Another Queer Jewish Buddhist

Sunday Morning Cartoon: Vick Vancouver

This is the first episode in a lovely little animated series that chronicles the adventures of a young gay man — this is already a genre of its own and amazingly enough post Stonewall the stories seem to have an archetypal feel that remains the same across generations. It may well be the Jungian archetype of the Puer, but it has heart and humor and sweetness along with a sharp eye for the world we live in.

An interesting note is how this is different from everything that has come before in that it appears on the web in weekly installments, not merely on youtube, but on its own website, vickvancouver.com — which is connected to queer community in this city on the edge of the future. (Yes this New Yorker has Vancouver envy.) The creators of this cartoon connect live events, web presence (not only their own site, but youtube and facebook groups) and community outreach. And commercialism feels relaxingly absent. What a pleasure.

Sunday Morning Cartoon: Jollity Farm

Long before the now iconic Simpson's opening sequence with Homer heading home from the nuclear power plant, pulling out the  radioactive rod that fell down his shirt and throwing into the street there was a cartoon called Jollity Farm, set to the music of the Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band.

The band was a dadaist musical version of Monty Python (whose members they worked with on a British children's show in the mid '60s). And Jollity Farm is an upbeat number that seems perfect for kids — all the animals on farm make their appropriate sounds — not unlike Old McDonald Had A Farm. Except that in the cartoon, well, there is the rather unfortunate effect for the animals of living next to a nuclear power plant.

The cartoon begins innocently enough, with the music and the motions on screen reminiscent of so many cartoons from the '30s where it seemed all of nature was dancing to a jazzy rhythm. The kind of music you hear on Don Byron's Bug Music, his marvelous tribute the to music of Raymond Scott, some of whose music you have heard in Warner Brothers cartoons. If you aren't sure what I'm talking about, go right now and listen to Powerhouse. You'll know it in a second, but it wasn't written for a cartoon. Scott was a serious Jazz composer. It just works well in so many cartoons. But I digress — except to note that many of the Bonzos were also originally serious Jazz musicians who also channeled the English music hall tradition.

Watching this cartoon you can see the influence of Warner Brothers, Disney and Scott. And you can see how it may have influenced Matt Groening. And you should wander over to youtube and take a look at all the Bonzo's songs. One of my favorites is their absolutely insane Sound of Music.

Sunday Morning Cartoon: Achilles and Patroclus

To call this 11 minute claymation telling of the Greek myth of Achilles and Patroclus a cartoon does not feel right, regardless of the fact that this is certainly animation. It brings together so much that I love — Greek mythology and folk tale, animation and queer representation in media. This is not for children to watch. I mean, naked men in claymation? There is a rape scene in this cartoon that is intense and horrific. It is the story of the violence of war writ small. Yet this little film is really about the love between these two men. As the narrator asks: What makes a leader of men — the armor or the heart? Made in 1996, it is narrated by Derek Jacobi and was nominated for a BAFTA award. Be patient though, because it's long it takes a little while to load, but believe me it is worth it.

Sunday Morning Cartoon: Stonewall & Riot

Who knew there was a gay pornographic super hero animated movie? It sure wasn't at any gay film festival I've been at — and I've not seen the trailer online before, even tho the flick is more than a year old. I wonder how come? Unless somehow I blinked and it went by that fast. Nevertheless, here for your adult pleasure (and this is no children's cartoon) is a bit from Stonewall & Riot By the way — don't click on the video screen, but on the start button of the video controls at the lower left...

Sunday Morning Cartoon: Batman & Gay Robin

This parody just turned up on youtube. Some might find it offensive. I was laughing too hard to be offended:

Sunday Morning Cartoon: Larry Craig's Dude Ranch

Sunday Morning Cartoon: Wired Daisies Video — Gay Boy

A sweet song from a cute British band. Lions and bears and gorillas oh my!