The First (and Only) Live-Action Plastic Man Goes to the 1984 Democratic National Convention

There's no current shortage of live-action superheroes running around these days -- I mean, did you ever think we'd see a day where there would be a live-action Crimson Fox? -- but there's still plenty of untapped potential in the comic book archives. 

Where, for example, is Plastic Man?  The Jack Cole-created stretchy crime fighter has been far from an unknown figure since his first appearance in 1941, commanding several solo comic book series along with his own cartoon and plenty of appearances in other DC Comics-related properties.  Sure, his powers are a bit tough to do in live-action, but that's what terrible CGI is for!  It is a bit odd that the character, a fun-loving creation with a good back story, decent name recognition and an affable sense of humor that would appeal to younger audiences, has never appeared as a live-action figure.

Except that one time.

In 1984, Arlington Television picked up the two-season animated TV series "The Plastic Man Comedy/Adventure Show" for syndication a few years after the show had concluded its Saturday morning run on ABC.  Not content to just repackage the old material, director Steve Whiting shot additional bookend footage for the show, featuring actor and comedian Mark Taylor (billed as "Taylor Marks") as the lead character in all his plastic glory.


The segments aren't exactly action packed - they're mostly making Plas making gags about the show coupled with some rudimentary special effects.  But the costume design is good, and Taylor seems to be having a good time, so it's not all that shocking that the syndicated package became a minor hit, with Taylor's Plas getting the attention of the San Francisco-based "Evening Magazine."

In fact, Taylor's incarnation of Plastic Man was enough of a hit that Whiting and Taylor took it on the road to the 1984 Democratic National Convention.  According to Noblemania's great interview with him, "I did a more lame version of what [Sasha Baron Cohen's 'Borat'] did so well."

Sadly, Taylor's Plastic Man didn't fare much better than the Democrats that year, and he was soon retired to the footnotes of history.  Taylor went on to continue his stand-up comedy work and, as of 2011, works in a hospital as a physical therapist - a perfectly appropriate calling for someone whose portrayal of an infamous comic book character who can assume any physical form is, to date, the definitive one.

An 8-year-old Sammy Davis Jr. is in charge in 1933's RUFUS JONES FOR PRESIDENT

Consummate entertainer Davis would have turned 89 today, so check out his acting debut that shows how talented he was even at the age of 8, as a young boy who dreams of being the preisdent of the United States in this musical short co-starring Ethel Waters as his mother.  It's an impressive short that utilizes the talents of both stars well, even if the certain racial archetypes are admittedly pretty dated.  Director Roy Mack helmed a number of early all-black cast shorts, including 1933's THAT'S THE SPIRIT and the Cab Calloway-starring HI DI HO.

Watch This Vote - 1957's "Behind the Freedom Curtain" shows off the latest in voting machines

If you're a good American, you'll be using a voting booth today (or will have in the past month or so), so why not take a look at the booth itself?  This short from the Prelinger Archives presented by the Automatic Voting Machine Corporation will give you the ins and outs of exactly how the democratic process works, at least at the time when there was a concerted effort to make sure everyone eligible had the opportunity and ability to vote. 

Watch This Vote - Linda Lovelace for President (1975)

Produced by choreographer-turned-exploitation mogul David Winters, this high-pitched political "satire" stars the titular adult film star in a presidential bid, with the likes of Micky Dolenz, Scatman Crothers, Chuck McGann and Joe E. Ross along for the ride.  It's not good!  The trailer is probably just offensive enough to suit your tastes, however.  (SFW)

Watch This Vote - Super President in "Day of the Locusts"

You think presidents have a rough time?  Imaging being both president AND a secret superhero.  In this adventure, our elected (presumably) leader faces off against locusts and a scientist of... er, questionable heritage.

Watch This Vote - Fred Karger's "Sexy Frisbee" Campaign Ad

I like Fred Karger, the would-be Republican presidential candidate who failed to make much headway into the 2012 election.  Mostly because he gives away frisbees, and his reign would involve a lot of beach parties.

Watch This Vote - Rappin' Ronnie

Released in 1983 as a reaction to President Reagan's "trickle-down" economics campaign that lower-income folk are still waiting to work, this is the sort of satire we had in the '80s. There are Mr. T references and a Bob Goodman shout-out.

Watch This Vote - "Ricardo Fratelli"'s great 2000 short MONDO FORD

Give this seven minute film a little bit to get interesting -- what starts out as a faux Italian "Mondo" film from 1965 about future president Gerald Ford becomes increasingly bizarre as the conspiracy begins to mount.

Watch This Vote - Why We Have Elections, or The Kings of Snark, a 1972 animated short about the electoral process

Ever wonder why we have to spend time determining whether we want to vote for some jerk, or some other jerk?  (Sorry, I live in Illinois.)  The Learning Corporation of America will teach you why, because nobody wants to give the town's control to Frankie the Fisherman.

Watch This Vote - Pat Paulsen, The Man Who Would be President

I'll try to be above the political fray today by only posting political content about older, joke candidates like Spuds McKenzie, Morris the Cat or Rick Santorum.  The best joke candidate of all, of course, was Pat Paulsen, who gave a satirical gag about politics in general from The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour into a life all its own, continuing to run for president in any year they had an election, and even some they didn't.  Here's a compilation of his typically deadpan political monologues.