Underplayed Gems

Raggedy Ann & Andy: A Musical Adventure (1977)

Raggedy Ann & Andy: A Musical Adventure poster
Directed by
Richard Williams
Genre
fantasy film, musical film, pirate film, children's film
Country
United States
Runtime
1h 24m
Rated
G
Rating
7.0 of 10 from 22 voters
Elsewhere
IMDb
The 3D catalogue: film cases on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalogue in 3D

The film shelves have a room of their own that you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real films from the same catalogue when you tell them what you feel like watching. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this film is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

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How it feels

Raggedy Ann and Andy are toys in a little girl's nursery. A new doll from France named Babette is kidnapped by a pirate captain, so Ann and Andy go into the woods to rescue her.

whimsicalchildlikemusicallightheartedadventurouscolorfulplayfulenergetic

What happens

Raggedy Ann & Andy: A Musical Adventure is a 1977 animated musical fantasy film loosely adapted from the 1924 novel Raggedy Ann and Andy and the Camel with the Wrinkled Knees. It was directed by Richard Williams, produced by the Bobbs-Merrill Company, and released theatrically by 20th Century Fox. A 1941 short film had previously featured the Raggedy Ann and Andy characters created by Johnny Gruelle. The first feature-length animated musical comedy produced in the United States, the plot follows Raggedy Ann and Andy, who, along with other toys, live in the nursery of a little girl named Marcella. During Marcella's seventh birthday, Babette, from France, is introduced as the new doll from a large package. Meanwhile, the infatuated Captain Contagious kidnaps Babette in his pirate ship and escapes from the nursery. Ann and Andy must explore and find Babette in the Deep Deep Woods to save her. The film began development when producer Richard Horner chose the characters from a conversation surrounding promotions of children's products. The Bobbs-Merrill Company became its financer, and the film was a stage musical and a live-action television special before it was decided to become an animated film. Director Williams controlled most of production, which lasted for more than two years, budgeting to the cost of $4 million. As a result, the release date was pushed back for an extra three months of work. Joe Raposo contributed all of the music and songs for the film. The film's promotional campaign cost $2 million. Raggedy Ann & Andy: A Musical Adventure premiered on March 20, 1977, in nine major cities before it was generally released on April 1, 1977, in the United States. The film received mixed reviews from critics. Some critics lauded the animation, voice cast, and songs, while others criticized some of the characters and its writing. Since its release, there were a few home video releases and some television broadcasts of the film. It was adapted by the 1981 drama adaptation and the 1986 Broadway musical Raggedy Ann. In recent years, it has developed a cult following for its songs and characters. (from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)

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