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46-414: " Raging Abe Simpson and His Grumbling Grandson in 'The Curse of the Flying Hellfish ' " is the twenty-second episode of the seventh season of the American animated television series The Simpsons . It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on April 28, 1996. In the episode, one of Abraham Simpson 's fellow World War II veterans, Asa Phelps, dies, leaving him and Mr. Burns as

92-488: A Nielsen rating of 8.3, making it the second-highest-rated show on the Fox network the week it aired, and received positive reviews from critics, who particularly praised the animation of its action and underwater scenes. During Grandparents' Day at Springfield Elementary School , Grampa embarrasses Bart with his tall tales , straining their relationship. At the retirement home , Grampa receives word that Asa Phelps, one of

138-491: A Nielsen rating of 8.3. The episode was the second-highest-rated show on the Fox network that week, following The X-Files . The authors of the book I Can't Believe It's a Bigger and Better Updated Unofficial Simpsons Guide , Warren Martyn and Adrian Wood, wrote that the episode is "notable for Mr Burns' impersonation of Marge , some spectacular action sequences, and some good underwater scenes—but [it is] not especially brilliant". Dave Foster of DVD Times said: "It's easily

184-423: A dishonorable discharge for trying to kill his commanding officer and his grandson and expels him from the tontine. Before Grampa and Bart can leave with the paintings, several State Department agents arrive. They reveal the U.S. government has tried to find the paintings for 50 years to avoid an international incident with Germany. The agents confiscate the paintings and hand them to a Eurotrash heir of one of

230-477: A flashback , he reveals that the Flying Hellfish discovered several priceless paintings in a German castle during the final days of World War II. To avoid being caught stealing the paintings, the soldiers formed a tontine and locked them in a strongbox, which was hidden away; the last surviving member of their group would inherit the collection. Each man was given a key, all of which are needed to trigger

276-430: A confession written by town founder Jebediah Springfield revealing that he was a murderous pirate named Hans Sprungfeld who tried to attack George Washington and never cared about the people of Springfield. Homer decides to help Lisa get the message out, but they are arrested by the town council. Lisa claims Sprungfeld had a silver tongue so the council decides to exhume Jebediah to prove Lisa wrong. It turns out that there

322-566: A crazy old coot." The Simpsons season 7 The seventh season of the American animated television series The Simpsons originally aired on the Fox network between September 17, 1995, and May 19, 1996. The show runners for the seventh production season were Bill Oakley and Josh Weinstein who would executive produce 21 episodes this season. David Mirkin executive produced the remaining four, including two hold overs that were produced for

368-553: A dedication to her. After that, Lunchlady Doris had speaking parts in the season nine episode " Lisa's Sax ", which Grau had recorded before her death. From season nine until season eighteen , she appeared only as a background character but had a speaking role in " The Mook, the Chef, the Wife and Her Homer " where she was voiced by Tress MacNeille . The season started off with the heavily publicized "Who Shot Mr. Burns? (Part Two)", which

414-489: A fan favourite. On Rotten Tomatoes, the seventh season of The Simpsons has a 100% approval rating based on 6 critical reviews. In 1996, " Treehouse of Horror VI " was submitted for the Primetime Emmy Award in the " Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming less than One Hour) " category. They had submitted it because it had a 3D animation sequence, which the producers felt gave them an edge. However,

460-499: A lot of time to working on the episode. He storyboarded most of it by himself. The episode contains more effects shots than an average episode of The Simpsons , many of which were worked on by animator Dexter Reed. Other animators that worked on the episode include Chris Clements, Ely Lester, James Purdum, Tommy Tejeda, and Orlando Baeza. Much of the staging in the flashback scenes is based on DC Comics 's Sgt. Rock and Marvel Comics 's Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos . Many of

506-473: A mechanism that reveals where the paintings are hidden. After Grampa ends his story, Burns breaches Bart's bedroom wall with a cherry-picker and takes Grampa's key by force. After Bart retrieves Burns's and Grampa's keys using a sleight of hand , he and Grampa rush to the Hellfish monument in a local cemetery. After activating the locator mechanism in the monument, they learn that the paintings are hidden at

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552-428: A natural talent for golf and is challenged to a game by Mr. Burns. Meanwhile, Marge accidentally destroys her Chanel suit on the night of a gala ball where she will become a member of the club and buys a new one for thousands of dollars. She demands that her family behave themselves, but realizes that she is becoming too snobby and decides she doesn't want to join the club. While doing research for an essay, Lisa finds

