things on his mind when it comes to Bille Jean. Long story short, he gets accidentally shot and Billie Jean, her brother, and some friends take it on the lam. Eventually, Billie Jean ends up becoming a sort of celebrity criminal with the public gladly cheering her on.

The story is really pretty silly. These "criminals" hang out in a distinct looking vehicle, in wide open spaces, yet nobody seems to be able to find them. The movie is just plain unbelievable, right down to both Slater's overdoing the Texas twang. The worst part of the movie is the character played by Yeardley Smith, the future voice of Lisa Simpson. She was 21 years old at the time of the film's release, but is playing a part that seems to have been written for an 11 year old.

So what makes the film likable? Well, for one, just like with "Supergirl," Ms. Slater is just irresistible to watch...especially for a 15 year old boy, as I was when I first saw the film. Adolescent hormones aside, and despite the accent issues, she really can draw you into a film. And of course, when you're a teenager, a film about a bunch of your peers taking matters into their own hands has a certain appeal. It's the same reason why a movie like "Home Alone" or the Our Gang shorts have such an appeal with younger kids. It's that built in desire to stick it to the man.

So Billie Jean, it's good to see you pop up on Netflix, it's about time. After all..."fair is fair." (That's a famous quote from the movie...see how I worked that in there...because...see it's...never mind).

Cartoon a Day: Betty Boop's Halloween Party

2009-11-12T20:21:00.004-07:00

Betty Boop's Halloween Party
1933
Directed by Dave Fleischer
Available on: YouTube

Maybe I should call this "Cartoon a Month." Oh well, a few weeks late here is a Halloween cartoon staring the one and only Betty Boop! Thanks to YouTube and the fact that Betty Boop resides in the public domain these days, here is the cartoon in it's entirety.

Betty ends up being somewhat of a minor character in this one, but once again she offers a great example of why the Fleischer Studio stood apart from the other animation studios. You just didn't see these kind of gags in other toons. A favorite in this one is where the gorilla runs through the wall...of course he leaves a gorilla-shaped hole, but to have the hole move across the wall and go out the door is just icing on the cake!

On a side note, I wish I had known about Betty's method for hollowing out a pumpkin two weeks ago. I'll have to try that next year.

Guilty Pleasure 8: Dune

2009-10-15T20:26:00.003-06:00

When "Dune" was released at Christmas 1984 I avoided it like the plague. It looked creepy... and it had that new rating, PG-13. I wasn't sure what to make of that. The film was not well received when it was released, in fact Siskel & Ebert declared it the worst film of 1984 on one of their end of the year episodes. I finally checked the film out as an adult, while I agree the film has some major problems, I keep finding myself returning for another look every year or so.

The film is based on Frank Herbert's 1965 sci-fi novel. The book is challenging to say the least. It's a complicated mix of sci-fi, religion and politics that leaves many readers scratching their heads while just as many others cheer it's greatness.

In the director's chair was David Lynch. Yes that David Lynch, the man behind such strange creations as "Blue Velvet," and the TV series "Twin Peaks." But "Dune" was only his third film, following his bizarre debut "Eraserhead" and the more mainstream "The Elephant Man." It was certainly his most ambitious project to date. Lynch took on writing the screenplay as well, anyone who has read the book knows that many would prefer the Chinese water torture over such an assignment. Much of the screenplay works well, while other parts, especially the overuse of our being able to hear the characters thoughts, do not.

My suspicions in 1984 were true, the film is is creepy. Imagine that, a creepy David Lynch film (that's sarcasm by the way). In fact, Lynch takes the creepiest elements of Herbert's book and cranks the creep-factor up to 11. For example, the book's main villain, Barron Harkonnen is one of the most vicious and vile villains I've ever encountered in print. In the film he's much worse, played by Kenneth McMillan as a cackling, slobbering mad man covered in disgusting sores.

Certain elements of the film do work really well. I love the opening of the movie in which Virginia Madsen as Princess Irulan gives us the back story. It echoes the tone of the book in which each chapter begins with a quote from one of Irulan's many writings on the events depicted. Kyle MacLachlin (a Lynch favorite in his first film) is well cast as Paul Atreides, as is future Law & Order girl Alicia Witt as the scariest 8 year old in the universe, Alia. Best of all is the unique costumes and set design which contribute to setting a distinct tone for each of the three "houses" that figure prominently in the story.

Several different versions of the film have popped up over the years. An "extended edition" clocks in at 40 minutes longer than the theatrical cut and thoroughly complicates the already complicated story. Lynch disowned this version of the film which lists "Alan Smithee" as it's director and "Judas Booth" as screenwriter. For that matter, Lynch has pretty much disowned the theatrical version as well. He rarely speaks of the movie and according to Wikipedia he is quoted as having said that he "probably shouldn't have done that picture."

"Dune" is intriguing but flawed and is certainly far from being the worst film of 1984.

Cartoon a Day: Buckaroo Bugs

2009-09-17T21:24:00.007-06:00

Buckaroo Bugs
1944
Directed by Robert Clampett
Available on: Looney Tunes Golden Collection Vol 5

There is no mistaking a Bob Clampett cartoon. Everything is taken to the extreme, and "Buckaroo Bugs" is no exception. In this short, Bugs Bunny is cast as the Masked Marauder who has been stealing carrots from an old west town. To catch him, the locals call in Red Hot Ryder, who could be considered an early version of Yosemite Sam. So, Bugs Bunny is actually the villain.

DVD's are great for viewing Clampett cartoons. Being able to freeze frame the images can give you a real appreciation for the various poses used in the animation. This is perhaps best demonstrated in Red Hot Ryder's horse. He's a minor character in the cartoon, but from an animation standpoint he's the highlight. The character combines modern elements along with qualities of a rubber band like character right out of the early days of animation. This one sequence where Red Hot Ryder and the horse jump off the edge of the Grand Canyon is evidence enough. When the horse realizes what he's done, he actually turns back through himself to turn around. It's brilliant animation!

Animation at it's best when it explores the limits of what the art form is capable of. This cartoon is a great example of that.

Cartoon a Day: El Terrible Toreador

2009-09-15T22:37:00.004-06:00

El Terrible Toreador
1929
Directed by Walt Disney
Available on: Walt Disney Treasures - More Silly Symphonies

Many of the early Silly Symphonies cartoons used different cultures as the inspiration for many of the visuals. Not all of these depictions are what we would now consider politically correct, so they are often regulated to the "from the vault" sections of the Walt Disney Treasures releases. "El Terrible Toreador," however, I think was sent to the vault section because the characters drink beer.

Like most Silly Symphonies, there is not much story here. The gags are pretty simple, though you can see a progression taking place here as the sight gags are not repeated over and over as they are in many early cartoons. A few gags seem quite imaginative for this time period, especially when we think the bull and the toreador are fighting but when the smoke clears we see that they are playing patty cake.

The bullfight arena is a classic setting for golden age cartoons. Almost every major character has been a toreador at some point, so it is interesting to see what is probably one of the earliest examples of a bullfight cartoon.

Cartoon a Day: Mouse in Manhattan

2009-09-14T22:30:00.005-06:00

Mouse in Manhatan
1945
Directed by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera
Available on: Tom and Jerry Spotlight Collection Vol. 2

"Mouse in Manhattan" is not your typical Tom and Jerry film. First of all, Tom pretty much just makes a cameo. This one is all about Jerry. He decides he's had enough of country life and decides to head off to the big city. Now you'd think some city alley cat just fills in for Tom for the rest of the picture. While some cats do come in to play briefly, this is not a chase film. This film is mainly about the city as seen through Jerry's eyes.

This scenario leads to some absolutely beautiful background art. Several New York City landmarks are portrayed in some very rich and detailed paintings. There are plenty of good gags, but most of the fun of this cartoon just comes in watching Jerry taking the city in.

It's interesting to note some of the differences in Jerry's appearance in this short. Tom and Jerry have gone through many design changes over the years. In this film, Jerry's nose seems to be a bit more round and bulbous and his whiskers seem longer. He also wears a somewhat dumb expression much of the time, which is not your typical Jerry look.

I'm not sure if this film still runs on TV or not. There are a few moments that would keep it off the Cartoon Network rotation, including a blackface gag and one bizarre moment when it could be interpreted that Jerry is looking up the skirts of some of the ladies of New York. Still this is a great cartoon. Oh and I almost forgot to mention the wonderful music! It is obviously inspired by Gershwin (perfect for the New York setting) and compliments the on screen action beat per beat.

Cartoon a Day: Mexican Boarders

2009-09-10T21:35:00.005-06:00

Mexican Boarders
1962
Directed by Friz Freleng & Hawley Pratt
Available on: Looney Tunes Golden Collection Vol. 4

We've talked before about how Speedy Gonzalez cartoons were left off the Cartoon Network rotation for years, a casualty of political correctness run wild. Yet, it eventually came out that Mexicans didn't see the character as negative, but saw him as a national hero. I sometimes wonder if the true controversial character in the world of Speedy Gonzalez is one who appeared only twice...one of those times is today's cartoon. Tonight we experience the one and only Slowpoke Rodriguez.

In this cartoon, Sylvester has barely any energy left to chase the fastest mouse in all Mexico. But when Speedy's cousin Slowpoke comes for a visit, the putty tat is re-energized. Both Speedy and Sylvester are soon overshadowed by the scene stealing Slowpoke.

This cartoon came close to the end of the golden era of cartoons, yet this is a strong cartoon. Slowpoke is a hilarious character, it's a shame he was only used twice. Some might see him as a Mexican stereotype, but really he's simply the opposite of the leading man...a classic comedic situation. Like the slow wolf from some Droopy cartoons, I love the way Slowpoke moves and minimal amount of animation used to bring him to life.

Cartoon a Day: Slingshot 6 7/8

2009-09-09T22:00:00.005-06:00

Slingshot 6 7/8
1951
Directed by Walter Lantz
Available on: The Woody Woodpecker and Friends Classic Cartoon Collection

It's been awhile since we've done a Woody Woodpecker short. This particular one has a few interesting things to note. First there is not dialogue in the movie except for Woody's signature laugh. Second is that there is no director credited for the film. There is the usual "A Walter Lantz Cartune" credit screen. While Wikipedia credits Lantz for directing (based on his own claim), the Internet Movie Database does not. It's hard to know what to believe.

