tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3655643344337776612024-03-19T04:48:11.645-04:00Saturday Morning Archiveshobbyfanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08089664500077967952noreply@blogger.comBlogger4932125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365564334433777661.post-74714260075554325532024-03-18T18:51:00.006-04:002024-03-18T18:51:58.071-04:00Toons After Dark: Rose Petal Place: Real Friends (1985)<p> <i>Rose Petal Place</i> was a secondary line of toys for young girls marketed by Kenner (now part of Hasbro) in the mid-80's. However, after the 2nd of 2 animated specials, <i>Real Friends</i>, hit the air in the fall of 1985, a new set of figures, set to be released in time for Christmas, was cancelled.</p><p>Ruby-Spears and then-independent producer David Kirschner (who'd later work for Universal and Hanna-Barbera) co-produced the <i>Rose Petal Place</i> specials, headlined by singer-actress Marie Osmond as Rose Petal. I believe the <i>Rose Petal</i> specials marked Marie's voice-over debut, more than a decade after her brothers had their Saturday morning series.</p><p>In <i>Real Friends</i>, Nastina (Marilyn Schreffler, ex-<i>The All-New Popeye Hour</i>) tries to create discord among Rose and her friends.</p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HtTDAIwm6b0?si=-sJQRCqfw5Ze-DTb" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>No rating. Just a public service.</div>hobbyfanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08089664500077967952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365564334433777661.post-7800271990556829952024-03-16T21:16:00.001-04:002024-03-16T21:16:34.197-04:00Celebrity Toons: Mork, PI (1982)<p> From the <i>Mork & Mindy</i> animated prequel.</p><p>Football lineman Tyler is having trouble learning. It's not known if he had issues with, say, dyslexia, or something else, but the fear of losing his spot on the football team prompts him to take a risk, and, at the same time, Mork (Robin Williams) is framed for the crime.</p><p>Stan Jones (<i>Richie Rich, Super Friends</i>) is credited as Principal Caruthers, but in this case, the principal sounds more like Bill Woodson.</p><p>Dick Tufeld leads us into "Mork, PI":</p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ycGzPa7Gz5A?si=6LTDl8aTSQfw9xGA" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>The reason I brought up the prospect of dyslexia with Tyler is because Archie Comics' Marmaduke "Moose" Mason was later diagnosed with the learning disorder, and it was news at the time. Tyler might've thought he was clever enough to get away with it, but, nope.</div><div><br />Rating: B-.</div>hobbyfanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08089664500077967952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365564334433777661.post-13260666048711792692024-03-15T16:55:00.001-04:002024-03-15T16:55:01.587-04:00From Comics to Toons: Josie & The Pussycats meet invisible aliens (1972)<p> From <i>Josie & The Pussycats in Outer Space</i>:</p><p>The gang is forced to land on a planet whose inhabitants can turn invisible at will. Melody (Jackie Joseph) finds some irradiated bubble gum, and finds herself turning invisible....! Ted Cassidy gets no screen credit as the ruler of this planet, but there's no mistaking his distinctive voice.</p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lsvWcogd1HE?si=QCIn686uxcj4Fmsy" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>Two years earlier, the Pussycats dealt with an invisible villain, and the shenanigans in that one almost entirely mirrored <i>The Archies</i> in "Disappearing Act" two years prior to that. Archie Comics must've liked that plot.....</div><div><br />Rating: B--.</div>hobbyfanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08089664500077967952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365564334433777661.post-73532460418408715792024-03-14T21:58:00.001-04:002024-03-14T21:58:25.193-04:00Daytime Heroes: Bruce Lee Urkel strikes again! (Family Matters, 1996)<p> This was actually the middle part of the "Bruce Lee Urkel" trilogy from <i>Family Matters</i>.</p><p>In season 7, Carl (Reginald VelJohnson) steps into Steve Urkel's transformation chamber after the police warehouse is robbed. Mix in some Hope & Crosby (a quick pattycake sequence), some Three Stooges, and, well, you get the idea....