Three Recent Christmas Commercials

I have written regularly on this blog about vintage Christmas commercials, and they are generally decades old. Despite this, there are still quality Christmas commercials being made, with a few each year that stand out. Here are three that are somewhat memorable for me. 

The first is actually ten years, The "Say Sorry" spot for Temptations treats for cats proved popular when it came out in November 2015. The commercial features unfortunate felines who have been dressed up in holiday costumes by their humans, with the song "Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word" by Elton John playing in the background. I have never dressed up my cats, but I have known people who have, and the poor cats always look miserable. For that reason, this commercial always resonated with me.



I have to confess that I am not particularly a fan of fast fashion, as it has too many environmental consequences for me to be entirely comfortable with it. Regardless, I do like this spot from 2022 for H&M. That year H&M had a marketing campaign centred around a fictional Parisian restaurant called Brasserie Hennes (the full name of H&M being H & M Hennes & Mauritz AB). For the holidays in 2022, Brasserie Hennes was, in the words of H&M's promotional material, "transformed into a disco-inspired snowscape for the holidays." Here I have to point out that the song playing in the commercial is not a disco song, but Linda Scott's version of "I've Told Ev'ry Little Star" set to a disco beat. The song goes back to 1932 musical Music in the Air and was written by Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II. In 1961, Linda Scott recorded her version, which reached no. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. If some of the people in the commercial look familiar, it is because the ad features Anderson Paak, Chloe Sevigny, model Jill Kortleve, and others. This commercial resonated with me because it came out while I had and then recovered from Covid, and I liked the arrangement of "I've Told Ev'ry Little Star," not to mention the winter-themed imagery.

This is the most recent of the commercials I am posting. I have to confess, I like this commercial not so much because of the imagery (which more or less looks like every other jewellery commercial), but instead because of the song. It is "Dreamy Lady" by T. Rex. The song was released as a single in 1975. It did not do particularly well as T. Rex songs go, only peaking at no. 30 on the UK singles chart. Obviously, the song has nothing to do with Christmas, but it does fit a jewellery commercial.

80 Years of Christmas in Connecticut

A very good argument could be made that the 1940s were the Golden Age of Christmas Movies. Indeed, in a space of only two years It's a Wonderful Life (1946), It Happened on 5th Avenue (1947), Miracle on 34th Street (1947), Christmas Eve (1947), and The Bishop's Wife (1947) were all released. Yet another beloved holiday classic was released not long before these movies. Christmas in Connecticut (1945) was released on August 11, 1945, and proved to be a smash hit. It began airing on television in the Fifties, where it would also prove to be popular. Turner Classic Movies began showing Christmas in Connecticut (1945) in the mid-Nineties and has shown it nearly every year since, introducing the film to whole new generations of fans. A little over eighty years after its release, it continues to be one of the most popular Christmas movies of all time.

Christmas in Connecticut (1945) centres on one of the many independent career women that Barbara Stanwyck played during her career, Elizabeth Lane. Elizabeth Lane is a food writer for the popular women's magazine Smart Housekeeping. In reality Miss Lane cannot cook at all and lives in a New York City apartment rather than the Connecticut farm on which she claims to live in her columns. Every one of her recipes come from her good friend, restaurateur and chef Felix Bassenak (S.Z. Sakall). Smart Housekeeping's publisher, Alexander Yardley (Sydney Greenstreet), like the public at large, actually believes that she is this incredible cook and housekeeper living in Connecticut. Unfortunately for Elizabeth Lane, her charade is in danger of being revealed when Mr. Yardley invites himself and a Navy war hero, Jefferson Jones (Dennis Morgan), to Christmas dinner at her wholly non-existent farm. Her editor Dudley Beecham (Robert Shayne), Felix, and her gentleman friend John Sloan (Reginald Gardiner) must then scramble to keep Elizabeth Lane's secret intact. The inspiration for Elizabeth Lane was reportedly Family Circle columnist Gladys Taber. Unlike Elizabeth Lane, Gladys Taber actually could cook and keep house.

