Saturday Morning's Greatest Hits: Wildfire (1976)

 Today, he goes by Michael Martin Murphey, but he's still remembered for his first big hit 50 years ago, as "Wildfire" brought him to the Midnight Special......

Toonfomercial: What if bugs ruled ancient Rome? (Well, not really) (1970)

 This cheeky Raid spot depicts bugs dressed like Emperor Nero in the days of ancient Rome. William Schallert (ex-The Patty Duke Show, Dobie Gillis) is the narrator. Paul Frees, of course, voices the insect Nero.

Spooktober: Hell's Bells (1929)

 One of the earliest Disney Silly Symphonies was Ub Iwerks' "Hell's Bells". Fitting for Halloween, no?

Toon Rock: Miss Atomic Bomb (2012)

 Off the 2012 CD, "Battle Born", the Killers released "Miss Atomic Bomb" as the 3rd single. It is considered a sequel to 2004's "Mr. Brightside", off "Hot Fuss", with Eric Roberts returning as the antagonist, if you will.

Spooktober: The Tell-Tale Heart (1953)

 In 1953, Columbia & UPA obtained a license to adapt Edgar Allan Poe's The Tell-Tale Heart into an animated short subject. James Mason is the narrator.

If you look close, you'll see that Bill Scott, later of Rocky & His Friends, co-wrote the adaptation. Who knew?

Spooktober: Hoppity Hooper in Hallowe'en (1965)

 From season 2 of Hoppity Hooper:

Hoppity and friends find themselves in the supposedly haunted town of Ware, where all sorts of strange happenings are taking place. Paul Frees narrates, and voices the magician and a monster based on Frankenstein.

Funny how Bill Scott (Fillmore) is only credited as a writer, but not as an actor. Hmmmmmm.

Spooktober: The Real Ghostbusters in Russia (1990)

 From the final season of Slimer! & The Real Ghostbusters.

The boys and Slimer are in Russia when they learn of a monster in Siberia. Here's "Russian About", written by J. Michael Straczynski.

His voice might not be easily recognizable, but Walter Koenig (ex-Star Trek) is one of the guest stars. Having learned of Koenig's passing at 90, this is in his memory. Rest in peace.

Spooktober: The Ghost Busters vs. the ghosts of an Egyptian queen & her mummy (1975)

 One big reason why Ghost Busters flopped the way it did as a live action series was the ham-handed writing of series creator Marc Richards, who apparently couldn't be bothered with proper context in his scripts, which is why most of the episodes came off as being, well, amateur night, despite the talent involved.

One case in point is the adventure of an Egyptian queen's ghost (Barbara Rhodes) and her mummy bodyguard, who wasn't exactly a menace.

This video comes complete with commercials, including a spot promoting CBS' lineup that we pulled a long while ago, and a Crest commercial with Arthur O'Connell. Jackson Beck narrates the spot for Ideal's Evel Knievel toys.

You may need to turn up the volume for this one.

Spooktober: The Monster Squad vs. No Face (1976)

 Yes, The Monster Squad turns 50 this year. To mark the occasion, the team deals with a master of disguise named No Face (Edward Andrews), who has impersonated the Mayor to declare crime legal.

The villain is a knockoff of an old Batman villain, False Face. Sid Haig co-stars.

From Comics to Toons: The Captain & The Kids in What a Lion (1938)

 William Hanna "supervised" (read: directed) "What a Lion", a Captain & The Kids short for MGM. 

Seems the Captain (Billy Bletcher) and the Inspector are out in the jungle, and the kids have a little fun......

Saturday Morning's Forgotten Heroes: Captain Marvel rescues a dog (1974)

 Due to anti-violence regulations, DC couldn't license out any of Captain Marvel's foes for Shazam!. While Mister Mind likely could've been used via animation (and he'd come along in 1981), the Captain had the same issues that Superman had before him, but also took the time to rescue endangered animals, such as a dog trapped in a burning room.........

In memory of Michael Gray (Billy), who has passed away at 75. Rest in peace.

Toon Sports: Popeye in King Of The Rodeo (1979)

 From season 2 of The All-New Popeye Hour:

The Popeye Sports Parade sends Popeye (Jack Mercer) back to the rodeo, but this time, he & Bluto (Allan Melvin) aren't dueling over Olive. Instead, they're competing to become "King of The Rodeo":

Well, you knew how this was going to end, right?

Spooktober: The Three Musketeers in The Haunted Castle (1968)

 Something tells me this Three Musketeers entry might've had a hand in developing the basic plot for Scooby-Doo, which bowed the next year.

Anyway, phony ghosts robbing coaches? Yeah, that tracks.

Did anyone catch the blooper of Don Messick (Aramis) reading Athos' lines in the checkers scene instead of Jonathan Harris? This mistake would often be repeated at Hanna-Barbera during the 70's.

Literary Toons: Raggedy Ann & Raggedy Andy and the Camel With The Wrinkled Knees (1988)

 From season 3 of CBS Storybreak:

Johnny Gruelle's Raggedy Ann & Andy hadn't been seen in a few years when their adventure with "The Camel With The Wrinkled Knees" was adapted in 1988 as the pentultimate episode of the series. Host Bob Keeshan must've known the end was near, as he never mentioned the book by name in his intro.

Game Time: A complete episode of Hollywood/Storybook Squares (1976)

 The revival of Storybook Squares began in the summer of '76 on Hollywood Squares. The gameplay format had change to allow three generations of families to play the game.

This time around, the rules were bent to allow for William Shatner to reprise as Captain James T. Kirk (Star Trek), while the rest of the panel were in costume as various characters such as:

John Byner as the Mad Hatter (Alice in Wonderland). Byner paid homage to Disney's adaptation of the Lewis Carroll classic by impersonating Ed Wynn, who voiced the Hatter in the movie.

Bonnie Franklin (One Day At a Time) as Peter Pan.

Rip Taylor as Rip Van Winkle.

Roddy McDowell as Sherlock Holmes.

Doc Severinson (The Tonight Show) as the Angel Gabriel.

Julie McWhirter (fresh from The Rich Little Show) reworked the Family Hour Fairy into the Good Fairy.

Joan Rivers as Little Red Riding Hood.

Charo as Lady Godiva.

Paul Lynde missed this week of tapings due to other commitments, hence Byner occupying the center square.

Getting Schooled: The Drug Knot (CBS Schoolbreak Special, 1986)

 After a fictionalized account of his life as a NYPD detective went belly-up in the 70's, David Toma resurfaced in 1986 as an anti-drug crusader who gave talks in high schools.

One such case was adapted into "The Drug Knot", a CBS Schoolbreak Special. Our cast includes Rance Howard, Tracy Nelson, and a pre-Married....With Children David Faustino.

Writer David Villaire is known for having written a few Super Friends shorts a few years earlier, and doubles as a production assistant. Directed by Anson Williams (ex-Happy Days).

