TaleSpin

Disney's TaleSpin is a half-hour Disney animated series that first aired as part of The Disney Afternoon. After a preview of The Disney Afternoon that aired on the Disney Channel in May 1990, the series began its run in September of the same year. The original concept was embodied in the introductory television movie "Plunder and Lightning", which was re-edited into four half-hour episodes for reruns. The show was often seen either on its own as a half-hour show, or as part of the two-hour syndicated series The Disney Afternoon.

Related Topics:
Disney - Animated series - The Disney Afternoon - Disney Channel - 1990 - Television movie

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There were 65 episodes total, although one episode is now banned for its terrorist theme.

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An interesting aspect of the series is that several of the characters are loosely based on characters from Disney's animated film version of The Jungle Book: in particular Baloo, the hot-shot pilot hero of the series; Louie, the owner of Baloo's favourite bar; and Shere Khan, a business tycoon who appears in many episodes.

Related Topics:
The Jungle Book - Baloo - Louie - Shere Khan

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TaleSpin is set in the fictional city of Cape Suzette, a harbor town protected by giant cliffs (through which only a small opening exists). The opening in the cliffs is guarded by artillery, preventing flying rabblerousers or air pirates from entering the city. Characters in the world of TaleSpin are, as a rule, anthropomorphic animals. The timeframe of the series is never specifically addressed, but appears to be in the mid to late 1930s; the helicopter and jet engine are experimental devices and most architecture is reminiscent of the art deco style of that period. Radio is the primary mass medium.

Related Topics:
Anthropomorphic - 1930s - Helicopter - Jet engine - Art deco - Radio

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The series centered on the adventures of bush pilot Baloo the bear, whose air cargo freight business is bought out by Rebecca Cunningham, and renamed 'Higher for Hire'. An orphan boy and former air pirate, Kit Cloudkicker, attaches to Baloo and becomes his navigator. Together, they are the crew of Higher for Hire's only aircraft, a flying boat named the Seaduck. From there, the series follows the ups and downs of Higher for Hire and its staff.

Related Topics:
Bush pilot - Flying boat

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Their adventures often involve encounters with a gang of air pirates led by the histrionic Don Karnage, or with representatives of Thembria, a parody of the Stalinist Soviet Union inhabited by anthropomorphic warthogs.

Related Topics:
Stalinist - Soviet Union - Warthog

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The relationship between Baloo and Rebecca owes something to the screwball comedy films of the 1930s.

Related Topics:
Screwball comedy film - 1930s

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A monthly comic book based on the show was published by Disney Comics in 1991, running for seven issues (eleven, counting a four-issue mini-series based on the series premiere). Subsequent comic stories were printed in Disney Adventures from 1990 to 1995, as well as in the Disney Afternoon comic book published by Marvel Comics.

Related Topics:
Comic book - Disney Comics - 1991 - Disney Adventures - 1995 - Disney Afternoon - Marvel Comics

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TaleSpin currently reruns on Toon Disney.

Related Topics:
Reruns - Toon Disney

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