Mickey Marches (Make That Floats) For Macy's Once More

As we await the annual feast of balloons, floats, bands and stars that is the 2009 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, let's celebrate the return of Mickey Mouse to this great American tradition. Mickey first flew over 34th Street in 1934, when the Mouse became one of the first character balloons just in time to help Macy's have a successful Christmas season in the depths of the Great Depression. (Proof that Mickey went all out for Macy's that year is evidenced by the famed Macy's star on the balloon's chest, visible in some photos.) That early version of Mickey was part of the parade for several years, and a new Mickey balloon was added decades later, in the 1970s (the Donald Duck balloon seen here first flew in the 1960s), while a spectacular, beautifully designed Bandleader Mickey soared over Manhattan as Macy's mascot in 2000. Now 2009 sees Mickey return in a fourth helium-filled incarnation as Sailor Mickey—and once again this merry Mouse serves as Macy's official Holiday Ambassador. Perhaps it's no surprise that Macy's is again turning to Mickey in these troubled times just as the nation's most famous department store did during the Depression. See the all-new Mickey soar once more in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade this Thursday on NBC.

Thanksgiving Treats

Thanksgiving Day is less than a week away so it's about time we saw some classic Thanksgiving art here at Tulgey Wood. One more reason to be thankful for comic books: the number of classic funny-book covers that have a Thanksgiving theme, such as this issue of the long-running Walter Lantz monthly anthology title New Funnies (#70, December 1942), here putting Andy Panda as a pilgrim in the center of attention. (By the way, you'll note that one Andy's co-star in the title's trademark left-hand border is Oswald the formerly lucky Rabbit). Between now and next Thursday I will try and post a Thanksgiving treat, so come back and check out the parade of celebrating character right here at Tulgey Wood.

Hokey Smoke!

As has been mentioned on Mark Evanier's blog and elsewhere, today marks the 50th anniversary of the debut of Rocky and His Friends, also known as The Bullwinkle Show. Jay Ward's animated masterpiece emphasized design and sharp, satirical writing (one of the scribes was Allan Burns, who went on to co-create and co-produce The Mary Tyler Moore Show with James L. Brooks), demonstrating that low-budgets and limited animation need not mean low creativity and limited imagination. To celebrate here's a grand Rocky and His Friends comic cover from 1961 (the year The Bullwinkle Show moved to prime time as the "in-living-color" lead-in to Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color.

Fun Facts, Fascinating Photos

Have you checked out the 13 "bewitching" facts all about Bedknobs and Broomsticks at the D23 website? If so, did you notice the link under the photo of the film's stars with the Sherman Brothers? That link brings up a window showcasing seven intriguing images all about that magical musical fantasy. The photos include several of the props (including the magic bedknob) on display at the Walt Disney Archives. the front and back covers of the original soundtrack LP, and the lobby card shown above. Be sure and read the article. "The Eternally Bewitching Bedknobs and Broomsticks", written by Jim Fanning (that's me), at the D23 website—and while there be sure and click through the fascinating photos (complete with captions also written by me).

Hey, Mickey, Come Over For A Party!

Today, November 18, is the date used as the anniversary of Mickey Mouse's introduction to the world, as it was on this day in 1928 Steamboat Willie premiered at the Colony Theatre in New York City. That's a mighty big place for such a little guy to make his debut but as we all know Mickey turned out to be a mighty big Mouse. In celebration of the day, here's a comic book (Mickey Mouse #188) from 1978 featuring a great and oft-reprinted cover (originally from #73, 1960) by Mouse comic-book master Paul Murry. Look closely (next to the unfortunate UPC code) and you'll see the fun "Happy Birthday, Mickey" logo that was created for Mickey's 50th that year. (Click on the comic cover for a larger view.) Happy Birthday to the Mouse who started it all.

Peanuts Revs Up For A 60th Anniversary Celebration

October 2, 2010 will mark the 60th anniversary of Charles Schulz's brilliant Peanuts comic strip and the celebration has already started, complete with a Schulz-worthy logo featuring a sublime 1960s Snoopy. As you can see from this article (at left) from the Hallmark Keepsake Club newsletter (click on the image for a larger view), longtime Peanuts (and Disney) licensee Hallmark is kicking things off with a Christmas ornament utilizing the original design of Charlie Brown and Snoopy and featuring the Peanuts daily strip from December 28, 1951. Keep your eyes open for lots more 60th celebration stuff, both out there and in here, at Tulgey Wood.

"Give The Gift Of Disney Magic"

Just in time for those early-birds making Christmas gift lists (or wish lists, for that matter), D23 has created a campaign suggesting a membership in the Official Community for Disney Fans as a holiday gift. Having started very appropriately with Mickey and Minnie, the campaign has expanded to Huey, Dewey and Louie giving Uncle Scrooge the gift of a D23 membership. I'm of course behind anything with Uncle Scrooge, and the seasonal use of this classic character is entirely apt as he was created by Carl Barks as a take-off on the famed lead character in Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol for the 1948 Donald Duck comic book story "Christmas on Bear Mountain." (I also love the fact that the D23 symbol held by the nephews resembles Uncle Scrooge's Number One Dime.) I assume there will be more of these fun artworks (drawn I'm sure by Dave Pachecco, who drew the original campaign for D23 and the equally clever art for the D23 Expo campaign) as the holiday season kicks into high gear. A D23 membership would indeed make a great gift for any Disney fan on your list. Head on over to the D23 website for more details.