Animation To Go: New Home Video Releases
Pippi Longstocking
Many generations will recognize Pippi Longstocking, the spunky, red-headed nine year-old girl in striped socks and pigtails. Since her mother is an angel, and her father is a rarely-seen seafaring pirate, she lives in her father's house, with her pet horse and monkey, using her super strength, singing and taking what she needs from the overflowing chest of gold in the attic. Pippi's irreverent, creative character shines when her carefree lifestyle is cramped by two bumbling bad guys attempting to steal her gold. Meanwhile a nosy town busybody, Mrs. Prysselius, tries to send her to a "children's home." The first full-length animated musical feature based on the classic children's book by Astrid Lindgren, the film features five original songs which are not very inspired. However, one in particular does really stick in your head, "Hello, I'm Pippi!"
Pippi Longstocking was released in U.S. movie theaters starting in August, and will be released in video stores on November 25. The film is a co-production between Nelvana (Canada), AB Svensk Filmindustri (Sweden), Iduna Produktiongesellschaft GmbH & Co and TFC Trickompany Filmproduktion GmbH (Germany). It was directed by Clive Smith, co-founder of Nelvana, a company known for masterminding complicated co-productions, and for adapting children's books into animated properties. With three studios, nine producers and the book's original author, who turns 90 years-old this month, involved in the production, keeping Pippi on track was no small task. "It was very complicated, not just from a production point of view, but also from a creative point of view," said director Clive Smith. "In fact, we had production going on in about 12 different cities. I was literally running around the world for three years!"
Nelvana has recently expanded to include a feature films division, headed by supervising producer Merle Anne Risley. The studio's next project is Babar: King of the Elephants, a direct-to-video title slated for completion in 1998. Several other films are currently in development.
Distribution Warner Bros. Home Video
Available 11/24/93
Price 19.96
Run Time 75 min.
Rating G
Tie-Ins Figurine included with video, Co-production partners (International), Coupons included for other Warner titles, Continental Airlines
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