Cartoon all stars to the rescue.

[JJandJanice]

Hello, I don't know if anyone esle remembers this...But does anyone remember a special called Cartoon all stars to the rescue. It was a little special about a teenage boy who did drugs (I think just pot) and all these cartoon characters came to get him off. There were cartoon like Bugs and Daffy, Mikey of the Ninja Turtles, Winnie the pooh and Tigger. Plus the Muppet babies of Kermit, Miss. Piggy and Gonzo. This has just pop in my head and I wanted to know it anyone esle remembers. I remember renting it alot. I should see if that's on ebay or something, that would be kinda cool to have on DVD, I think. Well does anyone esle remember this, I really loved it.

[Dantecat]

Yes I remembered that and It's a really good special.I really hope it comes on the DVD eventually.:D

[Timotheus]

Upon hearing your description of it, I think I do remember that. I think I liked it.

[superboober]

I didn't remember the Muppet babies in it, but the special I do remember quite fondly. Probably I think Alf stole the show.

[muppetperson]

I have a mini picture of it and it has the 3 muppet babies,Slimer,The Chipmonks,Alf,Daffy and Bugs Bunny,Garfield,The Smurfs and Winnie the Pooh,and Tigger.The big studios all lent some of there characters for the Special.

[JJandJanice]

Yeah dude the Muppet Babies were totally in it. I remember that the Teen was riding A roller coaster with Baby Kermit. That's why I don't think we'll see it on DVD any time soon, because of all these great copyrighted characters. At least now Disney owns both Muppet Babies and Winnie the Pooh, so maybe that's something of a good sign. This was such a great with such great cartoons, I would say that this is one of the best anti-drug things ever done. Also remember on the VHS how it had the opening from presdent Bush SR. I'm going to say that it was because of this show as to way I don't do drugs to day:) . That's why it needs to be release on DVD and be viewed by younger kids of today. It was so great, I went on Ebay to try and get a vhs copy, man that's going for a good 25 bucks and that's just a vhs. I would think it would do well on DVD.

[Dantecat]

It also has Huey,Dewey,and Louie on it too.

[JJandJanice]

It also has Huey,Dewey,and Louie on it too.

That's right, so Disney owns like what half the cast :) .

[lowercasegods]

I thought it was a really great concept. Kinda mind blowing, in childhood terms. It was like seeing Spider-Man (who's owned by Marvel comics) and Superman (owned by DC Comics) teams up. It's just something you fantasize about, and when it actuallt happens, you're just blown away. I recall that Muppet Babies, Alf, Ducktales, Flintstone Kids, Alvin and the Chipmunks and possibly the Smurfs were all in it (there were probably others that I'm forgetting). What I thought was really wild was that they got an Oscar winning actor, George C. Scott, to voice the villain, a suit-wearing whisp of marijuana smoke! Wadda wild idea all around!

[JJandJanice]

I thought it was a really great concept. Kinda mind blowing, in childhood terms. It was like seeing Spider-Man (who's owned by Marvel comics) and Superman (owned by DC Comics) teams up. It's just something you fantasize about, and when it actuallt happens, you're just blown away. I recall that Muppet Babies, Alf, Ducktales, Flintstone Kids, Alvin and the Chipmunks and possibly the Smurfs were all in it (there were probably others that I'm forgetting). What I thought was really wild was that they got an Oscar winning actor, George C. Scott, to voice the villain, a suit-wearing whisp of marijuana smoke! Wadda wild idea all around!

Yeah it was great to see this as a kid, and I think it would be great to see right now.I mean (at the time) Muppet Babies being owned by Henson, Winnie, Tigger and Ducktales being owned by Disney, and Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck (Warner Bros), all kind of rival companies, all leading some of their biggest stars to this, good message special. That's just really great. I so want to get that on VHS and it really needs to get on DVD some time, that's classic.

Also please forgive me for the correction, but the Flintstone kids were not a part of this special. The Smurfs were a part of this, though.