Toon Rock: A Fifth of Beethoven (abridged) (2006)

 Seth MacFarlane and the producers of Family Guy paid homage to musical director Walter Murphy by inserting his 1975 chart topper, "A Fifth of Beethoven", into an episode of the series. It's under a minute, and, as we'll see, Meg gets left behind.....

Spooktober: A meeting with the teacher (The Munsters, 1966)

 From season 2 of The Munsters:

Eddie (Butch Patrick) is given an assignment to write about a "typical American family", like his own. That leads to the teacher (Pat Woodell, ex-Petticoat Junction) paying the Munsters a visit......

Retro Toy Chest: Remember Tiny Tears? (1960)

 An independent toy maker released Tiny Tears around 1960, and to best sell the product, hired ventriloquist Shari Lewis to pitch the product, with help from Lamb Chop:

Tiny Tears would stick around for a while, well into the 70's, if memory serves me correctly.

Tooniversary: The Girl Who Cried Vampire (Filmation's Ghostbusters, 1986)

 You've heard of the boy who cried wolf, right? Now, meet "The Girl Who Cried Vampire", as a chronic liar gets a reality check from Eddie (Peter Cullen). And check the vampires, reconstituted versions of Sam Dracula & Bella from The Groovie Goolies!

Toonfomercial: Remember Mr. Bubble? (1961)

 Ah, Mr. Bubble. A bubble bath for kids, introduced in 1961. This toonfomercial introduces the product.

I believe that is June Foray as the nearsighted parent.

Spooktober: The pilot for the Munsters Today (1987)

 A year before The Munsters Today hit the air, the producers presented a pilot for advertisers and, since the show would be syndicated, prospective stations.

As you'll see in this open, Herman (John Schuck, ex-McMillan & Wife, Holmes & YoYo), might've been bopping to the beat not of the theme song, but his dance moves suggest Madness' "One Step Beyond". If you've seen that video, you'll know what I mean. Co-starring Lee Meriwether (ex-Barnaby Jones, Time Tunnel), Jason Marsden, & Howard Morton.

I think Fred Gwynne might've been off making a movie, and was never considered for even a cameo.

The title is a misnomer (maybe): Our Gang in The First Seven Years (1930)

 Our Gang's "The First Seven Years" carries a 1929 copyright, but was released in 1930, seven years after the series began, so I guess the title actually represents an anniversary for the franchise.

Anyway, Jackie Cooper gets into a fight with Speck over the affections of Mary Ann. Let the chaos begin!

Saturday School: The Adventurers Club finds a Statue of Limitations (Mission: Magic!, 1973)

 The kids from Mission: Magic! head off to Paris to track down a missing statue, but all three suspects have their own version of the Contemplator. Or do they?

If you look close, Franklin (Lane Scheimer) looks like he might've been modeled after Bill Cosby's younger self from Fat Albert. Head writer Marc Richards was also responsible for Ghost Busters two years later. Hmmmmmm.

Tooniversary: Blackstar vs. the Zombie Masters (1981)

 Blackstar turns 45 this year. The series finale seems appropriate for Halloween season, so, here's "The Zombie Masters".

Retro Toy Chest: Remember the Vertibird? (1972)

 Mattel introduced the Vertibird, a modern version, albeit as a helicopter, of the VTOL's of the Golden Age, in 1972. Unfortunately, it didn't survive the decade.

Check this introductory ad.

Sunday Funnies: Pies & Guys (1958)

 The Three Stooges were nearing the end of their run at Columbia. "Pies & Guys" is the 2nd time they had revisited "Hoi Polloi" (1947's "Half-Wits Holiday" being the other), as two professors try to assimilate the boys into society. Chaos, of course, ensues.

Spooktober: Flip The Frog in Spooks (1932)

 Ub Iwerks' Flip The Frog returns in 1932's "Spooks", appropriate for the Halloween season.

Toon Legends: A Lad in His Lamp (1948)

 Bugs Bunny and director Bob McKimson took their turn at parodying Aladdin with 1948's "A Lad in His Lamp". Bugs finds the lamp as he is doing some work, and meets the genie (an uncredited Jim Backus in one of his first toon roles).........

Spooktober: Sometimes, it's not a good idea to meet your heroes.... (The Munsters, 1965)

 From season 1 of The Munsters:

Herman is jealous when Eddie devotes more of his time to TV host Zombo (Louis Nye), but both find out the truth about Zombo, which helps them bond.......

In this clip, Eddie appears on Zombo's show. Uh-oh.......

From Primetime to Daytime: The Addams Family goes to school? (1964)

 From season 1 of The Addams Family:

Morticia (Carolyn Jones) decides to keep Wednesday & Pugsley away from school after seeing some of the books the kids have to read.

Apparently, Grimm's Fairy Tales makes Wednesday cry.......

Spooktober: Moan & Groan, Inc. (1929)

 "Moan & Groan, Inc.", a Our Gang entry from 1929, was deleted from King World's syndicated package in 1971 due to the use of ethnic stereotypes.

Return with us to the days of Farina (Allen Hoskins), Chubby (Norman Chaney), and Jackie Cooper, with Edgar Kennedy as the neighborhood cop.....

Spooktober's just getting started........

Saturtainment: Hullabaloo in Hollywood (Lassie's Rescue Rangers, 1973)

 It seems inevitable that Lassie's Rescue Rangers would have an episode set in Hollywood, two years after Lassie's live-action series had ended......

Saturday School: Some abrupt lessons in love (Saved by The Bell, 1990)

 From season 2 of Saved by The Bell:

Zack & Kelly and Slater & Jessie end up breaking up, prompting Principal Belding (Dennis Haskins) to act as a romance counselor. It works, but then, his own marriage is on the rocks.

In this clip, Belding offers some advice.

In memory of Dennis Haskins, 75, who has passed away due to complications from Parkinson's Disease. RIP.

Rein-Toon-Ation: Tabitha & Adam & The Clown Family (1972)

 We've had this before, but then, it was deleted by YouTube. The Chuck Shack has brought back "Tabitha & Adam & The Clown Family", from season 1 of the ABC Saturday Superstar Movie. Tabitha & Adam Stephens have been aged up to teenagers for this one-off. As you know, they were further aged up to adults for the live-action Tabitha 5 years later.

From Comics to Toons: Big Monster on Campus (2000)

 "Big Monster on Campus" was the series finale of Archie's Weird Mysteries, first shown in February 2000. 

A mad scientist with a major hate on for Riverdale decides to avenge himself by inserting an android onto Central High's wrestling team, targeting Riverdale's star, Marmaduke "Moose" Mason.......

From Comics to Toons: An episode of Archie's TV Funnies (1971)

 This installment of Archie's TV Funnies takes a good natured poke at the infamous "rural purge" of 1970-1, with Reggie (John Erwin) trying to pass himself off as a rural host.

Featured strips:

Broom-Hilda, The Captain & The Kids, Dick Tracy, Smokey Stover, The Dropouts, Moon Mullins.