</p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fvy-c79x4lw?si=yEjGPbRhy5gSqv88" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>Having revisited all three Bruce Lee Urkel appearances, it's clear that Jaleel White (Urkel) was his generation's Wally Cox. A terrific comic actor whose slight build hid a muscular physique. The other parallel between the two generations of actors? Cox, of course, was the voice of Underdog. White was the original voice of Sonic the Hedgehog.</div>hobbyfanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08089664500077967952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365564334433777661.post-23419819573133576172024-03-13T18:56:00.003-04:002024-03-13T18:56:17.002-04:00Saturtainment: Harecules Hare (1962)<p> Bob Clampett needed a backup feature for <i>Beany & Cecil</i> after it was spun off from <i>Matty's Funnies.</i> The end result was <i>Harecules Hare</i>, a rabbit with genius level intelligence.</p><p>Only 2 episodes currently are circulating on YouTube, though there might be more. Harecules and his father, Ben, are two completely diverse personalities. Ben is interested in greyhound racing, for example. In "Harecules Hare & The Golden Fleecing", Harecules deals with a wolf.........</p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jQsAz4KSOeY?si=CeNPj5_6AjRM_dn7" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>Clampett had the right inspiration for some of his gags, as he borrowed from his former employers at WB, using a gag from a <i>Bugs Bunny</i> short with <i>Wile E. Coyote</i>.</div><div><br />Rating: B.<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>hobbyfanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08089664500077967952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365564334433777661.post-2001086150135948692024-03-12T12:21:00.005-04:002024-03-12T12:21:42.979-04:00Saturday Morning's Greatest Hits: All By Myself (1975)<p> As the lead singer of the Raspberries, Eric Carmen had landed a big hit with "Go All The Way". In 1975, he peaked at #2 on the Hot 100 with "All By Myself", which became his signature solo hit, even after he returned to the charts 12 years later on the "Dirty Dancing" soundtrack with "Make Me Lose Control".</p><p>Carmen turned up on <i>The Midnight Special</i>, with host du jour Helen Reddy, to perform "Myself" at the piano.</p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EzoazPPC7b8?si=mbZqepz1bx5Mfs6-" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>In memory of Carmen, who passed away over the weekend. Rest in peace.</div>hobbyfanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08089664500077967952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365564334433777661.post-84416077256255592772024-03-11T21:25:00.001-04:002024-03-11T21:25:35.551-04:00Saturday (Night) Ringside: The 1st Slammy Awards (1986)<p> After the release of their initial "Wrestling Album" three months earlier, the then-World Wrestling Federation decided to mark the occasion with the culmination of a winter-long on-air promotion, the 1st ever <i>Slammy Awards</i>, a live special airing on MTV. Vince McMahon, then a simple play-by-play announcer, hosted, as over the top as usual. MTV sent cute, cuddly Martha Quinn to the event as a backstage reporter, and, oh, that did not end so well. Little did the 518's gift to MTV realize this was the beginning of the end of her first tour of duty with the channel, as she would leave at the end of 1986 when her contract expired, only to return in February 1989 for another 3 year hitch.</p><p>To say anything further would spoil the memories for those who actually saw the show live (and I didn't)....</p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/y4Tt9cf638A?si=A6U1rabyKt-AY1CL" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>The <i>Slammys</i> moved to USA Network in December 1987, again on a Saturday night, but this time at a much later hour, with McMahon debuting his Tom Jones-meets-Adam West cabaret act. It was also the final <i>Slammys </i>for about a decade or so.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>hobbyfanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08089664500077967952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365564334433777661.post-7047077093411683192024-03-10T19:15:00.002-04:002024-03-10T19:15:41.890-04:00Toon Rock: ......Baby One More Time (2024)<p> From the "Kung Fu Panda 4" Soundtrack comes Tenacious D (Jack Black & Kyle Gass) with a cover of Britney Spears' ".....Baby One More Time". Tenacious D, sporting the trendy beards, may not be the 2nd coming of ZZ Top, but Black, also the voice of Po in the movie, shows his vocal range here (compare this to his work in "School of Rock" 20 years ago).