Here's a Disney rarity I found on the Cartoon Research blog. It starred a long-dormant character named the Orange Bird. He was created in 1967 in an agreement between Disney and the Florida Orange Growers to promote orange juice in the state known for oranges. Singer Anita Bryant was the spokesperson in commercials for the FOG during the '70s and was closely associated with the Orange Bird. Unfortunately, when she publicly made some anti-gay views concerning some employees in the state in 1977, the bird's linked reputation with her became sullied and was eventually erased from existence after the contract expired in 1986. Before that, however, Disney had some educational filmstrips made of the character extolling the nutritional values of a balanced meal which also became the subject of this particular short meant to be shown at various elementary schools. While Disney was always an active animation company, in this instance, the production was farmed out to Rick Reinert Productions. Reinert directed and provided the backgrounds for this short. It has OB preparing to go south for the winter by exercising and eating the right foods. He gets taught this by an absent-minded doctor who occasionally mistakes a bird skeleton for him. Then he finds a family at a beach...No need to mention what happens after that, I'll just say this was quite interesting to watch with some amusing scenes and a nice lesson being provided. Oh, and among the voices who play various characters are Hal Smith and June Foray! So on that note, Food and Fun: A Nutrition Adventure is worth a look for anyone interested in Disney rarities.
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