While the role of Elizabeth Lane would appear to have been written for Barbara Stanwyck (it's hard picturing anyone else in the role), Christmas in Connecticut (1945) was originally offered to Bette Davis, who turned the film down. The casting of Barbara Stanwyck was announced in the April 13, 1944, issue of The Hollywood Reporter. The romantic lead of Jefferson Jones would also change before the film started shooting. Originally John Alexander was announced as playing the role. He was replaced by Dennis Morgan. Ultimately, Christmas in Connecticut (1945) would have one of the best casts of any comedy in the Forties. Not only did Sydney Greenstreet play publisher Alexander Yardley and S.Z. Sakall play chef Felix Bassenak, but the great Una O'Connor played John Sloan's housekeeper Norah. Character Dick Elliott had a humorous turn as a judge who is totally unaware of what is going on.

If it was made today Christmas in Connecticut (1945) might well be shot on location in Connecticut. Location shooting being rare in the Forties, the film was shot entirely on the soundstages of Warner Bros.' Burbank studios. In fact, viewers with keen eyes might even recognize one of the sets. The set for Sloan's Connecticut house was previously used in Bringing Up Baby (1938).

As mentioned earlier, strangely enough for a movie with a Yuletide theme, Christmas in Connecticut (1945) was released on August 11, 1945. Despite its unusual release date, the film proved to be a hit. In fact, it was the only wartime, non-musical comedy to make over $3 million. Of course, this also made it the highest grossing non-musical comedy of the war years. 

While Christmas in Connecticut (1945) would not become as famous as other holiday movies from the Forties, such as It's a Wonderful Life (1946), Miracle on 34th Street (1947), and The Bishop's Wife (1947), it would retain a loyal following over the years. On March 20, 1952,  it was adapted for the radio show Stars in the Air with Gordon MacRae and Phyllis Thaxter in the lead roles. In 1992, it was remade as a television movie with Dyan Cannon and Kris Kristofferson in the lead roles. Arnold Schwarzenegger directed the TV movie. It was not well received and is generally considered terrible even by the standards of TV movies.

While the 1992 television remake is best forgotten, if anything the reputation of the original Christmas in Connecticut (1945) has only grown. Shown every year on Turner Classic Movies around Christmas (usually multiple times), the film has gained an even larger following than it previously had. It is easy to see why. As mentioned earlier, Christmas in Connecticut (1945) has one of the best casts of any 1940s comedy. Barbara Stanwyck is in perfect form as Elizabeth Lane. Not only is Elizabeth intelligent and independent, but I personally think Miss Stanwyck was at the height of her sex appeal in this film. As might be expected, S.Z. Sakall and Sydney Greenstreet are perfect as the lovable Felix and the blowhard Yardley respectively. Dennis Morgan and Reginald Gardiner are both well suited to their roles. Christmas in Connecticut (1945) is one of those films in which every single cast member delivers a good performance, right down to the supporting characters.

Beyond its cast Christmas in Connecticut (1945) benefits from a very good script. It is one of those comedies that is genuinely funny, with the laughs coming very quickly on top of one another. There are several great lines in the film, not only from Miss Stanwyck as Elizabeth Lane but from several other characters as well (particularly Felix). Given the presence of Sydney Greenstreet there should be no surprise that there are a few references to The Maltese Falcon. For a film made in the Forties Christmas in Connecticut (1945) can be a bit racy at times, with at least one line that makes one wonder how it got past the Breen Office. Indeed, the New York Times' critic complained that ;Christmas in Connecticut (1945) "... depends not so much on genuine humour as upon suggestive lines and situations for its merriment." Not surprisingly, the Legion of Decency gave Christmas in Connecticut (1945) a "B" rating, meaning it was "objectionable in part". Of course, what the New York Times critics and the Legion of Decency disliked about the film I rather suspect most modern viewers will love.

Aside from The Apartment (1960) and It's a Wonderful Life (1946), Christmas in Connecticut (1945) is my favourite holiday movie of all time. It would seem that I am not alone, as the film has grown in popularity ever since Turner Classic Movies started showing it regularly. And there is good reason for it to have done so. The film features Barbara Stanwyck doing some of her best comedy work, as well as character actors S. Z. Sakall, Sydney Greenstreet, and Una O'Connor in top form. What is more, it has a genuinely funny script with more jokes packed into a minute than many comedies have in ninety. It is little wonder why it was the highest grossing non-musical comedy of World War II.

