Lio by Mark Tatulli for March 15, 2017

Casting my mind back about sixty years ago… There was an episode of Howdy Doody about sentient balloons who were aliens from a planet hidden from Earth-based astronomers because it was always eclipsed by Earth’s moon. It was called, believe or not, “Balloona, the Planet Behind Luna.” Of course, the depiction of the aliens required no complicated special effects, a big plus for producers of inexpensive TV programming of the day.

“The Red Ballon” was a great movie.

As a kid, one of my favorites. Many years later, still among the best I know, even though (perhaps because) it has no dialogue. Just wonderful.

So what did they do with the other 98? Hmmm?

“Revenge of the Red Balloon” is a funny parody of the original. It’s available on youtube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcl1K3qzvvE

They’re not going to like the ending.

I had to watch that in French class way back in the day.

Some viewers hate it, possibly because they watched at the wrong age. I watched in adulthood and found it pretty good. The best part was finally appreciating a Buttons and Mindy short referencing it.

Do we need to see this one in color? Are any of those audience guys Reds?

Neun und Neunzig luftballoons