In this short, Woody is in the old west and ends up participating in a shooting contest. The competitors can choose their weapons, so Woody uses a slingshot while his top rival, Buzz Buzzard as an Indian, uses a bow and arrow.

There's nothing wrong with a silent cartoon comedy, but the animation has to really excel. While this short has some good moments, mostly early in the film, many sequences are lacking that extra punch that is needed. Had Buzz and Woody been given some Tex Avery style reaction shots this could've been a much more memorable film.

Cartoon a Day: Blackboard Jumble

2009-09-03T22:29:00.004-06:00

Blackboard Jumble
1957
Directed by Michael Lah
Available on: Tex Avery's Droopy - The Complete Theatrical Collection

Droopy is one of my favorite classic animated characters. So it's really strange that I never saw this cartoon until today. It was not a part of the rotation of Droopy shorts that aired on Chicago television as I was growing up. The only reason I can see for it being pulled from TV is one gag involving a confederate flag. But now, thanks to DVD, not only can we see this short but we can also experience it in it's widescreen form.

This Droopy short actually does not feature Droopy. Rather there are three kid versions of Droopy who terrorize a small schoolhouse. The Wolf, voice by the brilliant Daws Butler, is recruited to be their latest teacher.

The voice and animation of the slow-moving, whistling wolf are a perfect combination. I love his strange posture when he walks. The feet lead as the rest of the body seems to move much slower behind. The wolf is the real star of the short. Even though this is not directed by Tex Avery, his influence is still there. Some would say too much so as several gags are lifted straight out of Avery's "The Three Little Pups," which also features Butler's Wolf character. But even with recycled gags, it's still laugh-out-loud funny

Cartoon a Day: To Beep or Not to Beep

2009-09-02T21:43:00.005-06:00

To Beep or Not to Beep
1963
Directed by Chuck Jones & Maurice Noble
Available on: Looney Tunes Golden Collection Vol. 3

Today's cartoon is a late entry in the Road Runner series. The plot is the same as any other film in this series...Coyote chases Road Runner...but the film have a very different feel than earlier films in the series.

Many of the early Road Runner shorts depend on a series of very short gags. As the series progressed, director Chuck Jones started to go for longer gags. Whereas many Road Runner gags would last a few seconds at longest, some of the gags in this film last several minutes. And it is with mixed results.

One gage which involves a giant spring seems way too labored and just doesn't flow well. On the other hand, the catapult sequence is skillfully paced and plays more like a series of short gags with a big payoff at the end.

The early Road Runner films are stronger but this is a worthy entry in the series. It is actually the final Road Runner short directed by it's creator, Chuck Jones.

Cartoon a Day: My Favorite Duck

2009-09-01T22:04:00.005-06:00

My Favorite Duck
1942
Directed by Chuck Jones
Available on: Looney Tunes Golden Collection Vol. 6

Well it's been a crazy summer. There's been a lot of travel and internet problems at home that has made doing "Cartoon a Day" tough. Plus, the fact that I just got lazy. But with it being September 1, here we go again.

"My Favorite Duck" is the first cartoon to team director Chuck Jones and writer Michael Maltese. That team would produce some of the greatest cartoons of all time. In this short, Porky Pig is on a camping trip where he is annoyed by Daffy Duck who continues to point out that it is not duck season so you can't harm a duck in any way.

Not all of the gags work, but some are classics. The fishing sequence in which Porky ends up floating on the wrong side of the water is very original as is the ending where the film breaks and Daffy has to describe the end of the film to the audience.

From an animation standpoint, the highlight of the film is some of the unique angles used. There is an obsession with low camera angles here like what you might expect to see in a student film. In this film it works well, especially in the final moments of the film when Daffy's plan has backfired on him.

Songs with a Girls' Name in the Title #17

2009-08-02T18:33:00.003-06:00

17. Jolene - Dolly Parton

Waaaaaay back when we looked at Chely Wright's song "Jezebel" (#39) I mentioned that another country lady, Dolly Parton would be putting in an appearance. Well here she is with her classic "Jolene." Whereas Wright's song is about a woman telling a competitor that if she steals her man she's gonna get it, this one is a woman begging Jolene not to steal her man away. Those are some great vocals at work there and some mean guitar work as well.

Songs with a Girls' Name in the Title #18

2009-08-02T18:17:00.002-06:00

18. Cecilia - Simon & Garfunkel

Probably one of the most upbeat songs about being dumped. The unique rhythm, which was supposedly achieved by Paul and Arty slapping their legs while someone else banged on a piano bench, points to the African influence Simon would explore on later albums like "Graceland."

Lessons Learned at the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame

2009-07-31T11:35:00.005-06:00

I'm in Cleveland for a Puppet Ministry Summerfest. Since I had a little extra time this morning I decided to visit the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame. It was pretty cool, though there were some disappointments...No photo rule!?!?? How un-rock n roll can you get?

The museum houses a lot of classic instruments and memorabilia such as costumes and stage props. One of the things that was interesting to note about so many of the outfits that rock legends wore in concerts, in videos, and on album covers is that they really don't look all that impressive up close. You can see the flaws. You can see that they're made out of the same junk your wardrobe from Wal-Mart is made of.

The Hot Dog you see above hangs in the loby of the Hall of Fame (which is the only area where photos are allowed), it was used in concert by the band Phish. When you look at it from above you can see inside the bun and I noticed that it's made out of some of the same materials I've seen many a puppet prop made out of.

This all got me thinking that we always hear that those of us in children's ministry and puppet ministry can't compete with what the entertainment industry puts out. Why even try, right? Wrong!! Guess what, they work with the same materials we do. Same scrap fabrics, same goofy looking sequins, same spray paint, same chicken wire. The only difference is that folks like Beyonce and Prince are nuts enough to pay millions for it.

Cartoon a Day: Beware of Barnacle Bill

2009-07-30T20:24:00.005-06:00

Beware of Barnacle Bill
1935
Directed by Dave Fleischer
Available on: Popeye the Sailor Vol. 1

It's been so long since I've blogged. Doesn't quite seem right to call it "Cartoon a Day" with a such a long absence. What can I say, life gets crazy sometimes. Well, let's give it another go, shall we.

Today we return with a true classic of the early Popeye series, "Beware of Barnacle Bill," sometimes refereed to simply as "Barnacle Bill the Sailor." In this short, Popeye has come to ask Olive to ask him to marry her, but she tells him that she is in love with Barnacle Bill, played by Bluto.

This film is sort of like a mini opera, with the characters singing the song "Barnacle Bill the Sailor" as a bridge between the fights. The Fleischer studio excelled at producing cartoons where music was the centerpiece and this short is a great example of that. The cartoon is not complex, it's just three characters and it all takes place in one room. However, the way the music and the animation work together is superb.

I've got to say, the final gag involving Popeye is a classic. It seems so out of character for him to be cleaning up the mess that he and Bluto caused, but then when he undoes all that work with one door slam it makes perfect sense.

Jessica Simpson Sings for Tony the Tiger?

2009-07-02T18:12:00.005-06:00

While getting up-to-date on current events this evening I ran across the following interesting headline over at the Fox News website.

Of course, my simple mind pictured Jessica Simpson singing for the Frosted Flakes pitchman (Tony the Tiger), not her boyfriend Tony Romo and Tiger Woods. And of course, what was the famous cereal loving Tiger's review of her vocal talents? "They're Grrrrreeeeaaat!"

Cartoon a Day: Muscle Beach Tom

2009-07-01T22:36:00.005-06:00

Muscle Beach Tom
1956
Directed by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera
Available on: Tom and Jerry Spotlight Collection Vol. 2

Welcome to the miracle of Cinemascope! You don't run across many widescreen cartoon shorts, but this is one of them. It's a short I saw hundreds of times on TV as a child, but I never realized that was a pan and scan version.

In this short, Jerry is enjoying a day at the beach when Tom, who is trying to impress a young lady cat, interrupts. Jerry does seek his revenge but ends up being a spectator for most of the film as another cat tries to make the moves on Tom's girl and the two end up doing a fine job of beating each other up with little help from the mouse.

This film really makes great use of the widescreen format and it's wonderful to see the beautiful art work in widescreen. This one is not as over-the-top violent as many Tom and Jerry films, but does display some great pacing from Hanna and Barbera. It moves very smoothly from gag to gag and shows just how well they knew these characters. We associate Hanna Barbera with so many other TV characters now, but back at this time they worked Tom and Jerry exclusively and their expertise with the cat and mouse shows in this short.

Cartoon a Day: Tom-ic Energy

2009-06-30T22:42:00.004-06:00

Tom-ic Energy
1965
Directed by Chuck Jones and Maurice Noble
Available on: Tom and Jerry - The Chuck Jones Collection

It might turn out to be a Tom and Jerry week here for Cartoon a Day, since I used some more Father's Day gift card goodness to pick up the recently released "Tom and Jerry - The Chuck Jones Collection" DVD set. The Chuck Jones Tom and Jerry films are going to be interesting to look at. After Warner Brothers got out of the cartoon business, Jones was courted by MGM where he ended up doing a number of projects, including the final 34 Tom and Jerry theatrical shorts. These films represent the final days of the age of animated theatrical short. They are also interesting in that while they are the work of a master, they are generally not considered to be a high point in Jones' career. However, it is interesting to see theatrical animated shorts done in full animation, from a time when animation was heading to a slimmed down television version (being spearheaded, oddly enough, by Tom and Jerry's creators...William Hanna and Joseph Barbera).

The look of these shorts is very different from the Hannah Barbera films. The look of the two main characters changed quite a bit. Jerry had a bigger head and larger eyes. Tom was given thicker eyebrows and longer ears. The color scheme is quite a bit different as well. Plus, the films are widescreen!

This short has the cat and mouse chasing around city streets and rooftops. There are some decent gags, but they just don't quite have the intensity of the HB years. The highlight of the film is when Tom gets caught up in the laundry, ends up dressed in a ladies clothes, and then is mistaken by another cat for a female. The scene is played Pepe le Pew style, complete with Mel Blanc doing the voice of the other cat.

I can remember seeing many of these shorts as a kid, and even then we could tell the difference between the older Tom and Jerry cartoons and these. I can honestly say that my memories back then were that these were not as strong, but it will be fun to revisit them with the eyes of an adult.

Cartoon a Day: The Bowling Alley-Cat

2009-06-29T22:05:00.004-06:00

The Bowling Alley-Cat
1942
Directed by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera
Available on: Tom and Jerry Spotlight Collection Vol. 2

With my Father's Day gift card I managed to pick up Volume 2 of the Tom and Jerry DVD sets. So here is one of the shorts on that collection, and early one called "The Bowling Alley-Cat."