My Beloved Cat Socks R.I.P.

I have always been of the mind that pets are family. It was certainly true of our cat Socks. He spent his entire life with us, from his birth onwards. He cuddled with us. He slept with us, sometimes my sister, sometimes me. He watched television with us. Socks loved us and we loved him. He was closer to us than all but our closest friends. Sadly, Socks died this morning, December 16, 2025, at the age of 13 years and 8 months. To say I am devastated would be an understatement.

Socks was born on April 3, 2012, behind our sofa. He had three siblings. His brother Boots was adopted by a nice family. Sadly, his sister Batgirl died when she was only a year old. His brother Sylvester disappeared when he was about two years old. We suspect he may have gone off to live with another family. Through it all, Socks remained. He was a cat as faithful as he was loving. He loved to sit on us and be petted, and he had the loudest purr. You could hear him clear across a room. When he got older, following the death of my cat Malcolm, he took Malcolm's place in watching television with him. For whatever reason, he seemed to like Midsomer Murders.  As I said earlier, he slept with us. 

Socks was also an extremely intelligent cat. He knew more words in English than any cat I have ever known. He not only knew his own name, but my name, my sister's name, my brother's name, and the names of the other cats. He knew several other words as well, including "food," "treats," and "chicken." Socks loved chicken. If we had chicken for dinner, he would actually beg for it, something he generally wouldn't do for any other food except maybe treats.

Socks was definitely the head of our house's pride of cats. The other cats generally acquiesced to him. They would often let him eat first and would not bother him if he was sleeping. Indeed, Socks was a bit of tough guy. I always called him "the James Cagney of Cats." He would chase stray cats off our place. And he thought nothing of attacking dogs, even ones much bigger than he was. One time he even chased a bobcat off. I honestly don't think Socks ever knew fear. 

While Socks was hardly a young cat, it still feels as if he died too soon. I keep expecting to see him somewhere around the house. I expect to see him lying on the sofa in the living room or on my bed in my bedroom. I will certainly miss petting him and cuddling him. Socks was a very good cat and one of the most loving cats I have ever had. It hurts that he is gone and I have already cried a good deal. Socks wasn't just a pet. He was one of the family.

The Late Great Rob Reiner

On December 14, 2025, actor and director Rob Reiner and his wife Michelle were found dead in their home in the Brentwood neighbourhood of Los Angeles. Mr. Reiner was 78 years old and his wife was 68. As an actor, he was best known for his role as Michael Stvic on All in the Family. As a director, he was known for several movies now regarded by many as classics, including This is Spinal Tap (1984), Stand by Me (1986), The Princess Bride(1987), and When Harry Met Sally (1989).

Rob Reiner was born on March 6, 1947, in the Bronx in New York City. His father was comic and writer Carl Reiner, who would become a living legend. His mother was Estelle Reiner (née Lebost), an artist and set designer. Once Carl Reiner's career was under way, the family moved to New Rochelle, New York, which would also be the home of Rob and Laura Petrie on Carl Reiner's sitcom The Dick Van Dyke Show. The family would eventually move to California, and Rob Reiner graduated from Beverly Hills High School in 1964.

Rob Reiner followed his father into the entertainment business. In the early Sixties, he was an apprentice at Bucks County Playhouse in Pennsylvania. He made his television debut in an episode of Manhunt in 1961. In the Sixties, he had guest appearances on the shows Batman; Hey, Landlord; The Andy Griffith Show; That Girl; The Mothers-In-Law; Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.; The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour; The Beverly Hillbillies; Room 222; and Headmaster. He attended the UCLA Film School. He also wrote for television on such shows as The Steve Allen Comedy Hour and The Joey Bishop Show. He was a staff writer on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour and The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour. He wrote an episode of the show Headmaster. He made his film debut in his father's movie Enter Laughing in 1967. He also appeared in the films The Big Mouth (1967), Where It's At (1969), Halls of Anger (1970), and Where's Poppa (1970).

