Little Johnny Jet (1953)

In the animated skies of the 1950s, we meet John and Mary, a pair of endearing airplanes united in matrimony. John, an unemployed B-29 bomber, struggles to regain his position in the rapidly modernizing world of aviation. His determination intensifies when he learns of their incoming baby. When the newborn arrives, he brings with him a twist of fate - he's a jet plane, the very symbol of John's plight. In a world that now venerates speed over endurance, John is desperate to prove his worth. When news of an around-the-globe race arrives, with the promise of a lucrative government contract for the winner, he sees a chance to reclaim his place in the sky. Against Mary's pleas, he sets off, with their adventure-seeking son, Junior, secretly nestled within him. As the race unfolds, John finds himself outpaced by the sleek, new generation jets. His propellers, strained beyond measure, abandon him in mid-flight, leaving him spiralling towards a catastrophic downfall. It's at this moment of peril that Junior emerges from his father's body, displaying the very speed John had despised, to save him from a fatal crash. In this tale of familial love and change, Little Johnny Jet showcases the struggle between tradition and modernity, embodied by the aviation family. The race ends not just in victory, but in the acceptance of the new world, with the Air Force desiring hundreds more like little Junior. This charming narrative reminds us that progress, however intimidating, can often be the lifeline we need when we're spiralling towards the ground.

Little Johnny Jet is an animation movie featuring Daws Butler and directed by Tex Avery.

Little Johnny Jet is currently streaming on TCM.