Coming Attractions: Darkwing Duck returns to television

 After appearing during the revival of DuckTales, Darkwing Duck is returning to action, this time on Disney+, in a new CGI series.

Darkwing already is appearing in comics, through Dynamite Entertainment, but now, the "Terror that flaps in the night" is ready to return to the small screen.

Photo courtesy Disney.

Mark Hamill has been cast as Darkwing, heading up an ensemble that also includes Seth Rogen, who was one of the masterminds behind the 50th anniversary revival of The Muppet Show earlier this year.

Start date to be announced.

Stay tooned.

Same show, new title (for now): South Park becomes South America

 Some TV shows change their titles during their runs. For example, an attempted Columbo spin-off focusing on the detective's otherwise unseen wife was rebooted as Kate Loves a Mystery, which didn't help, as the show was cancelled anyway.

Given how we have an impulsive, immature president with the comportment of a 5 year old changing Lake Ontario to Lake America just on his say-so (which is wrong), the producers of South Park decided to have a little fun with that, and so, the just launched new season sees a title change to South America.....

Title change aside, nothing else has changed. It's the same kind of subversive satire you've gotten for nearly 30 years. The title change won't last forever----it'll revert when the man-baby in Washington is out of office----and if the owners of Paramount don't have a problem, neither should anyone else.

As they said in the "Naked Gun" movies, just accept it.

Toonfomercial: A Hamm's beer ad, with music by Spike Jones (1961)

 Spike Jones & his City Slickers provide the soundtrack for this Hamm's beer spot from 1961. Another brand that bit the dust.

Sunday Funnies: Scotched in Scotland (1954)

 By the mid-50's, Columbia was running out of ideas for the Three Stooges.

For example, our next entry, 1954's "Scotched in Scotland" was a remake of "The Hot Scots", which was made 6 years earlier. The boys are given a private graduation from a detective school, and head off to Scotland.....

Rating: B.

Getting Schooled: Have You Ever Been Ashamed of Your Parents? (ABC Afterschool Special, 1983)

 School's back in session, so let's take a trip back to the 80's, and the ABC Afterschool Special. Marion Ross (Happy Days), Kari Michaelson (Gimme a Break), and Julie Piekarski (ex-The Facts of Life) star in "Have You Ever Been Ashamed of Your Parents?":

Celebrity Toons: The Spirit of Thunder Mountain (Lassie's Rescue Rangers, 1973)

 From season 2 of the ABC Saturday Superstar Movie:

"The Spirit of Thunder Mountain" was the pilot for Lassie's Rescue Rangers, but didn't air until November, two months into the season. Ted Knight (The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Super Friends) is Ben Turner, Sr., the leader of the family-based Rescue Force, which incorporates some forest animals to assist Lassie.

Lassie's trainer, Rudd Weatherwax, condemned the series because of its writing (mostly Chuck Menville & Len Jansen) and (animal) violence. Viewers must've agreed, since the series lasted just the one season.

Toon Sports: Dexter plays dodgeball (1996)

 From season 1 of Dexter's Laboratory:

Dexter doesn't want to go to gym class, but a substitute teacher forces him to endure a week of dodgeball, and it doesn't help that there are three idiots passing themselves off as bullies. Of course, as Bugs Bunny famously put it, you realize this means war.

Leave it to Dee Dee to be a buzzkiller.

Toon Legends: Spider-Man vs. The Circus of Crime (1981)

 Spider-Man is framed for a series of robberies by the Ringmaster and his "Carnival of Crime".

So predictable.

Tooniversary: Wildfire (1986)

 Aside from the 50's series, Fury, few series centered on horses as protagonists have succeeded.

When CBS announced Wildfire as part of their 1986 lineup, some would be forgiven if their first thoughts were of a song by the same name that was a hit for Michael Martin Murphey 10 years earlier. Instead, it was another fantasy cartoon. If memory serves, this was a lead-in to the returning Muppet Babies. The cast includes David Ackroyd, Jessica Walter, and, in a rare dive into animation, Krofft stalwart Billy Barty.

Here's the open:

I think you can see why this bombed.

Coming Attractions: Futurama and Disenchantment come together!

 The cast of Disenchantment returns after 5 years away for a crossover with one of Matt Groening's other creations, Futurama, in a parody of Mark Twain's A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court.

While the following teaser suggests it drops Monday, the text after it on YouTube says September.

The plot, based on the teaser: Fry (Billy West) lands in the world of Princess Tia Bean and friends. Somehow, dumber than a doorknob Elfo (Nat Faxon) is now king........

Prepare to have your mind blown.

Saturday Morning's Greatest Hits: Love Will Keep us Together (1975)

 The Captain & Tennille soared all the way to #1 with 1975's "Love Will Keep us Together", written by Neil Sedaka. In this clip from The Midnight Special, not only is "Captain" Daryl Dragon on keyboards, but so is Toni Tennille.

From Primetime to Daytime: McHale's Navy vs. Nippon Nancy (1963)

 From season 1 of McHale's Navy:

"Nippon Nancy" (voice of Julie Bennett) gets under the skin, not so much of McHale and his crew, but Capt. Binghamton (Joe Flynn, ex-The Joey Bishop Show).

I'll bet anything that today, a certain demagogue would find Nancy's voice to be soothing......

Literary Toons: The Incredible Detectives (1979)

 What happens when you have a crow, a bulldog, and a Siamese cat, all belonging to the same family?

You have The Incredible Detectives, which TV & comics writer Mark Evanier adapted for the ABC Weekend Special in 1979, 13 years after the original novel was released.

Davey (Al Eisenmann) is kidnapped, and the family pets set out to rescue him. Additional voices include Frank Welker, Marianne Aragon, Laurie Main, & John Stephenson.

It Should've Been on a Saturday: Cadets (1988)

Viacom wanted to try a sitcom set in a military academy, not exactly a haven for comedy. ABC was willing, but ultimately passed on Cadets after a 1-shot airing in September 1988.

Film stars Richard Roundtree ("Shaft") and William Sadler are part of an ensemble with Soleil Moon Frye, fresh from Punky Brewster, Jaleel White (ex-Charlie & Company, and a few months away from Family Matters), Remy Auberjonois (Rene's son), and Corin "Corky" Nemec, two years away from Parker Lewis Can't Lose.

Didn't see this the first time (baseball season, you know), and now I know why ABC passed.

Saturday Morning's Greatest Hits (Revisited): Tallahassee Lassie (1964)

 Freddy "Boom Boom" Cannon racked up a few hits, including "Palisades Park" and this next item, "Tallahassee Lassie", which brought him back to American Bandstand in 1964, four years after "Lassie" charted.....

In memory of Cannon, who passed away on Saturday. Rest in peace.

Retro Toy Chest (with a side order of candy): Shillin' with the (future) Brady Kids (1960's)

 Many actors start off doing commercials before hitting it big. Such was the case with the Brady Kids well before The Brady Bunch launched in 1969.