598-456: A story about a background character that was not tied into the Simpson family at all. The idea never came to anything, as Groening realized that the staff did not have the manpower to produce another show as well as The Simpsons . The season saw the introduction of two new recurring characters: Disco Stu , and Brandine Spuckler . The seventh season was acclaimed by critics, and remains

644-427: A surefire way to get former Beatle Paul McCartney to guest star as he was the only living member of the group who had not done so. McCartney agreed, but only on the condition that Lisa stay a vegetarian and not revert. "22 Short Films About Springfield" has twelve credited writers, the most of any episode of the series. The episode features multiple stories about different characters. To decide who would write each of

690-481: A very notable exception. It's a lot of fun to see his wartime past, especially since we find precursors of series regulars. I also like the action swing the story takes, as it becomes clever and inventive. This comes out as a terrific show." Adam Finley of TV Squad listed "Raging Abe" as one of the most touching episodes of The Simpsons , noting that it is "more 'crazy action flick' than emotional, but I list it here because it shows Grandpa Simpson as someone other than

736-538: Is based on The Day of the Jackal . During that scene, Abe says "they'll never save your brain, Hitler", a reference to a 1963 movie called They Saved Hitler's Brain . The song played by Baron von Hertzenberger as he drives off is Caterpillar ( Rabbit in the Moon mix) by DJ Keoki . In its original broadcast, "The Curse of the Flying Hellfish" finished 48th in the ratings for the week of April 22 to April 28, 1996, with

782-568: Is briefly mistaken for former Washington D.C. Mayor Marion Barry with the assassin asking "Is it time for another shipment already?", a reference to the mayor's 1990 drug arrest. The sequence where Ox explains the concept of a tontine is similar to a scene in the M*A*S*H episode "Old Soldiers". The Flying Hellfish raid on the castle recalls the attack on the château in The Dirty Dozen . The scene where Grampa tries to assassinate Hitler

828-526: Is no silver tongue but Lisa later discovers that it had been stolen from the grave by Hollis Hurlbut, the local historian. The two rush to reveal the truth about Jebediah, but Lisa realizes that the myth had inspired the entire town and decides to keep it a secret. Guest star: Donald Sutherland Note: Channel 4 in the United Kingdom has removed this episode from its syndication in July 2024, in

874-486: The previous season . The season was nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards , including Outstanding Animated Program and won an Annie Award for Best Animated Television Program. The DVD box set was released in Region 1 on December 13, 2005, Region 2 on January 30, 2006, and Region 4 on March 22, 2006. The set was released in two different forms: a Marge-shaped box and also a standard rectangular-shaped box in which

920-546: The Emmy, the "Homer³" segment was awarded the Ottawa International Animation Festival grand prize. In 1996, The Simpsons became the first animated series to win a Peabody Award , and won it "for providing exceptional animation and stinging social satire, both commodities which are in extremely short supply in television today." At the 12th annual Television Critics Association Awards,

966-448: The attention Bush had been receiving, is outraged and launches a prank war. Bush eventually decides to leave Springfield and is replaced with Gerald Ford . Marge finds a fancy Chanel suit at a discount outlet store, and is invited to start spending time at the local country club. Marge immediately fits in but is forced to alter her suit every day so it appears that she is always wearing a new outfit. Meanwhile, Homer discovers that he has

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1012-515: The bottom of a lake. They borrow Ned Flanders 's motorboat and head to the location. Bart retrieves the strongbox during a dive. As he and Grampa open it, Burns arrives and takes the paintings at gunpoint. When Bart calls him a coward and an embarrassment to the Hellfish, Burns kicks him into the empty strongbox, which locks and topples back into the lake. After Grampa dives in and rescues Bart, they chase Burns back to shore, where Grampa overpowers him. Rather than killing Burns, Grampa instead gives him

1058-460: The criticism of the Season 6 set only being sold in a plastic packaging molded to look like Homer's head, which did not match the plain rectangular cardboard packagings of the first five seasons, Season 7 was offered in two packagings: A plastic packaging molded to look like Marge's head, and a standard rectangular cardboard box featuring Marge posing for a photo at a movie premiere. The menus continue

