“It’s Sheer AniMagic!:” The Rankin-Bass Christmas Specials

By Michael LyonsThere’s a word...actually two words...that are as Synonymous with the Christmas season as Gifts, Fruitcake, Carols and Credit Card Debt:Rankin/Bass.  The humble animation studio started by two gentlemen by the names of Arthur Rankin, Jr and Jules Bass, with its unique style of animation, has become...

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“Maine” Event: The 40th Anniversary of Disney’s Original “Pete’s Dragon”

By Michael LyonsFor the generation who only knows “Pete”s Dragon” as the somber, ET-esque 2016 film...boy are you missing out.There are multiple generations who have a much different perspective of Elliot the Dragon- one that includes songs, big dance numbers, traditional, 2D animation combined with live-action and for...

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Squirreled Away: “The Thanksgiving That Almost Wasn’t”

By Michael LyonsIf the vast realm of Holiday TV specials was a house, down the stairs, in the corner of the basement, in a dusty box in the back corner, hidden under boxes that hadn’t been open in years, one would find “The Thanksgiving That Almost Wasn’t.”Never heard of it?  You’re not alone.  Even among the...

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It’s Neat!: Happy “Felix Unger Day!”

“On November 13th, Felix Unger was asked to remove himself from his place of residence...that request came from his wife.  Deep down, he knew she was right, but he also knew that someday he would return to her.  With nowhere else to go, he appeared at the home of his childhood friend, Oscar Madison.  Sometime...

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Holiday Road: The 30th Anniversary of “Planes, Trains & Automobiles”

by Michael LyonsIn 2000, the late, great film critic Roger Ebert revisited the film Planes, Trains and Automobiles and wrote:“Some movies are obviously great.  Others thrust their greatness upon us.  When Planes, Trains and Automobiles was released in 1987, I enjoyed it immensely, gave it a favorable review and...

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