As a grandfather of two lively young boys who call me “Pop Pop,” I often struggle to relate to their favorite cartoons—Bluey, Power Rangers, and whatever else is flashing across their screens. Meanwhile, I miss the zany charm of Bugs Bunny, the chaos of Daffy Duck and the timeless magic of Looney Tunes. That’s why I was thrilled to hear about the expanded Monday Morning Movies series from the Los Gatos Thrives project.
The Kids Movie Matinee (KMM) series runs on June 21, July 19 and August 16, from 9:45am to noon. Admission is just $5 for kids and $10 for adults, including grandparents like me. Add in discounted popcorn and soda, and you’ve got a recipe for a perfect morning at the movies.
This summer’s lineup kicks off with “How to Train Your Dragon 2”—a modern hit with the kids. But what really excites me is the celebration of classic Looney Tunes shorts that will accompany the feature films. It’s a brilliant way to bridge generations through laughter.
Why they still matter
For those of us born in the pre-digital era, Looney Tunes wasn’t just a cartoon series, it was a cultural staple. One of the leaders behind the KMM project, Ginger McDonald, recalls visiting Manhattan’s Belasco Theater in the 1940s. With five cents in hand, she’d enjoy hours of comedy and clever animation. Money was tight—her parents managed a tenant building and kept it warm with coal—but she and other neighborhood kids sang and danced outside bars to collect enough change for a ticket, plus popcorn and candy.
That’s the kind of memory that sticks. And now, KMM is helping today’s kids create memories of their own—with a little Looney flair.
A quick refresher
If it’s been a while since you last saw a cartoon rabbit outsmart a hunter, here’s a refresher:
- Porky Pig debuted in 1935’s “I Haven’t Got a Hat,” making him the first major Looney Tunes star. He also made famous the sign-off line: “Th-th-th-th-that’s all, folks!”
- Bugs Bunny, who rose to fame in 1938’s “Porky’s Hare Hunt,” became the face of the franchise. With his “Eh… What’s up, doc?” and cool demeanor, he stole the show.
- Daffy Duck, Bugs’ chaotic counterpart, added manic humor and became a fan favorite in his own right.
- Lola Bunny, introduced in 1996’s Space Jam, serves as Bugs’ love interest and a mainstay in modern Looney productions.
- Other beloved characters include Elmer Fudd, Sylvester and Tweety, Foghorn Leghorn, Speedy Gonzales and Yosemite Sam—part of a core cast of 16 iconic characters.
- For younger viewers, the “Baby Looney Tunes” spinoff features mini versions of Bugs, Daffy, Lola and friends, giving a new generation its own Looney laugh.
Timeless appeal
So why do Looney Tunes still resonate? It’s the combination of slapstick, clever wordplay and timeless storytelling. The brilliance of these cartoons is that they entertain both kids and adults—physical comedy for the little ones, sharp humor for the grownups.
Watching youngsters crack up at the same gags that had me rolling decades ago is more than just fun—it’s a shared experience. Looney Tunes proves that great humor doesn’t age; it just gets passed down.
More Than Just Cartoons
The Monday Morning Movies series is about more than screen time. It’s about community. At a time when entertainment is often solo and on-demand, Los Gatos Thrives is creating space for families to gather, laugh together and make memories.
So yes, my grandsons might argue that Bluey is unbeatable. But I suspect that once they see Bugs Bunny slip past Elmer Fudd or Daffy Duck go off the rails, they’ll get a taste of the good stuff. Just like Ginger and I did back in the day.
Mark Your Calendars!
Here’s what you need to know:
🎬 KMM Schedule:
📅 June 21, July 19, August 16
🕘 9:45am–noon
🎟️ $5 kids | $10 adults
🍿 Discounted popcorn and soda
🎞️ Family films + classic Looney Tunes shorts
Get tickets in advance (losgatosthrives.org) or at the door.
Come relive the classics. Share a laugh with the kids. And when Porky Pig appears at the end to say, “That’s all, folks!”—you’ll know it wasn’t just a cartoon, but a connection that spans generations.
See you there!