Here is the complete list of characters on this great show:

Alf (as a cartoon of course)
Alvin and the Chipmunks (Alvin, Simon, and Theodore)
Huey, Dewey and Louie (of Ducktales)
Winnie The Pooh and Tigger
Muppet Babies (Baby Kermit, baby Piggy, and baby Gonzo)
The Smurfs (Papa, Brainy and smurfent)
Michaelangelo (Teenage Muntant Ninja Turtles)
Garfiled
Slimer (The Real Ghostbusters)
Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck (Looney Tunes)

Interesting facts the same guy to do baby Gonzo's voice is also the same person to do Huey, Dewey and Louie.

[lowercasegods]

Yeah, Russi Taylor. She's also been the voice of Minnie Mouse since the early 80's and married Wayne Allwine, the guy who's voiced Mickey since the 80's!

[Dantecat]

Actually Smuffette was NOT in this special.Just Papa,Brainy,and 4 Unnamed Regular Smurfs.Besides I wonder why they put her on the cover?:concern:

[BEAR]

I loved this special and I loved the song that all the characters sang together.

[JJandJanice]

Actually Smuffette was NOT in this special.Just Papa,Brainy,and 4 Unnamed Regular Smurfs.Besides I wonder why they put her on the cover?:concern:

That's right, I'm sorry. Good job Dantecat.;) That's why I said she was there, because I remember she was on the cover of the box.

[Dantecat]

You may be exactly correct JJandJanice.:D

[Dantecat]

By the way,What other MB Characters would be good in this special? I'd pick Rowlf,Scooter and Skeeter,and Maybe Bunsen and Beaker.Not sure about Fozzie and Animal.:o :halo:

[JJandJanice]

By the way,What other MB Characters would be good in this special? I'd pick Rowlf,Scooter and Skeeter,and Maybe Bunsen and Beaker.Not sure about Fozzie and Animal.:o :halo:

I think that the whole Muppet Baby cast would be great for this special, because all the Muppet Babies are very holesome. The only one whose not so much would be Animal, since out of all the Muppet Babies, Animal is the only that really was the most baby like, he was the youngest after all.

But of all the Muppet Babies to not be in this special, I would of loved to see Rowlf the most. Just because he's one of my all time favorite Muppets and a favorite Muppet Baby as well.

Plus I was a huge Ninja Turtles fan and my favorite was Rapheal, so I was a little disappointed he wasn't in it.

[lowercasegods]

On IMDB.com, I read that Garfield was used without cartoonist Jim Davis' permission, so that's why they've never re-run it on television. Evidently though, his frustration must not carry over to homevideo.

[Infinity Sirius]

I remember that. It blew my mind to see everyone in one place, because to me cartoon worlds didn't intersect unless they were Disney characters. I thought Disney didn't have the right to the Muppet Babies.

[ReneeLouvier]

On IMDB.com, I read that Garfield was used without cartoonist Jim Davis' permission, so that's why they've never re-run it on television. Evidently though, his frustration must not carry over to homevideo.

I think that might only be because they knew a lot of teachers would buy this perhaps. *just a random thought about it*

[Tim Kelly]

I taped it off TV, and even though the quality is not the greatest, I know I still have my copy because my brother & I watched it quite recently.

[Infinity Sirius]

Shows how daft I am. If Walt Disney didn't own Muppet Babies why would this forum be under the Walt Disney title heading.

[Dantecat]

Because The Walt Disney Company now owns The MB's.

[Erine81981]

Blockbuster had a copy of it. I rented it once but after that since ours closed down because of Hastings then I haven't been able to find it. I always loved this speical. They showed us once in school. I also saw it on TV too. I would love to see this on DVD. I love all the cartoons that were in this special.

[JJandJanice]

Man it's going for like 30 dollars on Ebay. God I want it now. But yeah this special had some great cartoons.

[Animal Jam]

I also have the tape(not taped from TV, the retail tape) of it. Its a really good special, and it starts with a short into by Mr. and Mrs. Bush sr., probably sice Barabara bush used to have a storytime with alot of those characters on the radio.

I would be willing to trade with any1, if they have something good.

[Drtooth]

GArfield and ALF together in one special. 80's as heck!

And the only official time too. He commented on the Garfield baloon at the Macy's Parade in 87 (I think), and in a MAD magazine they had an ALF celebrity cat cook book where he cooked Garfield. (Off topic... the Mad Magazine ALF parody had a lot of Muppets in the background. You may want to check that out).

