The Geek Life is a weekly look at what is happening in the Geek Culture. Movies, Comics, Books, Video Games and TV Shows encompass more than just release dates and reviews. This week the Geek Life looks back and ahead at the Macy’s Day Parade.
When I was kid, I always loved the Macy’s Day Parade. That love started with the film A Miracle on 34th Street (1947); a film all children (and adults) should watch every year as it makes the essence of Santa Claus very real. There is also the added bonus of Maureen O’Hara who never loses her (cough) appeal either. I’m digressing. The parade has always had that mixture of holiday joy and pure insanity. Where else are you going to see Underdog come flying down a NY City street, watch Hordak dance on a float, or actually see Captain America and Wolverine battle Doctor Doom? It really is a marvel to witness first hand.
Now according to the official Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade web site, it is ‘the most popular holiday parade in America. Indeed, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade NY has been a Big Apple tradition since 1924. Attracting more than 3.5 million people to the streets of New York City each year, as well50 million TV viewers nationwide, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade has become so synonymous with Thanksgiving tradition in NYC that it's often shortened to "The Macy's Day Parade."’
With almost a hundred years of the parade in the bag, what were the floats and balloons that make even your most maniac geek giddy with joy? The Geek Life has compiled its favorites here for you. However, I must issue a warning of caution. Some of the following floats and balloons do not paint our heroes in the best light.
Tim Burton’s B: 2011
This year, Tim Burton will have one of his creations, “B. Boy”, added as a giant balloon. Look for him during the telecast. I personally think Jack Skeleton would have been more appropriate. Nonetheless, it should be pretty cool and completely insane.
Buzz Lightyear: Circa 2008
It only took 13 years for the Buzz Lightyear to make it into the parade. Not bad considering even the likes of Batman has never been in the parade. Here is a great balloon with a great pose flying through the island of Manhattan.
Super Grover: Circa 2003
Perhaps Kermit needed a break that year, but the likes of Super Grover are always welcome. This Muppet/ Sesame Street character is the perfect bungling hero. Again, it’s great when they get the pose right.
Marvel Universe: Circa 1987
You gotta love the Back to the Future music used here. What’s even cooler is seeing the likes of Power Man in the parade. It would be almost 13 years and a costume change before he would be back in the mainstream of comics. Now that would warrant an appearance on a float. Here it’s just retro cool.
Spider-Man Circa 1987
His first appearance was in 1987. He has made numerous appearances over the years and is almost a mainstay of the parade. It is appropriate because he does guard over Manhattan, after all. Sadly, this year’s parade goers will have to deal with a performance of Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark.
Masters of the Universe: Circa 1985
Remember when He-Man ruled our collective geek childhood? If you don’t, here is a YouTube clip from the parade to bring it all home. I wish I could buy that Hordak costume now. It is amazing.
Kermit the Frog: Circa 1977
Another mainstay of the parade is Kermit the Frog. With the Muppets taking the theaters back this weekend, look for Kermit to be in the parade again for sure. I have always thought that an army of Miss Piggys should be holding Kermit’s strings.
Underdog: Circa 1965
Having made several appearances over the years, Underdog was a regular in the parade. With the cartoon gone from the collective kid conscience and that terrible movie a bad memory, Underdog probably has seen his last parade.
Superman: Circa 1939
Superman has had several renditions made of him over the years for the parade. The biggest (as well as the biggest balloon for the parade ever) came in 1980 proving fitting as the movie swept the nation. Yet, the man of steel is one of the few balloons ever to suffer a loss. In 1986 he hit a tree and lost one of his hands.
Felix the Cat: Circa 1927
Only three years after the parade began, Felix was the first ever giant sized balloon. As you can tell, Felix certainly wasn’t the largest of balloons but being the first is still a great honor in itself.
Robert recently picked up Nerf Vortex Praxis Gun (check out the video). Since then he is learning the joys and sorrows of having only one Nerf gun in the house. Robert writes two other weekly columns for Mania: the DVD Shopping Bag and the Toy Maniac. Follow Robert on Twitter for his for Geek ramblings, his iPhone photography, and the occasional web series he pops up on.
Super Grover! My favorite Sesame Street character ever. I just can't tell if he is near or far from the camera. Near.... Far.... Near... Far... ah the memories!
I can't help but notice that Mania is very heavily Muppet themed today. Not necessarily genre, but not necessarily a bad thing, either. :)
I caught your Marvel pun there, Rob. Well played, as I always enjoy me a good pun.
Only gripe I have with the article is that one of Tim Burton's creations made it. No, just no.
Finally, does it make you unAmerican if you hate parades??? Just never been my thing.
Was anyone else completely disturbed by this parade!? I was cringing through most of it then decided I would rather kill my lungs with a cigerette before watching anymore...I will never watch this again...whoa, just got a chill down my spine.
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Ah the creepy memories of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade... creepy creepy memories... Thanks, Marvel!!!