The Land of Backwards.

Hey kids (of all ages), it's Saturday Morning Cartoon time again!

Back in the mid-1990s I stumbled across a PBS cartoon series caller the MAGIC SCHOOL BUS featuring a bubbly, redheaded teacher called Miss Frizzle who used magic to take her class on somewhat educational adventures. And it seemed more than a little familiar!

You see, back in 1973, we had a Saturday Morning Cartoon about a bubbly redheaded teacher called Miss Tickle who used magic to take her class on somewhat educational adventures. But these field trips also featured an otherworldly dude named Rick Springfield. (Australia is kinda' out there, mate!)

Springfield was a rising young star. Fortunately this was NOT the pinnacle of his career. He'd go on to have hit songs (JESSIE'S GIRL being the biggest), be constantly confused with Bruce Springsteen, and became a successful actor, primarily on television.

This series may seem a little original for Filmation, whose bread-and-butter was licensed properties. But it contains recognizable elements of the ARCHIE and SABRINA series from the studio, and it was actually a spin-off from the BRADY KIDS licensed adaptation they'd done of the BRADY BUNCH prime-time, live action sitcom.

So here, from September 1973, is the first episode of MISSION: MAGIC!

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