I have noticed something that I've been doing since 2012. At the beginning of each year, I write a list of the days of the week, and give each day a special theme or topic. I never really do anything with that list... I just daydream about writing in my blog so much that I create different themes. The most I have ever done to fulfill this goal has been on Facebook. That's where I have been annoying / entertaining my online friends with "Thursday Movie Question" for the past five years. And I think I have always wanted to expand that list so that my social media presence has some sort of structure.
Why? Why would I want to have a post about "Teaching" every Tuesday? Why would I want to blog about "Musicals" on Monday? It finally dawned on me. It's because of the Mickey Mouse Club.
This old show (that was old even when I was a kid) entertained children five days a week, and each day of the week had its own theme.
MONDAY:
Monday was "Fun with Music Day." I just watched this three minute video and I don't know how much fun it was for me...
It reminds me of a very boring version of the Hairspray kids (admittedly they were probably inspired by Mickey's minions as well as dance programs of the 50s and 60s).
It's also reminiscent of Disney's ride, It's a Small World... and that's always terrifying.
Tuesday was "Gues Star Day." You might call me fickle, but I rather like the production value of this musical routine... But here's the thing, I can't for the life of me remember who they had on as a special guest. I was five years old when I watched re-runs of this show, and there's a good chance that I switched channels in search for cartoons. Humans weren't my thing when I was five. It was cartoons, puppets, or nothing. So I probably watched this segment until they open the door, and when Donald Duck failed to appear I lost interest.
I did a quick Google Search, by the way, and found that some of the guests were familiar faces. But here are a few unfamiliar ones... (at least to me... I bet some of you can guess these stars of the 50s)
For comedians in the 1950s, the bigger the eyes the bigger the laughs.
WEDNESDAY:
During the middle of the week, the Mickey Mouse Club decided that Wednesday was "Anything Can Happen Day" or as I like to call it: "No One Knows What the Hell's Going On Day."
THURSDAY:
Nearly the end of the week is "Circus Day." You would think this theme would be lively enough to keep my attention...
...but I've always thought the circus was rather creepy. Hmmm... I wonder why. (I'm looking at you, Pink Elephants from Dumbo.)
FRIDAY:
Of all the Theme Days I have revisited on Youtube today, the "Talent Round Up Day," with its Western dancing and makeshift horses, is hands down my favorite.
Everything is all going hunky-dory until the eldest member of the Club, +50 year old Roy Williams shows up with guns a'blazing.
I believe the Friday theme invited non-mouseketeer children onto the show, after winning the talent portion earlier in the week. Unsurprisingly, most of these guest kids were white, just like the Mouseketeers. But I was pleased to discover a bit of diversity; according to the definitive website on all things Mickey Mouse Club, there were a few African-American children who performed on the show. (Again, it reminds me of Hairspray!)
Anyway, this has been a long rambling blog post, but back to my original point -- I am thinking of adjusting my blog so that each day has it's own theme. I'll try to finalize my theme list tonight.
In the words of Jimmie Dodd: "See you real soon!"
Yes, yes you will! Love the idea, after all, it worked for Disney.
ReplyDeletei love the original MMC especially the serials such as clint & mac + corky and white shadow + annette + the two hardys + most of all the three spin and marty serials. i really loved the buffalo song. it was a short film MMC did about the animal. in it they sang a song and during the course of the tune they would say 'buffalo' in a deep voice repeatedly. it had sort of the same feel / vibe as the brothers four song the green leaves of summer (are calling me home). i have searched youtube many times in vain for a clip. i suppose it is lost to the mists of time and /or legal entanglements. thanks for this. it is great! i saw the original MMC in repeats in the 70's.
ReplyDeleteOh man, now I wanna hear this Buffalo Song!
Deletei have searched for years to no avail on youtube for the buffalo song. i am sure it is out there...some where, but do not have a clue as to where exactly too look. if i do come across it i will post a reply.
DeleteGreat blog! Since I have all this time on my hands, the MMC pooped into my mind the other day. I was trying to recall the theme days. I had forgotten about Circus Day and Talent Round-up Day. But I also recalled a Western Round-up Day theme day too.(shrug) I was weened on MMC. Born in '49, Disney had a great (positive) effect on my childhood. Thanks, again, for the blog. Nostalgia is terrible thing to waste. Ha.
ReplyDeleteOur household recently signed up for Disney Plus, so it looks like I'll be revisiting the Mickey Mouse Club again very soon!
DeletePS: Totally agree with you about Nostalgia!
The songs you learn when you're young (and I watched the Mickey Mouse Club in the late 50's, before I was 10 years old) are buried deep down; you never forget them. They're nowhere near as good as Hamilton, but listening to them sure strikes a responsive chord somewhere in my brain. Thanks for posting.
ReplyDeleteWatched religiously in the fifties and still remember the songs. Favorite was “Spin and Marty” at the Triple R Ranch.
ReplyDeleteBorn in '51, I was just the Boomer kid they were hoping to hook and boy did they. The opening fanfare got me so wound up my sister's would leave the room. It left a deep impression on my early development. All the jingles and tunes locked in my head for quick replay whenever.
ReplyDelete