More Classic "Sesame Street" Cartoons and Short Films

Mnay of us grew up on the world-renowned children's show and PBS icon Sesame Street. Sesame Street, which first aired in 1969, stars Jim Henson's famous, sometimes zany, Muppet characters.

Sesame Street is an hour-long program full of vingettes. Some of theses clips feature the Muppets, and others are Muppet-less cartoons and short films produced for the show. Some of Sesame Street cartoons and short films have become classic and memorable pieces, especially to those who grew up watching Sesame Street during the 1970s and 1980s.

Thanks to You Tube and the people who post videos on the web site, many of these classic Sesame Street cartoons and short films can be seen once again by those who saw them years ago. Furthermore, whole new generation of children who don't get to see these classic Sesame Street cartoons and short films on newer versions of the program can get to watch them on You Tube.

So let's look back and enjoy some of the classic Sesame Street cartoons and short films.

Pinball Count

Anyone who saw Sesame Street during the late 1970s into the 1980s will recall the carton series featuring a pinball that winds its way through a groovy pinball machine. The cartoons first appeared on Sesame Street in 1976 and is wonderfully accompanied by some funky music from the Pointer Sisters. Here is one clip from the series of 11 cartoons.

Circles

Circle geomtery rules this video. Children learn not just what circles look like but how diamaters, radii, and circumference work all while watching a colorful, mesmerizing piece set to the music of Philip Glass.

I Remember

Mom tells her daughter to go to the store to buy three items. The girl is sure she can remember the list...."A loaf of bread, a container of milk, and a stick of butter."

Linda Ronstadt Sings "The Charro Song"

In this 1987 piece, Linda Ronstadt, Elmo, Parker, and a Muppet Mariachi band sing a popular Mexican folk song.

"Put Down the Duckie"

In 1970, Ernie proclaimed his love of his rubber duckie. In the late 1980s, a song just as memorable was produced. "Put Down the Duckie" was perhaps one of the most popular Sesame Street songs of the 1980s. In this clip, several stars and famous names appear; this version on You Tube conveniently labels each celebrity's name as he or she appear on screen.

"Proud to be a Cow"

Gladys the Cow pretended to be various animals over the years, but in 1981 she decided to tell the world in song how proud she was to be a cow.

"Beat the Time" With Guy Smiley

Count von Count is the contestant on Guy Smiley's "Beat the Time." We also learn Guy's real name is Bernie Liederkrantz!

Kermit X-Rays Herry Monster

This 1986 sketch shows Kermit using a colorful X-Ray machine to educate kids on what is inside the body....Herry seems quite impressed with his muscle definition!

Harry Belafonte and Count Von Count Counting Coconuts

Harry Belafonte and Count von Count sit on a tiny island together singing about the coconut counting man.

Billy Joel Knows His ABCs

Billy Joel and a bunch of young children and Muppet friends sing the alphabet.

The Singing Orange

This is one talented orange. Watch her sing to the opera "Carmen" in this 1970s stop-action classic.

Jake the Snake

In the late 1980s, Jake the Snake really took the cake...no, literally...in his attempt to show the parts of his body.

"U" Really Has a Hold on Smokey Robinson

The letter "U" cant get itself off Smokey Robinson as the legendary Motown artist sings "You Really Got a Hold on Me" in this 1980s short.

Typewriter Guy

Typewriter Guy starred in a series of cartoons featuring the letters of the alphabet. In this clip, he teaches us the letter "M."

Counting to 10...Jazzy Style

A 1969 cartoon set to music by jazzist Danny Zeitlin. This is one in a series of ten "Jazz" clips featured on Sesame Street.

Be sure to enjoy the first article featuring a list of links to classic Sesame Street cartoons and short films here at Associated Content. You will also want to be sure to check out the Classic PBS Children's Television articles loking back at the memorable shows of the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.