1104-575: The episode lost to Pinky and the Brain that year, and Bill Oakley later regretted submitting the episode because he felt that a more emotional episode like " Mother Simpson ", " Lisa the Vegetarian " or " Bart Sells His Soul " would have had a better chance of winning. Alf Clausen , Bill Oakley and Josh Weinstein were also nominated for "Outstanding Individual Achievement in Music and Lyrics" for

1150-455: The family lets him live in Bart 's room. Bart eventually joins Grampa in a daring mission to recover the paintings. Written by Jonathan Collier and directed by Jeffrey Lynch , the episode was inspired by several stories about lost art surfacing. The staging of several scenes was based on DC Comics 's Sgt. Rock and Marvel Comics 's Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos . The episode scored

1196-661: The five members of the Simpson family , exploring their feelings and emotions towards each other. They also wanted to produce a Treehouse of Horror episode, episodes about Sideshow Bob , Itchy & Scratchy and several "format-bending" episodes such as " 22 Short Films About Springfield ". Their preferred choice of guest stars were those with unique and interesting voices, and several of their guest stars were "old grizzled men with distinctive voices" such as R. Lee Ermey , Donald Sutherland , Kirk Douglas and Lawrence Tierney . David Mirkin , who had been executive producer for

1242-407: The following season . The episode "22 Short Films About Springfield" was originally written for being the pilot episode of a potential spin-off series entitled Springfield Stories or simply Springfield . The proposed show was planned to be focused on the town in general, rather than the Simpson family. Every week would be a different scenario: three short stories, an adventure with young Homer or

1288-513: The highlight of this season in terms of cinematic presence, with wonderful animation, staging and lighting which complements what is essentially a mini action adventure movie superbly realised via Grandpa and Bart. Like numerous episodes this season it also works as another example of family ties being reinforced though never at the sake of entertainment." DVD Movie Guide's Colin Jacobson wrote that "many Grampa episodes tank, but 'Hellfish' provides

1334-424: The look of the show, left following this season. Dominic Polcino and Mike B. Anderson , who had previously worked on the show as part of the animation staff, both directed their first episodes. Doris Grau , script supervisor for the show and voice of Lunchlady Doris died on December 30, 1995. The episode "Team Homer", which aired eight days later, was one of the last episodes to feature her voice and featured

1380-403: The majority of the writing staff stayed on for the next season, both Greg Daniels and Brent Forrester received their last writing credits during season seven. Jon Vitti , who had left following the fourth season , returned to write " Home Sweet Homediddly-Dum-Doodily " as well as " The Simpsons 138th Episode Spectacular ". Wes Archer , a long-time director for The Simpsons who helped define

1426-619: The men who served under his command in the Army during World War II , has died. Grampa and Mr. Burns are now the only two surviving members of their infantry squad, known as the Flying Hellfish. Unwilling to wait for Grampa's natural death, Burns hires an assassin named Fernando Vidal to kill him. After avoiding several attempts on his life, Grampa seeks refuge at the Simpsons' house. He bunks in Bart's room and explains why Burns wants him dead. In

Raging Abe Simpson and His Grumbling Grandson in 'The Curse of the Flying Hellfish' - Misplaced Pages Continue

1472-406: The only living members of Grampa's war squad, the Flying Hellfish. In the final days of the war, the unit had discovered several paintings and agreed on a tontine , placing the paintings in a crate, and the final surviving member would inherit the paintings. As Mr. Burns wants the paintings as soon as possible, he orders Abe's assassination . To escape death, Abe moves into the Simpsons' house, where

1518-458: The original owners, leaving Bart and Grampa empty-handed. Despite the loss, Grampa is content, knowing he has proven to Bart that he is not just a pathetic old man. Having reconciled, they hug. The heir then tells them to "get a room". Bart gets embarrassed. Jonathan Collier , who wrote the episode, got the idea after reading several then-current stories about lost art surfacing. The story then evolved into one involving Grampa and Burns, and it gave

1564-539: The paintings in the episode are based on real paintings that went missing during World War II . The animators referenced a book of lost art for the designs. Other cultural references in the episode include Grampa's recollection of his brush with death at the Retirement Castle, which is a reference to Dorothy's return to Kansas in The Wizard of Oz . Mr. Burns introduces himself to the assassin as "M.B." and