[Speed Tracer]

I totally remember that. I rented it like every weekend at one point.

It taught me the values of not smoking, or else cartoons will yell at me and beat me up.

[Mr Humbug]

I downloaded this yesterday and it is so bad that it's actually quite good. The introduction by George and Barbera Bush at the start is strange indeed!

[minor muppetz]

I wonder why Michaelangelo was the only cartoon character in the special who didn't appear on the cover.

[Dantecat]

Beats Me!Also,During The Credits during the special and The Description of The back of the cover,It said Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles on it.I wonder why they totally did that since it was just MichaelAngelo.If it was 2-4,Than it would make sense to add Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.:concern: :smirk:

[G-MAN]

I loved that special, we actually managed to copy it onto a VHS tape, from the rental copy, and I have to say that things like this (and Too Smart For Strangers) helped make me the responsible adult I am today.

[getup]

ahhh, Too smart for strangers. i used to have that. i have a copy of the cartoon all-stars to the rescue on tape somewhere. i used to have one more of those stranger videos and i don't remember what it was called though. i just remember a red box and i watched it ALL the time. wish i knew what it was.

[JJandJanice]

Man it sure would be great to see this on DVD.

[crazed gonzo fa]

I just checked on it on ebay. It is selling for $14.99, plus $3.00 for shipping and handling.

[anythingmuppet]

Hey hey hey, I found a totally dowloadable copy! I am downloading it myself right now. http://forums.gamedaily.com/index.php?showtopic=97705

Careful though, the file is some 290 mb! :eek:

[SwedishChefCook]

I really loved this special as well. In fact when I was in 3rd grade when it first came out, my principal had all of the 3rd and 4th graders come in the cafeteria and watch this special one afternoon. It really was awsome seeing all of the current Saturday Morning Cartoon charachters from that time on there. It's something I'll never forget, and I do hope it comes out on DVD today because I think the kids of today are in a bigger need than ever to see a video like this before they get to the age where drugs become available.

[Ilikemuppets]

I kind of remember that, but it's a blur to me.

[Erine81981]

Hey hey hey, I found a totally dowloadable copy! I am downloading it myself right now. http://forums.gamedaily.com/index.php?showtopic=97705

Careful though, the file is some 290 mb! :eek:
So awsome fine anything muppet. Can't wait to watch it. I rented it some long time ago. I've always loved this speical. It taught lots of kids not to do drugs. Glad to see it still around. This brings back lots of memories.

[BEAR]

Hey hey hey, I found a totally dowloadable copy! I am downloading it myself right now. http://forums.gamedaily.com/index.php?showtopic=97705

Careful though, the file is some 290 mb! :eek:


This takes a long time to download! Lol!

[Tim]

I may still have to original TV Guide ad for it someplace. They pretty much ripped off the idea from "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" mixing up all the characters like that. It ran aon all threee Networks at the same time that Saturday morning-quite an event for it's time. I thought it was cool that they all knew each other no matter which Network or Studio they were from.

I saw it available on VHS years ago in educational media catalogs. Probably long out of print, but it might be a place to try to get a copy.

[Ilikemuppets]

Whoa, that was totally out there man, but I liked it.:D

[Infinity Sirius]

What's the "Too Smart for Strangers" special about?

[Erine81981]

I can't seem to play it. Can someone tell me which video player would work with this video? I have pretty much all the video players but none of them work for me. signed Help me please.

[Ilikemuppets]

Well, I played it on Windows Media Player.

[G-MAN]

"Too Smart For Strangers" was an educational special featuring the cast of Welcome To Pooh Corner (now why don't they put that show on DVD). In it, the characters talked about the warning signs of strangers, and how you should be careful around people you don't know, and of course to tell a grownup if someone bothers you. Pooh, Tigger, Roo, and I think Rabbit had the most screentime. A cool thing they used was they showed segments in which real kids showed you how you were supposed to act while the character would narrate in the background

[MustangRockstar]

I remember the media push this received back in the day. This was a continuation of the 80's/Reagan war on drugs campaign. It was actually a brilliantly conceived plan: make a cartoon featuring many of the top cartoon characters of the time, feature the President and First Lady (unheard of) and there you go.

It was a great PR move for everyone involved and though at times hokey, the end product was very well done.

