For those who may be too old or too young, SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK was a series of interstitial shorts during the early part of the 1970s, which aired during Saturday morning cartoon blocks on TV. For the even younger viewers, the major network channels actually aired cartoons all Saturday morning. The SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK shorts were educational lessons on various subjects about the U.S. government or grammar. The most famous and successful of the shorts was I'M JUST A BILL.
A little bill chronicles the long and tiring road to becoming a law. Jack Sheldon lends his wonderful New Orleans-twinged voice to The Bill, who is introduced leaning back on the steps of the Senate. With its simple, appealing design work, the look is uncluttered. A great example of less is better than more. Mixing funny dry asides with an unforgettable song, the short is an exemplary example of how to make an educational film that melds information with entertainment. I still remember how a bill is made from watching this short as a kid. Unlike some of the other SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK shorts, the music isn't hampered by dated trends, so kids can enjoy it equally today as when it was first produced.
Buy "Schoolhouse Rock! - Election Collection" Here!
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
