Tennessee Tuxedo and His Tales: The Complete Collection

This 1963 animated series—from the creators of King Leonardo and His Short Subjects and the much more fondly remembered Underdog—has aged reasonably well, thanks to a combination of fine voice talent and the series' educational component (which, dated though it may be, could still pique the curiosity of little scientists). A pre-Get Smart Don Adams voices Tennessee, a South Pole penguin who craves the excitement of the big city. After Tennessee and his dim-witted walrus pal Chumley are sent to a zoo, they consistently manage to escape and either seek jobs or learn at the 3D blackboard of Phineas J. Whoopi (Larry Storch) about a myriad of subjects, including how electricity, car engines, and telephones work. DVD extras include eight audio commentaries with animation historian Mark Arnold and members of the voice cast (most notably, Storch), along with a generous sampling of bonus cartoons featuring the King and Odie, Tooter Turtle (“time for this one to come home”), the Hunter, and Klondike Kat. While it still boasts some kid appeal, this may also attract nostalgic Boomers wanting to relive some treasured Saturday morning memories. A strong optional purchase. Aud: P. (D. Liebenson)