The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle
Beloved cartoon is a true classic!
While classic films from the 1940s and 1950s have long captivated audiences, it's time to shift our attention to a beloved cartoon series from many of our childhoods - Rocky and Bullwinkle. This delightfully wacky show never failed to elicit chuckles, as its zany antics and absurd humor have endured as a treasured memory for generations. In particular, the Fractured Fairy Tales segments stood out as my personal favorite, showcasing the series' unparalleled creativity and comedic genius. Rather than staying confined to the traditional silver screen, I believe it's high time we give this iconic cartoon the recognition and exposure it deserves.
Stepping away from the usual cinematic fare, exploring the enduring appeal of Rocky and Bullwinkle offers a refreshing dose of nostalgia and levity that is simply too entertaining to ignore. Join me in rediscovering the timeless charm of this animated classic - I guarantee it will have you laughing out loud once again.
The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle was a delightfully quirky American animated TV series that first aired from 1959 to 1964. Produced by the creative minds at Jay Ward Productions, the show was a real variety pack, with the main attraction being the madcap adventures of the title characters - the flying squirrel Rocket J. Squirrel (Rocky) and the lovable moose Bullwinkle J. Moose. Their exploits were constantly thwarted by the dastardly Russian spies Boris Badenov and Natasha Fatale, who worked for the diabolical Fearless Leader. But that wasn't all - the series also featured other beloved segments like the melodramatic Dudley Do-Right, the time-traveling duo of Mr. Peabody and Sherman, and the comically reimagined Fractured Fairy Tales. It was a wild and whimsical ride from start to finish!
The wisecracking duo of Rocky and Bullwinkle captivated audiences young and old with their puns and satirical antics. The animation had a quirky, slightly off-kilter look which was attributed to the fact that the show’s sponsor, General Mills, outsourced the animations to Gamma Productions in Mexico. It was a cost-saving move but came with a price – the animation was riddled with issues, like Boris’ mustache popping on and off and Bullwinkle’s antlers changing shape. Despite the production challenges, this moose-and-squirrel masterpiece took flight and delighted young audiences with its zany antics and beloved characters.
The legendary Bullwinkle name was born from a clever twist on a car dealership in Berkeley, California - "Bullwinkel Motors." The creators simply swapped the last two letters to create the now iconic "Bullwinkle" moniker, cementing the moose's place in pop culture history.
Rocky and Bullwinkle J. Moose resided in the chilly town of Frostbite Falls, Minnesota, which was inspired by the real-life International Falls. Always trying to "catch Moose and Squirrel" were the scheming spy duo Boris Badenov and Natasha Fatale, whose pun-fueled antics added to the zany fun. Rounding out the cast of colourful characters were the dictator Fearless Leader, the green-skinned aliens Gidney & Cloyd, the hapless Captain Wrongway Peachfuzz, and various bumbling bureaucrats - a delightfully silly ensemble in a show brimming with whimsy and fun.
The Rocky and Bullwinkle show included a lineup of beloved supporting features. These quirky shorts added a playful touch, setting the stage for the entertainment to come.
Aesop and Son
Classic fables get the subversive treatment, as the wise old Aesop tries to impart a lesson to his cheeky son. The opening titles set the tone perfectly, showing Aesop painstakingly carving his name in marble, only to have his rascally offspring gleefully append "And Son" with a jackhammer, raising a cloud of dust. Voiced by the talented Charlie Ruggles and Daws Butler, this father-son duo brings the classic fables to life with a delightfully irreverent spin.
Bullwinkle's Corner
The dimwitted moose hilariously tries to inject some culture into the proceedings by reciting and dramatically acting out a variety of classic poems and nursery rhymes - but ends up butchering them in delightfully comical fashion. Childhood favorites like "Little Miss Muffet", "Little Jack Horner", and "Wee Willie Winkie" all fall victim to the moose's enthusiastic but utterly misguided attempts at literary performance. And in a twist on the famous Abbott and Costello "Who's on First?" routine, the moose puts his own zany spin on the classic "Simple Simon" nursery rhyme, with Boris Badenov playing the role of the pie man.
Dudley Do-Right of the Mounties
The classic Jay Ward cartoon, Dudley Do-Right, is a delightful treat for viewers. As the ever-determined Canadian Mountie, Dudley is forever chasing his nemesis, the villainous Snidely Whiplash, who is decked out in his signature black top hat, cape, and handlebar mustache. This cartoon even features a background music track composed by Dennis Farnon, which is a rarity for Ward's works. True to Ward's playful style, the jokes often pack a delightful double meaning. For instance, characters are sometimes introduced with a close-up showcasing the "names" of fictional actors - a nod to early silent films. These monikers are usually silly puns, like Abraham Wilkes Booth as Dudley Do-Right, Sweetness N. Light as Nell Fenwick, and Claud Hopper as Snidely Whiplash. Overall, Dudley Do-Right is a classic cartoon that captivates viewers with its clever writing, memorable characters, and delightful musical score.
