Ben Franklin

November 6, 1972

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The Mouse Factory - S2 - E9

Wally Cox takes a look at Ben Franklin, one of colonial America's scientific and political leaders, remarking that a man is only as good as his inspirations, many of which, in Ben's case, succeeded thanks to a church mouse named Amos.

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The Mouse Factory: Season 2 - 26 Episode s

2x1 - Alligators
September 11, 1972
Host Johnny Brown explains that alligators have three parts: the eating part, the tail part and the middle part, which helps keeps the eating part from eating the tail part. He then explains the prominence of alligators and crocodiles in Disney films.
2x2 - Paul Bunyan
September 18, 1972
Jim Backus takes a look at legendary folk hero Paul Bunyan.
2x3 - Bullfighting
September 25, 1972
Just as baseball is known as America's national pastime, so is bullfighting in Spain and Latin America. Host Bill Dana explains that part of the excitement is generated by the sheer size of the bulls that weigh over 1,000 pounds each. Although usually only the harvest of men will face these beasts, there are a few exceptions, as demonstrated by Goofy.
2x4 - Knighthood
October 2, 1972
Henry Gibson hosts this episode dressed as a court jester to set the mood for tales of brave knights and ladies in distress.
2x5 - Pluto
October 9, 1972
Mickey's longtime pet and co-star, Pluto, is featured in his own special tribute, hosted by John Astin.
2x6 - Goliath II
October 16, 1972
Famed Disney star Kurt Russell hosts this look at elephants in general and Goliath II in particular. His guest star is a baby elephant. He uses scenes from live-action movies to explain a study of elephant life in the wild and the family structures these animals enjoy.
2x7 - The Mouse Show
October 23, 1972
Although Mickey is certainly the world's most famous mouse, he was not the only mouse to come from Disney. Host Dave Madden looks at some Disney cartoons starring other mice.
2x8 - Cats
October 30, 1972
Shari Lewis tries to convince her dog puppet friend, Hush Puppy, that not all cats are bad, but the dog disagrees, so Lewis educates him on the history of cats. She then shows him some Pluto cartoons that also involve felines, since Hush Puppy relates to Pluto's treatment of cats.
2x9 - Ben Franklin
November 6, 1972
Wally Cox takes a look at Ben Franklin, one of colonial America's scientific and political leaders, remarking that a man is only as good as his inspirations, many of which, in Ben's case, succeeded thanks to a church mouse named Amos.
2x10 - Mickey Mouse
November 13, 1972
Hostess Annette Funicello continues her long association with Mickey by hosting this look at the mouse's illustrious career. Among other things, we learn of Mickey's vital statistics: height 2 feet 3 inches, weight 13 pounds.
2x11 - Lions
November 20, 1972
Henry Gibson explains that although lions had always been known as the proud "king of the jungle", not all lions are worthy of such a title and proves it with the episode's cartoons which include, among others, "Lambert the Sheepish Lion", a story about one of the most timid lions ever born.
2x12 - Consciences
November 27, 1972
Harry Morgan claims that while everyone has a conscience, most people don't pay attention to it, and claims that mankind has been struggling between the battles of good and evil since the beginning of time. He uses different Disney cartoons of this type to express his point.
2x13 - Noah's Ark
December 4, 1972
Over the years, Disney animators produced two very different versions of the story of Noah and his ark. Bill Dana introduces the earlier of the two, the Silly Symphony "Father Noah's Ark", produced using conventional animation techniques. He then introduces the Studio's second version of 1959, filmed using stop-motion animation and various household junk.
2x14 - Hunting
December 11, 1972
John Astin explores the different types of hunting and explains that man began hunting for food, but now hunt mainly for sport, as demonstrated in Disney cartoons about hunting.
2x15 - Sports
December 18, 1972
Hosted by Nipsey Russell.
2x16 - Tugboats
December 25, 1972
Big ships need the lowly tugboat's service, according to returning host Dave Madden. He claims that the bigger the vessel, the more it needs the assistance of a tugboat to safely dock in and navigate through crowded waters of modern harbors. What's more, the tugboat's assistance can also mean the difference between life and death for a big vessel.
2x17 - Automobiles
January 1, 1973
Although cars have improved modern living, they still have their own problems. Host Ken Berry explains how the slightest puncture in so much as a single tire can throw a whole car out of commission, as seen in "Donald's Tire Trouble", which was released during a time of gas rationing and rubber shortage, due to World War II. Other complications are shown in other Disney cartoons as well.
2x18 - Trains
January 8, 1973
Hosted by Harry Morgan.
2x19 - Homes
January 15, 1973
Jim Backus hosts this look at how different homes have served the needs of different inhabitants, as seen in various Disney films.
2x20 - The Reluctant Dragon
January 22, 1973
In the guise of a wandering minstrel, Wally Cox explains that contrary to popular belief, not all dragon stories are true. Usually depicted as fire-breathing and basically bad, they've been blamed for kidnappings, droughts and famines. Cox decides to debunk this idea by retelling the story of The Reluctant Dragon.
2x21 - Wheels
January 29, 1973
The core cartoon of this episode is "Donald and the Wheel", and Johnny Brown describes how the seemingly simple wheel has spurred many of mankind's greatest inventions.
2x22 - Winter Fun
February 5, 1973
Hosted by Kurt Russell.
2x23 - Penguins
February 12, 1973
Annette Funicello returns to the show, bringing with her an Adelie dwarf penguin to introduce cartoons starring this unusual bird.
2x24 - Elephants
February 19, 1973
Hosted by Nipsey Russell.
2x25 - Mickey and the Beanstalk
February 26, 1973
Hostess and puppeteer Shari Lewis tells the story of "Mickey and the Beanstalk" to her friend, Lamb Chop.
2x26 - Dancing
March 5, 1973
Ken Berry hosts this look at how the Disney artists have captured several unusual dance routines on film.

Ben Franklin

The Mouse Factory - S2 - E9

The Mouse Factory: Season 2 - 26 Episode s

2x1 - Alligators

2x2 - Paul Bunyan

2x3 - Bullfighting

2x4 - Knighthood

2x5 - Pluto

2x6 - Goliath II

2x7 - The Mouse Show

2x8 - Cats

2x9 - Ben Franklin

2x10 - Mickey Mouse

2x11 - Lions

2x12 - Consciences

2x13 - Noah's Ark

2x14 - Hunting

2x15 - Sports

2x16 - Tugboats

2x17 - Automobiles

2x18 - Trains

2x19 - Homes

2x20 - The Reluctant Dragon

2x21 - Wheels

2x22 - Winter Fun

2x23 - Penguins

2x24 - Elephants

2x25 - Mickey and the Beanstalk

2x26 - Dancing

The Mouse Factory: All seasons

S1: Season 1

S2: Season 2