It was in 1971 that Rob Reiner began playing Michael Stivic, the liberal son-in-law of conservative Archie Bunker on the classic sitcom All in the Family. He appeared in the role for eight seasons. He also guest starred on the shows The Odd Couple, The Rockford Files, and Archie Bunker's Place. He starred on the short-lived sitcom Free Country. He appeared in the movies Summertree (1971), How Come Nobody's On Our Side (1974), Fire Sale (1977), and The Jerk (1979). He wrote episodes of Shirley's World, The Super, All in the Family, Happy Days, and Free Country. He wrote the TV movie More Than Friends. He broke into directing in 1974 with the TV movie Sonny Boy.

It was in 1984 that Rob Reiner made his feature film directorial debut with the classic mockumentary This is Spinal Tap. While it did modestly well at the box office, This is Spinal Tap (1984) developed a cult following and has since become regarded as a classic. In the Eighties, he also directed the films The Sure Thing (1985), Stand by Me (1986), The Princes Bride (1987), When Harry Met Sally (1989), and Misery (1990). As an actor, he played documentary filmmaker Marty Di Bergi in This is Spinal Tap (1984). He also appeared in the films Throw Momma from the Train (1987), Postcards from the Edgie (1990), and The Spirit of '76 (1990). On television he appeared in the TV movies The Million Dollar Infield and Partners in Life, and the TV shows Tall Tales & Legends and It's Garry Shandling's Show.

In the Nineties, Rob Reiner directed the movies A Few Good Men (1992), North (1994), The American President (1995), Ghosts of Mississippi (1996), and The Story of Us (1999). He directed the TV movie I Am Your Child (1997). He hosted the mockumentary TV series Morton & Hayes. He guest starred on The Larry Sanders Show and reprised his role as Mary Di Bergi in the TV movie A Spinal Tap Reunion. He appeared in the movies Sleepless in Seattle (1993), Bullets Over Broadway (1994), Mixed Nuts (1994), Bye Bye Love (1995), For Better or Worse (1995), The First Wives Club (1996), Mad Dog Time (1996), Primary Colours (1998), EdTV (1999), The Muse (1999), and The Story of Us (1999).

In the Naughts, Rob Reiner directed Alex & Emma (2003), Rumor Has It... (2005), The Bucket List (2007), and Flipped (2010). He directed the TV movie Everyday Life. As an actor, he guest starred on the shows Curb Your Enthusiasm,The Simpsons, Hannah Montana, Wizards of Waverly Place, and 30 Rock. He appeared in the movies Alex & Emma (2003), Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star (2003), and Everyone's Hero (2006).

In the Teens, Rob Reiner directed the movies The Magic of Belle Isle (2012), And So It Goes (2014), Being Charlie (2015), and LBJ (2016), Shock and Awe (2017). As an actor, he appeared in the movies The Wolf of Wall Street (2014), And So It Goes (2014), Sandy Wexler (2015), and Shock and Awe (2017. He guest starred on the shows About a Boy, HAPPYish, The Comedians, and The Good Fight. He had a recurring role on the sitcom New Girl and appeared in the mini-series When We Rise and Hollywood.

In the 2020s, Rob Reiner directed Albert Brooks: Defending My Life (2023), God & Country (2024), and Spinal Tap II: The End Continues (2025). As an actor, he guest starred on The Bear and reprised his role as Marty Di Bergi in Spinal Tap II: The End Continues (2025).

Much like his father Carl Reiner, Rob Reiner was a national treasure. As an actor, he was not only loved for his role as Mike on All in the Family, but for his many guest appearances on shows from That Girl to The Rockford Files. And while he played a number of hippies on various shows prior to All in the Family, he played many more sorts of roles during his acting career. In the Rockford Files episode "The No-Cut Contract," he played the quarterback of a in a team in the football equivalent of the bush league. In The Wolf of Wall Street, he played Max Belfort, the father of stockbroker Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio).

