The Sky’s the Limit: TV and Movie Character Balloons in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Snoopy, as an aviator makes his debut as a balloon

In The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1968

By Michael Lyons

Remember when people gathered shoulder to shoulder along the crowded, chilly streets of New York City to watch The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?

Ah yes, 2019.

While the Parade is now on an ever growing list of major events that have been impacted, or in this case “re-imagined” by 2020, those of us who have watched the Parade from the cozy comfort of our living rooms, lounging in pajamas, while a turkey on its seemingly eighth hour in the oven cooks somewhere in the background, also have fond memories of each year.

One of these memories, particularly for generations of kids, was the opportunity to see the favorite star of the latest TV show or movie filled with helium and soaring as a giant balloon between the cavernous buildings of Manhattan.

And so, with tremendous gratitude for keeping the tradition of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade going in some form this year, it’s fun to take a glimpse back at some of these memorable TV and movie character balloons.  Each iconic, animated face is a reflection of a time gone by and a memory that lasts forever.

The 2010’s

Of course, the highest grossing animated film of all time required some sort of balloon representation.  Olaf the snowman from Disney’s “Frozen” made his debut in 2017.

A fun, “double balloon,” from 2015, one of the stars of the “Ice Age” films, the obsssed squirrel Scrat and the object of his desire, his acorn.

The 2000’s

Disney/Pixar’s “Toy Story” films really went “To Infinity and Beyond” in popularity and Buzz Lightyear represented the blockbuster franchise as a balloon in 2009.

Another contender for animated franchise blockbuster status in the 2000’s, DreamWorks’  “Shrek” debuted as a balloon in 2007.

One of the most popular animated shows of the new century, “Spongebob Squarepants” soared above the Parade in 2004

The 1990’s

In the ‘90’s, movie studios used any opportunity to promote their latest film and the balloons in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade found themselves as part of this hype.

 1992’s hit family film “Beethoven” bounded across Manhattan as a balloon in 1993.

The star of the surprise Oscar nominated film “Babe,” about a talking pig, found himself as a balloon in the parade in 1998.

Rex the dinosaur, from an oft-forgotten animated film “We’re Back: a Dinosaur’s Story” became a balloon the same weekend that his movie opened in 1993...unfortunately, the poor prehistoric pal hit a light post and was deflated during the parade.

The 1980’s

The lasagna loving, Monday hating icon of the ‘80’s, Garfield’s balloon debuted in 1984.

Although she had been around since 1930, Betty Boop didn’t make her first appearance as a balloon until 1985.

Bugs Bunny, another animated star who had been around for some time, starring in his first cartoon short in 1940, wasn’t in balloon form until Thanksgiving 1989, just in time to celebrate his 50th anniversary the next year.

That “Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man,” swung into balloon form in 1987, but he wasn’t the first super hero balloon in the parade.  That title goes to Superman, who debuted in 1939.

The 1970’s

Mickey Mouse had actually made his balloon debut in 1934, but in 1971, a “revamped” version of Mickey was introduced, complete with a spiffy, yellow polo and his trademark red shorts.

At the height of “Muppet Mania” in 1977, Kermit the Frog appeared in balloon form.

The 1960’s

An icon of TV animation in the ‘60’s, the Bullwinkle J. Moose balloon first appeared in 1961 and soon became an icon of the Parade.

Don’t remember Linus the Lionhearted?  Don’t worry, only devotees remember this star of his own Saturday Morning TV show, which premiered in 1964, the same year Linus premiered as a balloon.

The 1950’s

Popeye had been “strong to the ‘finich’ cause he eats his spinach” in cartoons since 1933, but didn’t make his grand balloon entrance until 1957.

Mighty Mouse, the diminutive cartoon super hero star of the Terry Toons Studio flew in to “save the day” as a balloon in 1951.  Here, he’s catching up to cowboy star and one of New York’s Finest.

The First Balloon

The very first balloon inspired by a cartoon character was in 1932 with Felix the Cat, who had been a popular star of the silent screen.

The Most Balloons

There have been a number of TV and movie characters who have made multiple appearances as balloons.  But, who holds the record for the most balloons in The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?  That honor goes to Snoopy!

Charlie Brown’s beloved beagle has had no less than eight balloons in the Parade through the years, making his debut as an aviator in 1968 (pictured at the top of this article).

