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Image Entertainment presentsRoger Ramjet: Man of Adventure
(1965)
Narrator: And now, this word from the arch-criminal Noodles Romanoff about the new Roger Ramjet show:Noodles: Blegh!Narrator: Thank you.- David Ketchum
Stars: Gary Owens, Bob Arbogast, Dick Beals, Joanie Gerber
Other Stars: Dave Ketchum, Gene Moss, Paul Shively
Director: Fred Crippen
Manufacturer: Ritek Digital Media
MPAA Rating: Not Rated for (nothing objectionable)
Run Time: 01h:21m:49s
Release Date: 2002-02-26
Genre: animation
Style Grade |
Substance Grade | Image Transfer Grade | Audio Transfer Grade |
Extras Grade |
---|---|---|---|---|
B | B+ | C+ | C- | B- |
DVD Review
Flag-waving became the "thing to do" in the U.S. after September 11th; anyone not gung-ho, pro-military, "USA A-OK" was instantly labeled insensitive and unpatriotic. The fervor has begun to wear off a little bit (heck, we're allowed to make fun of the president again), perhaps because people have begun to realize how stupid it is to blue, red and whitewash the complex issues that the government (and everyday citizens) deal with every day. The creators of Roger Ramjet, which aired in the mid-1960s, post HUAC and the Cuban Missile Crisis, but smack dab in the middle of the Cold War, certainly understood this fact. Few shows have so effectively skewered feverish patriotism and been so darn funny at the same time. And kids will laugh at it, too!Roger Ramjet is a square-jawed American hero, always ready to aid his government in protecting the nation from fiends like Noodles Romanoff, head of N.A.S.T.Y. (The National Association of Spies, Traitors, and Yahoos). Of course, to save the day, he requires the help of his trusty American Eagle Squadron (names: Yank, Doodle, Dan, and Dee) and, occasionally, a Proton Pill (giving him the power of 20 proton bombs for 20 seconds).Inattentive viewers taking it at face value might see the show as simple US propaganda made palatable for the kiddies, but, like Rocky and Bullwinkle, Roger Ramjet is clearly much more than a simple children's program. The patriotism is taken to absurd levels—nearly every time Roger is introduced, he's greeted with a fanfare of eagles, stars, or a flag—and it is no mistake that America's greatest hero is a bumbling buffoon. That's not to say it is anti-American (after all, Roger always wins), but the writers have no qualms at poking fun at blind patriotism. Of course, it is enjoyable for other reasons as well. Gags of all sorts, from puns, to non-sequiturs, to pop culture references, fly by so fast that even cultured adults will miss a few here and there. Though the animation is simplistic, with characters barely moving at times and blocky, bland backgrounds, the writing is razor sharp. Some of the best episodes deal with Roger dueling for the affection of his sweetheart Lotta Love with his chief rival Lance Crossfire (a Burt Lancaster parody); the two compete in feats of one-upmanship to the point of injury while Lotta runs off with someone else. Other amusing gags include the frequent use of intertitles, especially during fight scenes. The Biff! Whack! Ouch! Think!'s of Ramjet predate those in the old Batman show by quite a few years.Roger Ramjet never gained the attention it deserved, perhaps because of its irregular scheduling. Episodes run a scant five minutes, and while they were regularly shown four at a time, many stations would run one or two whenever they had a gap in the schedule. It certainly deserves to be rediscovered, anyway, as it is full of great fun, humor, and writing (and great voice over work, particular from Gary Owens, the voice of Roger himself). This volume contains the following 15 episodes:MonkeyOrbitWerewolfFlying SaucersSkateboardsLong Joan SilverComicsJet BootsHollywoodTreasure in Sierra's MattressCoffeeTime MachinePoolAncestorsSurf NutsRating for Style: B
Rating for Substance: B+
Image Transfer
One | |
---|---|
Aspect Ratio | 1.33:1 - Full Frame |
Original Aspect Ratio | yes |
Anamorphic | no |
Image Transfer Review: For a show nearly 40 years old, Roger Ramjet doesn't look too bad. The show has the same rather dull look as many of the cartoons of the era, with a very simple palate, and while I wouldn't call them eye-popping, colors are fairly bright. I noticed no artifacting or line jitter, but there is an odd ringing effect that looks like edge enhancement, though it is only distracting here and there. The biggest problem is the varying quality of the source material—some episodes show lots of dirt, lines, and scratches. Also, it may just be the way the show was produced, but sometimes when writing appears on the screen, it seems to be framed incorrectly, with letters trailing off screen.
Image Transfer Grade: C+
Audio Transfer
Language | Remote Access | |
---|---|---|
Mono | English | no |
Audio Transfer Review: The audio is presented in mono only, and the results are somewhat mixed. Dialogue is always well mixed with the music and effects, but overall fidelity is rather poor, and the theme song especially sounds pretty harsh. There's some crackle and hiss evident on the track, but it doesn't distract and isn't too audible at normal listening levels. What really hurts the grade, however, are some lip synch problems on several of the episodes, with dialogue lagging seconds behind the mouth movements.
Audio Transfer Grade: C-
Disc Extras
Static menuScene Access with 15 cues and remote access
1 Feature/Episode commentary by Gary Owens, the voice of Roger Ramjet
Packaging: Amaray
Picture Disc
1 Disc
1-Sided disc(s)
Layers: dual
Extra Extras:
- 5 Roger Ramjet Bumpers
Extras Grade: B-
Final Comments
Amazingly, Roger Ramjet is nearly as funny, and holds up nearly as well, as the legendary Rocky and Bullwinkle. I'm sure this disc will really appeal to adults who grew up watching the show, but anyone who enjoys quick-witted, pun-laced, pop culture referencing humor should have a great time. Image has done a very nice job with the DVD, from the extras to the great, nostalgia-laden menu designs, all for only $15. Roger may always cease to amaze you, but the disc does a pretty good job.Joel Cunningham 2002-03-11