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11/25/2004: The 1987 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade!

Just in the nick of time, here’s a look back at the 1987 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. I was actually at this one live, but my best memories of it are being painfully cold and poorly dressed. Though not as jam-packed with strange cool shit as some of the previous parades I’ve reviewed, this one isn’t without its charms: California Raisins, Marvel Comics, Clifton Davis, need I, say more? Two page review with an additional two page look at many of the commercials that aired during the parade, along with dozens of video clips. Enjoy! Happy Thanksgiving, all! I’m off to stuff mushroom and sleep.


Posted by Matt. E-mail me!

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Discussion Thread: 127 comments

Had me scared, almost thought you didn’t make it :D

Ghosted by LeGenerale @ 11/25/2004 12:12 PM EST

Hooray! Matt finished in time! Thank you Matt!

Ghosted by Cameron T. @ 11/25/2004 12:16 PM EST

The Ronald video link does not work. Everything else is way coolio, Matt. Happy Thanksgiving!

Ghosted by lepnhoj @ 11/25/2004 12:18 PM EST

The closests all ever get to 1st…..

Ghosted by LordSorrow @ 11/25/2004 12:18 PM EST

Thanks — fixed the Ronald link.

Ghosted by Matt @ 11/25/2004 12:19 PM EST

The Waldbaum’s sale flyer in the background image scares me.

Ghosted by .... @ 11/25/2004 12:20 PM EST

Sweet!

Ghosted by WeBeLow @ 11/25/2004 12:22 PM EST

I got 1st on my 3rd post ever, heh heh heh. I guess Jesus just hates you Lordsorrow.

Ghosted by Legenerale @ 11/25/2004 12:22 PM EST

Right after Captain America "electrocutes" Doc Doom, ROBOCOP jumps out and cuts the power! What the hell??

Ghosted by demolition ax @ 11/25/2004 12:39 PM EST

Happy Turkey Day Matt! Stuff those mushrooms, oh yeah. ;)

Ghosted by Nikkii @ 11/25/2004 12:44 PM EST

Great Review. All of the commercials were great but I didn’t like the diet coke commercials,too cheesy! But anyway this review is awesome.

Ghosted by Stargunner @ 11/25/2004 12:47 PM EST

I just watched the McDonald’s Daddy’s little girl commercial. It made me cry. What, in the HELL, was going on there? "All the cute guys are going to McDonalds" Gah! I need to sleep now.

Ghosted by Legenerale @ 11/25/2004 12:50 PM EST

Hey Matt, great article and all, the videos were great. Anytime I can find an 80s McDonalds commercial on XE, I am very very happy. While I am at it, did you buy your copy of the Golden Girls Season One DVD yet? I was thinking about buying it for a family member for Christmas, and was wondering if it was worth the $35.

Ghosted by Destro @ 11/25/2004 1:19 AM EST

Matt, say it ain’t so!

How can you insult Luke Cage, Power Man? Sweet Christmas! We’re talking about the man who gave Francis Ford Coppala’s mediocre nephew a new stage name. We’re talking about the guy who traveled to Latveria because Dr. Doom hired him and stiffed him on the bill! Here’s the exact dialogue from their legendary confrontation:

DOOM: Greetings, Luke Cage. Dr. Doom bids you… enter. When my men reported a crazy black man in the Fantastic Four’s craft, I knew it had to be you!

CAGE: Where’s my money, honey?

DOOM: Money? What are you talking–? You mean the money I owed you for tracking down my robots? You came all that way for that?! A paltry $200!!!! You are crazy!

Shakespeare, man. Pure Shakespeare.

As for your question on the Hulk fighting Cap, Hulk may do some nice stuff from time to time, but you saw the movie. Going on berzerk rampages through cities because somebody stepped on his foot doesn’t make guys like Captain America and Iron Man happy.

Also Matt, the offer for the Superman vs. Ali comic still stands.

Ghosted by Gavok @ 11/25/2004 1:59 AM EST

I’ve never watched the Macy’s Parade. I’ve only ever watched the Boscov’s one in Philly. Is that one nationally broadcast as well, or is it strictly local?

