D. J. David B. Spins Comics-Tunes: Why not Magilla Gorilla?
As I sit down to dream up today’s blog entry, I ask myself the question that many of you have probably asked yourselves at one time or another: “Why not Magilla Gorilla?”
No, it’s not the 50th anniversary of Magilla Gorilla. It’s not his birthday. (At least, I don’t think so.) There’s no real reason why I should talk about Magilla Gorilla today. But on the other hand, there’s no reason not to!
click to check out Patrick Owsley’s cartoon art
Nothing earth-shaking about the music, either. It’s not a punk rock version of the theme song or a cover by Elvis. It’s just the regular old TV show theme we all know and love.
But wait!
Listen closely to the lyrics. They’re illegal! That’s right. This theme song has been outlawed. Why? Because there’s a shameless tie-in to Ideal Toys, the sponsor of the show. Years ago, laws were passed to prevent this sort of thing. Now it’s much more difficult for advertisers to trick kids into buying their products (or into nagging their parents into buying them). And that’s a good thing. It just shows how far we’ve come as a people.
To listen to this illegal song, click the link below:
— DJ David B.
Yes, Thank heavens cartoon gorillas can’t mention a toy manufacturer in a theme song! The world, my children, and the children of the world, are safe! As you say, David, we have come so far as as a country and as a people.