Take a trip back to 1990 where Generation X were in their teens, Gen Y were about to go into their teens, and there was quality afternoon cartoons after school. It was the cartoon era where M.A.S.K., Muppet Babies, the first animated generation of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) were highly popular.
Oh yeah, did I mention that the ‘war on drugs’ was hot topic around the world?
After many ways of trying to get the message across to children, what other better way than combining all Saturday morning and weekday afternoon cartoons into the one mini-movie? With a positive storyline and  approach, the copyright owners of each cartoon character gave royalty-free usage to all rival owners to combine their characters together. The then-US President George Bush Snr and First Lady Barbara Bush campaigned long and hard for the war against drugs. The appearance at the beginning of the cartoon was pretty straight-forward: Stay away from drugs and alcohol m’kay? (Little did they realise the world turned to it when their son Dubya took over Presidency – BOOM *TISH!*)
Broadcasted on numerous television stations around the world simultaneously (in their own country), it was later released on video by McDonald’s to purchase. Each broadcast in overseas countries had slight alterations, such as voiceover translations, and introductions (while US had George and Barbara, Australia had then-Prime Minister Bob Hawke introducing the cartoon).
George Bush Snr – File Photo
The story revolves around Michael, a young teen who has been secretly been doing drugs. All is revealed by his younger sister Corey, when she discovers her piggy bank has been broken into by Michael, who used her money to buy more drugs. After Michael denies everything, the cartoons come alive from various places to pursue Michael to get off the hooch and green. There are appearances by:
- Alf
- Alvin and The Chipmunks
- Huey, Dewey, and Louie – DuckTales
- Garfield – Garfield and Friends
- Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck – Looney Tunes
- Baby Kermit, Baby Piggy, Baby Gonzo – Muppet Babies
- Winnie-the-Pooh, Tigger – Winne The Pooh
- Slimer – Real Ghostbusters
- Papa Smurf, Brainy Smurf, Hefty Smurf – Smurfs
- Michelangelo – TMNT
Unfortunately this has not had a DVD release. The best bet is to check ebay for the official VHS release… or watch here.