Ghosted by Mike Fireball @ 11/25/2004 2:18 AM EST

Is it just me, or is the flyer that’s being used for wallpaper behind the parade review advertising "Turkey Breasat"? What the heck is a "Breasat"?

Ghosted by yougotrealugly @ 11/25/2004 2:20 AM EST

The Commercials are the best thing on this amazing site…keep them coming dude…the whole site rocks…good thanksgiving all!

Ghosted by Jeff @ 11/25/2004 4:10 AM EST

I know for sure I watched the 1987 parade. I bet I was begging my dad to buy me all the toys I saw in the commercials. Those ads are good stuff. I miss the old Snuggle the new one is too smug. Too bad Mc Donalds doesn’t show the food like that anymore. The Tyco cliffhangers ad made me think about watching Fun House they always seemed to show that commerical a lot.

Ghosted by pikachulover @ 11/25/2004 4:56 AM EST

Every May, I feel a little twinge of sadness for what might have been. I know it’s going to be especially sucky this year in particular; I’ll just be pooting along attending to my duties as a human, when suddenly I’ll remember that it’s May, and I’ll say to myself,

"Aw, shit… Jim Henson’s been dead for fifteen years."
I might start to cry, too.

But… this is a far better feeling I get, watching him receive his Major Award for balloon antics. I always loved seeing him and Kermit perform side by side, as it were; Jim never made an attempt to hide moving his lips, and he didn’t need to, because Kermit has his own stage presence. He may have been doing the voice, but Jim was still just watching as Kermit stole the show, and loving every minute of it.

I wish I could have seen this in 1987, but perhaps it’s better that it was saved for this year. Thank you so much, Matt.

Ghosted by G'Tron @ 11/25/2004 6:49 AM EST

Great article Matt!
Happy U.S. Turkey Day to all of you!

:)

Ghosted by Croww @ 11/25/2004 7:00 AM EST

DAMN!!! i thought i would be first…it said no comments:( Oh well…great to see this again, i remember playing with my crappy HESS truck(from the xmas before),while my friends downsairs brought there awesome RC corvette upstairs…they made fun of me merciallisly…..i hate HESS trucks…i still get them every year for christmas…..but i love Macy day parades!!! Even though as an adult they suck. Anyways 9 hours for the tryptophyne to kick in! Enjoy your Thanksgivings!!!!

Ghosted by Ralph @ 11/25/2004 8:37 AM EST

I know Matt said he was going to post a Stuffed Mushroom recipe, but I just came across one and thought I’d share it. We can compare. :-)

Prep: 15 minutes Total: 35 minutes

2 C stove top stuffing mix for chicken
1 C hot water
16 large mushrooms (about 1 lb)
3 TBSP butter or margarine
1/2 small green pepper, finely chopped
1/2 small red pepper, finely chopped
2 TBSP butter or margarine, melted

Preheat broiler. Mix stuffing mix and hot water in medium bowl; cover. Let stand 5 minutes. Remove stems from mushrooms; chop stems. cook and stir mushroom caps in 3 TBSP butter/margarine in large skillet until lightly browned. Arrange in shallow baking dish. Add stems and peppers to skillet; cook and stir until tender. Stir into stuffing. Spoon into mushroom caps; drizzle w/ 2 TBSP melted butter. Broil 5-7 inches from heat for 5 mminutes or until heated through. Makes 8 servings, 2 mushrooms each.

I don’t know. Thanksgiving is bringing out the cook-from-scratch homemaker in me. I’m kinda scared.

Ghosted by trajeal @ 11/25/2004 8:58 AM EST

Oh, yeah. Happy Giant Ape Juice Day!

Ghosted by trajeal @ 11/25/2004 8:59 AM EST

The article was short, but it was worth it just for the 102-year-old Russian lady and, of course, the Marvel float. If I was nine again (which would have been in 1992), I would have been freaking out, especially since WOLVERINE was on the float (although he’s getting his ass kicked by frickin’ Enchantress). By the way, why the heck was Robocop on the Marvel comics float? "Prime Directive: Make random appearance on somewhat awesome yet crappily choreographed Marvel comics float with Power Man." But seriously, anyone who likes Marvel comics had to be happy with the assortment of heroes and villains on that float. Man, I’m having a wet-dream thinking about the possibility of Macy’s combining the Marvel float with the MOTU float.