</p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5CcZ4ULT1Eo?si=TO_sWUhGfBZWd1tJ" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>Viola Davis ("The Suicide Squad") and UAlbany graduate Awkwafina join Black, James Hong, Dustin Hoffman, & Bryan Cranston in the new movie.</div>hobbyfanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08089664500077967952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365564334433777661.post-37234839064695641792024-03-09T20:17:00.005-05:002024-03-09T20:17:42.453-05:00Rare Treats: A pilot for Bozo The Clown (1954)<p> <i>Bozo The Clown</i> was originally the property of Capitol Records, which produced those children's records of the famous clown for years. Before Capitol sold the rights to Bozo to Larry Harmon, they contracted with Hal Roach Studios to produce a live-action pilot in 1954, which, as you'll see, is a far cry from the clown's later animated adventures. A far, far cry.</p><p>Here, Bozo is just an action figure belonging to a little girl named Amy, and he only comes to life for her. Seems the family dog is being blamed for some issues involving a neighbor's hen......</p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hTLgap4rUFk?si=ugdAFjANNT8Dki0w" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>Invisible paint? I don't think Harmon ever employed that gimmick in his cartoons. The ability to shrink? Sounds like that was lifted from somewhere. Hokey? Yep. Harmon knew what to do with Bozo more than Capitol and Roach Studios did.</div><div><br /></div><div>Rating: C-.</div>hobbyfanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08089664500077967952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365564334433777661.post-55793085470800587222024-03-09T12:09:00.004-05:002024-03-09T12:09:29.830-05:00Saturday (Night) Ringside: When Vince McMahon took over Georgia (1984-5)<p> In July 1984, Vince McMahon's national expansion of the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE) swallowed up the <i>Georgia Championship Wrestling</i> block on WTBS on what would become known as Black Saturday. Ultimately, the National Wrestling Alliance would gain a morning slot on the station, which we've previously discussed some time back.</p><p>However, it was not fated to last. Viewer apathy from long time NWA supporters led to a decline in ratings across the country, and, coupled with the fact that McMahon would not have a guaranteed two hour show every Saturday during baseball season, led to McMahon giving the 6:05 pm (ET) slot back to the NWA after a year.</p><p>From March 1985, two weeks before the 1st <b>Wrestlemania </b>card, is a show with Georgia standby Mr. Wrestling II, and a few names familiar to NWA and TBS fans from previous runs in the market, such as King Kong Bundy, Nikolai Volkoff, Hulk Hogan (he was known as Sterling Golden during an earlier run in NWA-Georgia a few years earlier), Jimmy Snuka, Ken Patera, and the Iron Sheik.</p><p>Gorilla Monsoon goes it alone on commentary, with ring announcer Freddie Miller serving as co-host.</p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AEGQukMi1GE?si=HN6pTLIcmwcg1tB8" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>A few quick notes:</div><div><br /></div><div>Swede Hansen & Paul "Butcher" Vachon were midcard heels in the 70's, brought back as mid-level enhancement talent, with Vachon remaining a heel. We lost Vachon a little more than a week ago.</div><div><br /></div><div>Barry Windham and Mike Rotundo (Rotunda) would lose the tag titles to Sheik & Volkoff at <b>Wrestlemania</b> two weeks later. Earlier this week, it was announced that Windham & Rotundo, billed as the US Express, would join their former rivals in the WWE Hall of Fame. Both would return to the NWA before the end of the 80's. Windham becomes a 2-time Hall of Famer, as he was previously inducted as a member of the 4 Horsemen.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sorry about the choppy video, but, hey.</div><div><br /><br /></div>hobbyfanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08089664500077967952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365564334433777661.post-7705658573775069072024-03-08T22:10:00.001-05:002024-03-08T22:10:08.905-05:00From Primetime to Daytime: Bruce Lee Urkel's final bow (Family Matters, 1996)<p> We had this before, but it was taken down a ways back.</p><p>From season 8 of <i>Family Matters</i>:</p><p>Steve Urkel (Jaleel White) has a job as a park supervisor at a playground where 3J & Richie (Orlando Brown & Bryton McClure) go to play. However, a street gang has taken over the park.</p><p>This edited excerpt shows what led to Urkel having room for his friends in a certain chamber.........