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The tradition of the President of the United States pardoning a turkey before Thanksgiving dates back to President Abraham Lincoln in the 1860s. However, the first documented turkey pardon ceremony did not take place until 1947 under President Harry S. Truman. Since then, every sitting president has pardoned at least one turkey in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving.
This annual event is highly publicized and the turkey that is pardoned goes on to live the rest of its life at a farm, zoo or university facility. The turkey pardoning ceremony has been featured in several films over the years. Most notably, the 2012 movie Pardoned portrays the fictional story of a turkey named Gobble who is chosen for the presidential pardon but then escapes captivity before the ceremony takes place.
About the Film Pardoned
Pardoned is a 2012 American computer-animated comedy film produced by Universal Animation Studios and released by Universal Pictures. The film was directed by John Stevenson from a screenplay by Jeffrey Price, Peter S. Seaman, and Kent Wright. It features the voices of Zachary Gordon, Wendie Malick, Amy Poehler, and Danny McBride.
The film centers around a young turkey named Gobble who lives on a small turkey farm in rural Virginia. Gobble is chosen to receive the traditional presidential pardon ahead of Thanksgiving at the White House. However, he finds a way to escape captivity and embarks on a journey to experience life outside of the farm for the first time.
Along the way, Gobble is pursued by the farmer, makes some wild turkey friends, and ends up crashing the official pardoning ceremony. The movie scored modest box office success, earning $180 million worldwide against a $72 million budget. It received mixed reviews from critics but was better received by audiences for its humor and heartwarming story.
Plot Summary
The movie opens by introducing Gobble as an eccentric, adventure-seeking young turkey who dreams of exploring life beyond the farm. One day, the farmer enters the turkey coop and selects Gobble to be taken to the White House for the annual presidential turkey pardoning ceremony. Gobble sees this as his chance to finally experience freedom and tricks the farmer into thinking he’s too sick for the trip.
Once the farmer leaves, Gobble escapes from the farm and enters the woods, where he meets a flock of wild turkeys led by a large tom turkey named Jake. Jake and his flock introduce Gobble to life outside the farm, though Jake says Gobble is foolish for wanting to explore the human world. Meanwhile, the farmer discovers Gobble missing and sets out after him.
Gobble tries to adapt to living in the wild but struggles with various aspects of it. He slowly gains Jake’s respect through his enthusiasm and good nature. Eventually, Thanksgiving approaches and Gobble decides he wants to crash the pardoning ceremony at the White House as an act of defiance. Jake and the other wild turkeys help distract the farmer while Gobble sneaks onto the truck headed for Washington D.C.
In D.C., Gobble wanders away from the White House preparations and ends up discovering a homeless shelter serving Thanksgiving meals to people in need. This experience teaches Gobble about kindness and community. On pardoning day, Gobble enters the White House just as the farmer spots him in the crowd. Chaos breaks out as the farmer tries capturing Gobble during the ceremony.
Finally, Gobble speaks up about his journey and persuades the President to officially pardon all turkeys, not just one. Gobble returns to the farm now as a free range turkey. He maintains his adventurous spirit while developing a new appreciation for his home.
Cast of Characters
– Gobble: The protagonist. An enthusiastic and adventure-seeking young turkey with dreams of experiencing freedom beyond the farm. Voiced by Zachary Gordon.
– Jake: The leader of the flock of wild turkeys that Gobble befriends. Acts as a mentor to Gobble. Voiced by Danny McBride.
– Farmer: Gobble’s owner who selects him for the presidential pardon. When Gobble escapes, he sets out to recapture him. Voiced by John Goodman.
– President: The unnamed President of the United States who pardons the turkey in the film’s ceremony. Voiced by Bryan Cranston.
– Tina: A female turkey from Gobble’s farm flock and his best friend. Worries about Gobble’s adventures. Voiced by Amy Poehler.
– Doc: An elderly and wise wild turkey in Jake’s flock. Becomes a friend to Gobble. Voiced by Carl Reiner.
– Tom Turkey: The national symbol of Thanksgiving. Appears in Gobble’s imagination guiding him on his journey. Voiced by Wendie Malick.
Key Themes
Pardoned explores several important themes:
– Freedom vs. Captivity: Gobble yearns to be free and see the world beyond his coop, which represents captivity. His journey provides freedom but also new lessons.
– Individuality vs. Conformity: Gobble doesn’t conform to being a regular farm turkey. His eccentric spirit and dreams set him apart.
– Nature vs. Civilization: Gobble experiences the clash between his natural wild side and the human civilization he ventures into.
– Kindness and Community: Gobble discovering the homeless shelter teaches lessons about helping others and unity.