Ghosted by Darth Monkey @ 11/25/2004 9:33 AM EST

Loved the article, up until you said you would rather have your own snuggle bear than your own Gizmo. WTF? I thought I knew you. You’re dead to me now

Ghosted by Julie @ 11/25/2004 9:39 AM EST

Don’t worry, Julie. I was lying.

Ghosted by Matt @ 11/25/2004 10:23 AM EST

Proof that the Snuggle Bear is, in fact, one of the most terrifying white stuffed bears ever to set foot in your washing machine: http://www.exquisitedeadguy.50megs.com/snuggle.html

Matt, I was seriously questioning your sanity when I read that blurb. I feel the need to bleach my brain of the memory of it all.

Oh, yeah. Why does the big puppet of Charlie Brown have plastered down bangs? I don’t ever remember the Chuckster sporting the Bryl cream sassy hairstyles of the 50’s. Also, when did he get that cap?

Ghosted by trajeal @ 11/25/2004 10:46 AM EST

Thanks again Matt. Last year the Macy’s parade articles were what caught my attention, and I’ve been coming back ever since. This new article makes me think back to that wonderful day one year ago, when I discovered this site. Can’t wait for next year’s ‘Alf-parade’.

One question though, Matt: these reports are from the 80’s, when rock ‘n wrestling was big. But I don’t see any wrestlers involved in the parades. Was WWF/Hogan ever involved in the parade?

Ghosted by Sjoerd @ 11/25/2004 10:50 AM EST

I have not seen any WWF/E appearances in the parades I have, but it wouldn’t surprise me.

Ghosted by Matt @ 11/25/2004 10:52 AM EST

Great article once again Matt. It was well worth the month wait to see this funny piece. Just wish those flash ads wouldn’t interrupt the download of the images (on 56k sadly), because I have to use another browser to look at the page.

Cursed Sony Walkman.

Ghosted by Rirse @ 11/25/2004 10:57 AM EST

(like a girl) AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK! CLLLOOOOWWWWWNNNSSSS!!!!!

OK. Now that I’ve goten that out of the way and finished the parade portion of the article, it’s time for a word from our sponsor. But first I need to get some breakfast. Nate will be right back after this complete breakfast and these messages.

Ghosted by Nate @ 11/25/2004 11:05 AM EST

Yea 32nd responce!

9:46am and I see Spongebob Squarepants looks even creepier as a giant balloon then he does as a cartoon.
I remember one of the last years they dragged the rapidly disintigrating Superman balloon down the parade his left wrist was completly deflated, leading David Letterman and Johnny Carson to both make ‘limp wrist’ jokes Mr Roper would have been proud of.

Ghosted by Garrison @ 11/25/2004 11:16 AM EST

Great article Matt, Happy Thanksgiving to all, and I too have no clue what Robocop was doing on that float. God bless the cameo!

Ghosted by Shonuf1 @ 11/25/2004 11:26 AM EST

Matt, thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to write this article; it really means a lot to me and everyone else here.

Good luck with the job!

Ghosted by Scorn the Terrible @ 11/25/2004 12:22 PM EST

OH MY GAWD, the kid in the Mrs. Hatcher commercial looks just like ET. Freak!

Ghosted by Zorbs @ 11/25/2004 12:35 PM EST

I think those scary molester peanuts characters may perhaps be scarier than the treehouse trolls, either way i’m shakin in my boots…

-kevin

Ghosted by phunqsauce @ 11/25/2004 12:59 PM EST

I’m positive WWF was at one of the parades back in the 90s…I remember Bret Hart, Razor Ramon, Paul Bearer and a smiling Undertaker along with a few other wrestlers being on a float. They didn’t do any kind of skit though, they just waved.

Ghosted by three @ 11/25/2004 1:27 PM EST

Nicely done article Matt. I agree with Garrison that the Spongebob’s ballon is kind of creepy, but it not as scary as Al Roper say that he going to watch Garfield the movie after seeing the ballon :0 Also, doesn’t it, from an angle, Captain America is hugging Hulk than pushing off the edge?