This is an early short for the cat and mouse team. The design of Tom is quite a bit different than what we'd come to know. His head seems rounder, eyes a bit larger and he's a bit more scraggly looking.

You can probably figure out the plot from the title, Tom and Jerry try to kill each other in a bowling alley. It is a great location for them as there are lots of new ways of causing injury to each other.

Actually, the film seems somewhat tame for a Tom and Jerry short, until about halfway through...right about the time Tom gets a bowling ball in caught in his mouth and then is creamed in the face by about half a dozen more. It actually goes to show one of this cartoons greatest strengths, it builds. The level of violence/humor keeps ramping up as the short progresses. Hanna and Barbera are patient with their best bits which shows their skill as directors.

Cartoon a Day: A Ham in a Role

2009-06-25T22:11:00.005-06:00

A Ham in a Role
1949
Directed by Robert McKimson
Available on: Looney Tunes Golden Collection Vol. 6

This marks the first time that a Goofy Gophers cartoon has appeared on "Cartoon a Day." The characters were never major stars in the Looney Tunes universe (they only appeared in nine films) but they can be amusing characters.

In this short, a dog is fed up with acting in cartoons so he heads to his country home to practice Shakespeare in order to pursue more dignified roles. Unfortunately, his home has been taken over by gophers who seek their revenge after being tossed out the window.

The gophers lay right into this dog character without much cause, so it's a little hard to cheer for them. Problem is, the dog is portrayed as pompous, but not mean. So it's the gophers that come off looking nasty. The sequence involving a magnet and a suit of armour toward the end of the film is very funny however.

There was one thing that struck me as I watched this short. Now understand, I'm one of those people that can't stand it when people suggest that certain cartoon characters (or Muppets) have certain...shall we say alternative lifestyles. However, as I watched the interaction of the two gophers, which is the funniest part of the film, I began to have memories of a James Bond film, "Diamonds are Forever." Specifically, the two assassins in that movie, Mr. Wint and Mr. Kidd, who are supposed to be gay. Seeing the two gophers plotting things and then walking off arm in arm reminded me of seeing the James Bond villains walking off hand in hand. I did find a little bit of debate out there on the interwebs about whether the gophers were portrayed with a certain stereotype. I don't think they intentionally were, but I could see where one might think so.

Cartoon a Day: My Little Duckaroo

2009-06-24T22:08:00.003-06:00

My Little Duckaroo
1954
Directed by Chuck Jones (as Charles M. Jones)
Available on: Looney Tunes Golden Collection Vol. 6

"My Little Duckaroo" features Daffy Duck as a Lone Ranger type hero, with Porky Pig as his sidekick (or "comic relief" as this short calls him). The film has that classic Chuck Jones style to it, but I didn't find this one as out-loud funny as some of Jones' other Daffy shorts.

You may think this sounds silly, but there is a major distraction in this film that kept me from really enjoying the gags. Much of the film takes place inside the hideout of the villain, Nasty Canasta. For some reason, the inside walls are decorated with pages from a book...so you can see words and pictures on the walls. It's an odd choice for background art.

I just couldn't pull my brain away from trying to read the print on the walls. I suppose that shows that I'm easily distracted, but I just couldn't stop looking at those stupid walls. So I guess there's some cool animation here, but bad choices for backgrounds.

Cartoon a Day: Defense Against Invasion

2009-06-23T22:42:00.003-06:00

Defense Against Invasion
1943
Directed by ?
Available on: Walt Disney Treasures - On the Front Lines

Today I felt like watching a Disney wartime educational short. "Defense Against Invasion" seems by it's title like it would be about defending your home from enemy attack, but it's really about vaccination.

Part of the film is live action, with a cast of boys who were probably picked to try and resemble the Our Gang kids visiting a doctors office. Animation kicks in as the doctor explains how vaccination works to fight diseases.

This is an interesting short as the character and scenery design seem somewhat ahead of their time. The modern look of the "factories" inside the body seems more like something out of a 1950's cartoon.

The highlight of this short for me is the animation of the germs. The movements of these black, spider-like creatures reminds me somewhat of cartoonist Gerald Scarfe's contribution to the film "Pink Floyd - The Wall." It's some creepy stuff, especially for a film that, unlike some of the other propaganda shorts, was intended for kids.

Cartoon a Day: Mississippi Hare

2009-06-22T22:20:00.004-06:00

Mississippi Hare
1949
Directed by Chuck Jones (as Charles M. Jones)
Available on: Looney Tunes Golden Collection Vol. 4

I've been away from "Cartoon a Day" for awhile, but let's get back on track with a cartoon that isn't in the TV rotation much anymore, "Mississippi Hare."

The very first scene is the primary reason this cartoon isn't shown much. We begin by seeing workers in a southern cotton field. Bugs' tail is mistaken for some cotton, and he's picked and bailed. He then ends up on a paddle boat where he faces a riverboat gambler called Colonel Shuffle.

Shuffle is pretty much Yosemite Sam. The voice is different, but the look, and certainly his stature, is similar. Part of me thinks that the short would've been even better with Sam as the bad guy, but it's still a great cartoon.

The pacing of this short is one of the most interesting parts. Some of the gags are very quick, while others build and build. The sequence in which Shuffle chases Bugs through the ship and they take turns opening doors for each other has a great payoff when Bugs opens the door of the furnace for the Colonel. But then, it keeps going as the short gambler tries to douse his burning pants with water. Watching Bugs slowly counting out change so that Shuffle can get water from a coin operated cooler as his pants burn is hilarious.

It's a shame that this one is out of the TV rotation. It's pretty tame compared to some.

Tim Burton's "Batman"...20 years ago.

2009-06-22T18:50:00.004-06:00

Do you remember what you were doing 20 years ago this evening? I do. I had a date! I know it probably doesn't seem that big of a deal to you, but you don't realize how rare of an occasion that was. A good friend took pity on me and accompanied me to a late evening showing of "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," which I had already seen once. As we exited the theater around 11:00 that evening, we passed by the line that had formed for the midnight showing of the summer of 89's most anticipated movie..."Batman." The June 23rd release date had been stamped on our brains many months before, and now the day was upon us. Part of me wanted to suggest to my date that we just turn around and make the night a double feature, but I ended up waiting for the first showing the next day. My movie pals and I lined up early and we had such a great time. The movie was worth the wait. It's hard to believe it's been 20 years.

With all the excitement, deservedly so, over Christopher Nolan's "The Dark Knight" last year, I fear that many have forgotten what a great movie Burton's "Batman" is. This was only Burton's third feature. With only the bizarre fun of "Pee-wee's Big Adventure" and "Beetlejuice" under his belt, he seemed an odd choice for such a potentially big franchise. But Burton's take on the material was spot on. Jack Nicholson was an inspired choice to play the Joker and Michael Keaton gave the fanboys who whined about his casting a swift batkick to the pants. Mix it with the incredible production design and what is still one of Danny Elfman's best scores, and you've got a classic.

Happy 20th to Tim Burton's "Batman!" You ever dance with the devil in the pale moonlight?

Sorry for the Blogging Break

2009-06-22T18:48:00.002-06:00

Greetings all. Sorry for the delay in blog posts here. A combination of craziness of work, a wedding trip, and then vacation with spotty internet service in the hotels I was at made it pretty much impossible to blog. But I'm back...hopefully

Songs with a Girls' Name in the Title #19

2009-06-07T16:50:00.001-06:00

19. Rosanna - Toto

Toto keyboardist Steve Porcaro was dating a girl by the name of Rosanna. Supposedly she often visited the recording studio and brought the band food. She inspired the band’s leader, David Paich, to write the song that bears her name. That Rosanna was actually actress Rosanna Arquette, and legend has it that she now hates the song.

Songs with a Girls' Name in Title #20

2009-06-07T16:45:00.002-06:00

20. Donna - Richie Valens

So the question always seems to come up when playing Trivial Pursuit…who are the three performers killed in a plane crash on “the day the music died?” Answer: Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper, and our next artist, Richie Valens. This song is about Valens’ actual girlfriend, Donna Ludwig. Turns out the B-side of this single was a hit for Valens also…”La Bamba.”

Songs with a Girls' Name in the Title #21

2009-05-25T18:38:00.001-06:00

21. Mustang Sally - Wilson Pickett

There is nothing deep about “Mustang Sally.” She’s got to slow her mustang down, simple as that. When you’ve got Wilson Pickett delivering the vocals you don’t need to waste time trying to analyze it. Just sit back and let Mr. Pickett do the driving.

Songs with a Girls' Name in the Title #22

2009-05-25T15:18:00.002-06:00

22. Proud Mary - Credence Clearwater Revival

Another song with a girls’ name in the title that isn’t about a girl. Proud Mary is a riverboat and John Fogerty’s exceptional musical talents do create the feeling of a giant paddle boat making it’s way down the Mississippi River. Though the CCR original is what I list, this song should probably get double billing for Ike and Tina Turner’s equally classic rendition as well.

Songs with a Girls' Name in the Title

2009-05-25T14:57:00.004-06:00

Sorry for the delay in continuing this series of posts. Remember I said I was having some computer issues, still am to some degree, but it's kept continuing this series a challenge. But, for now, some of the bugs may have been worked out. So here's a refresher of the songs we've covered so far...

40. Come on Eileen – Dexy’s Midnight Runners

39. Jezebel - Chely Wright

38. Iris - Go0-Goo Dolls

37. Maggie May - Rod Stewart

36. Mandy - Barry Manilow

35. Walk Away Renee - Left Banke

34. Brandy (You're a Fine Girl) - Looking Glass

33. Oh Sherry - Steve Perry

32. A Boy Named Sue - Johnny Cash

31. Rhiannon - Fleetwood Mac

30. Wake Up Little Sussie - The Everly Brothers

29. Valerie - Steve Winwood

28. Runaround Sue - Dion

27. Elvira - The Oak Ridge Boys

26. Lucille - Little Richard

25. Barbara Ann - The Beach Boys

24. Lola - The Kinks

23. Veronica - Elvis Costello

Cartoon a Day: Toot Whistle Plunk and Boom

2009-05-20T22:19:00.005-06:00

Toot Whistle Plunk and Boom
1953
Directed by Ward Kimball and Charles A Nichols
Available on: Walt Disney Treasures - Disney Rarities

Today's short is one of my all-time favorite cartoons. I was in either kindergarten or first grade when I saw it for the first timein the library at Clifford Elementary School. "Toot Whistle Plunk and Boom" is an educational short about music, but it is also one of the Disney studio's most creative shorts. Others must've thought so too, since it won an Academy Award. And to top it all off, it's in beautiful widescreen.

