Thumbs!
Encyclopedia
Thumbs! is a collective term for the O Entertainment
short films created by Steve Oedekerk
using "Thumbation" technology, a process which combines live-action thumb
s and superimposition
of the voice actors
' faces. The first short, Thumb Wars
, was created as a television special and spawned the rest of the series.
Each filmette is available on DVD, with exclusive extra footage on the Thumb Wars/Thumbtanic Thumb Double Feature. The entire series is available in a box set called "All Thumbs", which does not include the Double Feature or "The Thumbersons" short.
An ongoing joke in the series is the appearance of a one-eyed thumb, who appears in each filmette to give his signature line of "eh-hoo."
Most of the shorts have aired on Cartoon Network
, before the show or film being parodied air, such as Thumb Wars
(for Star Wars: The Clone Wars
) and Bat Thumb (for airings of Batman and Robin). "Franken thumb
" aired around Halloween 2008 and was released on DVD on October 24, 2009. "Blair Thumb
" aired in Halloween 2009. It is currently unknown when "Thumbtanic
" and "The Godthumb" will air.
Due to renewed popularity of the Thumbs! on Cartoon Network
, O Entertainment
may eventually release these filmettes.
), "Jaws Thumb" (a parody of Jaws
), "Viva Thumb Vegas" (a parody of Viva Las Vegas
), "The Fairly OddThumbs" (a parody of The Fairly OddParents
), "Thumbbusters" (a parody of Ghostbusters
), "Catthumb" (a parody of Catwoman
), "Thumb America" (a parody of Captain America).
has considered are as follows:
O Entertainment
O Entertainment is a production company founded by Steve Oedekerk in 1990. Among O Entertainment productions such as the Thumb series , Santa vs...
short films created by Steve Oedekerk
Steve Oedekerk
Stephen Brenton "Steve" Oedekerk is an American comedian, director, editor, producer, screenwriter and actor. Oedekerk is best known for his collaborations with actor Jim Carrey and director Tom Shadyac , his series of "Thumbmation" shorts and his film Kung Pow: Enter the Fist .-Life and...
using "Thumbation" technology, a process which combines live-action thumb
Thumb
The thumb is the first digit of the hand. When a person is standing in the medical anatomical position , the thumb is the lateral-most digit...
s and superimposition
Superimposition
In graphics, superimposition is the placement of an image or video on top of an already-existing image or video, usually to add to the overall image effect, but also sometimes to conceal something .This technique is used in cartography to produce photomaps by superimposing grid lines, contour lines...
of the voice actors
Voice acting
Voice acting is the art of providing voices for animated characters and radio and audio dramas and comedy, as well as doing voice-overs in radio and television commercials, audio dramas, dubbed foreign language films, video games, puppet shows, and amusement rides.Performers are called...
' faces. The first short, Thumb Wars
Thumb Wars
Thumb Wars: The Phantom Cuticle is a 1999 short film directed by Steve Oedekerk. Using dressed up and coifed thumbs as puppets, Oedekerk created a parody of the trilogy of science fiction moves, Star Wars, with characters like Loke Groundrunner, Princess Bunhead, Oobeedoob Benubi, Hand Duet,...
, was created as a television special and spawned the rest of the series.
Each filmette is available on DVD, with exclusive extra footage on the Thumb Wars/Thumbtanic Thumb Double Feature. The entire series is available in a box set called "All Thumbs", which does not include the Double Feature or "The Thumbersons" short.
An ongoing joke in the series is the appearance of a one-eyed thumb, who appears in each filmette to give his signature line of "eh-hoo."
Most of the shorts have aired on Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network is a name of television channels worldwide created by Turner Broadcasting which used to primarily show animated programming. The channel began broadcasting on October 1, 1992 in the United States....
, before the show or film being parodied air, such as Thumb Wars
Thumb Wars
Thumb Wars: The Phantom Cuticle is a 1999 short film directed by Steve Oedekerk. Using dressed up and coifed thumbs as puppets, Oedekerk created a parody of the trilogy of science fiction moves, Star Wars, with characters like Loke Groundrunner, Princess Bunhead, Oobeedoob Benubi, Hand Duet,...
(for Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008 TV series)
-Production:At April 2005's Star Wars Celebration III, Lucas stated that "we are working on a 3-D continuation of the pilot series that was on the Cartoon Network; we probably won't start that project for another year." In July 2005, pre-production had begun on the series, according to Steve...