</p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/18azMdRKTmk?si=N8qPs6yBxBixooa9" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>Jason David Frank (ex-<i>Mighty Morphin Power Rangers</i>) not only was a featured guest star, but also choreographed the final fight scene. Another ex-Ranger, Rio Dekin, plays another gang member. The episode, "Karate Kids", was the final appearance of the Bruce Lee Urkel persona.</div><div><br /></div>hobbyfanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08089664500077967952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365564334433777661.post-43411989970113135822024-03-07T20:20:00.002-05:002024-03-07T20:20:34.336-05:00Saturday Morning's Forgotten Heroes: Space Ghost & The Herculoids vs. the Mindwitch (1981)<p> From <i>Space Stars</i>:</p><p>A trio of desert nomads unwittingly release the "Mindwitch" (special guest June Foray), who subsequently enslaves the nomads, then enthralls <i>Space Ghost</i> (Gary Owens), and 2 of the <i>Herculoids</i>.</p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qx6W11cnBiM?si=RjixfbZF4tqBV661" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>Rating: B.</div>hobbyfanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08089664500077967952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365564334433777661.post-73912446441637016992024-03-06T21:40:00.004-05:002024-03-06T21:40:31.017-05:00Daytime Heroes: Inspector Gadget's Arabian Nights (1983)<p> <i>Inspector Gadget</i> is sent to the Middle East to prevent Dr. Claw's minions from stealing a valuable scimitar. The subplot has Penny (Cree Summer) undercover in a red outfit, not quite a burqua, and doing most of the detective work, as usual.</p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MPFTJqy9GFI?si=mNasFx6pKDCDQaFL" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>Penny saves this from being a total dud. <br /><br />Rating: B-.</div>hobbyfanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08089664500077967952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365564334433777661.post-77536936497724112902024-03-05T20:28:00.005-05:002024-03-05T20:28:46.878-05:00Saturday Morning's Forgotten Heroes: Marvel Action Universe (1988)<p> Seeing the success Hanna-Barbera had with their <i>Funtastic World</i> anthology package, Marvel decided they needed to do the same.</p><p><i>Marvel Action Universe</i> lasted three seasons (1988-91), and, depending on where you lived, it was 90 minutes, like <i>Funtastic World</i>, or just an hour. The components of <i>Action Universe</i> were these (all have been previously reviewed):</p><p><i>Spider-Man</i> (1981): The syndicated solo series lasted 1 season, while <i>Amazing Friends</i> spent three on NBC (1981-4), so there was plenty available.</p><p><i>RoboCop</i>: Spun off from the movie, the now-cyborg cop formerly known as Alex Murphy continues his patrol.</p><p><i>Dino Riders</i>: Based on the Tyco toy line, this also spawned a miniseries from Marvel Comics</p><p><i>Pryde of The X-Men</i>: An unsold X-Men pilot that pre-dated the subsequent series by 3 years, with Hanna-Barbera mainstays Michael Bell as Cyclops & John Stephenson as Professor Charles Xavier.</p><p>Here's the intro to <i>Marvel Action Universe</i>:</p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OfO6Y0iO_dE?si=WdoYmYlb96rcNfkH" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>We were not interested much in <i>Dino Riders</i> as we were with the other segments.</div><div><br /></div><div>Rating: B.</div>hobbyfanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08089664500077967952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365564334433777661.post-1428644807123653892024-03-04T21:14:00.006-05:002024-03-04T21:14:44.148-05:00Tooniversary: Phantom of The Garbage (Heathcliff, 1984)<p> <i>Heathcliff</i> (Mel Blanc), seeing how a local chef has hired two German Shepherds to guard his trash, decides to do something about it. Here's "Phantom of The Garbage":</p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/F3PmWVlEZ2I?si=x-Wa4i9PAdWhR6aH" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>Since when are dogs scared of mice??</div><div><br /></div><div>Rating: B.</div>hobbyfanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08089664500077967952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365564334433777661.post-14446565564150368212024-03-03T14:18:00.005-05:002024-03-03T14:18:49.445-05:00From Comics to Toons: Popeye in Butler Up (1961)<p> This one's a weird one, even for <i>Popeye</i>.