The film takes place in a classroom full of birds led by an owl. He takes the class on a history of music, tracing it to four basic elements...the toot, the whistle, the plunk and the boom.

This short is one that really proves Disney wasn't all about cute little woodland creatures. The characters in this short have that great 50's geometric design. I love the character designs in this short and they have influenced the way I design my shadow puppets a great deal.

The film serves it's purpose, it is very educational, in fact it still used in classrooms today. The film is also very funny, though. The "plunk" sequence is my favorite from a comedic standpoint. They demonstrate several different types of string instruments in this sequence...from violins to hammer dulcimers and more...each one of them ends up breaking a string which hits it's player. It's a very funny sequence.

I'll just close by letting a bunch of this film's creative images speak for themselves. This is another one of my desert island cartoons.

Superman Graduates

2009-05-20T19:09:00.001-06:00

Cartoon a Day: All A Bir-r-r-rd

2009-05-19T22:06:00.005-06:00

All A Bir-r-r-rd
1950
Directed by Friz Freleng (as I. Freleng)
Available on: Looney Tunes Golden Collection Vol 2

In this Tweety and Sylvester cartoon the duo are aboard a train. Both are riding in a luggage compartment and, as usual, Sylvester is trying to make a snack of Tweety.

There are some great gags in this cartoon, more of Freleng's great sense of timing at work. Freleng makes great use of two sets of running gags in this short. The first involves Tweety pulling an emergency brake cord to stop Sylvester's attacks.

The second is a hilarious use of a bulldog who also happens to be on the train. He and Tweety manage to switch places with each other several times, so much so that you can predict that last gag, but the gag fits so well you would'nt have it any other way.

Cartoon a Day: The Hare-Brained Hypnotist

2009-05-19T21:46:00.003-06:00

The Hare Brained-Hypnotist
1942
Directed by Friz Freleng (As I. Freleng)
Available on: Looney Tunes Golden Collection Vol. 2

"The Hare-Brained Hypnotist" is a Bugs Bunny / Elmer Fudd hunting picture, but one with a bit a of a twist. It begins with Elmer reading a book on hypnosis. He plans on trying to hypnotize the animals he is hunting.

As the short moves along, Bugs hypnotizes Elmer and convinces him that he's a rabbit. So for half of this short Elmer plays the Bugs Bunny part. Bugs doesn't know what to make of it and it's very funny watching him get frustrated with this.

Freleng was an expert when it comes to timing, and he may have been best suited for having a well known character suddenly take on the traits and mannerisms of another. This short is a great moment for Elmer, as he actually comes out on top.

10 years of The Phantom Menace

2009-05-17T14:59:00.006-06:00

This Tuesday marks the 10th anniversary of the release of "Star Wars Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace." It's hard to believe that it's been that long. I remember going on the opening day. My office pretty much shut down and we all went to an afternoon show together. It was such a thrill being in a packed theater and having every single person in the audience cheer when the words "Star Wars" appeared on the screen. The look of the title and the "a long time ago..." lead in were exactly the same as the three original films. I didn't fully believe I was seeing a new Star Wars film until the words "Episode I" scrolled up.

Many people were less than thrilled with this new creation from the mind of Lucas. I had a great time at the movies that day, and I still enjoy the film today. I admit it is probably the weakest of the Star Wars films, but the way the current generation has responded to this film and it's sequels over the last few years I think proves that it is not the films that changed, but the audience. Simply put, the children of the 70's grew up and many were unwilling to approach these films as they did when they were young.

So, in celebration of the film's 10th anniversary, here are a few of the things I love about The Phantom Menace:

- Giant Monsters

It must be the Godzilla fan in me, but I loved the giant undersea creatures that Qui Gon, Obi Wan, and Jar Jar encounter during their underwater bongo trip to Theed. Giant monsters are a Star Wars tradition, so it was fun to meet some of the aquatic variety.

- Watto

Watto, the junk dealer who owns Anakin and his mother, is a great character. I love his design...pot bellied, unshaven, broken teeth that won't fit behind his mouth...he looks like a guy who's spent too much time at the race track. He's also got one of the best character voices of the series. I wish we we could've seen more of him as the saga progressed.

- Pod Racing

The pod race sequence is one of the best action scenes in any of the Star Wars films. This is Lucas' imagination working on all cylinders. Just the idea of racers being dragged along by two giant engines at dizzying speeds is wonderfully insane by itself, but there's so much more to like about this race. The cast of alien drivers make this Episode 1's version of the cantina scene. The nods to the other Star Wars films are great...buzzing by some Jawas, Jabba the Hutt falling asleep at the race, and best of all, Tusken Raiders taking pot shots at the racers. Ingenious! But as good as the pod race is, it may not be the film's best moment, which leads us to...

- Duel of the Fates

It turns out that after all those years we really had no concept of what a real lightsaber battle was like. The moment when Darth Maul ignites his double-edged lightsaber had appeared in the first trailer for the film, so fans had played and replayed it hundred of times in the six months leading up to the film's release, yet there were still audible gasps in the audience when the moment came. The battle that followed was beyond what anyone had imagined. You've got to hand it to Lucas for not giving Darth Maul the same sort of sword fighting chit chat that Darth Vader was fond of in the original trilogy. It helped make this villain a creature of pure rage. I think my favorite moment of the duel is when, to open a door, Darth Maul points at an object on the floor, then points at a control panel to send the item hurling into it, thus opening the door. The music for this sequence also represents on of John Williams' finest moments in either of the trilogies.

So happy 10th anniversay Phantom Menace! Everyone grab your double-edged lightsaber and party like it's 1999, or at least watch the movie again.

Cartoon a Day: Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp

2009-05-14T22:49:00.006-06:00

Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp
1934
Directed by Ub Iwerks
Available on: Cartoons that Time Forgot - The Ub Iwerks Collection Vol. 1

"Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp," not to be confused with the famous Popeye two-realer "Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp," is another Ub Iwerks cartoon from his post-Disney days.

Iwerks tended to be an innovator and there is a lot to like here with the creative use of color. A lot of the character design is very interesting as well, from the genie to the scrawny villain to the Betty Boopish princess. So one of the weaknesses of this short is the pretty boring design of the main character. He's just not that interesting.

You've got to give Iwerks some credit though, this was an ambitious project for 1934 and it's obvious that a few elements may have even inspired the creators of Disney's feature length "Aladdin" decades later.

Cartoon a Day: A Clean Shaven Man

2009-05-13T22:48:00.005-06:00

A Clean Shaven Man
1936
Directed by Dave Fleischer
Available on: Popeye the Sailor 1933-1938

Several of the Popeye shorts feature some very simple but memorable little songs. Such is the case for "A Clean Shaven Man." As soon as I started watching this cartoon I was singing the title song in my head from having watched the short many many times as a child.

In this one, Popeye and Bluto head to Wimpy's barbershop to get a shave so they can impress Olive. However, Wimpy is out, so the two decide to take turns shaving the other. Of course, Popeye lives up to his end of the bargain, but Bluto makes the one-eyed sailor look worse than when he started.

This short comes several years into the Popeye series, so there is a lot more detail in the character and background designs. Olive Oyle is even starting to show some degree of curviness...it's not much, this is Olive Oyl after all, but it's definitely there.

The best moments come after Popeye has had his spinach. I love when he is beating up on Bluto in a classic fight cloud, all the while muttering along with the music of the film's soundtrack. The final gag is also great in which Olive ends up walking down the street on the arm of a long-bearded man. The man actually looks like he could be Mr. Geezil from the comic strips which Popeye is based on. A rare appearance from one of the the many other characters that appeared with Popeye in print.

Cartoon a Day: Yankee Dood It

2009-05-12T22:25:00.005-06:00

Yankee Dood It
1956
Directed by Friz Freleng
Available on: Looney Tunes Golden Collection Vol. 6

This is an odd Looney Tunes short that can be described with 4 words that aren't usually used to describe Looney Tunes..."It Just Ain't Funny."

Now, truth be told, this is really more of an educational short. It uses the story of the elves and shoemaker to teach about business. Seems the shoemaker needs to look to new technology and get past using elves. Elmer Fudd is cast as the head elf. Sylvester the cat is the only other classic character to appear.

There are some great designs that are classic 50's style animation. But, the complete lack of humor and some convoluted plot points (apparently elves turn into mice when the word "Jehosophat" is uttered) make for a disappointing film.

Cartoon a Day: Motor Mania

2009-05-11T22:22:00.005-06:00

Motor Mania
1950
Directed by Jack Kinney
Available on: Walt Disney Treasures - The Complete Goofy

Goofy is an interesting character if you look at his history. In many of his later cartoons he doesn't really play himself. He's used to play a variety of different characters. In fact, in several cartoons, every character is based on his design. One of those cartoons is "Motor Mania," a cartoon that addresses the problem of road rage before it was ever fashionable to do so.

Goofy plays "Mr. Walker" who is a normal, peace-loving member of society when he's a pedestrian. However, get him behind the wheel of a car and he becomes the maniac driver "Mr. Wheeler." This cartoon has it's funny moments, but it's a bit jarring to see the lovable goof as a raging menace of the highway. It's also interesting to note that Goofy doesn't have ears in this cartoon, which in some ways helps separate him from the lovable character he usually plays.

The art is very crisp looking. You can definitely see the difference between the Disney style of the 50's and the Warner Brothers style in this cartoon. There's nothing wrong with the WB style, but this is what animation looks like when every "t" is crossed and every "i" is dotted.

H.R. Pufnstuf on iTunes

2009-05-11T20:31:00.004-06:00

All fans of the crazy psychedelic puppetry of Sid & Marty Krofft can rejoice that their quintessential series, "H.R. Pufnstuf," is now on iTunes with every episode available for download. Now I'm a still a guy who feels the need to own an actual DVD, but for those of you who want your iPod to trip out, well here's your chance.