A trio of commercials are showcased here:

1. Barry Williams for Milky Way candy.

2. Maureen McCormick (and some assume Eve Plumb appeared here, too) for Mattel's Chatty Cathy.

3. Christopher Knight for Marx's Fun Pack Carry-all action figure set.

Teenage Toons: Totally Spies! in Wild Style (2002)

 HG Wells' Island of Dr. Moreau gets sent up in the episode, "Wild Style", in which Clover and some cruise ship passengers are turned into humanoid animals for the benefit of a deranged fashion maven, who wants to then kill them for their newly acquired fur.....

I'm told the show is still airing somewhere, but not available on local cable at the present time.

Coming Attractions: The Mickey Mouse Club set to return again

 Media outlets are reporting that Disney is bringing back The Mickey Mouse Club, the variety series that helped launch the careers of Annette Funicello, Don Grady, Bobby Burgess, Sherry Alberoni, Sharon Baird, Lisa Whelchel, Christina Aguilera, Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Keri Russell, and so many more.

This time, the series will be on Disney+, and a pilot has been ordered.

The 1996 Club.

I suspect that, like the recent relaunch of The Muppet Show earlier this year, Disney will repurpose the pilot, upon completion, on ABC, which was home to the original Club in the 50's.

Stay tooned.

Looney TV: Bushy Hare (1950)

 Mel Blanc may have had his inspiration for Captain Caveman nearly 3 decades before the Captain came to life.

Bugs Bunny ends up taking a flight, without a plane, but with a set of balloons, to Australia, in 1950's "Bushy Hare". Listen to Blanc's Aborigine voice.

Weird, yo'.

Rating: A-.

Sunday Funnies: The Muppets and a Talking Machine (1967)

 From The Ed Sullivan Show:

Jim Henson's Muppets present "Talking Machine", and, danged if that ain't a prototype, albeit with green instead of blue felt, of Cookie Monster......

Family Toons: Bobby's Tooth or Dare (Bobby's World, 1992)

 4 year old Bobby Generic (Howie Mandel) goes to the dentist for the 1st time in the 3rd season opener of Bobby's World:

Kabillion, I think, might still have the rights to the series.

Celebrity Toons: The series premiere of Emergency! Plus 4 (1973)

 NBC thought that the success of Jack Webb's Emergency! would translate into an animated spin-off in the daytime. Nice idea, but Emergency! Plus 4 was entrusted to Fred Calvert, whose shoestring budget resulted in two seasons of stiffer than normal animation.

In the opener, a couple of teens in a dune buggy cause some issues.

In memory of Randolph Mantooth (Gage), who passed away earlier this week. Rest in peace.

Where was Major Bowes when you really needed him? Our Gang in Mike Fright (1934)

 Before he was cast as Butch, the bully, Tommy Bond was actually on the other side with Our Gang. In 1934's "Mike Fright", Tommy's conducting the gang's makeshift band, nearly 40 years before Bill Cosby brought Fat Albert and his junkyard band to television.

Musical director Marvin Hatley makes a rare on-camera appearance.

Looney TV: Porky's Pastry Pirates (1942)

 These things we know are true. Flying insects are a problem around food, indoors or outdoors. If you don't believe me, ask a vendor at the local farmers' markets, for example. Flies & bees are all over the joint.

We also know that flies can see in all directions, and, presumably, that applies to bees, too. However, for comic effect, the insects in "Porky's Pastry Pirates" have humanoid eyes, which takes away their advantage.

Amazingly, this is the first time I've seen this short. Hmmmmmm.

Game Time: Championship Bowling 2.0? (1968)

 After Championship Bowling ended its first run in 1966, the producers decided to remount the show in a half hour format, based on an idea from future Hall of Famer Don Carter, two years later.

The best ball format utilized in this pilot would later come into play, with some modifications, when Celebrity Bowling launched three years later. Carter & Dave Soutar team vs. Harry Johnson & Bill Lillard. Bud Palmer, who'd put time in as a fill-in on ABC's Pro Bowlers Tour, and had also been at CBS, is at the microphone here.

Getting Schooled: And The Band Played Off (Shining Time Station, 1989)

 From season 1 of Shining Time Station:

Stacy (Didi Conn, ex-Benson, Fonz & The Happy Days Gang) makes a mistake, leading to a passenger missing his train. Mr. Conductor (Ringo Starr) and the kids offer some assistance. Soap star Mart Hulswit (Guiding Light) guest stars in "And The Band Played Off":

Yesterday was Ringo's birthday, so I thought we'd do this instead of putting up one of his videos.

Tooniversary: Cool McCool in space (The Moon Goon, 1966)

 Cool McCool turns 60 this year. In what would be the final episode of the series, Cool (Bob McFadden) faces off with "The Moon Goon":

McFadden & series creator Bob Kane envisioned Cool as if James Bond were played by Jack Benny (whom McFadden impersonated). I honestly think Benny would've done this better.

Saturday Morning's Forgotten Heroes: Calamity Jane in Without a Vengeance (1997)

 "Without a Vengeance" was the series finale of The Legend of Calamity Jane. As we discussed when first looking at this series, WB only aired 3 episodes before pulling the plug, while the rest of the series aired everywhere else.

Summertainment: Bowery Blitzkrieg (1941)

 Time to check in on the East Side Kids, aka The Bowery Boys.

Huntz Hall makes his debut in the series in 1941's "Bowery Blitzkrieg", in which Muggs (Leo Gorcey) steps into the boxing ring, competing in the Golden Gloves under the sponsorship of the NYPD. Keye Luke (billed as "Key" Luke) appears briefly as the owner of a pool hall.

Ernest "Sunshine Sammy" Morrison (ex-Our Gang) is part of this group. Edited for broadcast when it aired on channel 5 in NYC back in the day.

Old school meets new school: Our Gang in Reunion in Rhythm (aka Our Gang Follies of 1937) (1937)

 It was bound to happen, sooner or later, so Hal Roach brought back some of the original members of Our Gang. including Matthew "Stymie" Beard, Joe Cobb, & Mickey Daniels, to meet Spanky, Alfalfa, Darla, and the rest.

Originally titled, "Our Gang Follies of 1937", the film has since been reissued as "Reunion in Rhythm":

Rating: A-.

Toon Legends: Gulliver Mickey (1934)

 The title says it all, folks. Jonathan Swift's classic is parodied by Mickey Mouse as he spins a yarn for a group of orphaned mice.

Popeye would do it better nearly 30 years later.

Rating: B.

Looney TV: The Henpecked Duck (1941)

 "The Henpecked Duck" is Daffy Duck in this Bob Clampett farce, with Porky Pig as the presiding judge, Sara Berner voices Mrs. Duck.

Today, we would say that Daffy was whipped.

Rating: B.