I remember watching this over and over and over again in elementary school. It seemed like whenever we had a rainy day we'd either end up watching Disney's The Story of Little Toot or this during recess.

From an adult perspective and with a little bit of hindsight, this was probably the begining of the end for those saturday morning cartoons and it was really the begining of the end for the syndicated weekday cartoons.

Around 91, things really started to change. Networks convinced themselves they'd make more money by showing news programs (and while they did it was fairly marginal). The cartoons of the 1980's animation revival (Muppet Babies, Ducktales, etc.) were slowly ending their runs and being phased out by cheaper, faster, easier animation again. Cartoons in general were being replaced by live action shows which were cheaper to produce. Kids of the 80's were growing up and moving on and the younger generations were more into video games and cable tv than a network saturday morning block.

From there you lost a lot of shows and really the last two holdouts were Garfield and Ninja Turtles, the latter of which became a shell of it's former self around 1992/93.

The last gasp of air (which was really around 95-97 when Garfield and Turtles finally packed it in) was really all started around the time of this cartoon. Not because of it, but shortly afterwards.

So as I DL this I'll remember not only watching it as a little kid, but also with a sense of sadness that this was kind of the last hurrah for both the 80's, animation of that style and in many ways the begining of the end of my childhood.

[Ilikemuppets]

You said it well.

[MustangRockstar]

The downfall of Saturday morning cartoons is such an interesting subject. Years later it still doesn't make sense to me, but life seldom does.

[Ilikemuppets]

I think networks have caused this upon themselves by putting on low quality programming, and the viewers, turned the channel.

[MustangRockstar]

I dunno, I think it was a combination of things.

1. Cable took a HUGE part of their audience away. Cable networks also didn't have the limitations that networks had (censors, money, etc.)

2. A lot of the FCC regulations designed to "protect" kids from programs built around toys and merchandise actually hurt the market. The profit margins for kids cartoons are slim enough, when you cut down on potential ad dollars you've taken away the networks only lifeline for those shows.

3. Kids changed. They'd wake up and play video games or their schedules would be so jammed packed that there just wasn't room for the cartoons anymore.

4. Society changed. The 80's were in many ways a return to a more positive outlook in the U.S. But once it came to an end, the 90's were a pretty "depressing" time. We were the most depressed "rich" nation in history. That trickled down to children. Cartoons were lame, their messages stupid. Kids just weren't allowed to be little kids anymore. 8 year olds now act like they are teenagers.

People didn't want their kids watching cartoons after school, that'd cut into their Oprah and Rikki Lake time. Sad but true.

5. Networks got greedy. They additional money they make is marginal with the more adult programming. Somewhere some overpaid CEO who got his job by kissing enough butt not to get eaten alive further down the food chain became the head TV guru. He was going to "reinvent" the wheel and it didn't work. 90% of the world's population think they are special and creative and will change the world. About 1% are really capable of that and they usually get eaten alive by the 90% who think they are the 1%.

[crazed gonzo fa]

8 year olds now act like they are teenagers.
I know what you mean by that. It get so annoyed when I hear kids younger than me say "I'm a mature guy, I got a girlfriend, blah,blah,blah...".:mad: :rolleyes: :crazy:

[Kimp the Shrimp]

real nice show

[Ilikemuppets]

I dunno, I think it was a combination of things.

1. Cable took a HUGE part of their audience away. Cable networks also didn't have the limitations that networks had (censors, money, etc.)

2. A lot of the FCC regulations designed to "protect" kids from programs built around toys and merchandise actually hurt the market. The profit margins for kids cartoons are slim enough, when you cut down on potential ad dollars you've taken away the networks only lifeline for those shows.

3. Kids changed. They'd wake up and play video games or their schedules would be so jammed packed that there just wasn't room for the cartoons anymore.

4. Society changed. The 80's were in many ways a return to a more positive outlook in the U.S. But once it came to an end, the 90's were a
pretty "depressing" time. We were the most depressed "rich" nation in history. That trickled down to children. Cartoons were lame, their messages stupid. Kids just weren't allowed to be little kids anymore. 8 year olds now act like they are teenagers.

People didn't want their kids watching cartoons after school, that'd cut into their Oprah and Rikki Lake time. Sad but true.

