Superman Vs Lynn, Massachusetts!!! - Hippie Love Turbo Radio Show - Code Word "Rhubarb"

During this week's episode of Hippie Love Turbo, on KUCR 88.3 FM I played Richie's Renegades' song Don't Cry and, while there is little known about the band, we do know they come from Lynn, Massachusetts. Lynn has several sites to check out if you are ever in the area including: The Grand Army of the Republic Hall and Museum which has an overwhelming 1243 photographs of GAR members, as well as various Civil War artifacts, and also the Lynn Auditorium in which acts such as Peter, Paul, and Mary, Little Anthony & The Imperials, and Raphael have performed. 

K-Mart Parking lot scene from Joy (2015) and the location on Google Street View

 

Probably due to its proximity to Boston, Lynn has been used as a backdrop for a ton of films including: Joy (2015), Black Mass (2015), Surrogates (2009), and That's My Boy (2012). There's a classic look to the city which lends itself to period pieces while also having a contemporary Anytown, USA vibe.

Capitol Diner on Google Street View and a classy urination scene from That's My Boy (2012) 

Later on, during the show I waxed poetic about the 1940's Fleischer Superman cartoons and how Paramount provided the Fleischer's with an extremely large budget and ad campaign which was completely unheard of at the time. 

A great example of animators struggling to animate something unrealistic in a realistic setting

 

Fleischer's animators had struggled with animating realistic scenes in the past and Superman would prove exceptionally difficult due to the fact that they had to depict unrealistic scenes, such as robots capturing Lois Lane, in ways that looked natural. Despite these difficulties, the animators were able to create an animation which was so well received that it was nominated for an Academy Award in Best Short Subjects: Cartoons. 

 

There was a heavy reliance on rotoscoping throughout the series along with cinematic framing and composition which separated Superman from the Fleischer's other more traditional works. Due to their larger than average budget the team was able to plan out scenes more effectively and employ techniques such as airbrushing and double exposure which contributed to the series' unique look and feel. 

 

Although the series contributed to the downfall of Fleischer Studios it stands as a highlight of early animation's trajectory towards mainstream acceptance and success. Luckily the shorts are in the public domain so you can enjoy them freely without worrying about them being arbitrarily locked away in a hidden "vault" or subjected to bland recoloring. If you are interested in reading more about Fleischer Studios and their work on Superman, check out their chapter in Leonard Maltin's Of Mice and Magic, which features a ton of info on various animation studios from the silent era and beyond.

You can listen to this week's playlist below:
 

Richie's Renegades - Don't Cry
H.M. Subjects - Don't Bring Me Down
The Psychotics - If You Don't Believe Me, Don't
The Electras - This Weeks' Children

Hippie Love Turbo Radio Show - Code Word "Grapefruit"

On this episode of Hippie Love Turbo Radio Show, on KUCR 88.3 FM, I played Gypsy Trips' Ain't It Hard, which may sound familiar because you heard The Electric Prune's cover back on the episode named "Mango." Afterwards I played a song by Royal Aircoach and I mentioned that the band came from Topsfield, Massachusetts. Topsfield is known for having a yearly fair which features a "Giant Pumpkin Weigh-In" and unfortunately due to Covid-19, this year's fair has been cancelled. Seeing those giant pumpkins makes me wish I could grow anything other than my beard. 

Alex Noel's 2294.50 lb Pumpkin in 2019!

Later in the episode you heard one of Lou Reed's earliest songs from his days recording with Pickwick International. The song was by a phony band named The Beachnuts and supposedly Reed was tasked with coming up with songs in random genres in order to pad compilation albums released by the label. That sure does sound like a dream gig to me!

And, of course, we cannot forget this week's trash film recommendation: Alucarda! The film begins in a confusing manner where you see Alucarda being born in some sort of crypt with Alucarda's mother explaining how her daughter must be taken to a local convent to be saved from an evil person or demon or something. While the film tries to present the intro as some sort of important backstory it really doesn't explain much at all and can be ignored entirely. The film's main focus is on Alucarda's corruption of her new friend Justine and their adventures into vampirism, satanic rituals, and frolicking throughout the woods and convent. The film is fairly light on plot and instead relies on the shock value of seeing young women praising the devil and fighting nuns. Don't worry though! The film is fairly short so you don't have enough time to find yourself bored by all the blood and nudity. BUT BE WARNED! There is a TON of screaming, in fact, probably too much screaming and sometimes it gets a little grating. However, Alucarda is a quick and goofy movie that has some interesting set designs and cinematography that give the film a sort of claustrophobic and eerie atmosphere. It's definitely worth a late night watch. Maybe with headphones if you live in an apartment or have sleepy roommates.

LOUD NOISES!

You can check out this week's playlist below:

 

 
The Paupers - Magic People

JJ Cale – It’s A Go Go Place

Mike Alexander and The Visions - Pop Goes Love

The Beachnuts - Cycle Annie

Jerry Cole and The Stingers - Dang Thing

Us Too - The Girl With The Golden Hair

The Illusions - Little Girl

Outer Limits - Alone and Crying

Pete Morticelli - Lost