💚 THE SQUASH - That time animation legend Tom Sito helps us squish into the cultural and political vibes that fueled animated classics like Fantastic Planetand Allegro Non Troppo. We're talking French sci-fi freakiness, adult-themed storylines, and satire that served as a love-hate letter to Disney's Fantasia. The 70s were wild—a time when animated storytelling wasn't just about selling merch but about breaking molds and challenging minds.
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💜 THE STRETCH - Tom and our hosts, stretch the conversation across time to explore how the ripple effects of this funky, fearless decade set the foundation for the '90s animation renaissance. The ups, the downs, and the downright bizarre—they’re all here, including the impact of underground comics, the looming shadow of television, and the fight for artistic freedom in a world obsessed with commercial viability.
Tune in for the perfect blend of highbrow insight and rebellious fun as Randy, Kevin, and Tom help you make sense of a time when animation was caught between art house expression and Saturday morning entertainment. Because without the risks of the 70s, we’d never have the animated goldmine of the 90s. Trust us—it’s a trip you don’t want to miss.
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CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Introduction to Squash and Stretch Podcast
04:47 - Animation History: The 1970s Shift
11:54 - Adult Themes in Animation
20:03 - Political Context of Fantastic Planet
24:50 - Art House Releases and Audience Reception
30:09 - The Evolution of Animated Features
36:10 - Art vs. Commerce in Animation
40:00 - Reflections on Animation's Past and Future