You Know The Voice: Jeff Bergman (2026)

 Jeff Bergman has been a mainstay at Hanna-Barbera & WB for 30+ years, and recently, landed one of the biggest roles of his career, as he inherits the voice role of Mr. Potato Head in "Toy Story 5", taking over for the late Don Rickles.

This weekend, Jeff was interviewed on CBS Saturday Morning, so many of us finally got a face to go with all those voices, plus some archived footage of Mel Blanc with David Letterman.

Tooniversary: Porky's Bear Facts (1941)

 Porky Pig stars in Friz Freleng's loose adaptation of Aesop's The Grasshopper & The Ant, "Porky's Bear Facts", as he contends with a lazy neighbor...

The fact that bears normally hibernate during the winter didn't apply here.

Rating: A.

Saturtainment: Mr. Moto's Gamble (1938)

 Many moons ago, we discussed WSBK's Mystery Theatre, which was a lead-in to The Three Stooges on Saturday mornings back in the 80's. The only two components were Charlie Chan, which we discussed back then, and Mr. Moto, our next subject.

Peter Lorre was cast as Moto, John Marquand's secret agent, now rebooted as a detective, and, in 1938's "Mr. Moto's Gamble", as a criminology professor in San Francisco. "Gamble" was originally meant to be a Chan movie, but Warner Oland had taken ill, and subsequently passed away, so the script was rewritten with Moto taking over. Lee Chan (Keye Luke) is one of Moto's students. Our supporting cast is loaded with some familiar names, including Lon Chaney, Jr., "Slapsie" Maxie Rosenbloom, Ward Bond, Douglas Fowley, and John Hamilton, who'd also appear with Boris Karloff in a Mr. Wong film, well before Adventures of Superman.

I only remember seeing portions of this on WSBK.

Toons After Dark: Mr. Magoo as Paul Revere (1964)

 With Independence Day, celebrating America's 250th birthday, next week, let's return to The Famous Adventures of Mr. Magoo, as Magoo (Jim Backus, Gilligan's Island) portrays "Paul Revere":

Why did this series flop after one season. Two words. Jackie. Gleason. Enough said.

Toons You Might've Missed: Philbert (1963)

 Philbert was a hybrid live-action/animated produced by WB for ABC, which passed on it. Rather than shop it around, the studio did some editing, and reissued Philbert as a 26 minute short subject in theatres.

Had it worked, William Schallert (ex-Dobie Gillis) might not have landed a role on The Patty Duke Show in the fall of 1963. Friz Freleng not only directed the animation, but wrote the story, too, a rare case of Freleng writing for live-action.

It was ahead of its time.

Saturday Morning's Forgotten Heroes: Isis in The Cheerleader (1976)

 From season 2 of The Secrets of Isis:

Buffalo native Laurette Spang, later of Battlestar Galactica, guest stars as a cheerleader who frames a teammate for cheating on a test, fearful that she won't be the leader of the team. You know how this goes.

Ego often gets in the way of ambition. 

No rating. Just a public service.

Coming Attractions: Conan returns to television with a new look

 Genndy Tartatovsky has used influences like Maurice Sendak in the past (see Samurai Jack), and some say his Emmy winning hit, Primal, draws influences from the works of Robert E. Howard.

That said, it shouldn't come as a surprise, then, that Tartatovsky is adapting Howard's most famous character, Conan The Barbarian.

Photo courtesy Cartoon Network.

Ah, but while Cartoon Network is producing the show, with Tartatovsky as executive producer & showrunner, it ain't going to CN. Instead, it's being developed for Amazon Prime, which will soon drop season 2 of Batman: Caped Crusader (coming next month) upon fans.

Conan hasn't been adapted for animation in several years, so it'll be a fresh take, especially putting emphasis on Conan's relationship with the pirate queen Belit, which hasn't really been explored in television in the past.

Stay tooned.

It Should've Been on a Saturday: Shirley Temple's Storybook (1958)

 With her movies airing in syndication in much of the country, actress-singer Shirley Temple signed on to host an anthology series for NBC.

Shirley Temple's Storybook only produced two seasons (1958 and 1960-1), with a lengthy gap in between. Reruns of season 1 found their way to ABC in 1959, but the series resumed first run production---in color---on NBC the next year. Henry Jaffe, who was Dinah Shore's producer, was the showrunner the first year, but in season 2, with the title change to The Shirley Temple Show, it became a network production.

With only 38 episodes produced, you can understand why it wasn't in syndication, even with the hour-long format, and the show merited an Emmy nomination after season 1.

Following is an adaptation of "Ali Baba & The Forty Thieves", with Nehemiah Persoff & a pre-Untouchables Bruce Gordon.

No rating. Just a public service.

Rare Treats: An animated open for Rawhide (1965)

 You all know that DePatie-Freleng was commissioned to produce the animated opens for 2 freshman series in 1965, I Dream of Jeannie (NBC) and The Wild, Wild West (CBS). Well, it turns out that CBS also asked for the studio to produce this next gem.

Rawhide had entered its final season, and was cut before the holidays. Artist Ken Mundie, who later was involved in the first Fat Albert pilot a few years later, is the man behind the sketches. Have to assume it was also Mundie who did the artwork for Wild, Wild West.

Anyway, here it is, complete with the iconic theme song, performed by Frankie Laine. They subbed in an instrumental for the closing theme.

Still can't figure how DFE got the contract for the Jeannie open away from Screen Gems' then-sister company, Hanna-Barbera........

Saturtainment: An episode of Baggy Pants & The Nitwits (1977)

 Episodes of Baggy Pants & The Nitwits are now available on a DePatie-Freleng fan channel on YouTube. 

In this example, we see Baggy Pants in "Painter's Helper", which pretty much speaks for itself, even if it is a pantomime cartoon. Then, Tyrone & Gladys (Arte Johnson & Ruth Buzzi), the Nitwits, are after "Splish Splash" (an uncredited Frank Welker). In fact, none of the other actors in the episode (i.e. John Stephenson) were credited. The series clarified that Johnson created Tyrone, at least, for Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In nearly a decade earlier.

Even though Tyrone finally put a ring on it with Gladys, she's still the brains of the team.

Toons After Dark: Fred's Final Fling (1980)

 NBC had lined up a string of Flintstones primetime specials in October 1980, leading to The Flintstone Comedy Show joining the Saturday lineup weeks later.

In "Fred's Final Fling", Fred (Henry Corden) has a health scare when his x-rays are mixed up with those of Frank Frankenstone (John Stephenson; Charles Nelson Reilly would take over when they started the Saturday series). The usual chaos follows.

Edit, 6/22/26: Had to change the video. The opening & closing credits are deleted from this copy.

Getting Schooled: Father's Day on Sesame Street (2017)

 These days, Sesame Street is now a half-hour show, so things move even quicker than in the old days.

Since today is Father's Day, let's go back to 2017, and see how Elmo, Rosita, Abby, & Prairie Dawn prepare for the day.

