Classic Ross Amico

Tag: Rankin-Bass

Hobbits Hanukkah & Tolkien’s Jewish Allegory

Hobbits for Hanukkah? It turns out it’s not so far-fetched. While I am by no means a fan of Peter Jackson’s Tolkien adaptations, at least his take on “The Hobbit” spawned this informative article:

https://www.timesofisrael.com/are-tolkiens-dwarves-an-allegory-for-the-jews/

Hanukkah arrives early this year. The eight-day Festival of Light begins tonight at sunset. Light the menorah, then join Roy and me as we reminisce about the Rankin-Bass version of “The Hobbit” (1977). This fondly-remembered television special – graced by the voices of Orson Bean, John Huston, Hans Conried, Otto Preminger, Cyril Ritchard, and Brother Theodore as Gollum – was first broadcast on Thanksgiving weekend, 44 years ago.

Our special guest on this “Unexpected Journey” will be my good friend and Tolkien connoisseur Paul Miller, as he’s known in the world of men (the elves call him Mithrandir). He’ll decipher the runes and flag down the eagles.

The three of us will get all misty for the Misty Mountains, on the next Roy’s Tie-Dye Sci-Fi Corner. Bring your “Sting” to the comments section. The conversation won’t really last eight nights; it will just feel that way, when we livestream on Facebook, THIS SUNDAY EVENING AT 7:00 EST!

https://www.facebook.com/roystiedyescificorner

Further reflections on Tolkien and the Jews here:

The Secret Jews of The Hobbit

November 28, 2021
Rankin Bass Hobbit Thanksgiving Special Review

The day after Thanksgiving, I think we all know what it is to be as portly and contented as Bilbo Baggins. Yet, inevitably, as we emerge from our tryptophan-induced stupors, there are still the cracked plates and lingering dwarfs to be reckoned with.

Therefore, you’ll excuse us, I hope, as we defer until SUNDAY the pleasure of our discussing the Rankin-Bass adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit” (1977). You know, the one featuring the vocal talents of Orson Bean, John Huston, Hans Conried, Otto Preminger, Cyril Ritchard, and Brother Theodore as Gollum. This fondly-remembered television special was first broadcast on Thanksgiving weekend, 44 years ago.

Joining Roy and me on this greatest adventure will be my good friend and Tolkien connoisseur, Paul Miller. When it comes to Middle Earth, don’t even try to guess what he’s got in his “pocketses.”

We’ll be blowing smoke rings and combing out the hair on our feet, for the next Roy’s Tie-Dye Sci-Fi Corner. Leave your riddles in the comments section, as we livestream on Facebook, THIS SUNDAY EVENING AT 7:00 EST!

https://www.facebook.com/roystiedyescificorner

November 26, 2021
Isis Secrets & Hobbit Memories

Last night, Roy and I were initiated into “The Secrets of Isis” (1975-77). Thank you so much to our special guests, Lisa Everetts, of the podcast POP ninja, and Brian Cutler Actors Studio, who played Rick Mason on the show, for joining us in paying tribute to actress Joanna Cameron. Their insights and anecdotes provided valuable glimpses behind the scenes and into Cameron’s personality.

If you are an “Isis” fan, DEFINITELY check out Everett’s podcast, recorded with cohost Patrick Bennett. The entire month of March was devoted to “The Shazam!/Isis Hour,” with extensive conversations with the casts of both shows. Follow the link below, and scroll down for appearances by Michael Gray (Billy Batson) and John Davey (the second Captain Marvel) on March 3, Joanna Cameron on March 10, Joanna Pang and Brian Cutler on March 17, Jackson Bostwick (the first Captain Marvel) on March 24, and Jill Vance Keenan (Cameron’s stunt double) on March 31. A very impressive reunion!

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1265612

Next time, Roy and I will welcome my good friend and Tolkien connoisseur, Paul Miller, who will join us for some reminiscences about the Rankin-Bass adaptation of “The Hobbit” (1977). You know, the one featuring the vocal talents of Orson Bean, John Huston, Hans Conried, Otto Preminger, Cyril Ritchard, and Brother Theodore as Gollum! This eagerly-awaited NBC television special was first broadcast on Thanksgiving weekend.

We’ll be chipping the glasses and cracking the plates (that’s what Bilbo Baggins hates), on the next Roy’s Tie-Dye Sci-Fi Corner. Troll us in the comments section, as we livestream on Facebook, NEXT SUNDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 28, AT 7:00 EST. (Note that we will be off on Black Friday!)

https://www.facebook.com/roystiedyescificorner

Have a happy Thanksgiving!

November 20, 2021
Mad Monster Party Rankin Bass Livestream This Friday

The only feature film of Arthur Rankin, Jr. and Jules Bass – who gained a kind of immortality through their stop-motion holiday specials – “Mad Monster Party” (1967) unites everyone’s favorite feature creatures – Dracula, Frankenstein’s monster, the Wolfman, the Invisible Man, the Mummy, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, the Hunchback of Notre Dame, and the Creature from the Black Lagoon (among others) – with the voices of Boris Karloff and Phyllis Diller.

Furthermore, the screenwriter and character designer are both from the stable of Mad Magazine. How could it possibly miss?

Well, maybe there is something to “too much of a good thing…”

But what’s a party without excess?

We are happy to announce that SciFi Distilled’s Mike and Marybeth will array themselves in their Halloween finery to join Roy and me for an undead discussion about the film and perhaps a reminiscence about some of our favorite Rankin-Bass creations, among other digressions.

We’ll do our best to breathe some life into “Mad Monster Party.” Our motion will be unstoppable, as we’re Rankin’ on Bass. Leave your Peter Lorre impressions in the comments section, when we livestream on Facebook, during a special crossover edition of Roy’s Tie-Dye Sci-Fi Corner, this Friday evening at 7:00 EDT!

https://www.facebook.com/roystiedyescificorner

October 28, 2021
Dracula 1979 & Mad Monster Party Horror Movie Review

Last night, Roy and I attempted to shed a little light on “Dracula” – the 1979 Frank Langella version. I had a few bones to pick, so be forewarned if you never drink… whine. Our conversation is in the vault. Grab a crucifix and a stake and meet us here:

Then I hope you’ll join us next Friday for a mad monster party, when SciFi Distilled’s Mike and Marybeth join us for… “Mad Monster Party” (1967)!

You undoubtedly recognize Rankin-Bass from their classic Christmas specials, including “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.” Well, what if they had been enlisted to make a kind of feature-length “League of Extraordinary Monsters?” All your favorites are here: Dracula, Frankenstein’s monster, the Wolfman, the Invisible Man, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Quasimodo the Hunchback, and the Creature from the Black Lagoon, among others.

Boris Karloff and Phyllis Diller lend their voices. Mad Magazine’s Harvey Kurtzman wrote the script. The film sports plenty of other in-jokes for classic monster lovers and Golden Age movie buffs.

Costumes will be donned! We’ll be all duded up in our undead apparel for “Mad Monster Party” on the next Roy’s Tie-Dye Sci-Fi Corner. Leave your tricks or treats in the comments section, as we livestream on Facebook, next Friday evening at 7:00 EDT!

https://www.facebook.com/roystiedyescificorner

October 23, 2021

Tag Cloud

RECENT POSTS