Post by Rob W. Case on Nov 22, 2012 4:14:24 GMT -6
When I was a kid, Thanksgiving was a holiday that was much a bigger deal than it is today. I mean, we had almost a week off from school for the holiday. We had a special dinner that would bring us together with loved ones, and there was a special mood connected to it. Much like Christmas, the mood that made the holiday of Thanksgiving special was not only the things I just described, but it was also complemented with special movies and TV specials. For this special piece, I would like to talk about at least a few Thanksgiving programs that, in my opinion “stand out,” and have helped set the mood for Thanksgiving for me.
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (1987):
Executive advertiser Neil Page (Steve Martin) is aiming to get home to spend Thanksgiving with his family, but circumstances arise which makes it difficult for him to get there. On the start of his “journey” home, he meets a friendly, “bubbly,” talkative, warm-hearted, yet slob-like shower curtain ring salesman by the name of Del Griffith (John Candy). What’s interesting about these two men is that with each setback in Neil’s journey home comes an opportunity for these men to get to know each other more, and when you’d think that they are about to part for the last time, fate brings the two back together. This movie is an excellent “buddy” movie, and contains within it many hilarious situations that keeps the movie well paced and entertaining from start to finish. When I first saw this movie, it was the network television premiere on CBS in 1990.
This is the opening promo for that movie circa November 1990.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9zPYgIhsgU
Here is a trailer for the original 1987 theatrical release:
…and a TV spot to boot
And if you like the catchy, upbeat 80’s music in these trailers (which is also in the main film), check out this link. The song in the background is called “Red River Rock” and it is performed by the “Silicon Teens.”
The Little House Years (1979):
Another excellent, entertaining, and meaningful Thanksgiving themed program is “The Little House Years.” This was a special, three part Thanksgiving episode of the TV series “Little House on the Prairie” which takes place on Thanksgiving in 1882, where the family is spending the holiday eating dinner and sharing memories (through clips from past episodes). If you look at it through the meaningful eye, it is one of those programs that has the potential to put, in the modern sense, things in their proper perspective (things we take for granted), as it reminds us how good we have what we have. This particular show chronicles how hard life was in those days, and how much they had to depend on God for their livelihood. Things such as storms could wipe out ones efforts (and thus living) in just one night. And while disease, sickness, death, and dependence on one’s ability to work tested and tried their resolve, their character stood out in the midst of these things, as well as through adversity of those who looked at matters within the confines of the moment and by anxiety of it, resorted to evil measures (I’m talking about the mischievous, and spoiled Nellie Oleson and her mother). This is one of those specials which expresses just the right spirit for the holiday.
This special is also a rare treat considering that only certain carriers of this show air it exclusively for the Thanksgiving holiday, and do not air these episodes in regular re-runs. This is not available commercially for DVD, nor is it included in the DVD set for the 6th season. For more information about this episode, visit HERE.
The Simpsons: Bart Vs. Thanksgiving (1990):
The family is getting together for Thanksgiving, and Lisa makes a centerpiece to put on the dinner table. While Bart brings in the turkey for Thanksgiving dinner, he complains that the centerpiece is in the way, and tries to get rid of it. Bart and Lisa then fight over it, and the centerpiece lands in the fireplace, destroying it completely. While Lisa is really upset, Bart is sent to his room. Mad that he was sent to his room, he decides to run away, and ends up going to a soup kitchen for homeless people. The family finds out about it when Springfield news anchor Kent Brockman does his annual Thanksgiving “guilt trip” news piece (something that the media actually did more of back in the day). Going home, Bart hears his sister sobbing, swallows his pride, and apologizes to Lisa, and thus makes the best of the rest of a holiday that was pretty much wasted due to his pride.
While this year, I have picked three standout Thanksgiving programs, there are others that I may address at some point in the future. At any rate, have a Happy Thanksgiving.
Planes, Trains, and Automobiles (1987):
Executive advertiser Neil Page (Steve Martin) is aiming to get home to spend Thanksgiving with his family, but circumstances arise which makes it difficult for him to get there. On the start of his “journey” home, he meets a friendly, “bubbly,” talkative, warm-hearted, yet slob-like shower curtain ring salesman by the name of Del Griffith (John Candy). What’s interesting about these two men is that with each setback in Neil’s journey home comes an opportunity for these men to get to know each other more, and when you’d think that they are about to part for the last time, fate brings the two back together. This movie is an excellent “buddy” movie, and contains within it many hilarious situations that keeps the movie well paced and entertaining from start to finish. When I first saw this movie, it was the network television premiere on CBS in 1990.
This is the opening promo for that movie circa November 1990.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9zPYgIhsgU
Here is a trailer for the original 1987 theatrical release:
…and a TV spot to boot
And if you like the catchy, upbeat 80’s music in these trailers (which is also in the main film), check out this link. The song in the background is called “Red River Rock” and it is performed by the “Silicon Teens.”
The Little House Years (1979):
Another excellent, entertaining, and meaningful Thanksgiving themed program is “The Little House Years.” This was a special, three part Thanksgiving episode of the TV series “Little House on the Prairie” which takes place on Thanksgiving in 1882, where the family is spending the holiday eating dinner and sharing memories (through clips from past episodes). If you look at it through the meaningful eye, it is one of those programs that has the potential to put, in the modern sense, things in their proper perspective (things we take for granted), as it reminds us how good we have what we have. This particular show chronicles how hard life was in those days, and how much they had to depend on God for their livelihood. Things such as storms could wipe out ones efforts (and thus living) in just one night. And while disease, sickness, death, and dependence on one’s ability to work tested and tried their resolve, their character stood out in the midst of these things, as well as through adversity of those who looked at matters within the confines of the moment and by anxiety of it, resorted to evil measures (I’m talking about the mischievous, and spoiled Nellie Oleson and her mother). This is one of those specials which expresses just the right spirit for the holiday.
This special is also a rare treat considering that only certain carriers of this show air it exclusively for the Thanksgiving holiday, and do not air these episodes in regular re-runs. This is not available commercially for DVD, nor is it included in the DVD set for the 6th season. For more information about this episode, visit HERE.
The Simpsons: Bart Vs. Thanksgiving (1990):
The family is getting together for Thanksgiving, and Lisa makes a centerpiece to put on the dinner table. While Bart brings in the turkey for Thanksgiving dinner, he complains that the centerpiece is in the way, and tries to get rid of it. Bart and Lisa then fight over it, and the centerpiece lands in the fireplace, destroying it completely. While Lisa is really upset, Bart is sent to his room. Mad that he was sent to his room, he decides to run away, and ends up going to a soup kitchen for homeless people. The family finds out about it when Springfield news anchor Kent Brockman does his annual Thanksgiving “guilt trip” news piece (something that the media actually did more of back in the day). Going home, Bart hears his sister sobbing, swallows his pride, and apologizes to Lisa, and thus makes the best of the rest of a holiday that was pretty much wasted due to his pride.
While this year, I have picked three standout Thanksgiving programs, there are others that I may address at some point in the future. At any rate, have a Happy Thanksgiving.