Halloween Night A Bag O'Treats For Ducks As Oregon Ambushes USC

At Eugene, Oregon:

Quarterback Jeremiah Masoli threw for 222 yards and a touchdown and ran for 164 yards and another score as Oregon (7-1, 5-0, #10 in the BCS rankings) broke open their game in the second half and smothered visiting Southern California (6-2, 3-2, #5 in BCS) 47-20 in a big Pac-10 game on Saturday night. The Ducks remained unbeaten in conference play and remain alone atop the Pacific 10 Conference standings after they handed the Trojans their worst loss in 12 years.

Let's Try Another One

Here's another Casper cartoon, this one from 1953, "Boo Moon."




This Famous Studios cartoon, released by Paramount Pictures, was one of two cartoons the studio made that were produced and released theatrically in 3-D.

Time For A Casper Cartoon

Here is the cartoon that launched the career of Casper the Friendly Ghost.



"The Friendly Ghost," produced in 1945 by Famous Studios and released theatrically by Paramount Pictures and was part of Famous' "Noveltoons" series. The series was created by animator Joe Oriolo. After appearing in two other "Noveltoon" cartoons later that decade, Casper was given his own series in 1950, which would last until 1959.

Rodgers Brothers Lead Beavers Past Bruins

At Corvallis, Oregon:

Jacquizz Rodgers ran for 112 yards, caught 7 passes for another 92 yards and even threw for a touchdown (14 yards to Brady Camp), while his brother James ran 17 yards in the fourth quarter for the winning touchdown as Oregon State (5-3, 3-2) defeated visiting UCLA (3-5, 0-5) 26-19 Saturday in Pac-10 play.

Here's A Blood Curdler!

From 1953, here is an animated version of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart."





This United Productions of America (of Gerald McBoing Boing and Mr. Magoo fame) cartoon, released by Columbia Pictures was actually made in 3-D, but was released in 2-D instead. The credits are shown on-screen. This cartoon was wickedly narrated by James Mason.

Here's Another Cartoon For You

Yessir, once again Popeye the Sailor and Bluto battle over Olive Oyl in this 1954 cartoon, "Fright To The Finish," with animation by Al Eugster and William B. Pattingill, story by Jack Mercer (who did Popeye's voice), scenery by Robert Connavale and music by Winston Sharples. This Famous Studios production (released theatrically by Paramount Pictures) was directed by Seymour Kneitel, who happened to be Max Fleischer's son-in-law.



Besides Jack Mercer, the other uncredited voice artists were Mae Questel (Olive) and Jackson Beck (Bluto).

Happy Halloween!

Here's a 1935 Scrappy cartoon, entitled "Scrappy's Ghost Story," produced by Charles Mintz, supervised by Ben Harrison (story) and Manny Gould (animation, along with Harry Love), and released by Columbia Pictures.




Ben Harrison and Manny Gould were actually better remembered as the duo who supervised Charles Mintz's other Columbia-released monochrome cartoon series, the series that was a bastardization of George Harriman's Krazy Kat. Scrappy was usually supervised up to this time by Sid Marcus and Art Davis, who by that time, were concentrating on Mr. Mintz' color cartoon series, "Color Rhapsodies." Music on this cartoon was done by musical director Joe De Nat.

Happy Anniversary

Today is the 75th anniversary of the incorporation of the now-defunct Mutual Braodcasting System.

From The Nuckin' Futs Department...

Guess which cable television network is scheduled to start airing theatrical motion pictures beginning tomorrow.

It's Alex's Job Again

Alex Smith has replaced Shawn Hill at San Francisco 49ers starting quarterback.

After his trials and tribulations in his previous stint, you'd figure that Alex was at the end of the line with the Niners, who, in 2005, made him the first overall selection in that year's NFL collegiate draft.

But after his gallant performance in the second half Sunday at Houston, the starting job is his again.

For now, anyway.

ESPN Analyst Gets The Boot

I guess that's what you get for having an affair---allegedly---with a 22 year-old production assistant.

Ducks Continue Climb Up In AP And USA Today/Coaches Polls And BCS Rankings

After Saturday's win over Washington, the Oregon Ducks climbed up two places to #10 in the Associated Press media poll and two places to #12 in the USA Today/Coaches poll.

