Fred Van Winkle (episode)

Fred Van Winkle is the twenty-fifth of the live-action segments from The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!. Its corresponding animated episode is "Sing for the Unicorn" from The Legend of Zelda.

Plot Synopsis
Mario and Luigi are in the middle of fixing the furnace. Mario tells Luigi to watch out for the furnace as he might get clunked in the head. Assuring Mario that he won't, Luigi moves his head out of the way just as the dial pops out. After a second time, the furnace succeeds hitting him when it pops out the third time.

A old man walks in and invites them for 23 skiddoo, hot tamales, and other activities as soon as he find his razor. Mario, not understanding what he means asks Luigi what he's talking about. Luigi tells Mario that the old man wants to get out, find some pretty girls, and go dancing with them. The old man is asked when he fell asleep. According to him, it was only last night. When asked what year it is, he believes it is still 1929.

The old man introduces himself as Fred Van Winkle. Luigi shows him what is happening and what modern science has given them, such as portable computers, food processors, video games and indoor plumbing.

Mario shows him several modern toys, such as an Etch A Sketch, and a Slinky. With the Slinky, however, Mario tells Fred that it is a phone line for Martians. Of course, when Fred tries calling, it does not work.

Luigi asks Mario why he is joking around. Mario apparently can't help it if Fred doesn't know a good joke when he hears one. Luigi explains to him that Fred is going to have enough trouble adjusting to modern life as it is. Meanwhile Fred gets his beard caught in a vacuum cleaner, thinking that it is trying to eat him.

Later, Fred is given overalls and Mario's "favorite blue shirt." Luigi states that Mario's clothes are too big for him. Mario responds by saying Fred hasn't eaten in sixty years. Fred mistakes the food stains on the shirt as modern art. Luigi invites Fred on a subway ride, and then to New York and to lots of other places.

Fred decides that this isn't the right time period for him, and he goes to take a nap. He asks to be awakened in 1997. When the Mario Bros. realize that is eight years later, they chase after him, Mario demanding he get his clothes back.

Trivia

 * This segment is one of the five live-action episodes included on Shout! Factory's The Legend of Zelda DVD set.