Movies - 4/13 - Retroland

If there is one thing that the lovable little extraterrestrial, E.T. taught the film industry, it is that a cute alien and product placement are a match made in heaven. With each handful of Reese’s Pieces that E.T. scarfed down, sales of the candy morsels soared. Now, if an alien from another world liked Reese’s, imagine how much they might like Coca-Cola and McDonalds. And so, the two junk food behemoths joined forces - resulting in the 1988 film, Mac and Me.

The Incredible Mr. Limpet

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In 1964, Warner Brothers brought a whale of a tale to the big screen called The Incredible Mr. Limpet. Starring funnyman Don Knotts, the film combined live-action with animation to create a memorable undersea adventure that continues to win the hearts of viewers, old and new.

Fast Times at Ridgemont High

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Based on screenwriter Cameron Crowe’s novel of the same name, Fast Times at Ridgemont High told the story of several teens navigating the difficult waters of love during their time in the fictional community of Ridgemont. Thanks to a memorable cast, including a show-stealing performance by a young Sean Penn, this 1982 comedy remains one of the most fondly-remembered teen films of all time.

The Jungle Book

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With a cast of colorful characters, and a soundtrack so memorable it could stick in the subconscious like glue, The Jungle Book is not only a timeless classic in the illustrious history of beloved films by Walt Disney, it is also one of the last films that he would oversee. Released in 1967, Disney's Midas touch is evident throughout this rather loose adaptation of the “Mowgli” stories, written by author Rudyard Kipling.

The Brave Little Toaster

The Blue Lagoon

The Aristocats

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For their first animated feature without Walt at the helm, Disney introduced audiences to a lovable collection of felines in the 1971 film, The Aristocats. Featuring an all-star cast of voices including Eva Gabor, Phil Harris. Scatman Crothers and Sterling Holloway, this entertaining romp through Paris and the surrounding countryside proved that, with or without their leader, the Disney name would remain synonymous with quality animated films.

The Black Stallion

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One needn’t be Dr. Doolittle to communicate their animal counterparts. Given an equal dose of time, patience and trust, the ability to speak words are unnecessary to form bonds, to form meaningful friendships. Such was the case with young Alec and “the black” in the beloved 1979 film, The Black Stallion, a touching story of boy and horse who discover each other under the most trying of circumstances and form a friendship that will last a lifetime.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit

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Forget the big-name actors in movies like Grand Hotel, Around the World in 80 Days, Murder on the Orient Express and Mars Attacks! Here's the real all-star cast: Mickey, Bugs, Donald, Daffy, Goofy, Yosemite Sam, Betty Boop, Woody Woodpecker, Droopy and more, along with a long-eared newcomer named Roger. Who Framed Roger Rabbit not only boasted the most impressive cartoon lineup in movie history, it was a groundbreaking achievement in mixing those toon actors with live-action stars like Bob Hoskins and Christopher Lloyd. It also happened to be more fun than you could shake a portable hole at.