An odd label for foster kids: The Pinballs (ABC Afterschool Special, 1977)

 "The Pinballs" is based on a novel by Betsy Byars, the latest one to be adapted for the ABC Afterschool Special. Kristy McNichol (Family) top-lines with Sparky Marcus (2 years before Bad News Bears) and Walter Brooke (ex-The Green Hornet) co-starring.

I guess Byars named her novel that way to illustrate how foster children are moved from one home to another until they finally find a family they're comfortable with. By this point, Martin Tahse was becoming an exclusive producer, sort of, for the Afterschool Special and would also produce a few Weekend Special entries as well.

Getting Schooled: Graduation (The Facts of Life, 1983)

 Colleges had their commencements last month, and so did some high schools in various parts of the country. Here in the Northeast, high school commencements will be in full swing next week.

With that in mind, we present the 2-part season 4 finale of The Facts of Life, as Blair (Lisa Whelchel) & Jo (Nancy McKeon, also heard on The Puppy's New Adventures) graduate from Eastland. TV vets Alex Rocco (ex-Three For The Road) and Marj Dusay guest star.

Look quick for future voice actors Loren Lester (who was heard later on GI Joe & Batman: The Animated Series) and Laura Summer (later of The Real Ghostbusters) in guest roles as well.

Remembering Pete Doherty (The Duke of Dorchester)(1943-2026)

 Ah, the good old days of wrestling, when your weekend programming consisted of jobber matches filling out an hour of action, mostly as an infomercial for pending shows in the broadcast area.

Pete Doherty, aka "The Duke of Dorchester", in reference to his Massachusetts hometown, was one of the more famous jobbers, working for the 3WF, and getting a bone tossed his way with a win in front of the partisans every so often. Doherty retired from the ring in 1997, and was inducted into the New England Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2010.

From 1980, Pete has his work cut out for him against Andre The Giant. Joe McHugh's intro is already in progress as the video begins.

Doherty passed away earlier this week at 83. Rest in peace.

Family Toons: The Flintstones' 1st time travel adventure (1965)

 From season 5 of The Flintstones:

Fred & Wilma (Alan Reed & Jean VanderPyl) and Barney & Betty (Mel Blanc & Gerry Johnson) are sent to the future, specifically, the 1964 New York World's Fair, then backwards to other periods in this compilation from the episode, "Time Machine". Comes with closing credits of the period.

Gold Key produced a full-length comic book with the Flintstones & Rubbles at the World's Fair around this time.

From Primetime to Daytime: Even vampires are gullible to scams (The Munsters, 1964)

 From season 1 of The Munsters:

Love starved Grandpa (Al Lewis) meets a "widow" who is really a con artist.

The real surprise is that of Neil Hamilton, later of Batman, as the other half of this team of scammers........

It's just too bad that NBC-Universal is enforcing its copyrights, so that only excerpts can be shown, like this one.

Retro Toy Chest: See 'n' Say (1964)

 Inspired by the success of their Chatty Cathy figures, Mattel took things a step further, creating a learning tool for kids with See 'n' Say. A child could pick something with a pointer on the face of the toy, pull the string, and hear what he/she wants to hear.

For example, let's check this ad for The Farmer Says:

Mattel still makes these products even today.

Animated World of DC Comics: Superman in The Underground World (1943)

 The title says it all, as Superman (Bud Collyer) discovers a race of Hawk-Men in "The Underground World":

Rating: A-.

Daytime Heroes: Super Space Spies (Battle of The Planets, 1978)

 Another day, another Spectra attempt at conquering Earth, this time with "Super Space Spies". Not if G-Force has anything to say about it in this Battle of The Planets entry, which includes a pre-episode teaser narrated by Bill Woodson (Challenge of The Super Friends), who is also heard as one of Zoltar's soldiers.

In memory of Ronnie Schell (Jason), who has passed away at 94. Rest in peace.

From Primetime to Daytime: Hell hath no fury like Wilma Flintstone (The Flintstones, 1960)

 From season 1 of The Flintstones:

Barney (Mel Blanc) buys Betty (Bea Benaderet) an engagement ring (??), and has Fred (Alan Reed) hold it for safekeeping. Wilma (Jean VanderPyl) finds the ring, and assumes Fred bought it for her. Uh-oh!! Now, Fred, who doesn't have the money to buy a 2nd ring, talks Barney into an exhibition boxing match with the champ. The girls ask the champ's manager to let Barney win the fight, but Barney's clowning proves costly. Believing they've been double-crossed, welllllllll......

Notice how the boxing gloves were made from the same cloth as Fred's shirt. Hmmmmm.

Game Time: An episode of Junior Partner Pyramid (1979)

 After we've previously screened two celebrity-centric episodes of Junior Partner Pyramid, let's serve up one with kids and their parents. This aired on a Friday, as at the end of the show (closing credits were partially edited), they plugged the Saturday night lineup.

Toonfomercial: Rory Raccoon for Post Toasties (1964?)

We all know Rory Raccoon was a supporting character who had one of the rotating features on Linus The Lionhearted. While Bob McFadden voiced Rory on the show, the commercials Rory did for Post Toasties have Mel Blanc subbing for McFadden.

Here, Rory thwarts Claudius Crow......

Blanc, of course, had been doing ads as various Looney Tunes characters for Post prior to the launch of Linus, so he was available when McFadden was not.

Coming Attractions: Meet Netflix's Scooby-Doo!

 Casting has been completed for Netflix's forthcoming Scooby-Doo: Origins, with Nick Robinson & McKenna Grace among the stars.

The final casting was for Scooby himself, and, well, here he is.....

Yep, they cast an actual dog, instead of using CGI or AI. Makes ya long for the days of Frank Inn training pets for television back in the 60's.

Stay tuned.

Getting Schooled: The series premiere of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood (1968)

 We had this up before, then it was deleted.

Now, the estate of Fred Rogers has started their own YouTube channel, and so, we represent the series premiere of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.

Edit, 10/10/26: The Rogers estate has privatized the video. We've located a fresh copy, plus 2 more episodes.

Rating: A.

This is NOT how to have a birthday party (The Flintstones, 1964)

 From season 5 of The Flintstones:

Fred (Alan Reed) is up to his neck in trouble with both wife Wilma (Jean VanderPyl) and the Water Buffalo Lodge when Bedrock's only caterer mixes up two parties scheduled for the same night. A clown, meant for Pebbles' party, ends up at the lodge, and a jazz band and the Boulderettes show up at the Flintstone house, as you'll see in this excerpt:

I eventually saw this in syndication. Typical silliness.

Rating: B.

Toon Rock: Sunny Afternoon (1966-2016)

 60 years ago, the Kinks released "Sunny Afternoon", which didn't quite reach the top of the charts here in the US, although it did in England & Ireland. This anniversary video has a mix of styles, including those of Peter Max & Terry Gilliam. Max, of course, did the character designs for the Beatles' "Yellow Submarine" 2 years later.