While Rob Reiner was beloved as an actor, he may have even more adored as a director. During his career, he directed a number of films that are now regarded as classics. This is Spinal Tap, Stand by Me, The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, Misery, and yet other films directed by Rob Reiner are very highly regarded by critics, film buffs, and the average movie goer. Indeed, Rob Reiner's films were nominated for eleven Oscars and won one (Best Actress for Kathy Bates in Misery). If Rob Reiner enjoyed such respect as a director, it is perhaps because he was so original. While mocumentaries had existed before This is Spinal Tap, Rob Reiner laid the groundwork for all future mockumentary movies to come. With The Princess Bride, Mr. Reiner gave us a movie that blended adventure, fantasy, and comedy. Rob Reiner re-invented the romantic comedy with When Harry Met Sally. Rob Reiner's movies often defied genres, which is perhaps why so many of them are so popular.

Happy 100th Birthday to Dick Van Dyke

There are many people (most certainly every generation since Generation X) who have never known life without Dick Van Dyke. He has brought joy to people of all age for literally decades. Indeed, he is the consummate performer. He can act. He can do comedy. He can sing. He can dance. And he has appeared in many beloved projects, from The Dick Van Dyke Show to Mary Poppins (1964) to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968). Dick Van Dyke was born 100 years ago today, on December 13, 2025, in West Plains, Missouri. His younger brother, the late Jerry Van Dyke, was born in 1931.

Arguably, Dick Van Dyke's entertainment career began when he was still serving in the latter days of World War II. He served as a radio announcer before being transferred to Special Services. He entertained troops throughout the United States. Following his service he worked as a DJ at WDAN in Danville, Illinois. He toured with pantomime performer Phil Erickson as part of a comedy team, Eric & Van--the Merry Mutes. Eventually, they settled in Atlanta, where they performed on television. Eventually, Dick Van Dyke went to work at television station WDSU-TV in New Orleans, where he was the emcee of a comedy program. It was in 1954 that he first appeared on a network television program, the talent show Chance of a Lifetime on DuMont. He eventually signed a seven year contract with CBS. He worked on one of their early CBS news and talk morning show simply called The Morning Show. In November 1959, he made his debut on Broadway in The Girls Against the Boys. It was in 1960 that he starred as Albert Peterson in Bye Bye Birdie on Broadway. For the musical, he won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical.

From stardom on Broadway, Dick Van Dyke went to stardom on television. It was in 1961 that The Dick Van Dyke Show debuted. While the series performed poorly in its first season, it was critically acclaimed even then and was nominated for the Emmy for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy for John Rich and won the Emmy for Outstanding Writing Achievement in Comedy for Carl Reiner. With its second season, it rose to no. 9 in the Nielsen ratings for the year and remained high in the ratings for the rest of the run. It turned Dick Van Dyke, as well as co-star Mary Tyler Moore, into superstars. The Sixties would see Dick Van Dyke become a very busy man.

I have to think it was from his work in the Sixties that many, if not most people, know Dick Van Dyke. When I was a kid, there were reruns of The Dick Van Dyke Show on every day. During the Sixties, he reprised his role as Albert in the movie version of Bye Bye, Birdie (1963), played Bert in Mary Poppins (1964), the title character in Fitzwilly (1967), and Caractacus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968). I remember watching Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968) more than once on television in the Seventies. It made its television debut on CBS on Thursday, November 23, Thanksgiving night. Bye Bye Birdie (1963) had aired on network television in the mid-Sixties, but was still airing on local stations in the Seventies. I also remember watching the comedy Cold Turkey (1971) on television in the Seventies. 

Dick Van Dyke didn't do much in the way of movies in the Seventies, but he did appear quite a bit on television. From 1971 to 1974, he had another sitcom simply called The New Dick Van Dyke Show. He later had a short-lived variety show, Van Dyke and Company. He guest starred on such shows as Columbo, The Carol Burnett Show, and Supertrain. It was in 1981 that I finally got to see Mary Poppins (1964). It aired on CBS as a special movie presentation on November 22 of that year. If it seems odd that it took me that long to see it, consider that my family did not go to the movies and I was too young to go to the movies by myself when it was re-released in 1973. And in the Seventies, home video was not much of a thing. It would not be released on VHS until 1980.

