Nothing can stop the penguin mania sweeping our nation. It started with that wonderful March of the Penguins documentary last year and will surely gain momentum when the animated Happy Feet dances into our multiplexes on November 17. Then, in January of next year, a DVD release called Farce of the Penguins will probably encourage even further interest in what may husband calls “the best-dressed creatures of the animal kingdom.”

Perhaps you’re wondering why I use the word “mania.” Well, take a look below at what Bill Husted wrote in his column for The Denver Post on October 29, 2006. 

“Denver’s going to have ‘Happy Feet.’…The animated movie is bound to be a hit from director George Miller who gave us Babe. To kick it off, on November 2, 100 kids in Happy Feet T’s and black penguin pants will tap-dance their way from each end of the mall into the grand court. That’s 1,000 tapping toes that’ll be joined by tap-dancing Cleo Parker Robinson, Colorado first lady Frances Owens, Post Editor Greg Moore, mall brass Nick LeMasters and Lisa Herzlich, Mumble (the central penguin character) and maybe even Husted, if my feet get happy.”

After reading that item, I had a very strong urge to dust off my old tap shoes, drive all the way to Denver and join in the fun with a few time steps and shuffles-off-to-Buffalo. Because I never want to go anywhere outside cyberspace (except to the movies), “mania” definitely seems appropriate to me.

Evidently, irreverent comedian Bob Saget also recognizes the allure of penguin power. His upcoming Farce of the Penguins spoofs the Oscar-winning March of the Penguins. But this time, instead of Morgan Freeman’s velvet-toned narration, the story will be narrated by the equally easy-on-the-ear Samuel L. Jackson. Saget, who wrote and directed this satire, has combined real penguin footage with such amusing voice talent as Christina Applegate, Lewis Black, Tracy Morgan, Mo’Nique and many other well-known celebrities. “A heartfelt ‘thank you’ goes out to all my comedic friends who were kind enough to get on board to help me expose the seedy, sordid, sex-slaved world that is penguin life,” says Saget.

Although Farce of the Penguins is definitely NOT for the entire family, Happy Feet seems designed for the inner child in all of us. Rated “PG,” it tells the story of Mumble, an Emperor Penguin who can’t sing like the rest of the birds. Mumble has a terrible voice, but he's a terrific tap dancer -- which makes him somewhat of an outcast. Voice talent includes Robin Williams, Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman and Brittany Murphy.  

Now, let’s see. Where are those old tap shoes of mine?

(Happy Feet poster © 2006 Warner Bros., All Rights Reserved)

NOTE added 11/4/2006: Omigosh! I just saw the previews for another penguin movie. It's Surf's Up, an animated film about a -- you guessed it -- surfing penguin, and it's supposed to splash onto our big screens next summer. What's next? Penguins in Space? Lord of the Penguins? Brokeback Penguins? You've been warned.