Fractured Fairy Tales
My all-time favourite! A whimsical presentation of beloved fairy tales and children's stories, but with delightfully altered, modernized storylines for a funny and satirical effect. This delightful segment was narrated by the iconic Edward Everett Horton, with the talented voices of June Foray, Bill Scott, Paul Frees, and Daws Butler bringing the characters to life. A prime example was their clever spin on "Sleeping Beauty" - in this version, the prince (a comical caricature of Walt Disney) doesn't simply wake up the sleeping heroine. Instead, he builds an entire theme park around her ("Sleeping Beautyland"), earning him headlines in Variety magazine touting "Doze Doll Duz Wiz Biz" and "Doze Doll Dull." Fractured Fairy Tales was incredibly creative and to this day I still love them!
Mr. Know-It-All
Bullwinkle, the self-proclaimed "Mr. Know-It-All," presents himself as an expert on virtually every subject imaginable. However, when he steps into the limelight, chaos and calamity inevitably follow. And who is the mastermind behind this mayhem? None other than Boris Badenov, Bullwinkle's mischievous nemesis, who assumes a dizzying array of identities to orchestrate their madcap misadventures.
Peabody's Improbable History
Genius dog Mr. Peabody and his human sidekick Sherman are the stars of this delightfully punny time-traveling adventure. Mr. Peabody was named after a real-life dog belonging to the creator's son. Armed with Peabody's "WABAC" (pronounced "way-back") time machine, the duo journey through history, often intervening to ensure events unfold as recorded. Their exploits are filled with hilariously terrible puns, like when Peabody explains that the entire population of Scotland was evacuated via zeppelin: "one nation in dirigible." It's a whimsical romp through the annals of history!
The beloved Rocky and Bullwinkle cartoon first captivated audiences on ABC in 1959, airing twice weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays to become the top-rated show in its time-slot. However, its success was short-lived. In 1961, the dynamic duo moved to NBC's Sunday evening lineup, where they faced an insurmountable challenge - going head-to-head with the legendary Lassie. Unsurprisingly, Rocky and Bullwinkle's ratings plummeted, and NBC had no choice but to cancel the show in the summer of 1964.
Interesting to note:
In a clever publicity stunt, Jay Ward leased a small island between Minnesota and Canada in 1962, naming it "Moosylvania" after a fictional island featured in his popular Rocky and Bullwinkle cartoons. Determined to make Moosylvania the 51st state, Ward and his colleague embarked on a cross-country campaign, driving a van to 50-60 cities and collecting thousands of petition signatures. However, their efforts to meet with President Kennedy at the White House were thwarted when they were turned away during the height of the Cuban Missile Crisis.
The lads in the British Invasion band Herman's Hermits (1963) came up with their groovy name after deciding their lead singer Peter Noone bore a striking resemblance to the famous cartoon character Sherman from "Mr. Peabody." The name "Herman" was close enough to "Sherman" for the musicians, and the rest is history!
The 1985 movie Back to the Future is a delightful romp that showcases director Robert Zemeckis' playful sense of humor. In the film, Marty McFly is accidentally zapped back to 1955, where he ends up on the Twin Pines Ranch belonging to Old Man Peabody. Mistaking Marty's DeLorean for a spaceship, the grumpy old landowner takes a shotgun blast at it. His dismay only grows when Marty - who he thought was an alien - accidentally squashes one of his precious pine saplings. Zemeckis clearly had fun drawing this parallel between Peabody and the time-traveling cartoon dog Mr. Peabody, creating a chuckle-worthy moment for viewers.
The Forks Part
My choice for a fun food to go along with watching The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle would be…
Grilled Cheese Pizza Sandwiches!
What You Need:
For the Garlic Butter Spread
½ cup unsalted butter, very soft
1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
For Putting it all together
8 slices white bread
12 slices mozzarella cheese
6 ounces pepperoni
Warm pizza sauce for dipping
What To Do:
In a medium-sized bowl, place the butter, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning and mix it together until all is combined and smooth.
Spread the butter mixture over one side of the bread slices evenly. Then lay the pieces of bread butter-side-up onto a sheet tray until you're ready to use them.
Over medium-low heat, in a skillet, place a piece of bread butter-side-down into the skillet. Then place a slice of mozzarella on top of the bread. Then, add 6 pepperoni slices, followed by another slice of mozzarella cheese, 6 more pepperonis, and a final slice of mozzarella cheese. Place the top piece of bread on, butter-side-up.
Place a lid on the skillet to melt the cheese, and cook until the bottom of the piece of bread is a golden brown, about 3-5 minutes.
Carefully flip the sandwich over using a spatula. Place the lid back on again and continue to cook the other side, until it's golden brown on the bottom and the cheese is melted in the center. Repeat with the remaining sandwiches.
Serve with warm pizza sauce on the side for dipping.
Enjoy!
…Jill
Love these guys...
Wonderful piece, Jill! Bullwinkle is one of my favourite shows. And your article captures it perfectly. Great job!