Heidi's Song facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Heidi's Song |
|
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster
|
|
| Directed by | Robert Taylor |
| Produced by | Joseph Barbera William Hanna |
| Written by | Joseph Barbera Robert Taylor Jameson Brewer |
| Starring |
|
| Music by | Hoyt S. Curtin (songs by Sammy Cahn and Burton Lane) |
| Cinematography | Jerry Mills |
| Editing by | Greg V. Watson |
| Studio | Hanna-Barbera Productions |
| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
| Release date(s) | November 19, 1982 |
| Running time | 94 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Money made | $5,124,391 |
Heidi's Song is a 1982 American animated musical film produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions and based on the 1881 novel Heidi by Johanna Spyri. The film was directed by Robert Taylor from a screenplay by Taylor, Joseph Barbera and Jameson Brewer, and stars Margery Gray as the title character, alongside the voices of Lorne Greene and Sammy Davis Jr.. It is one of only four films Hanna-Barbera ever made that did not feature their trademark characters (along with Charlotte's Web, C.H.O.M.P.S., and Once Upon a Forest).
The film was released on November 19, 1982 by Paramount Pictures. Its box office receipts were disappointing, attributed by Joseph Barbera to incompetent distribution; the film was released the same week as two other animated features.
Plot
An orphaned girl named Heidi is sent to live with her paternal grandfather by her maternal Aunt Dete, who has been looking after Heidi since she was a baby. Heidi's grandfather initially dislikes having Heidi around because she interferes in his routine. But when her grandfather hurts his leg, Heidi helps nurse him back to health, and during this time the two bond together. Heidi meets the local goatherd, a boy named Peter, and often goes with him and the village's goats on their daily grazing trips higher up the Swiss Alps.
One day, however, Heidi's Aunt Dete arrives to take Heidi away again, saying that a wealthy family in Frankfurt, Germany, wants Heidi to come live with them. Heidi's grandfather reluctantly lets her go. Heidi arrives at the house in Frankfurt, where she learns she's supposed to become the companion of a wealthy but invalid girl named Klara. Klara's Governess and guardian Fräulein Rottenmeier disapproves of Heidi's simple country ways, but Klara likes Heidi and insists that she stays. Heidi brings joy into Klara's life, especially when she gives Klara a basket of kittens as a present. When Rottenmeier discovers the kittens, Heidi is locked in the rat-infested basement.
Peter and the country animals come to Heidi's rescue. Together with Klara, the three travel to the Wunderhorn without telling Rottenmeier. At this time, Klara's father returns to Frankfurt after being away on business, and is angered that his daughter has disappeared. He immediately leaves for the Wunderhorn, and this time Rottenmeier and the butler Sebastian take the opportunity to flee.
The three children travel up the mountain, but Klara stops halfway so that Heidi can run on ahead without pushing her wheelchair. Heidi runs ahead and is joyfully reunited with her grandfather. Back halfway down the mountain, Klara's kitten Snowball is attacked by a hawk. Klara crawls out of her wheelchair and uses a stick to fight off the hawk. Klara then discovers that she is able to stand. Klara's father arrives and together they celebrate Klara's mobility and Heidi's return.
Voice cast
- Lorne Greene as Grandfather
- Sammy Davis Jr. as Head Ratte
- Margery Gray as Heidi
- Michael Bell as Willie
- Peter Cullen as Gruffle
- Roger DeWitt as Peter
- Richard Erdman as Herr Sessmann
- Fritz Feld as Sebastian
- Pamelyn Ferdin as Klara
- Joan Gerber as Fraulein Rottenmeier
- Virginia Gregg as Aunt Dete
- Janet Waldo as Tinette
- Frank Welker as Schnoddle and Hootie
- Michael Winslow as Mountain
