The Funny Company
The Funny Company was an American animated cartoon produced in 1963 and seen in syndication. Ken Snyder and Charles Koren produced 260 six minute long episodes (they later would create the cult favorite Roger Ramjet). The Mattel Corporation provided financial backing. Snyder conceived the program in response to then-Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman Newton N. Minow’s call for more educational children’s programs.
The Funny Company group resembled a club not unlike a Junior Achievement organization, and most of the time, the stories would revolve around the Company being hired for various jobs to make a little money (doing yardwork, house cleaning, baby sitting, etc.) or doing something for charity (such as putting on shows).
Members included leader Buzzer Bell (rarely seen without his Funny Company visor), inventor Jasper N (for National) Park, club secretary Polly Plum, rotund Merry Twitter (the club treasurer), club mascot Terry Dactyl (an actual pterodactyl), shy Shrinkin’ Violette (who could literally become smaller if she became embarrassed), and two Native American adults–Super Chief (named after the Santa Fe Railroad’s crack passenger train) whose voice was an air horn of a single-chime railroad locomotive, and his translator Broken Feather. Another adult lending a hand was Professor Todd Goodheart with his supercomputer, the Weisenheimer.
Each segment included a two-minute live-action short educational film, reinforcing the topic being discussed. Initially produced in black and white, the series switched after one season to full color. Click here to watch a clip »
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Best Buy Ad From 1996
$20 says those style of cell phones are back in style within the next 5 years. Any takers?
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Cupcake Dolls
Cupcakes were produced by Tonka in 1990 then by Kenner from 1991-93 (Hasbro purchased Tonka in 1991, of which Kenner was a sub-division, and shifted production there). They were a series of dolls with plastic skirts which when turned inside out transformed into edible goodies with their hats becoming the icing. They were also scented, similar to Cherry Merry Muffin and Strawberry Shortcake dolls. They each came with a handbag shaped comb. There were seven different sets made, five of which turned into cupcakes, one set which turned into sundae glasses and another set which turned into jam jars. Along with the dolls there were several playsets and accessories produced too.
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The Hanson Brothers
The Hanson Brothers are fictional characters in the 1977 movie Slap Shot. The characters are based on three brothers who were actual hockey players; two of them starred in the film.
The movie, which stars Paul Newman, was written by Nancy Dowd. The story was based in part upon the experiences of her brother, Ned Dowd (who appears in the film as notorious hockey player Ogie Ogelthorpe), when he played for the North American Hockey League club in Pennsylvania called the Johnstown Jets.
The Hanson Brothers provide several humorous moments in the film and are best remembered for starting fights, interrupting the coach in the locker room during pre-game speeches with overzealous shouting
wearing extremely thick glasses, and for playing with toy cars and trucks in their hotel room although the brothers range in age from 18 to 20.
In the film, the Hansons are brought in by the front office as part of an inexpensive deal, also as enforcers for the flagging Charlestown Chiefs during their 1976 (and final) season in the Federal league. They are in order of their numbers:
Jack Hanson (portrayed by David Hanson) – #16 Left Wing
Steve Hanson (portrayed by Steve Carlson) – #17 Center
Jeff Hanson (portrayed by Jeff Carlson) – #18 Right Wing
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