Winnie The Pooh

Hello everyone!

I know I've created this gruff he-man image, this person everyone looks up to, to lead the way, to right wrongs, to spread wisdom, intelligence and other less desirable things. Unmentionable things! But, I have to open up and share another side of myself that few would guess. Don't worry, it's not my backside! How many sides to me are there? Well, there's the manly, manly side, the manly political side, the manly religious side, the manly romantic side and lest you think I am square, there's a fifth side - my child side! It came out the other day. I bought a VHS movie the other day for 79 cents. I discovered this rare gem, the 25th Anniversary Edition of Walt Disney's "The Many Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh". It's the predecessor to Toy Story, if you will, or even if you won't. I don't care! Only Winnie is 7 1/3 times better! In case you don't know the story, I'll fill you in. The story was written by A. A. Milne in the 1920's. There was a real bear cub who had been captured in "Canada", which is presently located in Canada, and was on loan to the "London Zoo" in London. Christopher Robin, the young son of Milne, was quite fond of Winnipeg the bear (Winnie) and would often visit and spend time inside the cage with Winnie. So Christopher Robin names his Teddy Bear, Winnie. Now don't ask me why a British child would have a Teddy Bear, since the name is from Teddy Roosevelt. By the way, the older generation, you know, the one that's older than mine, pronounces it Rooozavelt instead of Rosavelt like everyone else. No matter! He had other stuffed animals, Piglet, Eyore and Tigger. A. A. Milne began to write stories about his son Christopher Robin and his stuffy friends.

But I believe there is more to the story, than just a child's fantasy or imagination! This is a story of accepting others differences. Not diversity. Diversity means showing preference to one person over another just because he is different. It means undermining the foundation of a nation to placate the minority alien who has come to our country, not to join it, but to take over. Ooooh! that was the manly political side. Get back! Winnie is this overweight, rumbly, tumbly yellow bear with a red shirt. Doesn't wear pants, but neither did Donald Duck. He is sweet, but rather introspective in his pursuit of honey. Then there is shy little piglet, who lacks self confidence and has little might. There's Eeyore, the donkey with the pinned on tail, who is the most depressed animal you'd ever meet. The wise owl who is quite the blowhard. He is simply called Owl. And then there's Tigger, the sometimes obnoxious very bouncey tiger, whose always jumping and bouncing on things. Don't forget Rabbit, crotchety Rabbit and Kanga and her small child Roo. They all live in the "100 Acre Wood". They always help each other when there is a problem and often, they go to Christopher Robin, the only human in the story. Christopher Robin is kind of like God. He loves the animals and always comes to their rescue. He has great patience with them. But his favorite is Pooh, perhaps because he was Christopher's first. The story is both humorous and sweet. I bought it to play for my two year old granddaughter, Raegan, but thoroughly enjoyed watching it by myself.
Now more. The voice of Pooh is Sterling Holloway, who also did the voice of Kaa the snake in Jungle Book. The voice of Owl was Hal Smith, Otis, the town drunk, on The Andy Griffith Show. Howard Morris did the voice of Gopher. Howard played Ernestee Bass on Andy Griffith. Jon Walmsley did the voice of Christopher Robin. Who is Jon Walmsley? Why, he's Jason, on the Waltons!

The video I have, has a bunch of behind the scenes stuff including Carly Simon's performance of the songs for Piglet's Big Movie, for which she wrote the score.
Here's a great website for tons of info on this story:
http://www.just-pooh.com/
For the introduction to Piglet's Big Movie and Carly Simon's theme song, check http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4UYtnlSZGs.
This one is Kenny Loggins singing Return to the House at Pooh Corner. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjIYTd_lJqs&feature=related
This reminded me that the story is also about childhood fantasies and outgrowing them.
I double-dog-dare everyone to watch this movie. If you have small children or grandchildren, shame on you if you don't get this movie and watch it with them. And get them a Pooh Bear too!
I'd bet honey, there's a child side to you too! Go find it!!