Do you think if Mel Brooks had co-written, produced and directed his 1987 comedy Spaceballs in Scotland, “They’ve gone to tartan” would be as funny as “They’ve gone to plaid”?
Let us try to explain the cover in this month of Irish celebrations, fish fries, March Madness, egg hunts and the arrival of spring.
In the movie Spaceballs, claimed to be among our design and digital editor’s favorite movies, when Spaceball-1 achieves “Ludicrous Speed,” Lone Starr (Played by Bill Pullman as a parody of Luke Skywalker and Han Solo) states that they’ve “Gone to plaid.”
When first introduced to that parody, my thoughts turned to kilt-colors and sometimes stirring sounds that Scottish bagpipes play.
When the editor tried to enlighten me about the phrase “gone to plaid,” he explained that “plaid is just plain funny.” He further admonished that because it’s a joke, and if it needs to be explained, I just didn’t catch the humor.
So be it.
Yet considering countless ups and downs here in Naperville during the shortest month of the year, I longed for humor. I searched elsewhere for answers since I’d never watched all 1 hour and 36 minutes of Spaceballs. Have you?
According to the trailer, the synopsis of Spaceballs is as follows: In a distant galaxy, planet Spaceball has depleted its air supply, leaving its citizens reliant on a product called “Perri-Air.” (Get it? A spoof on Perrier.)
In desperation, Spaceball’s leader President Skroob (Mel Brooks) orders the evil Dark Helmet (Rick Moranis) to kidnap Princess Vespa (Daphne Zuniga) of oxygen-rich Druidia and hold her hostage in exchange for air. But help arrives for the Princess in the form of renegade space pilot Lone Starr and his half-man, half-dog partner, Barf (John Candy).
The star-pilot for hire and his trusty sidekick must come to the rescue of a princess and save Planet Druidia from the clutches of the evil.
All that said, Spaceballs is primarily a parady of the original Star Wars trilogy. Remember “May the force be with you?” now celebrated annually throughout the universe on May 4. Spaceballs also spoofs other sci-fi films such as Star Trek, Alien, 2001: A Space Odyssey and Planet of the Apes. One source even suggested the use of “plaid” comes from an old Warner Brothers cartoon featuring two mice and a cat.
Are you beginning to get the picture?
Moving right along with outer space on our mind, on February 22 an American spacecraft made its first historic lunar landing since the Apollo mission more than 50 years ago. Did anyone mention they’ve gone to plaid? Were we glad? Were we sad?
Fly us to the moon and let’s play among the stars. Let’s sing as Nat King Cole did to see what spring is like on Jupiter and Mars. In metaphoric words, let’s experience the wonders of the great outdoors and Spaceballs!
Marching Right Along…
According to NASA, on Mon., April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the U.S. and Canada. The total solar eclipse will begin over the South Pacific Ocean. Weather permitting, the first location in continental North America that will experience totality is Mexico’s Pacific coast at around 11:07AM PDT. The closest location to Naperville will be Carbondale, Illinois, between 12:42PM CDT and 2:30PM.
Late last year, PN received news that Southern Illinois University Carbondale is offering a limited number of rooms for eclipse enthusiasts visiting the area during the days preceding the April 8 event.
University officials have opened University Hall for a five-day, four-night stay from April 5 through April 9. The on-campus housing will provide the perfect opportunity to enjoy the area and events leading up to the total solar eclipse that begins at 1:59PM that Mon., April 8. We failed to reserve a room, opting instead to spread Spaceballs’ punnery.
As you journey through life, “May the Schwartz Be with You,” regardless of what speed you travel. Come down to reality. Even if it’s Ludicrous Speed.
Enjoy the fun, frolic and free spirit that come with March. Restore faith. Celebrate safely.
– Stephanie Penick
PN Publisher
