“On With the Show, This Is It (for Brian?)”

After the classic opening to THE BUGS BUNNY SHOW, the best known opening dance number to an animated series (…as if there were very many to begin with) would be to FAMILY GUY. 

Daffy "died" many times in the cartoons -- but was never replaced in the dance number!

And, in keeping with the (assumed temporary) death of everyone’s favorite philosophically articulate canine, Brian Griffin, even the FAMILY GUY dance number opening was modified to insert “Vinny, the Italian-American Talking Dog” in place of the dear, departed Brian! 

Oddly, the episode itself had little or nothing to do with Vinny, nor did it mention Brian's death.  Vinny was "just there" as part of the proceedings, which was a typically funny "Peter and Quagmire" affair. 

I really can’t wait to hear the DVD commentaries, once they cover this period of the series!   

What's "Beyond That Door", Brian?  

R.I.P. Paul Mantee.

Actor Paul Mantee left us on November 07, 2013, at the age of 82. 

Mantee starred in the 1964 classic sci-fi film “Robinson Crusoe on Mars”, also mentioned in THIS POST concerning his co-star for that film, Victor Lundin.  BATMAN 1966 actor Adam West, also appeared in that film.

Paul Mantee (right) with Victor Lundin in "Robinson Crusoe on Mars"

And, more recently... Lundin (left) and Mantee (right)

Paul Mantee does extensive commentary for The Criterion Collection's release of “Robinson Crusoe on Mars” -- and it's really nice to hear his thoughts and recollections in his own voice.   I very much recommend this DVD, as it also features commentary by Victor Lundin. 

Mantee had a recurring role in the ‘80s series CAGNEY AND LACEY, though I can’t comment much on that, because I watched little or no television during that period. 

But, to me, Paul Mantee’s other standout role was that of US Government UFO expert “Bentley” on the wonderfully bizarre episode of VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA, aptly titled “Nightmare” (1968). 

Bentley finds himself alone with Captain Crane, on the otherwise deserted Submarine Seaview – while the disembodied voices of Admiral Nelson and the crew make plans to attack Washington DC with the sub’s fearsome nuclear weapons.    

Oddly, Mantee’s episode of VOYAGE (“Nightmare” ) ran directly after “The Lobster Man”, with his “Crusoe” co-star, Victor Lundin. 

For those interested, both “Nightmare” and “The Lobster Man” can be found on the DVD set VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA: SEASON FOUR, VOLUME TWO, covering the period which took the series out of "Monster-of-the-Week" mode and into it's final phase of "Weird Fantasy".  

 Also, of possible interest to probably no one but me, I happen to have a copy of an original script to “Nightmare”, the VOYAGE episode in which Paul Mantee guest starred.    It’s kinda nice to possess a copy of something that the actor has actually seen – and note the differences between script and finished product.  Though, by the notes highlighted; this probably belonged to a member of the production crew, rather than an actor. 

Click to enlarge for more detail.

Check it out!  Something that Paul Mantee and David Hedison performed together!  Click to enlarge for subtitled Dialogue!

Rest in Peace, Paul Mantee, and thank you for the great moments.  ...Even that "world coming to an end" stuff!

Dan Does Disney (Comics) Part Two!

Dan Cunningham continues to impress (nay, AMAZE), with his magnificent research work on the early days of Disney Comics (the 1990-in-house variety). 

This is amazingly detailed research, folks!  He touches upon things even I forgot, and I lived every day of it – sometimes well in the thick of it, as some of you who know me are aware!   

Be sure to catch up on Part One HERE.

Now, revisit with Dan an almost mythical time when Disney could do no (…okay “little” wrong) with such comic book gems a MICKEY MOUSE ADVENTURES, GOOFY ADVENTURES, and ROGER RABBIT – HERE! 

Relive the euphoria of that “Special Day in April, 1990”, when the Disney comic book landscape changed seismically – and that, alas, would lead to many more changes (and publishers) to come! 

 

I hope Dan doesn’t stretch this series out for TOO long… Because I will happily link to every installment, but may run out of superlatives to use along the way! 

R.I.P. Brian Griffin. (1999-2013)

Here at TIAH Blog, along with FAMILY GUY fans everywhere, we mourn the loss of Brian Griffin, modern animation’s greatest talking dog! 