The Ducks also climbed up in the BCS rankings, up a spot to #10.


Support for Oregon State, in spite of their gallant effort at USC, evaporated in both polls.

Texans Hold Off Niners

At Houston:

Steve Slaton scored two touchdowns and the Houston Texans (4-3), who had a 21-point lead at halftime, held off the visiting San Francisco 49ers (3-3) 24-21 Sunday in NFL play. The Niners benched starting quarterback Shawn Hill at halftime, replacing him with Alex Smith, who threw three touchdown passes to tight end Vernon Davis only to be intercepted by Texans defensive back Eugene Wilson which snuffed out a last-ditch Niners drive late in the fourth quarter.

Tojans Get Their Revenge As They Outlast Beavers

At Los Angeles:

Allen Bradford ran for a career-high 147 yards and two touchdowns as Southern California (6-1, 3-1, ranked #7 in the BCS rankings) outlasted visiting Oregon State (4-3, 2-2) 42-36 on Saturday in Pac-10 Conference play. The Trojans avenged their loss last year to the Beavers in Corvallis, their only loss of 2008.

Ducks Smother Huskies In Seattle

At Seattle:

The Oregon Ducks (6-1, 4-0) , ranked #11 in the BCS rankings, overpowered Washington (3-5, 2-3) Saturday on the road 43-19. Quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, back from a knee injury, ran for two touchdowns and threw for another while the Ducks blocked a punt for a touchdown. Next up for Oregon, who ran their winning streak to six games and clinched bowl eligibility, an eagerly anticipated home encounter next Saturday night with USC.

Another Visit With The Champagne Music Makers

Here are the boys performing "Donkey Serenade" in this clip from a 1957 ABC telecast of Lawrence Welk's Dodge Dancing Party.

That was the title of Lawrence's Saturday night ABC show.

Just How Many Licks?

That was the overriding question in this classic Tootsie Roll Pop commercial first aired in the early 1970s.

Nothing quite like a smart owl. It had been years, actually decades, since the ad aired in its original 60-second length. The animation was done by Fred Wolf. Frank Nelson, Paul Frees, and Paul Winchell were among the voice artists in this advertisement.

Here's One From The "They Don't Make Commercials Like That Anymore" Department

Here's a commercial for Funny Face drink mixes from Pillsbury.

This was Pillsbury's competitor to General Foods' Kool-Aid. The product was introduced around 1964. About a couple of years later, Injun Orange and Chinese Cherry were renamed Jolly Olly Orange and Choo-Choo Cherry respectively. Let's be thankful they didn't make Limey Lemon or Negro Chocolate.

What A Marvel!

Here is a commercial from around 1969 for Marvel the Mustang, from Marx Toys.

Sing Along With Lawrence

Here are members of the studio audience singing "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" as Lawrence Welk plays his accordion in this clip from a 1962 ABC telecast of the Lawrence Welk Show.

One Last Pie In The Face

Legendary and iconic comedian Soupy Sales, whose greatest claim to fame was as the host of several local and network television kids shows, especially one that aired on local New York TV in the 1960s, passed away Thursday at a hospice in the Bronx, New York at age 83. Here is Soupy and his "Words of Wisdom," as well as his performance of "The Mouse" during a 1965 telecast of his New York local TV show.




Soupy's kids shows can at times, and often did, push the proverbial envelope.

It's Champagne Medley Time, Boys and Girls!

"Little Old Lady" and "Easy To Love" are performed here in this clip from a 1956 ABC telecast of The Lawrence Welk Show.






Wunnerful! Wunnerful!

Fashion In 2000

Or, from this 1930s British Pathe Newsreel excerpt, what was expected to be in fashion in the year 2000.


You be the judge.

Heeeeere's Jonny!

Jonny Quest, that is.





This is an ABC network 1964 promo for the The Adventures of Jonny Quest, a Hanna-Barbera-produced weekly cartoon series that aired for one season in prime time on ABC.

Vic Mizzy, R. I. P.

