I thoroughly enjoyed my youth. Only problem is, I have difficulty recalling many of the enjoyable aspects of my childhood. They exist, but I have to seriously sit down and research what I watched as a kid, the music I listened to and the toys I loved to play with. It’s a curse. Often ends up like this, “Remember that movie I used to watch when I was in 3rd grade…or was it 5th, about that guy who was a ninja? shit, I think he was cowboy. Oh Fuck, nevermind.” Always seem to recall what I was thinking about when I have no one to tell.
Solution? The interwebs. Now, when and where I remember, I can just tell you all. Here are a few things I attempted to think of, forgot and later recalled from my childhood:
Keiketsu Lion-Maru
I wouldn’t be surprised if you said you’ve never heard of, let alone watched, Keiketsu Lion-Maru. At the time, 4th grade maybe, my father bought me a VHS tape. I don’t recall where he got it, but it was likely some second-hand store or garage sale because the tape never had a box and was never labeled. Recorded on it was what appeared to be a Japanese television show overdubbed in English.
The stars of the show were a small band of marauders who where “orphaned” by the murder of their sensai. The majority of show was comprised of thier efforts to win in battle against an evil “turd monster” repsonsible for their sensai’s fiery death.
This show had everything: Karate action, sexy Asian chicks, a enchanted flute that summons a Pegasus and a majic katana that turned it’s owner into a white lion…cape and all. If anyone knows where I could find a DVD copy (overdubbed in English), please let me know.
The Dirt Bike Kid
Starring “Ralphie” (Peter Billingsley) from ‘The Christmas Story,’ ‘The Dirt Bike Kid’ is a movie about an enchanted (yeah, more enchantment) dirt bike motorcycle that helps a kid gain confidence enough to stand up to bully’s, peers and adults, and save a local hot dog stand. I absolutely loved this show when I was a young lad. Why, you ask? I’m still trying to answer that question.
Interestingly enough, the director’s daughter is a friend of mine. I nearly pissed my pants with excitement when she told me her dad was the director. Believe it.
Gleaming the Cube
Remember when Christian Slater was awesome? Mr. Slater was never as awesome as he was in the crime-fighting-skateboarder-action flick, ‘Gleaming the Cube.’ Until five seconds ago (had to look it up) I had no idea what it meant to gleam the cube. Yup…still a stupid title for a movie. A favorite review of mine from Rotten Tomatoes, “‘Gleaming the Cube’ does for skateboarding what ‘Over the Top’ did for arm wrestling — i.e. not a hell of a lot.”
I took up skateboarding after watching this movie, only to “put it down” a week later. Ahhh, those where the days.
Ok I watched lion Mary and had the Vhs loved it! It was so corny but me and my sister watched it all the time. I would love to have it for my son!!!
Corny…that’s putting it nicely. I may wait for my son to grow up a bit – he’s two. He’s already in a phase where he wants to play-fight. Lion Maru may tip the scales. lol.