Saturday Morning's Forgotten Heroes: Wonder Wheels in The County Fair (1977)

 I think we had this one up before, but it was taken down. It's back, but for how long, who can say?

Wonder Wheels is at "The County Fair" to foil a larcenous duo of thieves, one of whom is also competing in a motocross race.

Rating: B.

Toon Rock: A Whole New World (1992-3)

 In Disney's adaptation of "Aladdin", Broadway star Lea Salonga teamed with Brad Kane to perform "A Whole New World", which the two would perform live at the Oscars in 1993. Disney, instead of having Kane & Salonga's version released as a single, turned to Peabo Bryson & Regina Belle to cover "World", which hit #1 on the Hot 100.

Bryson passed away Tuesday at 75, due to complications following a stroke. Rest in peace.

Saturday Morning's Forgotten Heroes: Space Sentinels vs. Commander Nemo (1977)

 Filmation wasn't interested in a modern, though loose, adaptation of Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, but felt that a "Commander Nemo" (promoted from Captain) would make a good villain for the Space Sentinels.

The plot: Nemo (an uncredited Lou Scheimer) is trying to solve the earth's pollution problem. Unfortunately, the means to accomplish this goal are wrong, and attracts the attention of the Sentinels.

So predictable.

Rating: B.

Toon Sports: Popeye in The Steeplechase at Ups & Downs (1979)

 From season 1 of The All-New Popeye Hour:

Popeye (Jack Mercer) and Bluto (Allan Melvin) are in a steeplechase race after Olive (Marilyn Schreffler) inherits a horse. Well, you know how this goes.

Just in time for the 3rd annual (& final) Belmont Racing Festival at Saratoga, opening Wednesday.

Rating: B.

Animated World of DC Comics: Superman in Secret Agent (1943)

 The "Secret Agent" in this Superman short is a blonde stunner carrying important papers. Pretty much a by-the-numbers adventure..........

A very rare short where Superman doesn't say anything. Bud Collyer must've been given the day off.....

Rating: A-.

Toon Rock: Me & Magdalena (2016-26)

 10 years ago, the surviving Monkees recorded "Good Times!", which marks its 10th anniversary this year with a double-CD reissue, and the release of the single, "Me & Magdalena", presented as an animated music video.

"Magdalena" was written by Ben Gibbard (Death Cab For Cutie), with Mike Nesmith on vocals. Davy Jones, who'd passed on 4 years before the album's release, is depicted in the video in the tour bus.

Micky Dolenz (ex-Funky Phantom, Devlin, Wonder Wheels) is the lone surviving Monkee today, with the passing of Nesmith & Peter Tork.

Toon Legends: Don Donald (1937)

 Before there was Daisy Duck, there was Donna Duck.

Donna is the love interest of Donald Duck in 1937's "Don Donald", which has both south of the border, or so it'd seem, and a lovers' quarrel is at the center of this short.

Ultimately, Disney realized that Donald needed a girlfriend was more relatable, hence Daisy. Clarence Nash voiced both Donald & Donna, who would've been better off as Donald's sister.

Rating: B-.

Getting Schooled: Dumbo's Circus (1985)

 Back when the Disney Channel was a premium service, they mined the Disney vaults to develop original series based on existing properties.

One such example was Dumbo's Circus. More than 40 years after the movie, Dumbo has grown up to own his own circus, teaching the kids about circus life. The series marked the return of ex-Mouseketeer Sharon Baird to Disney, and she brought with her some of her colleagues from her days with the Kroffts, including Van Snowden, Patty Mahoney (ex-Far Out Space Nuts), and voice actor Walker Edmiston, who'd done some projects for Disney previously, as did Hal Smith.

Let's check a sample episode:

Unfortunately, one season's worth of original episodes were produced, and the series went off the air after a couple of rerun cycles in 1987. Today, the series sits in the Disney vaults.

No rating. Just a public service.

Tooniversary: A complete episode of The Super Six (1966)

 DePatie-Freleng's superhero spoof, The Super Six, marks its 50th anniversary this year. In this episode, you'll see:

Super Bwoing in "Easy Kid Stuff". The "apprentice" lands a babysitting gig. With predictable results.

The Brothers Matzoriley vs. "Dirty Pierre".

Granite Man in "Cement Mix-Up":

Paul Frees' narration in the Granite Man segment has him doing his famous Orson Welles mimic. Frees also voices Dirty Pierre.

No rating.

Toonfomercial: Woody Woodpecker for Sugar Pops (early 70's)

 While Woody Woodpecker was shifting between syndication and network runs in the 70's, Kellogg's brought him back, this time to shill for Sugar (now Corn) Pops.

Here, Woody's on the beach with a couple of kids.......

Don't know who did the animation for this one, as Universal had at the time closed their animation studio.

Looney TV: Bartholomew Versus The Wheel (1964)

 The mid-60's, we know, brought new ideas to Warner Bros..

One of those was 1964's "Bartholomew Versus The Wheel", about a dog who has a beef with wheels after a scooter runs over his tail. Mel Blanc provides the vocal effects for Bartholomew, the cat, and assorted others, while Leslie Barringer is credited as the narrator.

Directed by Robert McKimson.

This plays like it was adapted from a children's book, but I suspect it might be the other way around.

Rating: B.

Coming Attractions: Teeny Mutant Ninja Turtles?

 "Those who fail to remember history are condemned to repeat it."--George Santayana.

Perhaps inspired by Disney's Spidey & His Amazing Friends, Nickelodeon's Nick Jr. division will launch Teeny Mutant Ninja Turtles, airing on the network's YouTube channel this summer.

As long as there's money to be made from these franchises, stuff like this will happen. I put the Santayana quote in because this, I think, will play more like a superhero version of, say, Yo! Yogi! than Spidey or Cartoon Network's Batwheels, because de-aging the boys goes entirely against Kevin Eastman & Peter Laird's original version, which began more than 40 years ago.

Like, what's next? April O'Neil as the boys' babysitter?

Pass the Pepto.

Looney TV: The Jet Cage (1962)

 Friz Freleng had a little fun with science fiction and the then-modern technology of the 60's with 1962's "The Jet Cage", starring Tweety & Sylvester. For once, June Foray (Rocky & His Friends) shares screen credit with Mel Blanc (The Flintstones, The Jack Benny Program).

Dare we think of Sylvester as a feline airhead?

Rating: A.

Tooniversary: Mighty Mouse in The Crackpot King (1946)

 Here's an operatic Mighty Mouse short without Oil Can Harry or Pearl Pureheart. Instead, our damsel is Suzette Mouse, coveted by a feline king, or, as the title implies, "The Crackpot King":

I was never a fan of these operatic shorts.

Rating: B--.

From Primetime to Daytime: A primer on racism (Happy Days, 1982)

 From season 9 of Happy Days:

Fonzie (Henry Winkler) & Al DelVecchio (Al Molinaro) take a trip to Alabama, and discover just how much racism is prevalent in the South in the early 60's. In a speech, Al reveals he'd been in the restaurant business for some 25 years, meaning he'd started in the late 30's!