</p><p>Y'see, in "Butler Up", Brutus is posited as an old high school (or is it college?) friend of Olive's, and she needs Popeye to pose as a butler to impress the cad. Of course, Brutus' true colors ultimately emerge, and.....</p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/naNmATO8IPY?si=m1WSp8HI_1batEE4" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>Rating: B-.</div>hobbyfanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08089664500077967952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365564334433777661.post-7189144525752815662024-03-02T19:23:00.001-05:002024-03-02T19:23:32.261-05:00Getting Schooled: Adventure in Dairyland (1956)<p> From season 2 of the original <i>Mickey Mouse Club</i> comes this educational serial, <i>Adventure in Dairyland</i>, which starred Annette Funicello and Sammy Ogg. Ogg had previously appeared in <i>Spin & Marty</i>, but seemed to have disappeared after the <i>Club</i> ended its 1st run.</p><p>Kevin Corcoran debuted as Moochie, the youngest of the children in this series. Here, the kids learn about pigs.</p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zhZx3DsqojI?si=lvt3Spegb9gPanko" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>No rating. I'm only discovering this today.</div>hobbyfanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08089664500077967952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365564334433777661.post-11432089347221784862024-03-02T15:22:00.004-05:002024-03-02T15:22:37.531-05:00Saturday Morning's Forgotten Heroes: The Lone Ranger in The Renegade (1980)<p> From Season 1 of Filmation's <i>Lone Ranger</i>:</p><p>The Ranger (William Conrad) & Tonto (Ivan Naranjo) at first make a simple collar of a Native American shoplifter, but then the military gets involved, leading to some complications. The ending, though, will warm the heart.</p><p>Also: Tonto fills us in on the Navajo nation, circa 1980.</p><p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tK4rQJf8rF8?si=MveKpgR6xn-Ng-bh" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><p>Rating: A.</p>hobbyfanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08089664500077967952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365564334433777661.post-49955300178904450822024-03-01T21:55:00.005-05:002024-03-01T21:55:43.020-05:00Saturday Morning Ringside: Three former stars ascend to wrestling heaven <p> It has not been a good week for wrestling fans.</p><p>The week began with the passing of Ole Anderson (Alan Rogowski), founding member of the NWA's legendary Four Horsemen faction in the mid-80's, and a multi-time tag team champion, at 81. Anderson also was a matchmaker for Jim Crockett Promotions during the 80's, and had his final significant run in 1990-1 fronting the Horsemen.</p><p>Then, Mike Jones, better known as Virgil from his stint with the then World Wrestling Federation (1987-94), and under a variety of aliases in WCW, as well as Soul Train Jones on the indie circuit, passed at 61. Jones had suffered a pair of strokes in the last year or so. Best known as Ted DiBiase's valet from 1987-91 before turning babyface to finish his WWF run.</p><p>And, today, the last member of the Vachon wrestling family, Paul "Butcher" Vachon, passed at 86. Vachon was one of a number of heels (villains) who were regulars on WWWF programming in the 70's, before being used as enhancement talent in the 80's, leading to his retirement from in-ring competition.</p><p>Following is an episode of <i>Championship Wrestling</i> from 1977. Vachon was, at the time, managed by Capt. Lou Albano. The card also features a few more future Hall of Famers (Vachon was inducted a few years ago), including Mil Mascaras and Dusty Rhodes.</p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LhKlD5ewHyQ?si=IcB0WbnfLyqgPA7f" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>Rest in peace, gentlemen.</div>hobbyfanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08089664500077967952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365564334433777661.post-82161543821426735162024-02-29T17:10:00.003-05:002024-02-29T21:01:55.488-05:00Celebrity Toons: Laverne & Shirley in Two Mini Cooks (1981)<p> From season 1 of <i>Laverne & Shirley in The Army</i> (to use the full title):</p><p>The girls (Penny Marshall & Cindy Williams) and Sgt. Squealy (Ron Palillo) wind up getting caught under a shrink ray, and chaos ensues.....! Michael Rye (<i>Super Friends</i>) is our announcer.