Vic Mizzy, the composer of the theme songs from such television series as The Addams Family and Green Acres, passed away on Saturday at his Los Angeles home from heart failure at age 93.

Those songs rank among the most memorable theme songs in television history.

Ducks Do Nothing But Still Climb Up In Both Polls And Reach #11 In First BCS Ranking; Beavers Continue To Receive Support In Both Polls

Despite having this weekend off, the Oregon Ducks climbed from 13th to 12 in the Associated Press College Football Poll. The Ducks moved up from 16th to 14th in the USA Today/Coaches Poll.

The Ducks landed at #11 in the first BCS poll released on Sunday.



The also-idle Oregon State Beavers continue to receive support in both polls though they are still outside the Top 25. The Beavs would be ranked #35 in the AP poll and 32nd in the Coaches poll.

Fox Reality Channel: Update

Apparently, it did not take long for News Corporation to take on a new partner for the soon-to-be-renamed Fox Reality Channel.

I wonder if they will air new episodes of When Animals Attack.

Fox Reality Channel To Cease Operations

It was reported on Wednesday that the Fox Reality Channel, which has been in operation since 2005, will shutter this coming March.

Some folks might not have known that there was a Fox Reality Channel.

The network might be rebranded, perhaps as a venture between parent News Corporation and an outside partner.

Donald Duck Hawks '55 Hudsons

Here is Donald Duck, along with Huey, Dewey, and Louie, featured in a commercial for the 1955 Hudson as seen on ABC-TV's Disneyland show.






These '55 Hudsons were actually badge-engineered Nashes built at the Nash factory in Kenosha, Wisconsin under the American Motors banner. The Hudson Motor Car Company had been effectively swallowed up by Nash Motors in 1954, creating American Motors. Manufacturing of the Hudson cars was moved from Detroit to Kenosha soon afterward. AMC retired both the Nash and Hudson marques in 1957 in favor of its' rising Rambler make.

Thirsty, Folks?

Here, for your approval, is a 1971 television commercial for Wyler's Lemonade Mix. Animated by Jan Svochak.

Falcons Smash Niners On Road

Roddy White had a 90-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown and added a 31-yard reception for another score while running back Michael Turner ran for three scores as the Atlanta Falcons (3-1) ripped the San Francisco 49ers (3-2) apart on the road, 45-10 on Sunday in NFL play. The loss ended the Niners' five-game home winning streak.

Ducks' Position In Media Poll Stays Steady, Move Up One Spot In Coaches Poll; Support For Beavers In Both Polls

The Oregon Ducks remained ranked at #16 in the Associated Press media poll while moving up a spot to #17 in the USA Today/Coaches rankings.

While Oregon State has not returned to the top 25 in either poll, they have gained support in both. The Beavers would be ranked 36th in the AP poll and tied for 33rd with Stanford (who they defeated Saturday) in the Coaches' poll.

Ducks and Beavs Top Conference Foes

At Pasadena, California:

Kenjon Barner returned a kickoff 100 for a touchdown and Talmadge Jackson ran back an interception 32 yards for another as #13 (AP)/17 (USAT/C) Oregon (5-1 overall, 3-0 in Pac-10 play) defeated UCLA (3-2, 0-2) 24-10 on the road on Saturday.

At Corvallis, Oregon:

Running back Jacquizz Rodgers carried the ball 33 times for 189 yards and four touchdowns his brother James caught a 16-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Sean Canfield as Oregon State (4-2, 2-1) knocked off visiting Stanford (4-2, 3-1) 38-28 on Saturday in Pac-10 Conference play.

Locomotives Top Redwoods In UFL Debut

At Las Vegas:

Quarterback J. P. Losman threw for two touchdowns and running back DeDe Dorsey scored twice as the Las Vegas Locomotives defeated the visiting California Redwoods 30-17 in the inaugural contest of the United Football League before 14,209 fans at Sam Boyd Stadium on Thursday night.

There seems to be a sameness with the uniforms of the four teams (including the New York Sentinels and the Orlando-based Florida Tuskers), the color schemes all seem to be the same.

Shelby Singleton, R. I. P.