Cartoon a Day: Tom and Jerry in the Hollywood Bowl

2009-05-10T21:56:00.005-06:00

Tom and Jerry in the Hollywood Bowl

1950

Directed by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera

Available on: Tom and Jerry Spotlight Collection

We've talked before about how there are certain scenarios that most major cartoon characters seem to cover at some point in their career. Don't wake the sleeping neighbor is one of them. The bullfight is another popular one. And then, of course, there is the conducting an orchestra bit, which leads us to "Tom and Jerry in the Hollywood Bowl."

Bugs Bunny and Mickey Mouse have both conducted orchestras, so why not the cat and mouse? They are actually somewhat better suited for the job than some other characters. One of the keys to this type of cartoon is the timing of the gags to the music. Tom and Jerry cartoons depended on excellent timing in this way all the time. Since there was rarely much dialogue to deal with, a strong music track was essential.

It is a bit strange to see Tom and Jerry step out of their normal roles. I mean, Bugs or Mickey can pretty much step into any role, but you don't expect Tom to suddenly be the featured conductor at the Hollywood Bowl. Still, it works here and you actually end up sympathizing with Tom for once as Jerry is really the one causing the problems in this short.

Cartoon a Day: The Shooting of Dan McGoo

2009-05-06T22:36:00.006-06:00

The Shooting of Dan McGoo
1945
Directed by Tex Avery
Available on: Tex Avery's Droopy - The Complete Theatrical Collection.

If, God forbid, there were ever a great calamity and only one of Tex Avery's cartoons from his time at MGM were to survive, "The Shooting of Dan McGoo" may as well be it. Just about everything that defines Avery's style during this period is in this cartoon.

This is the second outing for the character Droopy, and it isn't a cartoon that was a part of the kid show rotation in my hometown. Make no mistake, this is not a kids cartoon. Why the very first gag of the film involves a pun on some mature language. What follows are scenes of drinking, gambling, gun play, and a scantily clad dancing girl...and it's all very funny too. Avery's three great MGM era characters all appear in this cartoon, Droopy, the Wolf, and the dancing girl often known as "Red Hot Ridding Hood," here referred to as "Lou."

The sight gags are hilarious in this short. I love the little signs that speak directly to the audience, like the one that declares "Noisy, isn't it" as the camera pans across the violent saloon.

Another great sight gag involves a strategically placed bartender standing in front of a painting of women reclining. That gag seems pretty risque at first but actually has a pretty innocent payoff later in the film.

Of course, the highlight of the short is the performance by Lou, and the extreme reactions of the wolf as he watches. The animation of the wolf is so over the top, it's impossible not to laugh. What's even more amazing is that Avery's crew managed to pretty much remake this scene with even more extreme reactions in shorts like "Little Rural Ridding Hood." The animation of Lou the dancing girl is incredible. Yes, it is very adult in nature, but you will be hard pressed to find more believable looking dancing in the annals of animation history.

"The Shooting of Dan McGoo" may not be for younger viewers, but it's one of Tex Avery's quintessential works.

Cartoon a Day: Stratos Fear

2009-05-04T22:07:00.004-06:00

Stratos Fear
1933
Directed by Ub Iwerks
Available on: Cartoons that Time Forgot: The Ub Iwerks Collection Vol. 2

Ub Iwerks was Walt Disney's top animator and co-creator of Mickey Mouse. After several years with Disney, he ventured out on his own, but most of the films he made have pretty much faded into obscurity. One of the characters he created during this time was a portly kid who told unbelievable stories named Willie Whopper. Today's cartoon, "Stratos Fear," is a part of the Willie Whopper series.

In this adventure, Willie is visiting the dentist. He's given some gas which blows him up like a balloon and causes him to float off to space. While in space he encounters a wide variety of strange space creatures.

This cartoon reminded me a lot of Bob Clampett's classic short "Porky in Wackyland." Although, it should probably be the other way around, since this cartoon came five years earlier. This cartoon doesn't have the comic moments that "Wackyland" does, but the odd creatures give us a lot to enjoy. Made at a time when many cartoons were populated primarily by rubber limbed animals, this cartoon is quite surrealistic and combines many of the best qualities of Iwerks' more popular competitors at the Disney and Fleischer studios.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame with Denise Richards!!?!?

2009-05-04T21:20:00.003-06:00

Two of my good friends have a teenage son who is a big sports fan. He's been known to come up to me and say things like, "Hey Todd, the Cubs suck this year." Even when that statement has been true I've just reminded him that there is nothing you can say or do that can hurt a Cubs fan. This, however, comes pretty close. Here is the former Mrs. Charlie Sheen, Denise Richards, singing "Take me out to the Ballgame" at Wrigley Field last Friday.

The best part of this video has to be the expressions on the faces of the fans. They just can't believe what they're hearing!

Sorry for the blogging Delay

2009-05-04T21:18:00.002-06:00

Hey folks, sorry that there's been a bit of a lull in activity here at "Squonk." I've been dealing with some weird computer issues the last week or so which has made it tough for me to blog. Hopefully we'll be back to normal here now.

Baby Preacher

2009-04-22T22:24:00.001-06:00

Here's one for all my children's ministry friends who are workin' in the nursery...

Cartoon a Day: Sock-a-Bye Baby

2009-04-21T23:48:00.004-06:00

Sock-a-Bye Baby
1934
Directed by Dave Fleischer
Available on: Popeye the Sailor Vol. 1

“Sock-a-Bye Baby” features a pretty ruthless Popeye. He’s put in charge of watching a napping “infink,” and he does anything to keep the baby from waking up.

It’s that classic cartoon premise we’ve talked about before where one character is sleeping and another tries to keep him from waking up.

The baby in this short is not Swee'Pea, who had only just been introduced into the Popeye comic strip shortly before this short was made. Olive Oyl and Bluto don’t even appear in this one, it’s just Popeye and the baby. He still manages to do a great bit of damage, though. There are some classic bits of Popeye violence in this one, including him swinging from a flag pole to knock out people in the windows of a building and punching a radio and sending an electronic fist through the air waves to sock the person at the other end of the microphone. Another great example of that warped Fleischer sense of humor.

Cartoon a Day: Wild Elephinks

2009-04-21T23:40:00.004-06:00

Wild Elephinks
1933
Directed by Dave Fleischer
Available on: Popeye the Sailor Vol. 1

“Wild Elephinks” is another very memorable early Popeye short. I remember this one being in the regular rotation on Channel 32 in Chicago when I was a kid. It’s another one in which Bluto does not appear, but don’t worry, Popeye has his hands full with a bunch of nasty animals. In other words, this short is PETA’s worst nightmare.

Popeye and Olive Oyl end up on a jungle island in this one. As Popeye is doing battle with a giant elephant, a gorilla takes the opportunity to run off with Olive. This leads to one of my favorite moments in this short, and a perfect example of the Fleischer sense of humor, when the gorilla picks coconuts as he carries Olive and uses her head to crack them open.

Eventually, Popeye must battle a snake, a moose, a lion, and all sorts of other creatures. These animals have a great look. There is a lot of character, not just the generic look-as-much-like-Mickey-Mouse-as-you-can style that was so prevalent during this era. The great look of the animal characters is all the more important when Popeye beats them to pulp, and we get some great reaction shots.

Cartoon a Day: I Eats My Spinach

2009-04-20T21:43:00.006-06:00

I Eats My Spinach
1933
Directed by Dave Fleischer
Available on: Popeye the Sailor Vol. 1

The last four days were pretty wild. Everything from snow storms, to sci-fi conventions, to jigsaw puzzles with the kids. I have been watching my daily cartoons, so it will take a little time to catch up. Normally I might just skip the blogging, but I'm loving these Popeye cartoons so much, I just can't.

In "I Eats My Spinach," Popeye joins the ranks of many cartoon characters by participating in a bull fight. I did a whole week of bull fight cartoons awhile ago, this one begins with a simple visit to the rodeo only to have Popeye get roped into competing against the star of the event, Bluto. Eventually he must do battle with both Bluto and a bull. It's fun to watch Popeye show up Bluto in every way, shape and form. You've gotta wonder why the guy keeps on trying.

One of my favorite parts of this particular cartoon is fight where Popeye, Bluto and Olive all end up socking it out. I call this thing a "fight cloud," you see them in many Popeye cartoons. With the magic of DVD, it's fun to freeze frame these sequence and watch all the unique animation poses the characters end up in. I won't waste any more words...just check out this great sequence of images...

Before Oprah

2009-04-19T15:15:00.006-06:00

I'm pretty sporatic when it comes to my Twitter account, but at least I can claim that I was there before Oprah. Now that the queen of the universe is "tweeting," the world may just colapse upon itself. But some geniuses have come up with herebeforeoprah.com, where you can type in someone's twitter name and find out if they were a twit before Oprah was.

Here's my proof straight from the site.

Space Invaders

2009-04-19T08:57:00.000-06:00

This is one cool video. That is all...

Happy Up Here from Röyksopp on Vimeo.

Songs with a Girls' Name in the Title #23

2009-04-17T21:07:00.001-06:00

23. Veronica - Elvis Costello

Elvis Costello |MTV Music

Elvis Costello is a great songwriter. His lyrics can create such great images, and this song is no exception. “Veronica” is about an old woman slowly loosing her memory as she lives out her life in an old folks home. The song was inspired by Costello’s own grandmother who battled Alzheimer’s disease and was co-written by Paul McCartney.

Songs with a Girls' Name in the Title #24

2009-04-17T20:34:00.003-06:00

24. Lola - The Kinks

Ok…um…so…uh…alright, if you don’t know by now that Lola is a man then you don’t know much about music. A controversial song for sure, but it revived the career of The Kinks and inspired one of “Weird Al” Yankovic’s greatest parodies, “Yoda.” You gotta give it some points for that.

Songs with a Girls' Name in the Title #25

2009-04-17T20:31:00.002-06:00

25. Barbara Ann - The Beach Boys

Now I’m no great musical expert, but The Beach Boys’s version of this simple little song seems to consist of a guitar, a tambourine, and several clapping singers who are just inebriated enough that they can’t quite remember all the lyrics. Supposedly Capital records released this recording without informing the band. Wonder why?

Cartoon a Day: Blow Me Down

2009-04-16T23:04:00.005-06:00

Blow Me Down
1933
Directed by Dave Fleischer
Available on: Popeye the Sailor Vol. 1

Popeye's third big screen adventure takes our hero south of the border and steps up the action and the entertainment in many ways.

