Toons Go to War

Started off the morning with breakfast and the Paramount Superman shorts of the early 40's. Given the tenor of the comic books at the time, it was likely inevitable that Superman would fight the Axis on the big screen as well. "The Japoteurs" are Japanese spies who steal an experimental bomber. Stowaway Lois Lane radios for help, while Superman keeps the (uncomfortably stereotyped) saboteurs from escaping with the plane. "The Eleventh Hour" has some marvelously shadowy animation and a mature story involving Superman sabotaging the Japanese. Superman rescues Lois from "Jungle Drums" and the stereotypical natives who obey a Nazi who wants to lure American submarines into a trap. The "Secret Agent" is a beautiful woman who has documents on a Nazi spy ring in the US. Superman makes sure she and the documents make it to Washington. 

Headed out for a quick run to the grocery store after the DVD ended. I didn't really need a whole lot. Had to restock yogurt and mozzarella cheese to snack on. Bought a gift card for my sister Anny's birthday tomorrow. Kind granola bars were on sale, and I had an online coupon for Smuckers Natural strawberry jam. Thought I'd try one more Fanta Mystery Flavor before they vanish. 

Maybe it was just as well that I didn't have the time to linger. The weather was not lovely today. It was warm for the time of year, in the 70's, but it was also humid, and heavy clouds were in and out. For all that, Newton Lake Park was busy with children running around the playground and people going for strolls and jogs when I passed through it. It's really looking like fall here now, with many of the trees far emptier than they were even a week or so ago and every one turning shades of gold, rust, scarlet, and bright orange.

Put everything away and got organized while Match Game '77 was on. Had lunch during Tattletales. Gary Burghoff and his wife Janet were the only ones I recognized here...but one of the men playing was the Vidal Sassoon, of fancy hair products fame! Gary and Janet just couldn't get anything going; no wonder they divorced a few years later.

Karen picked me up for job counseling just as the show ended. We had just enough time to sign up for a clerical job with the Camden County College. On one hand, despite it being only part-time, it pays well. On the other hand, I'm not sure I'm all that keen on working in Camden, and I'm worried that I'll need another job when the college closes for the summer.

After I got home, I rested while watching East Side of Heaven. I go further into this 1939 vehicle for Bing Crosby that has him as a singing cab driver who finds himself taking care of an abandoned infant at my Musical Dreams Movie Reviews blog.

East Side of Heaven

Worked on writing for a while after the movie ended. Cora would rather be exploring the castle than dealing with dignitaries and her manipulative fiancee, especially after he looks in her eyes and tries to force her to forget his lousy leadership skills. At the end of one obscure hall, she finds a painting of a handsome, studious man who somewhat resembles Stephen, but is far more serious-looking and holds a book in his hands. Cora wants to know more about him. He seems so familiar, especially the liquid dark eyes and sweet little smile...

Broke for a quick dinner at 7 PM. The week with Kukla and Ollie on Match Game '79 ended with Gene inviting their friend, puppeteer, and creator Burr Tillstrom out to greet everyone and show how the puppets worked. They went right into the next week after that with Don Galloway and Lee Merriweather. Brett rants about her dislike of politicians and politics in general, while the others admire Bill Daily's attempt to grow a beard.

Finished the night with wartime Looney Tunes shorts. Termite Terrance had been doing war shorts since at least Bosko the Doughboy in the early 30's. Bosko dances his way through the trenches (and wishes he were with Honey), but some of his fellow animals aren't so fortunate and don't avoid getting filled with buckshot by the Kaiser.

Most of the Tunes war shorts came out directly before and during World War II. "Daffy the Commando" took on an unnamed enemy as the war began, while Bugs drove Hermann Gobeling nuts in "Herr Meets Hare," one of the last war shorts made before the fighting ended. "The Draft Horse" wants to join the Army, but wonders if it's such a great idea when he's caught in the middle of a war game. Other shorts were mini-sketch comedies parodying life in the barracks ("Meet John Doughboy"), in the city and suburbs ("The Weakly Reporter"), and on the farm ("Wacky Blackout"). "Fifth Column Mouse" and "The Duckinators" were allegories on how the US got involved in the war, and how they planned to end it. 

My three favorite wartime Looney Tunes shorts were among the best directed by the truly bonkers Bob Clampett. "Super Rabbit" spoofs the super hero craze of the time, with Bugs turning into Superman when he eats super-charged carrots. When it looks like the rabbit-hating cowboy and horse he's been pursing are going to get the drop on him, he dons the uniform of a real super hero...a Marines officer. "Draftee Daffy" would do anything to avoid that persistent "Little Man From the Draft Board," including blowing them both to literal heck and gone. Bugs is a "Falling Hare" when he ends up in a plane being sabotaged by a goofy little Gremlin who, unlike most of his antagonists, gives as good as he gets.