"Southern Crossing", first shown in January 1982, was the 2nd episode of the series to address racism, the first having aired nearly 7 years earlier.

Al's speech is the climax of this clip.

Would that certain people in today's society would learn this lesson.

Retro Toy Chest: Remember the Do Bee Dough Machine? (1970)

 Hasbro's Romper Room line of toys came out with its answer to Play-Doh with the Do-Bee Dough Machine, released in 1970.

In the ensuing years, Play-Doh has changed hands multiple times, from Rainbow Brands to Kenner to---wait for it----Hasbro, its current owner. The dough machine, however, didn't last long enough to be incorporated into the Play-Doh line.

Looney TV: A parody of cigarette commercials (Pinky & The Brain, 1998)

 Nearly 30 years after the FCC banned cigarette commercials, the staff of Pinky & The Brain decided to poke fun at the tobacco industry........

Amusing, no?

Saturday Morning's Greatest Hits (Revisited): Just Got Lucky (1985)

 From season 2 of Kids Incorporated:

Future Wild Orchid singers Stacy Ferguson & Renee Sands are featured on a cover of the JoBoxers' 1983 hit, "Just Got Lucky":

You Know The Voice: Gary Owens (1969)

 We had this next item before, but it was deleted. This is also at The Land of Whatever.

The early success of Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In led to George Schlatter & Ed Friendly being commissioned to produce a series of unrelated specials for NBC, plus a game show spin-off from Laugh-In, hence, Letters to Laugh-In. Gary Owens pulls double duty as host & announcer. Our panel in this sampler has Laugh-In co-host Dan Rowan, series regular Jo Anne Worley, plus Jack E. Leonard and Angie Dickinson, then known more for movies, well before Police Woman.

The first joke, read by Worley, comes from a local viewer out of Saratoga. Cool!

Leonard had some voiceover credit doing Alpha-Bits commercials before the mailman character was replaced by Lovable Truly. Worley got into cartoons later on (i.e. The Wuzzles).

Getting Schooled: Meet the Dental Defenders (2007)

 It had been nearly 30 years since Procter & Gamble had introduced the Crest Team in a series of popular commercials, narrated by veteran actor Jackson Beck. Since then, P & G had acquired Gillette, which, in turn, had expanded their line to include the Oral-B brand of toothbrushes.

With Crest now a secondary brand of mouthwash, in addition to its line of toothpaste, P & G commissioned a new animation house to produce this nearly 8 minute video for schools. Meet, then, the Dental Defenders:

Animation looks like the same folks who may have designed the logo for PBS Kids, but I am not sure.

Toon Legends: Spider-Man in Scourge of The Scarf (1968)

 From season 2 of the 1st Spider-Man animated series:

The Scarf, not to be confused with a villain from the live-action Green Hornet 2 years earlier, comes across as a minor league Mysterio wanna-be with his tricks. Let's see how Spider-Man handles him.

Yes, the video was uploaded from a camera phone. Beggars can't be choosers.

Part of the reason they kept the closing montage from season 1 before jumping to the updated credits is because Grant Simmons (part of Grantray-Lawrence) had relocated to LA to continue working on the show.

Rating: B.

Toon Legends: Magoo Meets McBoing-Boing (1960)

 UPA thought it'd be a cool idea to pair up Mr. Magoo (Jim Backus) with Gerald McBoing-Boing in a short released in 1960.

The plot: Magoo is called in as an emergency babysitter for Gerald, and confuses the sound effect issuing from Gerald's throat for real sounds.

Herb Vigran, who'd recurred on Adventures of Superman, and would play various supporting characters on The Flintstones, took over the role of Gerald's dad, originally essayed by Marvin Miller. This short spelled the end for Gerald on the big screen, after his own series had a brief TV run.

Rating: A-.

Saturtainment: Jabberwocky (1972)

 Jabberwocky is a Boston children's television legend, even though the series lasted just 2 years in first run programming. Clips like this next item have surfaced on YouTube, so let's check it out.

In contrast, WSBK had reruns of Wally Gator, Mel-O-Toons, Looney Tunes, et al, and brought the incomprehensible Willie Whistle out of retirement in the 80's. Compared to Jabberwocky, Willie is what he always was, chump change.

Daytime Heroes: He-Man in The Cosmic Comet (1983)

 With a new He-Man & The Masters of The Universe comic book coming from Dark Horse, it's time we went back to Eternia and season 1 of the original series. Here's "The Cosmic Comet":

Co-author Tom Ruegger would move first to Hanna-Barbera, then to WB, where he had his biggest success as a producer.

Rating: A-.

Saturtainment: Magnificent Muttley, the complete series (1969)

 While Dastardly & Muttley in Their Flying Machines lasted just 1 season of 1st run episodes, the backup feature, Magnificent Muttley, a parody of "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty", became an even bigger cult classic. Each shortie was a parody of something.

We previously screened the opener, "Muttley on The Bounty", but now, rather than track down the rest, we've got the whole shebang in a 40+ minute package, for the most part, as with the lead feature, a 2-man show (Paul Winchell & Don Messick).

Don't you just love how the theme is spoken in rhyme by Dastardly?

Rating: A-.

Rare Treats: A UPA pilot that never made it: Bric & Brac (1959-60)

 By the end of the 50's, UPA was in trouble. Their distribution deal with Columbia had ended, and Columbia had moved on to work with Hanna-Barbera. Gerald McBoing-Boing was slowly being rejected by movie-goers, even with a crossover with Mr. Magoo.

So, the studio, with United Artists as a prospective new distributor, tried selling a new set of characters to networks or syndication. Bric & Brac, a rabbit & a mole, to be particular, were introduced in "Bric's Stew", which was pitched in 1960, though it had been copyrighted a year earlier. Ever-busy Dallas McKennon handled all the voices for this Harvey Toombs-directed short.

A rabbit that doesn't like carrots? Bric seems to be reluctant to have any. Toombs would later work for King Features on Popeye, while Sam Singer signed McKennon for Courageous Cat.

Rating: C.

Toon Legends: Spider-Man vs. Dr. Octopus, round 2 (1967)

 Spider-Man (Paul Soles) has a rematch with power-mad Dr. Octopus, who steals a weapon intended for government use. Of course, J. Jonah Jameson wastes little time trying to tie Spidey to the theft he'd failed to prevent.

The next season, Ralph Bakshi took over the series, which brought some changes to the animation. For the better.

Rating: B.

Looney TV: Quacker Tracker (1967)

 Herb Klynn & Format Films (The Lone Ranger, The Alvin Show) took over the animation for Speedy Gonzales with 1967's "Quacker Tracker". If the plot sounds familiar, well, WB also did a similar plot with Cool Cat.

Co-author Don Jurwich was later a producer with Hanna-Barbera & Marvel Productions.

Happy Cinco de Mayo.