In some ways, you can see the animators realizing what they had in the character of Olive Oyl. If ever there was a character made for animation, it's Olive. At this point she's pretty much a clothes pin with rubber band arms and legs. Throughout her dance sequence we see the artists explore the range of her movements.

This short also steps up the level of violence...big time! Barely a minute into the short a bandito takes a shot at Popeye from behind! Of course it bounces off of his skull and nails the shooter who falls several stories to the street below. Kids stuff, right?

The bar room brawl that follows between Popeye and Bluto's gang is even more violent. The commentators on the DVD actually compare it to the House of Blue Leaves fight sequence from Quentin Tarantino's "Kill Bill Vol. 1." To be honest, I can see it. Some of the elements of the setting and angles used are similar. Not to mention the fact that one person manages to fend off a slew of attackers. I wouldn't put it past Tarantino to have looked to Popeye for inspiration, let's put it that way.

It is strange to see this level of violence in a cartoon today, but I guess the fighting is part of what gives Popeye cartoons their charm.

Cartoon a Day: I Yam What I Yam

2009-04-15T22:33:00.005-06:00

I Yam What I Yam
1933
Directed by Dave Fleischer
Available on: Popeye The Sailor Vol. 1

Popeye's second screen appearance is quite different from his first. It actually strays from the Popeye vs. Bluto formula but is still a great cartoon. Bluto doesn't even appear in this one, but another famous character, Wimpy, makes his debut (though without any hamburgers).

As the short opens, Popeye, Olive and Wimpy are rowing across the sea through a storm. Actually, Olive is doing all the rowing, which makes for a very funny opening sequence. Popeye stands at the front of the boat like Washington crossing the Delaware, Wimpy sits back and eat fish pulled right from the water, meanwhile Olive is rowing like mad.

The action gets started after the trio have arrived on land and are attacked by a group of indians. The sequence where the indians close in on the cabin is a classic example of the Fleischer style. The indians actually morph into bushes and trees as they move in for the attack. It's certainly not politicly correct by today's standards, but a fun cartoon none the less.

Cartoon a Day: Popeye the Sailor

2009-04-14T21:56:00.004-06:00

Popeye the Sailor
1933
Directed by Dave Fleischer
Available on: Popeye the Sailor Vol. 1

I had a great Easter weekend, but busy. My parents were in town and we did four puppet shows at four Easter services, thus the break in blogging. However, with my birthday just a few weeks away, my parents gave me some early gifts. One was the first DVD set of Popeye cartoons, so I think we'll focus on the one-eyed sailor this week.

This is the very first short to feature Popeye, it is technically a part of the Betty Boop series even though she only makes a cameo. The basic premise that would direct most of the Popeye films for years to come is in place right from the beginning. Popeye and Bluto compete for the affections of Olive Oyl, a fight ensues, Popeye eats some spinach and wins Olive.

Popeye is a unique character in animation history. He wasn't born on film, but came from comic strips. But his film career only added to the popularity of the character. One of the commentators on this DVD set describes him as being the first superhero, and I suppose that 's true.

He's also a somewhat absurd character that perfectly fits the outlandish style of the Fleischer studio. It's interesting note in this first cartoon that Popeye, Olive, and Bluto are the only human characters. The other characters are anthropomorphic animals, which is something that would not continue as the series progressed.

It has been so long since I really watched the Popeye shorts. They were daily viewing as a kid, but I must admit I have avoided them as an adult as many of the showings on Cartoon Network in recent years have been colorized abominations (curse you Ted Turner). It's going to be fun looking at these shorts again!

Cartoon a Day: The Greener Yard

2009-04-09T22:08:00.004-06:00

The Greener Yard
1949
Directed by Jack Hannah
Available on: Walt Disney Treasures: The Chronological Donald Vol. 3

"The Greener Yard" is a short which puts Donald Duck against a beetle out to feast on his garden. It's a short that has some great moments of creativity but is not without a few flaws as well.

To start, the background art is amazing. Some of the most detailed and colorful work you will ever see. Donald is a far better gardener than I could ever be, that's for sure. The animation is, of course, top notch. Both Donald and the beetle are extremely well drawn.

Where this short runs into problems is in how it presents the story. It begins with narration from the Beetle..."One day my son was blah blah blah..." and we're let into the story. Or so we think. The younger beetle is eyeballing Donald's beautiful yard next door and wanting to head on over there. It's "grass in greener" scenario. The older beetle then launches into telling about when he was younger and wandered over to Donald's yard. The majority of the film is that flashback. So technically it takes two flashbacks to even get to the story. Both are completely unnecessary when they could've just made it Donald vs. the beetle rather than trying to give it a lesson at the end.

Songs with a Girls' Name in the Title #26

2009-04-09T20:35:00.001-06:00

26. Lucille - Little Richard

If you can’t enjoy a Little Richard tune, well you may just be a zombie raised from the dead by an evil scientist. This tune about the singer being surprised by the sudden departure of his girl, Lucille, was supposedly written as a ballad, but Richard later sped it up. It’s also been covered by the like of The Everly Brothers, Van Halen, Deep Purple and even AC/DC.

Cartoon a Day: The Band Concert

2009-04-08T22:44:00.004-06:00

The Band Concert
1935
Directed by Wilfred Jackson
Available on: Walt Disney Treasures: Mickey Mouse in Living Color

In 1932 Mickey Mouse made his first appearance in color. It was a short made for the Academy Awards ceremony, "Parade of the Award Nominees." However, the publics first look at the famous mouse in color came in 1935 with this groundbreaking short, "The Band Concert."

In this short Mickey is conducting a band concert in the park. All is going well until the intrusion of a pesky food vendor (Donald Duck), a stubborn bee, and finally a tornado that rivals the one Dorothy hitched a ride on.

This is certainly one of Mickey's best films, and is probably one of his funniest as well. Remember, Mickey was known for being fun, but not necessarily laugh-out-loud funny. The pacing of the gags in this short is closer to what you'd expect from the Looney Tunes crew than the folks at Disney.

It's also interesting to watch Donald Duck in this short. He's actually more like his cousin from the Warner's lot, Daffy Duck, in this one. He plays the lovable troublemaker rather than the temper driven fowl he is in later films.

The film makes fantastic use of color in everything from the band uniforms to the dark sky that slowly creeps into the scenes as the storm approaches. It was just a little over 6 years before the release of "The Band Concert" that Disney had amazed audiences with his Mouse that spoke (in "Steamboat Willie"). It's easy to see how audiences were wowed again when that mouse showed up in color.

Cartoon a Day: To Duck...or Not to Duck

2009-04-07T22:03:00.003-06:00

To Duck...or Not to Duck
1943
Directed by Chuck Jones (as Charles M. Jones)
Available on: Looney Tunes Golden Collection Vol. 6

We've talked before about how there are several different versions of Daffy Duck. "To Duck...or Not to Duck" is an interesting short that somewhat transitions between the looney Daffy and the indignant Daffy.

Here he plays the Bugs Bunny role. Elmer Fudd is hunting when he shoot down Daffy. Daffy then starts in with the "how dare you" attitude and ends up switching things around to turn the scenario into a boxing match between the two.

What's interesting is that this doesn't feel like a Chuck Jones short. It seems to lean a little more toward the Bob Clampett style. Some of the extreme poses that you can catch Daffy and Elmer doing if you freeze frame at the right moment are examples of this. Elmer's dog being the lone member of the crowd rooting for Elmer (and getting pelted with tomatoes because of it) also feels more like a Clampett gag to me. Regardless of whether it's the normal Jones style, it's a funny short.

Cartoon a Day: Mask-A-Raid

2009-04-06T22:16:00.004-06:00

Mask-A-Raid
1931
Directed by Dave Fleischer
Available on: YouTube

Time for another Betty Boop short. These are quickly becoming some of my favorite shorts. Thanks to YouTube and the public domain, you can enjoy it in it's entirety.

In "Mask-A-Raid," Betty is at a masquerade ball where Bimbo and some grumpy old guy are battling for her attention. Part of why these shorts are becoming favorites of mine is that they are just so original. This short is 78 years old, yet there are gags that are so strange that they weren't copied by the other studios over and over again. The way that every single thing in a Fleischer cartoon can be alive never ceases to amaze me. The Fleischers also didn't care about being polite, and I'm not just talking about the scene where Bimbo stares at Betty's legs. Check out those mice carrying the train of Betty's dress at the beginning of the short...they look an awful lot like Mickey Mouse. But what's great is when Betty tells them to, "Go on, Scram!" It's as if she's saying, "News flash folks, no mouse will rule cartoons while I'm around." Of course, Mickey Mouse became infinitely more popular than Betty ever did, but it just fits her character, doesn't it.

Prog Rock and the Hall of Fame

2009-04-05T22:06:00.003-06:00

Last night was the annual induction ceremony for the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame. I watched most of the broadcast and let me tell you, the Oscars got nuthin' on these guys. The show was over 4 hours long.

It was very interesting to watch as quite a diverse group of musicians were ushered into the hall. The inductions of Metallica and Run D.M.C. were the focal points of the night but also inducted were the likes of Jeff Beck, Little Anthony & the Imperials, and rockabilly pioneer Wanda Jackson (who I thought was the highlight of the night).

I love the way the hall of fame includes so many diverse style of music that fall under this umbrella of Rock N' Roll. Though, one of my favorite styles, progressive rock, is sadly underrepresented in the hall. I can only think of two acts that can really be considered progressive rock that have been inducted into the hall...Pink Floyd and Frank Zappa, and Zappa is pretty much in his own genre. Of course, I would like to see my favorite band, Genesis, make the cut someday, but I'm not sure if they'd be considered "influential" enough. I actually think their former frontman, Peter Gabriel, stands a better chance of making it in as a solo artist. He's always been a bit more respected than his former band mates, while they have consistently outsold him.

So...Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame, it was a fun evening...but let's try to get some prog on the bill soon, ok.

Cartoon a Day: Night

2009-04-05T21:32:00.003-06:00

Night
1930
Directed by Walt Disney
Available on: Walt Disney Treasures: More Silly Symphonies

"Night" is an early entry in the Silly Symphonies series. It's simple and without a story (as are many of the shorts in this series) but it features some great animation and is another great hint at what was to come when Disney created "Fantasia."

The short begins by using bits of "The Blue Danube," which sets the tone as being a lot like "Fantasia" right from the start. However, this is still the early days of animation, so there is still a lot of silliness.

