We have ourselves a portable DVD player, we do. I'm not proud of it, but there it is. It's an invaluable tool when it comes to traveling with the kids, be it by plane or car. Buys us a little quiet time. Some years back, I picked up a copy of the "Schoolhouse Rock" DVD compilation -- a sprawling, multi-hour collection of all the classics from my youth. For those who might be unfamiliar with "Schoolhouse Rock," it was this truly innovative series of cartoon shorts that would play in between Saturday morning programs. They were brazenly educational, but brilliant written, composed and executed. One might even say "timeless." Even in this day and age of "Phineas and Ferb" and "Spongebob Squarepants" and "Yo Gabba Gabba" and all the rest of them, my kids took to vintage "Schoolhouse Rock" like fish take to water. Every time I catch them singing along to it, I smile.
In any case, the one below is one of my favorites. Not only is it credibly funky in an indefatigable James Brown kinda way, but I love the sketchy, scribbly animation. I also love the obvious, loving nods to old, 1970's New York City. Right towards the end, the street sign on the corner of West 39th Street gets a visual shout-out, and I'm always reminded of the cover of the Velvet Underground's Loaded when our protagonist descends the subway stairs at the end. You'll see what I mean.
Crank it.
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