Ghosted by Beta-Theta @ 11/25/2004 1:57 PM EST

I believe WWF had a float as well in 2001 and 2002. Had HHH, Trish Stratus, the McMahon family on a float built as a ring.

Ghosted by .... @ 11/25/2004 2:02 PM EST

The fact that Luke Cage is on the Marvel float is cool and all, but why the hell is Robocop there? Look when Cap tells Cage to "clean up", tell me that isn’t Robocop who pokes his head out!

Ghosted by StreetShaman @ 11/25/2004 2:16 PM EST

guys guys GUYS!!!! Im from the uk, but even i rember seeing the Robocop Cartoon from 1987 and the toyline. still have some. Belive the show was Robocop and the Ultra Police. Made by Sunbow and Marvel productions if memory serves me correctly.

plus marvel did loads of robocop comics and specials too.

Happy turkey day. man, why dont we have a turkey day or something like wise over here…

Ghosted by Soapdish @ 11/25/2004 2:33 PM EST

OK, I’m back, but it wasn’t just after my breakfast, OR those messages. It was also after a shower AND a boring-assed class.

Ghosted by Nate @ 11/25/2004 2:49 PM EST

Wait a minute. I SO rememember that whole house-graphic thing from Our House. Yep, good all Wilford Brimley wqas movin’ faster than the speed of light, which further proves my theory that god ol’ Mr. Brimley is one of them superheroes!

Ghosted by Nate @ 11/25/2004 2:51 PM EST

Umm…is Wilford Brimley still alive?

Ghosted by Nate @ 11/25/2004 2:52 PM EST

I’ve seen Wilford Brimley doing diabetes commercials, so I think he’s still around.

Anyone remember him from "The Thing" where he went nuts and smashed up the communications room? "I’lll KIIIILLLLLL YOU!!!" That was awesome!

Ghosted by Number5 @ 11/25/2004 3:55 PM EST

Great article as always, Matt. Loved the California Raisens appearnce. God, those looked creepy. I must ask again where you found all these parade tapes. Ebay, yard sales, what? Did you find them all at once or over the years?

As for this year’s parade, it wasn’t half bad. The first hour was horrible though. It kept switching from Broadway musical to Al Roker interviewing celebrities from shows I don’t watch. No balloons, no floats, just Broadway/Roker.

Once it picked up, though, it was fine. The balloons were impressive, as usual. Kermit looked great, as did Charlie Brown and Mr. Pennyworths (though they kept calling him Mr. Monopoly). The Big Bird balloon had those annoying feather bits hanging over his eyes, which was distracting. And shouldn’t Pikachu have retired by now. Oh, and the Garfield balloon is still fashioned after the cartoon as opposed to the movie. That’s good.

That chick who played Barbie on the "The Princess and the Pauper" float… worst lip synch I’ve ever seen. The people operating the Sesame Street Muppets weren’t doing good either. Oscar’s mouth started moving half way through his bit on the song.

Otherwise, fine parade. Fine.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Ghosted by Mr. Mr. Mr. @ 11/25/2004 5:00 PM EST

God, that Barbie float. *shudders*

This is something I could easily see being made fun of on another nostalgia site, years from now.

They really need to stop with those damn barbie movies, that’s all I have to say.

Ghosted by Number 5 @ 11/25/2004 5:07 PM EST

Mr. Mr. Mr., they officially changed his name to Mr. Monopoly a few years back. And I think I remember Matt mentioning that he’d picked up a tape with several parades on it.

Ghosted by squee4242 @ 11/25/2004 5:24 PM EST

Call me a traditionalist, but I think Rich Uncle Pennybags is a more interesting name than Mr Monopoly. What’s next? Are they going to change the victim in Clue from Mr Boddy to Mr Clue?

Ghosted by Garrison @ 11/25/2004 5:29 PM EST

(drunk) I agree, Mr. G. The Moneybags name had a lot of history behind it. "Mr. Monopoly" sounds like what someone from, I dunno, Eurasia who’d never played the game would call the little metal piece he/she drew out of the box. Okay back to (drunk).

Ghosted by Matt @ 11/25/2004 5:32 PM EST

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