) and Bat Thumb (for airings of Batman and Robin). "Franken thumb
Franken thumb
Frankenthumb is a comedy directed by Steve Oedekerk. It is the fourth filmette in the Thumbs! series from O Entertainment. It runs 32 minutes long. It was released in 2002. It appeared on Cartoon Network's Har Har Tharsdays near Halloween 2008, strangly rated R, then rated PG.-Plot Overview:The...
" aired around Halloween 2008 and was released on DVD on October 24, 2009. "Blair Thumb
Blair Thumb
Blair Thumb, a parody of The Blair Witch Project is a 2002 comedy filmette made by O Entertainment and directed by Steve Oedekerk. It is the fifth filmette in the Thumbs! parody series. It aired on Cartoon Network's Har Har Tharsdays on Halloween 2009....
" aired in Halloween 2009. It is currently unknown when "Thumbtanic
Thumbtanic
Thumbtanic is a 2002 short film, directed by Todd Portugal and written by Steve Oedekerk, which parodies the 1997 film Titanic. It is a part of the Thumbs! series, created by Steve Oedekerk and produced by O Entertainment. The film runs approximately 26 minutes in length.-Storyline:The film begins...
" and "The Godthumb" will air.
Filmettes
- "Thumb WarsThumb WarsThumb Wars: The Phantom Cuticle is a 1999 short film directed by Steve Oedekerk. Using dressed up and coifed thumbs as puppets, Oedekerk created a parody of the trilogy of science fiction moves, Star Wars, with characters like Loke Groundrunner, Princess Bunhead, Oobeedoob Benubi, Hand Duet,...
" was a 29 minute 1999 parody of The Star WarsStar WarsStar Wars is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas. The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year...
movie series. - "The Godthumb" was a 2001 parody of The GodfatherThe GodfatherThe Godfather is a 1972 American epic crime film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, based on the 1969 novel by Mario Puzo. With a screenplay by Puzo, Coppola and an uncredited Robert Towne, the film stars Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, Robert Duvall, Sterling Hayden, John Marley, Richard...
. The short film followed the Godthumb, a leader of a Mafia family and his four sons. - "Bat Thumb" was a 2001 adaptation of the BatmanBatmanBatman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
movie series. This 30 minute film combines elements of the classic Batman TV series with Adam WestAdam WestWilliam West Anderson , better known by the stage name Adam West, is an American actor best known for his lead role in the Batman TV series and the film of the same name...
with more recent Batman Movie elements. - "Frankenthumb" was a 32 minute animated film. The story changed the characters of Frankenstein slightly to Dr. Frankenthumb, Humpy (IgorIgorIgor is a given name derived from the Norse name Ingvar, that was brought to ancient Rus' by the Norse Varangians, in the form Ingvar or Yngvar...
) and "Pepper" (aka Frankenstein's MonsterFrankenstein's monsterFrankenstein's monster is a fictional character that first appeared in Mary Shelley's novel, Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus. The creature is often erroneously referred to as "Frankenstein", but in the novel the creature has no name...
). Frankenthumb was released in the US in 2002. - "Blair ThumbBlair ThumbBlair Thumb, a parody of The Blair Witch Project is a 2002 comedy filmette made by O Entertainment and directed by Steve Oedekerk. It is the fifth filmette in the Thumbs! parody series. It aired on Cartoon Network's Har Har Tharsdays on Halloween 2009....
" (2002) was a short film parody of the movie The Blair Witch ProjectThe Blair Witch ProjectThe Blair Witch Project is a 1999 American horror film pieced together from amateur footage. The film was produced by the Haxan Films production company. The film relates the story of three student filmmakers The Blair Witch Project is a 1999 American horror film pieced together from amateur...
. - "ThumbtanicThumbtanicThumbtanic is a 2002 short film, directed by Todd Portugal and written by Steve Oedekerk, which parodies the 1997 film Titanic. It is a part of the Thumbs! series, created by Steve Oedekerk and produced by O Entertainment. The film runs approximately 26 minutes in length.-Storyline:The film begins...
" was 26 minutes in length, and featured a parody of the theme song from the 1997 movie Titanic, called My Heart is a Thumb. Thumbtanic was released in the US in 2002.
Filmettes Awaiting Release
- "Thumbatrix," a parody of "The MatrixThe MatrixThe Matrix is a 1999 science fiction-action film written and directed by Larry and Andy Wachowski, starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe Pantoliano, and Hugo Weaving...