5. Networks got greedy. They additional money they make is marginal with the more adult programming. Somewhere some overpaid CEO who got his job by kissing enough butt not to get eaten alive further down the food chain became the head TV guru. He was going to "reinvent" the wheel and it didn't work. 90% of the world's population think they are special and creative and will change the world. About 1% are really capable of that and they usually get eaten alive by the 90% who think they are the 1%.

I totally agree with you about the cable thing. I also think that one of the reasons was a lack of quality cartoon programming on the broadcast networks. They sort of underestimated their audience and the kids who were watching could tell the difference, and if cable was giving better choices at the time, the audience simply moved on.

[Brinatello]

I recently watched "Cartoon All-Stars to the Rescue" at YouTube. Oh, whoa, it was an instant flashback to my childhood! It's cheesy in a lot of ways, but it worked for its time. I loved seeing all of my favorite characters rolled into one show. Er, however, the pressuring from them about "Drugs are bad!" was a little uncomfortable. If you do drugs, your favorite cartoons stars will chase you down and show you a bunch of scary stuff!

[JJandJanice]

That's right so don't do drugs, lol.

I can totally understand what you guys are talking about with the Saturday 80's shows. Once the 90's came in, kids were more into acting older than their age, I have a sister who is still in many ways like that. Once Saved by the Bell become a hit tv show, that was just about the end of cartoons. Than Nick had their games show like Double Dare and Nick Arcade, even Ninja Turtles tried to stay on the map by making that god-awful, Next Mutatian (spelling) crap. Anyone remember how horrible the girl ninja turtle looked, oh man, whoes bright idea was it to make her look like a girl have having a braded mask? Plus as mention already, once the 90's did start, although most of the shows were live, the new Saturday cartoons show just were horrible. I remember some show on Fox, that looked like it was drawn by a 3 year old. These cartoons had no messages for kids and were just insluting for kids in many ways.

Plus as also mention the 80s were more of a happy time, where as the 90's were more depressing. This was seen anywhere on just on TV, but you can also look at music. Look what was really big in the 80's, mostly hair glam metal bands, like Poison and Winger and so on and so fourth. All of these bands had a lot in common, but the number one thing was just having a good time. They would sing about girls and partys and umm girls. Than in the 90's came in Niranva and the "grudge" bands. They never sang about girls and partys, they would mostly sing about depressing and sad stuff, and people brought it. Things change.

[crazed gonzo fa]

Plus as also mention the 80s were more of a happy time, where as the 90's were more depressing.Well,IMHO the 80's seemed to have a more darker tone with movies. Also, two awesome shows from the 90's: "Bump in the Night" and "Gargoyles"!:crazy: :crazy: :crazy:

[Brinatello]

The 90's had some good weekly afternoon shows. What about "Tiny Toon Adventures," "Batman: The Animated Series," "Animaniacs," or even the Disney Afternoon time slot? It seems as though all the good stuff moved from Saturday morning to the afternoon during the week. I was fortunate to get off from school at 2:45 so that I could watch them all when I got home!

As for "Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation," I'd have to admit it was that show that brought me back into being a devoted TMNT fan. When I started to lose interest in the cartoon during 1995-96, I wasn't sure if I would ever be a fan again! The most I kept active with the fandom was the Archie comics. I LOVE Chris Allan's artwork and the storylines kept me wanting more. By the time TNM rolled around in the fall of 1997, I was excited to see the Turtles back on television. I watched and taped every episode until Fox started screwing up the airdates. I missed a lot due to that, but I didn't feel the show was too bad. But, I know, many people absolutely HATED the show, and for reasons I can understand.

From the show, I met two stars at different conventions. At the 1999 Botcon in MN, I met Scott McNeil who played the villain, Bonesteel. Under all that make-up and costume, he is one HOT guy! Then, in 2000 at the Motor City Comic Con in MI, I met Mitch Lee Yuen who was the actor inside the Raphael costume.

Friends of mine have been meeting the VA's of the TNM turtles since a lot of them have been on Anime shows. They go to Anime conventions, mostly on the east coast.

[ILuVERNIE]

I really don't remember any of the cartoons except for Bugs and Daffy! But, anyway it was a nice specialle! lol