The animators focus on creatures of the night...owls, bugs, and frogs being the main characters. A great sequence involves a lightning bug dancing with the flame from a candle. It's fun to watch the shadow of the bug and then realize that cartoon characters don't cast their own shadows. That all had to be drawn and it's masterfully done. This is a great example of the simple genius of much of Disney's early work.

Songs with a Girls' Name in the Title #27

2009-04-03T19:48:00.004-06:00

27. Elvira - The Oak Ridge Boys

Recent country artists like Shania Twain, Carrie Underwood, and Taylor Swift made a habit of crossing over to the pop charts, but in the early 1980’s that was a rare thing. The Oak Ridge Boys’ version of “Elvira” was a rare exception. Helped along by the unusual bass vocal part, some probably consider this a novelty tune, but you’ve got to admit it’s catchy.

Songs with a Girls' Name in the Title #28

2009-04-03T19:38:00.002-06:00

28. Runaround Sue - Dion

Most songs that feature a girls’ name in the title have to do with the singer’s deep feelings for said female. “Runaround Sue,” however, is a classic cautionary tune about one you should stay far away from. Originally a hit for Dion but it also charted again in the 70’s for teen heartthrob Leif Garrett.

Cartoon a Day: Ace in the Hole

2009-04-01T21:51:00.004-06:00

Ace in the Hole
1942
Directed by Alex Lovy
Available on: Woody Woodpecker and Friends Classic Cartoon Collection

"Ace in the Hole" is a pretty solid Woody Woodpecker short in which Woody dreams of becoming a fighter pilot. His nemesis in this one is a drill sergeant bull dog.

The sequence early in the film in which Woody rides across the ground on the moving shadow of a passing plane is a fun scene. It actually shows a sweet side of Woody, a character who is fun to watch but often hard to root for.

A sequence in which Woody struggles with a flight suit and a box of flares is also a highlight of the film. I think what works well with this film is that Woody isn't being a vicious as he often in, but he's just sticking up for himself. This is probably one of the best of the early Woody shorts.

Cartoon a Day: Crazy Cruise

2009-04-01T21:42:00.003-06:00

Crazy Cruise
1942
Directed by Bob Clampett and Tex Avery
Available on: Looney Tunes Golden Collection Vol. 5

It’s pretty rare that a Looney Tunes short ends up being a complete disappointment to me, but that ‘s just what “Crazy Cruise” is. I’m still not exactly sure where the title of this short comes from. The format is like a travel documentary, though not all of the stops are on a cruise. The film doesn't feature any major characters except for a brief cameo by Bugs Bunny at the end of the film.

The gags are pretty disjointed, and in all honesty, seem like a collection of discarded jokes from other shorts strung together. What’s odd, especially for Warner Brothers, is that none of the gags really work well. And that's about all I have to say about that.

Cartoon a Day: Quiet Please

2009-03-30T22:28:00.005-06:00

Quiet Please
1945
Directed by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera
Available on: Tom and Jerry Spotlight Collection Vol. 1

This Tom and Jerry short has a premise that is a common cartoon scenario. There is a character who desperately wants some sleep, Spike the Dog in this case. The tired character tells another character that if he (Tom this time around) makes just one sound he's dead meat, which leads a third character (Jerry) to try and make as much noise as possible.

So, not a terribly original concept, but it is one that is consistently funny in most of the cartoons it's used in. This cartoon does have several funny sequences, the light bulb scene is a standout. But, like most Tom and Jerry cartoons, many of the things these characters do to each other look extremely painful, once again the light bulb scene is a standout.

There is some great animation display. About my only complaint from an artistic standpoint is that there isn't enough contrast in the background colors and the colors of the three main characters. That's nitpicking though, after all, this film did win an Oscar.

Songs with a Girls' Name in the Title #30

2009-03-29T16:28:00.004-06:00

30. Valerie - Steve Winwood

Steve Winwood is a great artist, a white British dude who mixes elements of the blues into his music. However, he sings like he has marbles in his mouth. I admit to not being able to understand much of the lyrics of this song at times... except for the name of the titular love interest, “Valerie.” The original version appeared on Winwood’s 1982 album “Talking Back to the Night,” but a remixed version from his greatest hits collection “Chronicles” was a hit again in 1987. And if that wasn’t enough, Eric Prydz used the song as the basis for the dance club favorite “Call on Me,” which has one of the strangest videos I’ve ever seen. I won’t post the video here since it features a lot of scantily clad aerobicizers and, quite frankly, more butts than your average ash tray.

Many artists have had songs about a girl named Valerie, including The Monkees and Frank Zappa, but I think this is the best.

Songs with a Girls' Name in the Title #31

2009-03-29T16:14:00.002-06:00

31. Wake Up Little Susie – The Everly Brothers

This first hit for the Everly Brothers is a classic 50’s tune about a young couple who fall asleep while at the drive-in and must concoct a story to explain to the parent s why they are out past curfew. It’s a cute little song that was actually deemed too controversial and even banned by a few radio stations at the time of it’s release.

Where the Wild Things Are Trailer

2009-03-25T16:14:00.004-06:00

The trailer for the long-awaited Spike Jonze directed version of "Where the Wild Things Are" is online. Rumors of a troubled production have been circulating for awhile. I say the film will either be brilliant or will join the likes of "Ishtar' and "Heaven's Gate" in the list of great film disasters. This trailer looks encouraging, though. And kudos for not using CGI wild things! They look great.

Cartoon a Day: Rhino

2009-03-24T22:39:00.005-06:00

Rhino
2009
Directed by Nathan Greno
Available on: "Bolt" DVD

I have been watching my cartoons that last few days, but fell behind on blogging. Hopefully I'll get caught up tomorrow, but for today I decided to look at a new cartoon. While out with the kids today we picked up the DVD of "Bolt." Included as a bonus feature is a new short, "Rhino," which will be today's cartoon. I think this is the first CG short we've done for Cartoon a Day. Now just to clear things up before we start, all the commercials and even the packaging refer to this short as "Super Rhino," but the title card just says "Rhino," so I'm going with that. Oddly enough, the IMDB, who are usually sticklers for going with what the title screen says, still list the film with "Super" in tact. These are the geniuses who decied that the film "Seven" should be listed at "Se7en." I mean, how do you even pronounce that!?!? I digress.

In this short Bolt and his human Penny have been captured by the villainous green-eyed man. They are about to be lowered into a pit of lava when Rhino, the hamster in a ball, is sent to rescue them. The film lives up to being a "short," it's only about 4 minutes long, but it is a lot fun.

This film is pretty much in the style of the opening "Bolt," which I described as being like "The Matrix" if the Keanu Reeves part were played by a dog. That 10 minutes was the best part of what turned out to be a really good movie. The action is exciting and funny all at once. Spoiler ahead: it turns out Rhino is dreaming all this, which you start to catch on to when he suddenly goes off from fighting bad guys to sing Hannah Montana tunes at a rock concert. It would've been better just to make it a big action fantasy and not to the "it was all a dream" ending. Still, it's a fun short. Here's hoping they do more with the Rhino character. He's a keeper Disney.

Songs with a Girls' Name in the Title #31

2009-03-24T09:05:00.002-06:00

31. Rhiannon – Fleetwood Mac

Fleetwood Mac…more people have been in that band than bought the last Vanilla Ice album. Every lineup has brought something different. While the casting change that added Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham to Mick Fleetwood, John McVee and Christine McVee’s existing roster is possibly the band’s best lineup , you’ve got to admit that the arrival of Nicks added a bit of a creepiness to the band. That is perhaps no better demonstrated than with Nicks’ ode to a welsh witch, “Rhiannon.” There’s just something about the combination of Buckingham’s guitar and Nicks' sinister voice, not to mention a bass line from McVee that thumps in pit of your stomach, that makes you want to pull the covers over your head.

Songs with a Girls' Name in the Title #32

2009-03-22T22:29:00.002-06:00

32. A Boy Named Sue – Johnny Cash

Well here’s a song with a girl’s name in the title that’s not about a girl. “A Boy Named Sue” was written by Shel Silverstein, his book of poetry, Where the Sidewalk Ends, was a classic when I was growing up. This story of a man who gets into a bar fight with the long absent father who named him Sue was recorded live at San Quentin prison. It was the very first time Cash performed the song and the crowd loved it. One of the most interesting aspects of listening to this song is hearing the reactions of the hardened criminals in the audience. Call it a novelty song if you want, but don’t forget to call it a classic.

The Sears Tower to become Willis Tower...and other crimes against the City of Chicago

2009-03-22T08:44:00.012-06:00

I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago. I haven't lived there for 15 years, but it is still my home. So when the news came down earlier this month that one of the icons of the Second City's skyline would be changing names from The Sears Tower to Willis Tower I was heartbroken. Once the tallest building in the world, it opened in 1973 (just two years after I was unleashed on the world). The thing is huge! Just a few blocks from the home I grew up in you can see it if it's a clear day...and it's still 25 miles away! You can't just change it's name!

This isn't the first incident like this. There have been several cases of Chicago landmarks going through a name change in recent years. In 2003 Comiskey Park, the home of the Chicago White Sox, was changed to (cough cough sputter) U.S. Cellular Field. Now I've got no problem with corporate naming of stadiums, but when it makes sense, like my current hometown ballclub's home Coors Field. Coors is an important company in the history of the Denver area. Not to mention the fact that, though I don't choose to consume it myself, beer is a staple of the baseball park menu. Our football stadium name, however, the wimp-out...please don't hate us name Invesco Field at Mile High makes no sense at all.

Back to the Windy City, there was then the Marshall Field's incident. On September 9, 2006 the icon of Chicago's State Street became Macy's...yes Macy's. Could there be a greater crime against the city of Chicago? I mean, what do you think of when you hear the name Macy's? New York...the Thanksgiving day parade (speaking of which, am I only person who goes nuts when the folks on TV call it "The Macy's Day Parade," sorry about that one Pilgrims). I mean, what better way to offend a bunch of Chicagoans than to take their hometown store and change it's name to New York's hometown store. No true Chicagoan would shop at Macy's. It was a tradition for most Chicago area kids to go downtown at Christmas time and see the tree and the window displays at Marshall Field's. From what I understand, the Macy's folks have not kept up the tradition well.

And now comes the changing of the Sears Tower. Would anyone dare even suggest changing of the name of The Empire State Building, or even a corporately named New York icon like the Chrysler Building. I seriously doubt it.

