2:00 am – The Olympic Champ (1942)
Goofy is back for another classic narrated shorts, this time telling the story of the first Olympic Games. Goofy plays the original torch bearer before demonstrating some of the events most popular challenges, including running, pole vaulting, hammer throwing, and the decathlon. The Disney animators once again show off their skills in this series of visual gags.
Recommendation: Take a break from live action fare for another classic Disney short.
2:00 am – The Strongest Man in the World (1975)
More rare in Disney’s catalogue of films than sequels are trilogies and The Strongest Man in the World is the third and final film in the popular Dexter Riley series starring Kurt Russell (The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes and Now You See Me, Now You Don’t precede it). Welcome back to Medfield College, the same university from The Absent-Minded Professor that once again had great advances in science thanks to Dexter and his friends. If the university looks familiar, it’s because all exterior shots were filmed around the Disney Animation building on the studio lot.
While developing a vitamin solution to increase the weight of a runt cow, a lab mishap causes other solutions to fall into a box of cereal that Dexter later eats. He soon discovers that he has incredible strength and the struggling university plans to use Dexter and his friends to help them win a weight lifting competition. But when a cereal company gets wise to the formula and tries to steal it, Dexter and his friends will have to try to recreate the formula in order to win the competition and get Medfield the money it needs to stay in business.
It’s a bit of a running gag that Medfield College eternally has just enough money to remain open until another success in science or sports. This was the final on screen role of Joe Flynn, a character actor at Disney who played Dean Higgins in all three Dexter Riley films and passed away of a heart attack before the film’s release. He is best known to Disney fans as the voice of Snoops in The Rescuers.
Recommendation: Fun, albeit corny, “The Strongest Man in the World” is an entertaining conclusion to the Dexter Riley series and while it’s the first one shown on Treasures from the Disney Vault, I suggest tuning in.
4:00 am – How to Play Football (1944)
The only of tonight’s Goofy shorts that falls under the “How to” category is How to Play Football. Like in Double Dribble, Goofy appears in various forms as every member of both teams (Taxidermy Tech vs. Anthropology A&M). The star quarterback gets a funny name and signature move, “Swivel Hips” Smith. One of the few other players mentioned in the narration by name is “Butterfingers” Moose Williams, a nod to gag man Roy Williams, most famous as part of the original Mickey Mouse Club and the inventor of the mouse ears.
Recommendation: Complete the trilogy of Goofy shorts with this hilarious “How to.”
4:00 am – Gus (1976)
Long before the Philadelphia Eagles broke the internet with their mascot Gritty, the California Atoms became a sensation with their Yugoslavian field goal kicking mule, Gus. It’s a bizarre premise that shockingly makes for a highly entertaining film, one that deserves a better time slot than the wee hours of the morning. But if you’re still up, or set your DVR, you’re in for a treat.
The California Atoms are a struggling football team that can’t win games and can’t fill seats. As a draw to boost attendance, the team’s owner (Ed Asner, Pixar’s Up) flies in a mule and his owner from Yugoslavia as a half-time show. But when they discover that nothing in the NFL rules prohibit a mule from playing, Gus is given a number and becomes an official member of the team. With Gus’ help they start winning, which causes other teams to try and sabotage the four-legged kicker.
As Gus’ popularity rises, fans start wearing “Gus Ears,” which bear a striking resemblance to mouse ears. Viewers with a keen eye will spot an ad for Disneyland during the hilarious grocery store sequence. This was Tom Bosley’s only Disney credit before he was cast as Maurice in the original Broadway production of Beauty and the Beast.
Recommendation: Of Disney’s pre-1990’s sports films, this is one of the better ones. It has some genuine laughs and a surprising amount of heart.
I was glad to see Leonard Maltin select a very cohesive theme for this lineup. While I’m still waiting for a December selection that includes more of the studio’s winter/holiday output, any Disney dedicated night on TCM is cause for celebration. The lineup should return in March and I’m already looking forward to it.