Today I'm going to introduce many of you to one of the funniest cartoons you've probably never heard of: Roger Ramjet. Created in 1965 and voiced by Gary Owens, Roger Ramjet was the leader of the American Eagles, a group dedicated to keeping the world safe from evil. The animation is poor, but the direction and the writing more than make up for the low budgets. There were 156 five-minute episodes produced for syndication, and while everyone one isn't a gem, as a whole they are hysterical. The running gags alone are worth the price of admission. Here are two episodes chosen almost at random: "Hi Noon" and "Miss America." Enjoy!
Time magazine's movie critic Richard Corliss just published a list of the top 25 animated films of all time. If you follow this link, you can read the author's comments plus watch trailers from each of the films on the list. Or, if you're not that interested, I have posted the list below:
1. Pinocchio (1940)
2. WALL-E (2008)
3. The Bugs Bunny/Road Runner Movie (1979)
4. Dumbo (1941)
5. Spirited Away (2001)
6. South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (1999)
7. Up (2009)
8. The Triplets of Belleville (2003)
9. Finding Nemo (2003)
10. The Little Mermaid (1989)
11. Toy Story 3 (2010)
12. Toy Story (1995)
13. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
14. The Adventures of Prince Achmed (1926)
15. Wallace & Gromit in the Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005)
16. Happy Feet (2006)
17. Akira (1988)
18. The Lion King (1994)
19. Tangled (2010)
20. Paprika (2007)
21. Kung Fu Panda (2008)
22. Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who! (2008)
23. Yellow Submarine (1968)
24. Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
25. Lady and the Tramp (1955)
Huh? I realize that lists are very subjective, and lists like these are made to invite comments and controversy, but really? Horton Hears a Who? The Bugs Bunny Road Runner Movie?? HAPPY FEET???
Sadder than what is on the list are the films that were left out. Films like Bambi, Fantasia, The Iron Giant, The Incredibles, and the Beauty and the Beast (nominated for Best Picture) were left off to make room for films like South Park - Bigger, Longer and Uncut. And Happy Feet. HAPPY FEET. Let me say it again, because I just can't believe it - HAPPY FEET???
I admit that I am no movie critic. I also admit that I have yet to see every animated films. I still need to sit down and watch Kung Fu Panda and How to Train your Dragon, both of which I have been told are great films and possibly deserving of this recognition. I have never heard of Paprika. I watched Spirited Away, and despite everyone raving about the movie, I just didn't get it. But any list that puts the Bugs Bunny Road Runner Movie as the third best animated film of all time is a few sardines short of a can. I love the cartoons, but 10 cartoons strung together don't work as a movie. And, for the record, neither does HAPPY FEET.
To give credit to Mr. Corliss, I would put Pinocchio at the top of list. I think this is one the most technically perfect animated films ever made. Disney was at the top of their game at the time, and ever scene in the picture is a masterpiece. As a child, the scene where Lampwick is turned into a donkey terrified me. It starts slow, almost as a joke, then slowly builds, becoming more and more intense as the pace and horror builds to a climax. It gives me goosebumps to this day.
If I have a chance, I'll compile my own list in the next day or so. In the meantime, I invite your comments. What do YOU consider as the best animated films of all time? Post your choices in the comments section below!
One of my favorite TV cartoons of all time was the Animaniacs. Great writing, above-average animation and great characters came together to create one of the best, laugh-out loud cartoon shows on television. Sure, it wan't perfect.... sometimes the animation was sub-par, some of the segments weren't so great (Mindy and Buttons pops to mind) and near the end they got too self-conscious, but in their prime, this was the show to watch. Posted here is one of my favorites. It's not typical of the Warner's cartoons, but great just the same. Enjoy Chairman of the Bored...
For those of you who were trying to make sense of my last post, that is a scene from the classic motion picture, "Lassie Come-Home" I posted that picture because, much like that courageous collie that climbs mountains, forges streams and dodges rush-hour traffic to make it back to his family, my car has come home!
I had assumed that by now, my car had been chopped up into little auto parts and sold piecemeal. I was making plans to buy my next car (I had heard that Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was on the market) when I received a call from the LA Sheriffs: My car had been recovered! I was told I could go pick it up at a towing yard in Walnut. On the way there, I prepared myself for what it might look like, asking myself the questions: Is it stripped completely? Was it involved in an accident? Was it used in the commission of a bank robbery? Can I get fries with that? (sorry, it was lunchtime and I was hungry) I eventually got to the towing yard, paid the fees, and walked into the yard to see my car, parked in the far corner of the lot.
We stopped, I looked...
This would be a good time to describe how my first stolen car looked once it was found. My first car, a 1986 Honda Civic, was stolen in 1997 and stripped for parts. Once the thieves removed everything of value from the car, they set the car on fire. Here are a few pictures of that car in the impound lot:
So, understand why my hopes where not too high. Eleven days is more than enough time to strip a car. However, amazingly - my car got off relatively unscathed! The thieves stole the car stereo, the battery, a tank of gas and a few CD's (they took the Disney CD's but left the Best of Mel Blanc behind), then left the car on a residential street. They rummaged through the glove compartments, but never bothered to open the trunk, where a few things of actual value would have been found. There are a few things not working right (the horn and the gear shift) but the car runs as it did before. These items are currently being repaired by my insurance company, and soon things will return to normal.
Oh, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang sold. I didn't win the auction; my $12 bid being a little too low. Well, you can't win them all.
Sorry, folks, it's been a very busy few days. I have some things to update you on, but I want to have the time to do them right. However, here's a hint to upcoming attractions:
Recognize the picture from a classic motion picture? If so, you may be able to figure out what has transpired in the last several hours. Stay tuned!
Once again, it's time for your Saturday Morning Cartoon! Here's the 1963 Academy Award winner for best animated film, an obscure little gem featuring Mel Brooks. This is the YouTube version; for a more high-quality version follow this link.
So far, there is nothing to report. But since people have been asking, I thought I should post something. I am currently driving around a rented Toyota until I hear news from the police, or 30 days elapses, whichever comes first. Look for my tailpipe in auto part stores everywhere! (I mean my CAR'S tailpipe... don't be crude.)