The Eighties saw Dick Van Dyke guest star on such shows as American Playhouse, Matlock, Airwolf, and Highway to Heaven. He had a short-lived sticom, The Van Dyke Show, with his son Barry Van Dyke. The Nineties would see Dick Van Dyke find success in a television series again with Diagnosis:e Murder, which ran for eight seasons. His son Barry Van Dyke played his son on the show, a police detective whose doctor father insists on solving mysteries. In the Naughts, he appeared in a series of mystery movies on the Hallmark Channel called Murder 101. Of course, Dick Van Dyke also appeared in the Night att the Museum movies and made guest appearances on television.

Of course, through all of this, much of Dick Van Dyke's earlier works have remained widely available. Generations of fans have been introduced to Mr. Van Dyke through Mary Poppins (1964) and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968). Even some of his more obscure films remain available. Fitzwilly (1967) airs on TCM every December, and is available on streaming. Many of his other movies also can be found on streaming, including  Lt. Robin Crusoe, U.S.N. (1966), Divorce American Style (1967), Never a Dull Moment (1968), and others can be seen on streaming services. And, of course, not only is The Dick Van Dyke Show on streaming, but it can be seen on such broadcast venues as MeTV, Catchy Comedy, and UP Faith and Family. 

As to why Dick Van Dyke has been so successful, it comes down to what I said earlier. He has a talent for acting, comedy, singing, and dancing. He is truly a quadruple threat. Actually, he could be called a quintuple threat when you consider the fact that he has written six books! More than anything else, Dick Van Dyke has a talent for bringing joy to people. I believe it is impossible not to see Dick Van Dyke and not find oneself smiling. Indeed, I have never heard anything bad about Dick Van Dyke. Every instance I have heard of someone having met him, they recount as very nice he is. We are truly lucky to still have Dick Van Dyke with us at 100 years of age. 

Downtown Bedford Falls

I grew up on a farm, but as a kid I always wanted to live downtown. Since childhood I have always been fascinated by the downtown areas of small towns and even cities, the sort that were dying out even as I was growing up. Of course, this has also led to a fascination with the downtowns of fictional small towns, such as Central City on Dobie Gillis,  Mayberry on The Andy Griffith Show, and Stars Hollow on Gilmore Girls. One fictional town whose downtown I have long been fascinated with is Bedford Falls in the classic movie It's a Wonderful Life (1946).

Downtown Bedford Falls was actually a set at thee RKO movie ranch in Encino. Genesse Street, the main street in Bedford Falls that cuts through its downtown, utilised portions of an earlier set called "Modern Street" at the ranch. Modern Street itself had been built for the fictional Oklahoma town of Osage in the Cimarron (1931), and was among the sets that won Max Rée the Oscar for Best Art Direction. Modern Street was also used on such films as Alice Adams (1935), Wells Fargo (1937), and The Magnificent Ambersons (1942), among others. Genesse Street in It's a Wonderful Life (1946) was particularly impressive. It was 300 yards long and boasted over 30 stores. 

In many ways, downtown Bedford Falls is as much a character in It's a Wonderful Life (1946) as George Bailey or Mr. Potter. Unquestionably, certain businesses play a central role in the film. This is certainly true of the Baily Brothers Building & Loan, the business founded by George's father and his Uncle Billy, and the business that keeps George from leaving Bedford Falls. Also central to the film is Gower's Drug Store, where George worked as a boy, owned by George's friend Mr. Gower. As the other financial institution in town, the bank also plays an important role in the film.

Of course, the Bailey Brothers Building & Loan, Gower's Drug Store, and the bank are not the only businesses downtown. In one scene George makes reference to the department store, and I have to think this is the Emporium that is prominently seen in some scenes, given "emporium" literally means a large store that sells a variety of merchandise. There is also the Bijou Theatre, seen prominently in the film's climax, the Tiptop Cafe, the town newspaper, (the Bedford Falls Sentinel), World Luggage and Sports Shop, a Western Union office, and an American Airlines office. As if that wasn't enough, downtown Bedford Falls also boasted an antique store, a bakery, a barber shop, a beauty shop, a bicycle shop, a bowling alley, a candy store, a florist, the Bedford Falls garage (seen prominently at the beginning), a grocery,  a hardware store, a hotel, a music store, pool hall,  a tailor, and  a toy store. Not all of Bedford Falls's businesses are located downtown. The bar Martini's is located on Bridge Street, near the town's canal. The town also boasts a railroad depot that figures prominently in the movie.