", was set to be released in 2003, but never was. A trailer is available on the official Thumbs! website. The trailer shows a thumb peeing in slow motion. Afterwards, he says "Whoa. Head rush." Then he walks off, possibly to wash his hands in slow motion. - "WTW: World Thumb Wrestling", a parody of WWE, was set to be released in 2003, but never was. It is unknown whether it was completed. A trailer is available on the official Thumbs! website. The trailer shows a wrestler telling a story of how he beat a guy up. Then, another man says the wrestling they do is fake. Then, the wrestler punches him and says "Did that feel fake, panzy boy?!?"
Due to renewed popularity of the Thumbs! on Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network is a name of television channels worldwide created by Turner Broadcasting which used to primarily show animated programming. The channel began broadcasting on October 1, 1992 in the United States....
, O Entertainment
O Entertainment
O Entertainment is a production company founded by Steve Oedekerk in 1990. Among O Entertainment productions such as the Thumb series , Santa vs...
may eventually release these filmettes.
Shorts
- "The Thumbersons", a small short, came with the "Thumb Wars/ Thumbtanic Thumb Double Feature".
Collections
- "Thumb Wars/ Thumbtanic Thumb Double Feature" is the only double feature of Thumbs! available. It includes "Thumb WarsThumb WarsThumb Wars: The Phantom Cuticle is a 1999 short film directed by Steve Oedekerk. Using dressed up and coifed thumbs as puppets, Oedekerk created a parody of the trilogy of science fiction moves, Star Wars, with characters like Loke Groundrunner, Princess Bunhead, Oobeedoob Benubi, Hand Duet,...
" and "ThumbtanicThumbtanicThumbtanic is a 2002 short film, directed by Todd Portugal and written by Steve Oedekerk, which parodies the 1997 film Titanic. It is a part of the Thumbs! series, created by Steve Oedekerk and produced by O Entertainment. The film runs approximately 26 minutes in length.-Storyline:The film begins...
". It also comes with the exclusive short "The Thumbersons". In 2005, it was released for the PlayStation PortablePlayStation PortableThe is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Corporation Development of the console was announced during E3 2003, and it was unveiled on , 2004, at a Sony press conference before E3 2004...
's UMD Video. - "All Thumbs!" is a boxed set containing "Thumb WarsThumb WarsThumb Wars: The Phantom Cuticle is a 1999 short film directed by Steve Oedekerk. Using dressed up and coifed thumbs as puppets, Oedekerk created a parody of the trilogy of science fiction moves, Star Wars, with characters like Loke Groundrunner, Princess Bunhead, Oobeedoob Benubi, Hand Duet,...
", "ThumbtanicThumbtanicThumbtanic is a 2002 short film, directed by Todd Portugal and written by Steve Oedekerk, which parodies the 1997 film Titanic. It is a part of the Thumbs! series, created by Steve Oedekerk and produced by O Entertainment. The film runs approximately 26 minutes in length.-Storyline:The film begins...
", "The Godthumb", "Bat Thumb", "Franken thumbFranken thumbFrankenthumb is a comedy directed by Steve Oedekerk. It is the fourth filmette in the Thumbs! series from O Entertainment. It runs 32 minutes long. It was released in 2002. It appeared on Cartoon Network's Har Har Tharsdays near Halloween 2008, strangly rated R, then rated PG.-Plot Overview:The...
", and "Blair ThumbBlair ThumbBlair Thumb, a parody of The Blair Witch Project is a 2002 comedy filmette made by O Entertainment and directed by Steve Oedekerk. It is the fifth filmette in the Thumbs! parody series. It aired on Cartoon Network's Har Har Tharsdays on Halloween 2009....
". The short "The Thumbersons" was omitted. This is because the "Thumb Wars/ Thumbtanic Thumb Double Feature" wasn't included, rather two separate DVDs for the two filmettes.
Possible Future Filmettes
In a 2004 interview with Dale Whitehouse, spokesman of O Entertainment, he said that Oedekerk showed interest in making "Superthumb" (a parody of Superman), "Spiderthumb" (a parody of Spider-ManSpider-Man (1967 TV series)
Spider-Man is an animated television series that ran from September 9, 1967 to June 14, 1970. It was jointly produced in Canada and the United States and was the first animated adaptation of the Spider-Man comic book series, created by writer Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko...