</p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tcsTp9vOeuw?si=x4EhhdvvKY0OEzLO" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>It's clear Palillo used his Horshack voice (<i>Welcome Back, Kotter</i>) for Squealy. Two years later, he'd create a new character voice in the title role of <i>Rubik, The Amazing Cube</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Rating: B.<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>hobbyfanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08089664500077967952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365564334433777661.post-64074621263785692032024-02-28T17:59:00.004-05:002024-02-28T17:59:27.520-05:00Retro Toy Chest: You could own your very own ALF! (1986)<p> In 1986, <i>ALF</i> took off like a runaway rocket, anchoring NBC's Monday night lineup, and, in time, spawned not one, but two animated spinoffs.</p><p>Not only that, but there was a toy tie-in comparable with some of the syndicated weekday cartoons on the air at the time. Coleco obtained a license for the <i>ALF</i> figures, and ol' ALF himself (voice of Paul Fusco) is seen in this ad.</p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2Mzg0tY-zFw?si=m2QVb1zvZdutObsb" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>I think the figures left the market when the series ended.</div>hobbyfanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08089664500077967952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365564334433777661.post-46333563687849667682024-02-28T13:41:00.004-05:002024-02-28T13:41:29.306-05:00Toon Rock: I Feel Love (1977-2023)<p> Donna Summer's 1977 hit, "I Feel Love", which she co-wrote with producer Georgio Moroder, is considered one of the earliest electronic music tracks in history. An enterprising fan made this animated clip last year in tribute.</p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yEbaeLv-aOo?si=UU8spkn-gkTMVAM_" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>hobbyfanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08089664500077967952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365564334433777661.post-89326914066809428112024-02-26T21:26:00.002-05:002024-02-26T21:26:23.429-05:00Toons You Might've Missed: Freddy The Freshman (1932)<p> Here's a black & white <i>Merrie Melodies</i> entry, springing from the imaginations of Hugh Harman & Rudolf Ising.</p><p>"Freddy The Freshman" is based on a popular song of the era, and in this 1932 entry, Freddy is embodied as a canine college student in a raccoon coat who becomes a football hero.</p><p>I'd imagine this aired in New York back in the day, when WNEW (now WNYW) had a bigger library of WB shorts to complement later stars like Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, & Porky Pig.</p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jbymKS99slU?si=y-9jKMtvGrTiujeg" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>Harman & Ising would later bolt for MGM, and WB would adopt the familiar house style of their Termite Terrace studio.</div><div><br /></div><div>Rating: B.</div>hobbyfanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08089664500077967952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365564334433777661.post-87080449925723465372024-02-25T22:13:00.001-05:002024-02-25T22:13:04.901-05:00Tooniversary: My Son, The Spaceball Star (Partridge Family 2200 AD, 1974)<p> <i>Partridge Family 2200 AD</i> turns 50 this year. With baseball spring training underway, let's take a look at what would be the 23rd century's answer to football, spaceball. Danny (Danny Bonaduce) pretends to play the game to impress his mom......</p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CfF_JdRayTM?si=Z2ckSTPfG01QlJUp" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><div><br /></div><div>No rating. Just a public service.</div>hobbyfanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08089664500077967952noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-365564334433777661.post-21001524016492065052024-02-23T20:54:00.003-05:002024-02-23T20:54:15.428-05:00Saturday Morning's Greatest Hits: I Just Want to Celebrate (1973)<p> Just weeks after Rare Earth appeared on <i>The Midnight Special</i> to perform their hit, "I Just Want to Celebrate", Doc Severinson (<i>The Tonight Show</i>) not only was the MC, but he covered "Celebrate", backed by a band and 8 backup singers.</p><p>This show also featured Dobie Gray, Vicki Lawrence (<i>The Carol Burnett Show</i>), Henry Mancini, and more.</p><p>Here's Doc.</p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/n15MNG29nL8?si=Cl80AVviwYwQqFDH" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>hobbyfanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08089664500077967952noreply@blogger.com0