As an adult I live right off the downtown of my hometown. Like the downtown of Bedford Falls, it also boasted many businesses in its heyday, from two grocery stores to  a movie theatre. Sadly, it is a shadow of what it once was, with next to nothing in the way of stores. The downtowns of the sort seen in It's a Wonderful Life (1946) largely seem to be a thing of the past, something that makes movies like It's a Wonderful Life (1946), featuring a prosperous downtown, all the more poignant for those of us who loved the downtowns of old. 

The 70th Anniversary of Saturday Morning Cartoons

It was 70 years ago today that Mighty Mouse Playhouse, an anthology of animated theatrical shorts starring Mighty Mouse and other Terrytoons characters, debuted on CBS. It was very first Saturday morning cartoon, and it would not be the last. The success of Mighty Mouse Playhouse would lead to yet more animated cartoons on the American broadcast networks on Saturday morning, some made specifically for television (for more details on Saturday morning cartoons, read my post on the 60th anniversary of Mighty Mouse Playhouse from ten years ago). By 1963, the Saturday morning cartoon block as we know it would be established. For decades, cartoons would fill Saturday mornings on American broadcast network television. Indeed, one of my definitions of Generation X is that it is the first generation that never knew a childhood without Saturday morning cartoons.

For better or worse, the Saturday morning cartoon would go the way of the dinosaurs eventually. In the Eighties, cable television increasingly offered competition to the broadcast networks on Saturday mornings. It was in 1992 that NBC did away with Saturday morning cartoons entirely in favour of a Saturday edition of The Today Show and a programming block they called "TNBC," a programming block meant to appeal to teenagers. While CBS continued to show cartoons on Saturday mornings, they cut back on the programming block in 1997 with a Saturday edition of CBS News. In 2004, ABC added a Saturday edition of Good Morning, America. Saturday morning cartoons as a programming block came to an end in 2014, when The CW replaced their block of cartoons with live-action, educational programming.

Of course, Saturday morning cartoons would change and evolve over time. In the early days, Saturday mornings on the American broadcast networks were a mixture of anthologies of animated theatrical shorts (Mighty Mouse Playhouse, The Bugs Bunny Show), reruns of primetime animated shows (The Jetsons, The Bullwinkle Show), and a few cartoons made specifically for television (The Ruff and Reddy Show). The debut of The New Adventures of Superman, Space Ghost and Dino Boy, and other superhero cartoons in 1966 would see American broadcast network television on Saturday mornings dominated by superheros cartoons for a time. A moral panic over television violence would see the superhero cartoons replaced by comedy cartoons. A subset of these cartoons, in which music played a role (such as The Archie Show), would be common Saturday morning from 1968 with the debut of The Banana Splits and The Archie Show well into the Seventies. By the late Seventies, action/adventure cartoons (such as Tarzan) would make a comeback, so that the Eighties into the Nineties would be more of a mixture of genres.

Even though I can pretty much watch cartoons any time I want through cable television, DVDs, and streaming, I do miss Saturday morning cartoons. The fact that you could only watch these cartoons on Saturday morning made them special. In 1973, there was not much in the way of home media, and nothing in the way of streaming apps. Indeed, I know from others that most kids in the Sixties, Seventies, and Eighties had their own Saturday morning rituals. Even though they might want to sleep in on any other day, on Saturday morning they would get up as soon as the cartoons began airing (7 AM in the Central Time zone) and eat breakfast as the cartoons aired. In households with multiple kids, it might vary as to how it was decided which cartoons to watch. In some, it was the eldest child who controlled the television set. Others functioned more democratically. At their peak in the Seventies, Saturday morning cartoons generally took up all of Saturday morning. On CBS during the 1972-1973 season, the cartoons started at 7:00 AM Central and did not end until 12:30 PM Central. 

Like many in my generation, I have fond memories of Saturday morning cartoons and I enjoyed them a good deal growing up. Even as a young adult, I might tune into a few cartoons as I was eating breakfast and possibly recovering from a hangover. At a time when there wasn't a whole of programing for kids during the week, Saturday morning cartoons gave kids something to watch for several hours.