Shelby Singleton, famed record producer who wound up launching his own record company that ultimately purchased Sun Records in the late 1960s, passed away on Wednesday in a Nashville hospital at age 77.

Mr. Singleton, who, prior to launching his own record company had been a successful producer for Mercury Records and its' Smash subsidiary, had been battling brain cancer.

Niners Roast Rams To Go 3-1

At San Francisco:

In Sunday NFL action, the San Francisco 49ers improved to 3-1 on the season as they delivered a 35-0 home fistbeating to the now-0-4 St. Louis Rams.

Quarterback Shawn Hill completed 14 of 24 passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns---13 yards to tight end Vernon Davis and 24 yards to wide receiver Josh Morgan. The defense did their part as linebacker Patrick Willis intercepted a Kyle Boller pass and returned it 23 yards for a touchdown, and defensive lineman Ray McDonald picked up a fumble and returned it 11 yards for another score.

The Niners host Atlanta next Sunday afternoon.

Ducks Climb In Polls

Following Saturday's home smackdown of Washington State, the Oregon Ducks climbed to #13 in the Associated Press media poll and #17 in the USA Today/Coaches poll.

Despite their win at Arizona State last night, their first over ASU in Tempe in four decades, there was no support for Oregon State in either poll.

Beavers End Victory Drought In Tempe

At Tempe, Arizona:

Jacquizz Rodgers ran for two touchdowns and quarterback Sean Canfield threw for two more scores as the Oregon State Beavers (3-2, 1-1) ended their two-game losing streak by beating the Arizona State Sun Devils (2-2, 0-1) in Tempe for the first time since 1969 by a score of 28-17 on Saturday. The Beavers last win over the Sun Devils on the road took place while ASU was still a member of the Western Athletic Conference.

Ducks Annihilate Cougs For 4th Straight Win

At Eugene, Oregon:

Quarterback Jeremiah Masoli threw for 116 yards and a touchdown, and ran for another before sitting out the second half as the #16 (AP)/#25 (USAT/C) Oregon Ducks (4-1 overall, 2-0 in Pac-10 play) made roadkill out of the Washington State Cougars (1-4, 0-3) 52-6 in Pacific-10 Conference action on Saturday.

Let's "Take The 'A' Train"

Here are the Delta Rhythm Boys with a vocal quartet version of Duke Ellington's theme song in this 1942 Soundie.

Hey, That's Art's Son, Ain't It?

Jack Linkletter (son of Art) was host of a game show that aired for some six months during 1965 on ABC, The Rebus Game. Jack is featured in this promo.





This was, more or less, ABC's answer to NBC's Concentration. Alas, it lasted only a few months during 1965.

Time For Huey

Baby Huey stars in "Quack-A-Doodle-Doo," his first cartoon, released in 1950. Produced by Famous Studios as part of its' Noveltoons series.







Huey would remain on the Famous/Paramount cartoon roster throughout the 1950s, with his last theatrical cartoon coming out in 1959. Comedian Sid Raymond, who also did the voice of Katnip and cat, also did Huey's voice. This cartoon was directed by Isidore Sparber and made in New York City.

Another Cartoon, Boys and Girls

"Jingle Jangle Jungle," directed by Seymour Kneitel, part of Famous Studios' Screen Song series, produced in 1947 and distributed by Paramount Pictures.

Okay, Kids, Time For A Cartoon

"Heap Hep Injuns," a 1950 Screen Song cartoon produced by Famous Studios and released by Paramount Pictures.





Directed by Isidore Sparber.

Matty's Funday Funnies

Here is a promo from around 1960 for Matty's Funday Funnies, which aired late Sunday afternoons on ABC.





This show, which was sponsored by Mattel Toys, featured post-1950 Famous/Paramount (sans Popeye) cartoons with Casper the Friendly Ghost, Baby Huey, Little Audrey, Buzzy the Crow, and Herman and Katnip, would be reformulated by 1962 as they old Paramount ("Harveytoon") cartoons were replaced by the animated cartoons of Bob Clampett's Beany and Cecil. The show, for a time entitled Matty's Funnies With Beany And Cevil, soon afterward, would be renamed Beany and Cecil.