It was exactly 50 years ago today that a little show called Rocky and His Friends debuted on ABC, bringing an animated crew of kooky characters — led by the naive Rocky and Bullwinkle and constantly scheming Natasha and Boris — into the American pop culture menagerie.
The genius of Rocky & Bullwinkle, which was so simple in its clever madness, could be easily overlooked, if you wanted. But how many animated series are out there — especially today — that are so sweet and completely watchable? Sure, today on television I delight in the demented social commentary of South Park and the biting hilarity of The Simpsons. (Fun fact: The Simpsons creator Matt Groening gave three members of The Simpsons clan — Homer, Bart, and Grandpa — the middle initial “J” as homage to Rocky & Bullwinkle creator Jay Ward? And, the opening credits from a season 9 episode are taken from Rocky.) But there’s something just delightful — and, obviously, downright nostalgic— about an episode chronicling the simple goings-on between Rock and B-Wink as they fend off Boris and Natasha. I spent a lot of my childhood watching these reruns. Takes me back.
This morning, to celebrate the show’s birthday, I just found myself digging through old clips from the show on the RetroHero YouTube page (they’re not blog-embeddable, so that’s why I’m linking!) and just smiling. How can you not love this squirrel and moose pair? (Personally, though, the nasty Natasha was always my favorite.) For a little trip back to Frostbite Falls, Minn., where Rocky and Bullwinkle lived, you can enjoy the show’s original opening credits here:
There are lots of other clips out there to enjoy, too, as you celebrate the show’s 50th birthday. But first, tell me: Were you a big Rocky & Bullwinkle fan? Who’s your favorite character? (Where are my other Natasha-lovers?) A favorite short? Tell me in the comments!
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Hey Rocky — watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat! Happy Anniversary Moose & Squirrel
Ah the joys of Sherman, Mr. Peabody, and the Wayback Machine. And the cracked fairy tales.
Happy Birthday, Moose and Squirrel!
As someone who saw the original series and whose sense of humor was greatly influenced by the show this was a great item to read. But unfortunately I have a beef. As Tanner noted the show was originally called “Rocky and his Friends” and the opening credits and episode intros all used that title. But when Bullwinkle was elevated to top billing for a one-season night time edition that all changed, to “Bullwinkle and Rocky”. Now it’s “Rocky and Bullwinkle and friends”. OK while it’s not earth-shattering it would be nice if the original materials were to be restored, as the original titles were incorporated (e.g., Rocky would fly next to the title–not it’s just an insert).
If only I had a Wayback Machine, I’d enjoy the pleasure of watching the gang for the first time as a little kid in my pajamas on Saturday morning…LOVE YOU ALL: Rocky & Bullwinkle, Mr Peabody & his boy Sherman, Boris & Natasha, Dudley Doright & Snidley Whiplash and all the fractured fairy tales!
I love Rocky and Bullwinkle! I think it’s because some of my fondest memories as a kid is not only watching the cartoon, but going to the Rocky and Bullwinkle adventure park that was in my hometown in Southern California. I became a Boris and Natasha fan when I was older though (one of my friends calls me Natasha) I even have a handrawn picture of them in my cubicle!
Everytime there is a Jay Ward movie made, my dad has to see it with the family. Still, Rocky and Bullwinkle the cartoon was 110 times better than the movie. Robert DeNero as Fearless Leader?! Oh brother!
Happy Birthday to Bullwinkle J. Moose and Rocket J. Squirrel from one of your fans who was (apparently) born a couple of months after you! Let’s share a cake! Hokey smokes that’s a lotta candles!
PS, I LOVE R & B and have my whole life!
My Dad was the one who introduced me to this show and as someone who wasnt even alive when this show was going on, I have always loved Moose and Squirell. A truly fantastic show that really was the basis for a lot of cartoons now a days. My favorite characters were Bullwinkle, Boris & NAtasha, and Dudley Do Right, who could only do right. Nell was funny too espeically cause she was in love with his horse LMAO A true classic!
My dad introduced me to Rocky and Bullwinkle too. I have a lot of good memories bonding over the show.
I remember watching reruns of Rocky and Bullwinkle while getting ready for school. I didn’t get every joke then but loved the pacing and overall simplicity of show. WGN was showing reruns at midnight on Saturdays for awhile so it was great to see it on TV. As much as I loved moose and squirrel Fractured Fairy Tales was my all time favorite segment. The bad puns and the whole be careful what you wished for angle was brilliant. Happy Anniversary Rocky, Bullwinkle and friends.
My grandfather’s nickname was “Fearless Leader” and Rocky and Bullwinkle humor permeated my family life growing up. Viva la squirrel & moose! (although I think Natasha was always my favorite as well…)
Happy Birthday Rocky, Bullwinkle, and friends!
My favorite was the Fractured Fairy Tales for sure. But they all hold a special place in my heart. My brother and I still quote the show endlessly–”Oh, Nell!” “Watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat.”
And it’s hilarious that the show put the description of a *really* bad Russian accent into popular use–”Moose and squirrel” accent in honor of Boris and Natasha.
Oh dollink, I wanted to be Natasha since I was eight years old. Although I grew up to be a respectable professional rather than a KGB operative, I still have a Natasha doll sitting on my computer.