1610-430: The previous two seasons, was credited as a consulting producer for the seventh season but also executive produced the episodes " Who Shot Mr. Burns? (Part Two) ", " Radioactive Man ", " Lisa the Vegetarian " and " Team Homer ". Steve Tompkins , Dan Greaney , Richard Appel and Rachel Pulido received their first writing credits while Spike Feresten and Jack Barth received their only writing credits this season. Although

1656-406: The publicity of the episode too far. Several critics said the special tainted Walsh's credibility and was described as gimmicky, tacky and "blatant groveling for viewers". The episode "Lisa the Vegetarian" features one of the few permanent character changes in the series when Lisa officially becomes a vegetarian. The episode had been pitched by David S. Cohen and the producers felt it would be

1702-541: The same format from the fifth and sixth seasons, and the menus use a Hollywood theme that show various characters at a movie premiere. Eurotrash (term) Among the early printed uses of the term was in the early 1980s, when Taki Theodoracopulos , a wealthy Greek living in New York City , wrote a newspaper column titled "Eurotrash" in The East Side Express. The term was also used into

1748-438: The segments, all of the writers chose their top three favorite characters and put them into a hat, the names were drawn out and the writers were assigned their parts and Greg Daniels put all of the segments together and ordered them. Two more episodes, " You Only Move Twice " and " El Viaje Misterioso de Nuestro Jomer (The Mysterious Voyage of Homer) " were produced as part of the season seven (3Fxx) production run, but both aired

1794-503: The seventh season of the show was nominated for 'Outstanding Achievement in Comedy,' but lost to "Frasier." A Halloween special which is divided into three short stories: Homer assembles a bowling team consisting of Apu, Moe and Otto so he can play on league nights. He gets the team funding from Mr. Burns during one of his ether-induced hallucinations. The team does well until Mr. Burns discovers that he paid for them and decides to join

1840-418: The song "Señor Burns" from " Who Shot Mr. Burns? (Part Two) ". The series won several other awards for this season, including an Annie Award for "Best Animated Television Program". " Lisa the Vegetarian " won both an Environmental Media Award for "Best Television Episodic Comedy" and a Genesis Award for "Best Television Comedy Series, Ongoing Commitment". Although "Treehouse of Horror VI" failed to win

1886-651: The team. The team starts losing games but still manage to make it to the league championship where they manage to win. The team is overjoyed but Mr. Burns has a change of heart and takes the trophy for himself. Meanwhile, the students of Springfield Elementary School are forced to wear uniforms after Bart comes to school wearing a T-shirt with a shocking message on it. Former president George Bush moves to Springfield and Bart starts to annoy him. One day Bush loses control and spanks Bart after Bart accidentally destroys Bush's newly-typed memoirs and Bush becoming fed up with Bart bothering him too much. Homer, who had been jealous of

Raging Abe Simpson and His Grumbling Grandson in 'The Curse of the Flying Hellfish' - Misplaced Pages Continue

1932-400: The theme is a movie premiere. The season was the first season executively produced by Bill Oakley and Josh Weinstein , who had written episodes for previous seasons. They were chosen partly because they had been with the show since the third season and understood many of its dynamics. When they took over the series they wanted many of the episodes to be realistic ones that focused more on

1978-411: The unit was designed using the original name and was not subsequently changed when the name was switched. Supervising director David Silverman describes the directing in the episode as an "amazingly brilliant job". Director Jeffrey Lynch received help from Brad Bird , with whom he worked on many complex staging shots. Lynch did not have any other episodes to work on at the time and was able to devote

2024-614: The wake of the attempted assassination of Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania . The DVD boxset for season seven was released by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment in the United States and Canada on December 13, 2005, nine years after it had completed broadcast on television. As well as every episode from the season, the DVD release features bonus material including deleted scenes , Animatics , and commentaries for every episode. After

2070-411: The writers a chance to introduce the relatives of some of the recurring characters. The other members of the Flying Hellfish were based on stereotypical war movie characters. The idea of having a tontine came from Bill Oakley , who got the idea from "an old Barney Miller episode". Collier originally named the unit the "Fighting Hellfish" but it was later changed to the "Flying Hellfish". The logo for

2116-414: Was the resolution to the first part , which had been a cliffhanger. It was preceded by "Springfield's Most Wanted", a TV special hosted by John Walsh , host of America's Most Wanted and was parody of Walsh's television series, this special was designed to help people find out who shot Mr. Burns, by laying out the potential clues and identifying the possible suspects. The special was criticized for taking

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