Did a classic children’s TV show inspire a generation of stoners? ABC program Magic Mountain includes some VERY unsubtle references to marijuana
ABC children’s program Magic Mountain is fondly remembered by a generation of Australians who grew up in the late 1990s.
But the colourful adventures of Lion, Dragon, Panda and Tortoise seem a lot less innocent when viewed through the eyes of an adult.
As pointed out by BuzzFeed on Tuesday, some of the show’s stranger scenes appear to feature not-so-subtle references to marijuana.
Bizarre: ABC children’s program Magic Mountain is fondly remembered by a generation of Australians who grew up in the late 1990s – but was it all one big joke?
Magic Mountain contained several questionable scenes in which Tortoise, Panda and Lion begged Dragon to blow his magic smoke in their faces.
Indeed, the mystical and wise character Dragon was often seen puffing smoke on to the other characters, who all seemed incredibly happy to receive it.
An entire episode was even dedicated to Lion huffing Dragon’s smoke and revelling in the experience of feeling his whole body disappear.
Strange: As pointed out by BuzzFeed on Tuesday, some of the show’s stranger scenes appear to feature not-so-subtle references to marijuana. Magic Mountain contained several moments in which Tortoise, Panda and Lion begged Dragon to blow his magic smoke in their faces
Furthermore, the characters in Magic Mountain were constantly smiling and seemed remarkably chilled out.
Magic Mountain was actually produced in China, and later dubbed for Australian audiences.
A Chinese-language version aired on the state-controlled China Central Television (CCTV) network.
Odd: The article also references the character’s constant ‘vibing out’ in their ‘crystal cave’, always with a hazy smile on their faces
The full-body puppet aired from 1997 to 1998, but repeats continued until 2004 on the ABC and until 2013 in China.
The series follows the adventures of the characters who live on Magic Mountain, and the wise Dragon who lives in a cave nearby.
The show ran for two seasons only, with 26 episodes in each.
Iconic: Magic Mountain interestingly was first produced in China, and later dubbed for an Australian audience