A year later in 1969, Snoopy was in balloon form as an astronaut and in 1987, he appeared on ice skates.  In 1988, he and Woodstock appeared as two separate balloons (with Snoopy wearing a sweater with the Macy’s logo on it) and eleven years later in 1999, there was Millennium Snoopy, who came to ring in the new century (pictured below)

Snoopy then appeared as his Flying Ace alter ego in 2006, with Woodstock riding on his back in 2013 and once again as an astronaut (with a new look) in last year’s parade (pictured below)

Thank you again, Macy’s, NBC and whoever else may be involved in making sure that The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will be part of our holiday during this ever-burning dumpster fire of a year.  As it always does, it provides us with rose-covered flashbacks, the first joyful trumpet blast of the Holiday Season and hope that not all is cancelled.

Talk about something to be thankful for.

Wishing everyone a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving.

Hope and Hollywood: Movies that Provide a Perfect Perspective

By Michael Lyons

As Election Day gave way to Election WEEK, the “2020 Stress-O-Meter” ratcheted up again.  Now, we lurch forward to an unknown future and it’s hard not to wonder, “What’s next?”

What we all hope for is just that...Hope.

And, while we may not be able to see that Hope just yet, we can at least look to our old friend, The Movies, to fill that void.  Throughout the years, a number of films and filmmakers have offered us films that provide this positive perspective of Hope.

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001, 2002 & 2003)

Peter Jackson’s epic movie adaptations of JRR Tolkien’s beloved books are more than just some of the greatest fantasy/adventure films ever made, they’re beautiful examples of stories that speak to enduring through the impossible.

As Gandalf the wizard (Ian McKellan) says to a disheartened Frodo (Elijah Wood): “All we have to do is decide what to do with the time that is given to us.”

Cast Away (2000)

Tom Hanks is truly an amazing, one man show in director Robert Zemeckis’ story (which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year) of Chuck Nolan, a man stranded alone on a remote island, who never gives up hope of getting back to civilization again.

In one truly touching scene, late in the film, after his rescue, Nolan recalls a moment on the island, when he was truly in despair, but learned to not give up.  It’s an amazing message of Hope, as the character recalls “I know what I have to do know.  I’ve got to keep breathing.  Because tomorrow the sun will rise.  Who knows was the tide could bring.”

The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

There is reason that Frank Darabont’s adaptation of Stephen King’s novella is so incredibly rewatchable.  The story of two inmates (Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins) in a Maine prison over the course of several decades contains such an uplifting perspective that it never fails to buoy ones spirits,  As Andy DuFrane (Robbins) says, “Hope is a good thing.  Maybe the best thing and no good thing ever dies.”

The Back to the Future Trilogy (1985, 1989 and 1990)

Whether it’s 1955, alternate 1985, or the Old West of 1885, the time travel trials and tribulations of Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) and Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) offers such a positive perspective of our future and how we can learn from our past.  

“The future is whatever you make it.  So, make it a good one,” says Doc, at the end of Part III, summing up the trilogy’s central message.

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)

“Cheer up Charlie,” is the song that’s sung to young Charlie Bucket (Peter Ostrom), the poor boy whose only wish is win the Golden Ticket that will allow him to take a tour of the candy factory run by the hysterically eccentric and off-center Willy Wonka (Gene Wilder in an unforgettable role).

What follows during the tour are a series of mishaps that provide significant life lessons to the children and their families in the group,  And, what emerges is that Charlie is so pure of heart that just by being who he is, all of his dreams come true.

“Don’t forget what happened to the man who suddenly got everything he ever wanted,” Willy Wonka says to Charlie at the end of the film.  “He lived happily ever after.”

It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

One of the most beloved films ever made is more than just a Christmas movie, it’s the story of all of our lives.

Just like George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) our lives are beset by setbacks, disappointments and maybe even tragedies.  And, while it may not often times be how we thought life would turn out, it’s good to be reminded, as George is thanks to Clarence the angel, just how fortunate we are.

As George stands in front of his Christmas tree at the end of the film, with the entire town of Bedford Falls before him singing “Old Lang Syne,” he realizes that “No man is a failure, who has friends.”  And we realize it too, year after year. 

Pinocchio (1940)

 Arguably the greatest animated film ever made, Walt Disney’s masterpiece about the little wooden boy and his conscience cricket who go on an adventure that involves a maniacal puppet master, the hedonism of Pleasure Island and the belly of Monstro the Whale, comes with such an upbeat message of hope that the film should almost be mandatory viewing in times like this.

As the lyrics to “When You Wish Upon a Star,” the song that would become the anthem for all things Disney, states:

“Fate is kind

She brings to those who love

The sweet fulfillment of

Their secret longing...”

So, take a breath, take some time, turn to the movies, look ahead...and never lose Hope.