Brian was killed by a speeding hit-and-run driver, in "Life of Brian", the FAMILY GUY episode broadcast on Sunday evening, November 24, 2013. 

Considering he first appeared in the FAMILY GUY Pilot episode,  broadcast directly after the Super Bowl of January, 1999, that would make him just shy of 15 years old – or 105 in “dog years”.  Not bad for a hard-drinking, verbose canine! 

Amazingly, Brian remained dead at episode’s end – and was actually replaced by “Vinny: The Italian-American Talking Dog”, who certainly looks to be FAMILY GUY’s version of “Poochie”, or better yet, “The Great Gazoo”, in that he may be that fatal step that ultimately kills a long-running animated series! 

If "Sharks" existed in the Stone Age, this would have jumped one!

That consideration alone should be enough to prompt FAMILY GUY creator Seth MacFarlane to find a “cheater” way out of his stunt.  

After all, consider the permanence of THIS ICONIC DEATH.

…Not to mention THIS ONE...

 …And, in view of these successful resurrection endeavors, I suspect we’ll be seeing Brian back before long.   Anyone wanna take BETS? 

Since Brian died as a “November, 2013 Sweeps Stunt”, here are my choices for the time of his return: 

February, 2014 Sweeps.

May, 2014 Sweeps.

2014 Season Finale. 

Fall, 2014 Season Premiere. 

November, 2014 Sweeps (for the One-Year Anniversary).

2015 Season Finale.  (Seems a long way off, but still possible!) 

Never.  He’s really dead, and FAMILY GUY will totally suck without him! 

Let’s see how it plays out.  

Never say "DIE", Brian!

Happy Thanksgiving 2013!

From the fabled WALT DISNEY'S COMICS AND STORIES # 2 (November, 1940), comes our Thanksgiving image for 2013! 

As much as I've been known to enjoy a good stuffed gobbler, it's always nice to see the turkey get away -- especially those of the anthropomorphic variety! 

Quick, Pal!  What does "Anthropomorphic" mean?!

Anyway, at TIAH Blog, we're thankful for those of you who stop by to see what we're up to, and share your thoughts on what we do in the Comments Section.  And, we hope you'll continue to do so in the years to come! 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

 

R.I.P. Sheila Mathews Allen.

Sheila Mathews Allen, actress and wife of film and TV producer Irwin Allen, passed away on November 15, 2013, at the age of 84. 

Per an online posting from Variety, Sheila Mathews met Irwin Allen in 1960, and appeared in a number of Allen’s television and theatrical productions, including the following:

LOST IN SPACE: "Return from Outer Space" (1965)

LOST IN SPACE: "The Space Vikings" (1967)

LOST IN SPACE: "Princess of Space" (1968)

VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA: "The Blizzard Makers" (1964)

LAND OF THE GIANTS: "Deadly Lodestone" (1969)

LAND OF THE GIANTS: "Wild Journey" (1970) Also starring Bruce Dern and Yvonne Craig! The series' next-to-final episode -- and one of the five best!

MOVIES: Both "The Poseidon Adventure", and "The Towering Inferno" plus more. 

And, outside the Allen Arena, a recurring character in THE WALTONS and a part in FALCON CREST. 

She also sang opera, which was very likely the reason THIS EPISODE OF LOST IN SPACE came into existence. 

Mathews and Allen were wed in 1974, and remained together until Irwin Allen’s death in 1991.  Since that time, she served as the president of Irwin Allen Productions.  As such, she nicely kept Irwin Allen’s various properties in the public eye with more items than you might think, including:

Comic books and graphic novels. 

The 1998 big-screen adaptation of LOST IN SPACE. 

Softcover and hardcover reprints of 1960s comics material.

A Sci-Fi Channel documentary.

A box set of CDs of music from the Allen TV series. 

DVD sets of all of Irwin Allen’s TV series, and most (if not all) of his theatrical films…

And nice little tchotchkes like THIS PIECE OF 2013 MERCHANDISE.

   

One hopes that whomever succeeds Sheila Mathews Allen, as the custodian of “All Things Allen”, will continue to both promote and protect her husband’s legacy.  

Rest in Peace, Ms. Shelia Mathews Allen!