– Appreciating Home: By the end, Gobble gains proper perspective to appreciate his home farm while still maintaining his adventurous spirit.
Significance of the Presidential Turkey Pardon
The presidential turkey pardoning tradition is an important White House event that serves several purposes:
Symbol of Thanksgiving
– The pardoned turkey represents Thanksgiving and abundance as the national holiday approaches. It reminds Americans to be grateful.
Lighthearted Tradition
– The event allows the sitting president to participate in a lighthearted, fun tradition amidst serious politics. Most presidents enjoy showcasing their humor.
Promoting Charities
– In recent years, presidents highlight turkey-related charities and farms during the ceremony to promote awareness.
Connecting with the Public
– Pardoning a turkey is a simple way for a president to connect with the American public during an important national holiday.
Teaching Children
– The event teaches children about civics, Thanksgiving traditions, and the humane treatment of animals when the pardon turkey lives out its life peacefully after being spared from becoming a meal.
Timeline of Presidential Turkey Pardons
Year | President | Turkey(s) Pardoned |
---|---|---|
1947 | Harry S. Truman | Tom Turkey |
1963 | John F. Kennedy | Tom Turkey |
1989 | George H. W. Bush | Tom and Tim Turkey |
1999 | Bill Clinton | Harry Turkey |
2009 | Barack Obama | Courage and Carolina |
2017 | Donald Trump | Drumstick and Wishbone |
2021 | Joe Biden | Peanut Butter and Jelly |
As shown in the table, modern presidents have carried on the turkey pardoning tradition at least sporadically since President Truman first did it in 1947. President George H.W. Bush was the first to formally establish it as a White House tradition held every year starting in 1989.
Recent presidents have pardoned turkeys with fun, themed names reflecting pop culture to draw more public attention to the ceremony. They often select two turkeys just in case one cannot attend the White House event. After being pardoned, the turkeys live out their lives at petting farms, state parks, or major university settings around the country.
Controversies and Memorable Moments
The presidential turkey pardon has not been without its controversies and memorable pop culture moments over the years:
Sarah Palin Pardoning a Turkey Interview
In 2008, camera crews captured awkward footage of vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin carrying out a turkey pardoning interview while turkeys were being slaughtered in the background. This embarrassing moment highlighted the irony around the ceremony.
John Oliver Mock Pardon
In 2020, comedian John Oliver of HBO’s Last Week Tonight hosted a parody turkey pardon ceremony meant to lambast President Trump. Oliver skewered Trump’s handling of the pandemic and refusal to concede his election loss.
Turkeys Not Adapting Well Post-Pardon
Animal rights groups have criticized some pardoned turkeys not adapting well to life after being spared from slaughter. A few former pardoned turkeys have died prematurely, fueling criticism.
One of Two Turkeys Dies before Ceremony
In 2002, president George W. Bush inadvertently revealed that one of the turkeys he intended to pardon had died right before his speech. It demonstrated the quick turnaround some turkeys have from farm to stage.
President Trump Struggled Reading Speech
In 2018, President Trump caught flak for stumbling over his speech and mispronouncing words during the turkey pardoning ceremony, highlighting subpar public speaking skills.
Impact on Pop Culture
The presidential turkey pardon tradition has left a cultural impact, reflected through various pop culture references:
Thanksgiving Television Specials
Many Thanksgiving cartoon television specials aimed at children feature turkeys receiving presidential pardons as part of the story. Examples include Mickey Mouse, Arthur, and DreamWorks Dragons.
Sitcom Storylines
Several sitcoms like The Brady Bunch, Cheers, and Seinfeld have incorporated the turkey pardon in sitcom episodes, usually as a humorous B or C story line.
Pixar Easter Egg
In Toy Story 2, an early Pixar Easter egg appears when Woody deducts that he is not a pardoned turkey after reading the writing on his boot.
Movie References
Films like Spider-Man 2, Legally Blonde 2, and Mars Attacks all briefly reference or satirize the presidential turkey pardon for humor.
Music References
Singers like Adam Sandler, Faith Hill, and Ben Folds have name-dropped the presidential turkey pardon in lighthearted holiday songs over the years.
Conclusion
The presidential turkey pardoning tradition dates back over 70 years and continues as an annual White House event around Thanksgiving. Though occasionally controversial, it provides a lighthearted civic ceremony celebrating the holiday spirit. Presidents have fun with it while connecting with the public and promoting charities.
The pardoned turkey embodies themes like freedom, individuality, and community. The event’s impact can be seen through many pop culture television, film and music references. Pardoning a turkey has become a significant White House tradition reminding Americans to be grateful and generous.