RiffTrax Shorts Season 21 Episode 3 Reading from Now On
- January 3, 2012
- 8 min
RiffTrax Shorts is an American television show that lampoons short educational and instructional movies from the olden days, using hilarious commentary to make fun of the absurdity of these films. Each episode of RiffTrax Shorts features a different selection of short films, with an accompanying running commentary of witty wisecracks that will have you laughing non-stop.
In the episode titled "Reading from Now On," the team of RiffTrax comedians takes on a collection of short films that were designed to instill a love and appreciation of reading in young students. As always, the RiffTrax team takes a comedic approach to the material, making witty jokes and hilarious observations about the dated style and content of these old films.
One of the films featured in this episode is "Look and Listen," a 1953 educational film that implores children to listen carefully and pay attention, so they can become better readers. The RiffTrax team has a field day mocking the stilted dialogue and cheesy visual effects of the film, as well as the outdated advice it gives to young readers.
Another film that gets the RiffTrax treatment in this episode is "Fables and Facts," a 1955 animated short that combines traditional fairy tales with factual information about nature and the animal kingdom. The RiffTrax team pokes fun at the strange mix of fantasy and reality in the film, as well as the odd animation style that makes the animals look more like cartoon characters than realistic creatures.
Other films featured in "Reading from Now On" include "Neighborhood House," a 1946 film that shows how a community center can help children learn and grow; "Why Play Leap-Frog?" a 1950 film that explains the educational benefits of playing childhood games; and "Letter From Korea," a 1950 film that tells the story of a young Korean boy who learns to read thanks to the help of American soldiers.
As always, the RiffTrax comedians bring their trademark brand of humor to each of these short films, making fun of everything from the outdated fashion and hairstyles to the overly dramatic musical scores. They also make amusing observations about the differences in educational standards and techniques between the past and present, highlighting how much things have changed in the world of education.
Overall, "Reading from Now On" is a hilarious episode of RiffTrax Shorts that is sure to delight both fans of the show and anyone who enjoys good old-fashioned comedic commentary. So gather the family, grab some popcorn, and settle in for some side-splitting laughs as the RiffTrax team takes on some of the most absurd educational shorts from days gone by.