Separated at birth? (Harry Potter Edition)

Dobby the House Elf and Isabella, my Italian Greyhound

Saturday Morning Cartoons - Superhero Catch Phrases

Avengers Assemble!

By Odin's Beard!

Spider Sense Tingling!

Hulk Smash!

Flame On !

This looks like a job for Superman!

By the Hoary Hosts of Hoggoth!

Saturday Cartoons - 4th of July Edition

In honor of America's birthday, we present some patriotic-themed cartoons.

First, from 1957 we have Patriotic Popeye

From 1943 here are Tom and Jerry starring in Yankee Doodle Mouse

A pair of School House Rock episodes from 1976; first The Shot Heard Round the World - a three minute recap of the Revolutionary War

Fireworks - everything you need to know about Independence Day

Saturday Cartoons - Michael Jackson Memorial Edition

TV Dads

Happy Father's Day

As a child, television provided me with countless and diverse images of fatherhood; stern but loving family men, widowers, bachelor uncles, hapless but lovable dads etc. So many role models to chose from, and all as far removed from real life as my little house in the suburbs of Long Island was to the Hollywood sound stages where these shows were filmed. My father wasn't quite like any of these men; quiet by nature, he wasn't an overflowing font of fatherly advice and I don't recall having many heart to heart talks with him. This is not to say he wasn't a good and loving father; he definitely was. He just wasn't particularly good at expressing emotions. Also, unlike most TV dads, who seemed to lounge around the house in a tie (except on weekends when cardigan sweaters were the norm), my Dad was a blue collar worker and the only time he wore a suit was to attend a wedding or funeral.

Still, unrealistic representations of fatherhood aside, these two-dimensional (in more ways than one) men present us with iconic images that are hard to forget. Today is Father's Day and in celebration thereof, I present some of my favorite TV Dads...

Being a dad is the single greatest joy in my life. It is also the most nerve-wracking, stress inducing and ulcer-forming part of my life (and I wouldn't trade it for anything). Happy Father's Day!

More Cartoon Theme Songs

It's Saturday! That means more great old kids' shows here at the Museum...

Have no fear, Underdog is here!

Hong Kong Phooey -How can you not love a cartoon voiced by the great Scatman Crothers?

The Banana Splits - Hanna-Barbera's mixture of live action and animation had an undeniably catchy theme song.

H.R. Pufnstuf - brought to you by the psychedelic (or is that psychotic?) minds of Sid and Marty Krofft.

Felix the Cat - another theme song that's stuck with my all these years...




Casper the Friendly Ghost -a cartoon about a dead little boy who just wants to be loved (sounds like the plot of a Japanese horror movie).

Today's Birthdays (and How to Celebrate Them)

M.C. Escher
Dutch graphic artist (1898 -1972)

Walk sideways down a flight of stairs.

Barry Manilow

Ultimate 1970's singer/songwriter (born 1943)

Sing along to this video of Barry performing his 1978 hit Copacabana (bonus points if you wear a white sequined jump suit while doing so).