), "Jaws Thumb" (a parody of Jaws
Jaws (film)
Jaws is a 1975 American horror-thriller film directed by Steven Spielberg and based on Peter Benchley's novel of the same name. In the story, the police chief of Amity Island, a fictional summer resort town, tries to protect beachgoers from a giant man-eating great white shark by closing the beach,...
), "Viva Thumb Vegas" (a parody of Viva Las Vegas
Viva Las Vegas
Viva Las Vegas is a 1964 American romantic musical movie starring music icon Elvis Presley and actress/dancer Ann-Margret. This movie is regarded by many fans of these actors and by film critics as one of Presley's best movies, and it is noted for the apparent on-screen chemistry between Presley...
), "The Fairly OddThumbs" (a parody of The Fairly OddParents
The Fairly OddParents
The Fairly OddParents is an American-Canadian animated television series created by Butch Hartman about the adventures of Timmy Turner, who is granted fairy godparents named Cosmo and Wanda. The series started out as cartoon segments that ran from September 4, 1998 to March 23, 2001 on Oh Yeah!...
), "Thumbbusters" (a parody of Ghostbusters
Ghostbusters
Ghostbusters is a 1984 American science fiction comedy film directed by Ivan Reitman and written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis. The film stars Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver, Harold Ramis, and Rick Moranis and follows three eccentric parapsychologists in New York City, who start a...
), "Catthumb" (a parody of Catwoman
Catwoman (film)
Catwoman is a 2004 American superhero film and quasi-spinoff of the Batman film series directed by Pitof and released by Warner Bros. and Village Roadshow Pictures on July 23, 2004....
), "Thumb America" (a parody of Captain America).
Possible Future Collections
Unreleased collections that O EntertainmentO Entertainment
O Entertainment is a production company founded by Steve Oedekerk in 1990. Among O Entertainment productions such as the Thumb series , Santa vs...
has considered are as follows:
- "Franken thumbFranken thumbFrankenthumb is a comedy directed by Steve Oedekerk. It is the fourth filmette in the Thumbs! series from O Entertainment. It runs 32 minutes long. It was released in 2002. It appeared on Cartoon Network's Har Har Tharsdays near Halloween 2008, strangly rated R, then rated PG.-Plot Overview:The...
/Blair ThumbBlair ThumbBlair Thumb, a parody of The Blair Witch Project is a 2002 comedy filmette made by O Entertainment and directed by Steve Oedekerk. It is the fifth filmette in the Thumbs! parody series. It aired on Cartoon Network's Har Har Tharsdays on Halloween 2009....
Horror Thumb Double Feature" - "Bat Thumb/The Godthumb Action Thumb Double Feature"
- "Thumbatrix/WTW: World Thumb Wrestling New Thumb Double Feature"
The One-Eyed Thumb
A running gag in the filmettes is an appearance of a one-eyed thumb who says 'woo-hoo'. Here are his appearances:- "Thumb WarsThumb WarsThumb Wars: The Phantom Cuticle is a 1999 short film directed by Steve Oedekerk. Using dressed up and coifed thumbs as puppets, Oedekerk created a parody of the trilogy of science fiction moves, Star Wars, with characters like Loke Groundrunner, Princess Bunhead, Oobeedoob Benubi, Hand Duet,...
" - The bartender at the cantina - "ThumbtanicThumbtanicThumbtanic is a 2002 short film, directed by Todd Portugal and written by Steve Oedekerk, which parodies the 1997 film Titanic. It is a part of the Thumbs! series, created by Steve Oedekerk and produced by O Entertainment. The film runs approximately 26 minutes in length.-Storyline:The film begins...
" - appears while everyone is talking about the ship, and at the end of the short and sells the diamond in the picture of Geranium. - "Frankenthumb" - A member of the angry mob
- "Blair ThumbBlair ThumbBlair Thumb, a parody of The Blair Witch Project is a 2002 comedy filmette made by O Entertainment and directed by Steve Oedekerk. It is the fifth filmette in the Thumbs! parody series. It aired on Cartoon Network's Har Har Tharsdays on Halloween 2009....
" - One of the people interviewed - "The Godthumb" - Appears at the party at the end of the movie
- "Bat Thumb" - One of the people affected by No-Face's vapor (and is remarked about by Batthumb ("Yikes!"))
- "The Thumbersons" - One of the members of the Thumberson family.