Whoever this Willis guy is, someone close to him (Arnold or Mr. Drummond maybe) needs to go slap him in the face and tell him that he's not going to earn a place in the hearts of Chicagoans by doing this. Most Chicagoans, myself included, will continue to call it The Sears Tower.

Cartoon a Day: Hook, Line and Stinker

2009-03-21T23:05:00.004-06:00

Hook, Line and Stinker
1958
Directed by Chuck Jones
Available on: Looney Tunes Golden Collection Vol. 6

The 13th Road Runner / Coyote short is not the strongest of the batch, but it's hard to go wrong when these characters are in the hands of Chuck Jones.

The right elements are all there...the great backgrounds, the crazy inventions (especially the final one used in this cartoon), the great reaction shots...these are the things that make the Road Runner films great. There is one thing that really gets in the way in this short, however. It may seem like nit picking, but the music is just all wrong.

I know nothing of John Seely, who is given the music credit on this film, but for this film he needed to take a few lessons from the maestro Carl Stalling. Stalling knew when to let it rip with the music and when to lay low. Here the music just draws attention to itself...which is exactly what film music should never do.

Cartoon a Day: Satan's Waitin'

2009-03-21T22:20:00.003-06:00

Satan's Waitin'
1954
Directed by Friz Freleng (as I. Freleng)
Available on: Looney Tunes Golden Collection Vol. 6

As you might imagine from it's title, "Satan's Waitn' " features one of the darkest story concepts you're ever going to find in a cartoon. This is a Tweety and Sylvester short which reveals a deep dark secret about cartoon characters...they can die.

That's right, and not only does Sylvester die just a few minutes into this short but he goes to hell! Lucky for him it's only his first of nine lives. So Sylvester #1 will have to wait until the others show up. The devil, a bulldog, is anxious to speed things up, so he heads up to encourage Sylvester on with his dangerous Tweety chasing ways.

There are some great moments in this short and some wonderful stylistic designs. The roller coaster sequence features some amazing visuals and the opening shots that feature Sylvester and Tweety running across a sea of wires and TV antennas (a bit of a jab at the new medium of the time) are great from a design standpoint. Even the shots of the "putty tat" riding a conveyor belt down to hell are fun from a design standpoint. But despite the laughs and the great art, it's hard to get into a short that is so...well...morbid. It's no fun seeing cartoon characters H-E-Double Hockey Sticks.

Songs with a Girls' Name in the Title #33

2009-03-21T18:07:00.002-06:00

33. Oh Sherrie – Steve Perry

When Steve Perry took a break from Journey, his first single as a solo artist was this grandiose ode to a girl named Sherry. The video for this song actually seemed to poke fun at the big sound of the tune by starting as a big costume piece with castles, knights, and princesses, only to have Perry walk out on the shoot and sing the song to his girl on a big empty staircase. The song was about his actual girlfriend at the time, who also appeared in the video. It didn’t exactly launch a huge solo career for the Journey front man, but it’s become a staple of those “80’s weekends” you hear across America’s radio dials each week.

Songs with a Girls' Name in the Title #34

2009-03-20T10:14:00.001-06:00

34. Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl) – Looking Glass

I told you Brandy would be making an appearance. This song about sailor who cannot draw himself away from the sea to be with the woman he loves is another example of a song that was originally released as B-side. Supposedly a disc jockey in Washington DC first played the flip side and soon the rest of the country followed suit. The band that performed it, Looking Glass, broke up about two years after Brandy was released but the song remains a classic.

Songs with a Girls' Name in the Title #35

2009-03-19T23:50:00.002-06:00

35. Walk Away Renee - The Left Banke

This is a catchy song, but you’ve got to admit it’s a little strange. It’s got this baroque sound complete with harpsichords and violins. It was written by Left Banke’s Michael Brown at age 16 and was about the girlfriend of the band’s bass player.

Cartoon a Day: Cat-Tails for Two

2009-03-19T23:31:00.004-06:00

Cat-Tails for Two
1953
Directed by Robert McKimson
Available on: Looney Tunes Golden Collection Vol. 4

Many cartoon characters go through changes in their history. Everyone from Bugs Bunny to Bart Simpson have had their look altered as the characters developed over time. "Cat-Tails for Two" marks the first appearance of a beloved Looney Tunes character, Speedy Gonzales, but it also shows what is perhaps one of the most drastic changes in character design of any major character.

This short actually focuses on two cats, George and Benny, who are parodies of the George and Lennie characters from Of Mice and Men. They wander onto a Mexican ship in search of a Mexican dinner...a Mexican mouse, of course. They happen upon "the fastest mouse in all Mexico" and the hilarity ensues. And this is a very funny short. There are many great reaction shots from the two cats. Stan Freberg's voice work as Benny is also a highlight.

It is very interesting to see the change that would happen in Speedy's design. The studio must've realized after this short that they'd created a great character, but that they'd given him a really annoying look. With his flat head and over sized front teeth, he just doesn't look like able in this short. Lucky for us he would go through a dramatic makeover and become the Speedy we all love.

Cartoon a Day: Sheep Wrecked

2009-03-18T22:32:00.004-06:00

Sheep Wrecked
1958
Directed by Michael Lah
Available on: Tex Avery's Droopy - The Complete Theatrical Collection

During Tex Avery's time at MGM he came up with several great characters. Among them a slow moving hound dog, a high-kicking dancing girl, and two very different versions of the Big Bad Wolf. Probably more famous is the bulging eyed, waggling tongue version of the wolf that ogles the girl in many of Avery's shorts. But just as funny, in a different way, is the laid back version of the wolf that appeared in the 1950's. "Sheep Wrecked" is a great short featuring this character going against Droopy presented in beautiful CinemaScope (woo-hoo).

The design of this laid back wolf is just perfect. The body curves into an odd pear shape with the feet leading as he walks while the rest of his body seems to lag a few inches behind. The constant whistling and Daws Butler's wonderful voice work make for a character that makes you laugh before he even does anything.

One of the things that is so interesting about this short is the fact that it is presented in wide screen. The backgrounds, however, are very minimal. Not exactly sprawling landscapes, but it seems to work perfectly with the wide screen format. It almost creates the illusion that you are looking at something grander than you really are.

This is probably one of my favorite of the later Droopy cartoons, and certainly one of my favorite featuring the laid back wolf. But my favorite of his appearances, "Billy Boy," remains unreleased on DVD...memo to Warner Brothers.

Children's Church Coolness: Newspring Church

2009-03-17T23:42:00.004-06:00

About a week and a half ago I was in Anderson, SC for One Way Street's Greenville/Anderson area Puppet Ministry Festival. I decided to stay a bit later than I normally would to visit Newspring Church, who have their main campus in Anderson. It just so happened that the day I was visiting was the first Sunday for their new children's facility. Some cool folks from Kidspring gave me a tour of the facility. Check out some of the photos.

Cartoon a Day: The Art of Self Defense

2009-03-17T23:19:00.004-06:00

The Art of Self Defense
1941
Directed by Jack Kinney
Available on: Walt Disney Treasures - The Complete Goofy

Goofy really hit his stride when Disney began producing a series of shorts that featured him in various sports activities. Baseball, Football, Swimming, Golf, even the Olympics were all fair game for the Goof. In "The Art of Self Defense" he is training for a boxing match.

The short begins with a short history of one-on-one combat which takes us all the way from cavemen hitting each other with clubs up to the present day. There are a few good gags in this sequence, but in some ways it feels like padding.

The short really gets going when Goofy goes through some scientific training for his upcoming match. Our leading man does not speak at all in this short, he simply responds to the narrator. Though the Goofy voice is classic, the character works very well when done in this style. It leaves him to engage in more physical comedy, which has always been his strongest suit.

The highlight of the short is the shadow boxing sequence. Of course, the shadow does not confine itself to the wall and ends up having the upper hand in this sparing match. The sequence takes good advantage of the physical flexibility of the Goofy character. Though not as strong as some of the other Goofy sports films, this is still an enjoyable entry in the series.

Songs with a Girls' Name in the Title #36

2009-03-17T19:14:00.001-06:00

36. Mandy – Barry Manilow

My dad used to play Barry Manilow records on Saturday mornings. So there was many a weekend when I woke up to the sound of “Mandy.” Manilow released his version of the song in 1974, but it was originally written and recorded by Scott English in 1971. The song was somewhat of a hit in the UK, however, there it was known as “Brandy.” Manilow’s version was changed to Mandy to avoid confusion with the Looking Glass song “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl).” Stay tuned, that one’s coming shortly. Though this tune gets poked fun at a lot, you’ve got to admit it’s a romantic little song.

Songs with a Girls' Name in the Title: #37

2009-03-16T23:05:00.002-06:00

37. Maggie May – Rod Stewart

This song about the first woman Stewart had…uh…relations with is supposedly a true story. The song itself wasn’t originally released as a single. It was the B side for the single “Reason to Believe,” but disc jockeys ended up liking this song better and spinning it instead.

Cartoon a Day: Betty Boop's Penthouse

2009-03-16T22:43:00.004-06:00

Betty Boop's Penthouse
1933
Directed by Dave Fleischer
Available on: YouTube

I had to not blog for several days, due to a puppet festival and a very sick child at home. So here we go again, enjoy "Betty Boop's Penthouse," courtesey of YouTube.

From the very first frame you can tell this is going to be a creative short. The broken smoke stack haphazardly repaired with smoke that twists around as it comes out is such an original gag, it sets the tone for what's to come.

The short doesn't actually spend that much time at Betty's penthouse. Bimbo and Koko's science lab is a source for a lot more humor. Their experiments at the opening of the film are classic Fleischer and have a great progression as the gags build on each other. When they discover Betty on the roof of a building across the street, well, it's a perfect example of just how risque Miss Boop could be. As they watch her cool herself off with a garden hose I couldn't help think of David watching Bathsheba.

My only complaint with this short is that the ending is a bit abrupt, otherwise this is a great Betty Boop short.

Songs with a Girls' Name in the Title: #38

2009-03-12T11:35:00.002-06:00

38. Iris - Goo Goo Dolls

Goo Goo Dolls MTV Music

Iris – Goo-Goo Dolls
This is one of those songs that seemed to play endlessly on the radio in the 90’s. It was impossible not to know this thing backward and forward, yet I don’t think I could’ve told you the title. That’s because “Iris” is never mentioned in the lyrics of this song from the Nicholas Cage movie “City of Angels.” The song is supposedly about someone invisible who find true love and wants her to know who he is.