"The Simpsons" Itchy & Scratchy: The Movie (1992)

Director:

Rich Moore

Writers:

Matt Groening (creator)
James L. Brooks (developer) ...

TV Series:

"The Simpsons" (1989)

Original Air Date:

3 November 1992 (Season 4, Episode 6)

Genre:

Animation | Comedy

Plot:

Pulling one prank too many costs Bart the opportunity to see the Itchy and Scratchy Movie.

Plot Keywords:

Dog Driving Car | Child Driving Car | Obscene Finger Gesture | North Korea | Soylent Green

Cast

Dan Castellaneta	...	Homer Simpson / Grampa (voice)
Julie Kavner	...	Marge Simpson (voice)
Nancy Cartwright	...	Bart Simpson / Nelson Muntz / Todd Flanders (voice)
Yeardley Smith	...	Lisa Simpson (voice)
Hank Azaria	...	Moe Szyslak / Chief Wiggum / Apu / Comic Book Guy / Cletus / Prof. Frink / Others (voice)
Harry Shearer	...	Montgomery Burns / Waylon Smithers / Ned Flanders / Kent Brockman / Rev. Lovejoy / Principal Skinner / Dr. Hibbert / Rainer Wolfcastle / Others (voice)
Marcia Wallace	...	Edna Krabappel (voice)
Pamela Hayden	...	Milhouse Van Houten / Rod Flanders / Others (voice)
Maggie Roswell	...	Maude Flanders / Helen Lovejoy / Others (voice)

Runtime:

Argentina:30 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Argentina:Atp

Company:

20th Century Fox Television

Trivia:

When Lisa returns from the movie, Bart asks her how it was. After initially saying it was bad to spare Bart's feelings, Bart prods her into telling him how she really felt. During her brief but glowing review, she mentions the guest voices by mentioning, "Dustin Hoffman, Michael Jackson... They didn't use their real names, but you knew it was them." This is a fun reference to the actual series, and the two guest stars who did not use their real names. Michael Jackson used "John Jay Smith," and Dustin Hoffman was credited as "Sam Etic" in his appearance.

Goofs:

Factual errors: In the "Itchy and Scratchy beating up Hitler" cartoon, Franklin D. Roosevelt shows up to kick Hitler's body. But FDR was a known paraplegic and was unable to move his legs, let alone kick someone with them.

Quotes:

Homer: I know my punishment may seem harsh, but I can't go back on it. You're welcome to watch anything you want on TV.
Bart: TV sucks.
Homer: [with restrained anger] I know you're upset right now, so I'll pretend you didn't say that.

Movie Connections:

Spoofs Der Fuehrer's Face (1942)

Soundtrack:

Sabre Dance (from Gayane)

A simple secret of Simpsons success

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

I have to confess that I find the first 5 episodes of Season 4 a bit too unfocused, or should I say a bit too focused on some supporting characters that are best taken in small doses (Krusty the Clown being #1 on that list). "Itchy & Scratchy: The Movie" brings the focus back on the Simpsons family, where it belongs. The story is very simple: Bart's continuous pranks and failures at school push his parents to the limit, and Homer decides to punish him by not allowing him to watch the newly released in the theaters Itchy & Scratchy Movie. The title of this episode is somewhat misleading: the I&SM is more of a plot device rather than the centerpiece, although there is a great parody of the classic "Steamboat Willie" cartoon and other funny & violent Itchy & Scratchy moments sprinkled throughout. The flash-forward finish is unusual and intriguing, because it seems to present not a possible but a definite future for Homer and Bart. *** out of 4.