Heidi's Song facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Heidi's Song |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Robert Taylor |
| Produced by | Joseph Barbera William Hanna |
| Written by | Joseph Barbera Robert Taylor Jameson Brewer |
| Starring |
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| 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 an animated musical film that came out in 1982. It was made by Hanna-Barbera Productions. The movie is based on the classic 1881 book Heidi by Johanna Spyri. Robert Taylor directed the film. The story was written by Taylor, Joseph Barbera, and Jameson Brewer.
The main character, Heidi, is voiced by Margery Gray. Other famous voices in the movie include Lorne Greene and Sammy Davis Jr.. Heidi's Song is quite unique. It is one of only four films Hanna-Barbera made that did not use their well-known cartoon characters. The movie was released on November 19, 1982, by Paramount Pictures.
What's the Story About?
The film tells the story of a young orphan girl named Heidi. Her Aunt Dete has been taking care of her since she was a baby. One day, Aunt Dete sends Heidi to live with her grandfather. He is Heidi's father's side of the family.
Heidi's grandfather lives high up in the Swiss Alps. At first, he is not happy to have Heidi around. He likes his quiet routine. But then, he hurts his leg. Heidi helps to nurse him back to health. During this time, they become very close.
Heidi also meets a boy named Peter. He is a goatherd. She often goes with Peter and the village goats. They take the goats to graze higher up the mountains each day.
A New Home in the City
One day, Aunt Dete returns. She wants to take Heidi away again. A rich family in Frankfurt, Germany, wants Heidi to live with them. Heidi's grandfather sadly agrees to let her go.
Heidi arrives at the big house in Frankfurt. She learns she is supposed to be a friend to Klara. Klara is a wealthy girl who cannot walk. Klara's governess, Fräulein Rottenmeier, does not like Heidi's simple country ways. But Klara likes Heidi very much and wants her to stay.
Heidi brings a lot of happiness into Klara's life. She even gives Klara a basket of cute kittens as a gift. When Rottenmeier finds the kittens, she gets very angry. She locks Heidi in the dark, rat-filled basement.
Rescue and Return
Luckily, Peter and the country animals come to rescue Heidi. Together with Klara, they decide to travel to the Wunderhorn. They leave without telling Rottenmeier.
Meanwhile, Klara's father comes back to Frankfurt. He was away on business. He is very upset that his daughter is gone. He immediately leaves for the Wunderhorn to find her. Rottenmeier and the butler Sebastian use this chance to run away.
The three children travel up the mountain. Klara stops halfway. She wants Heidi to run ahead without pushing her wheelchair. Heidi runs ahead and is very happy to see her grandfather again.
Back down the mountain, Klara's kitten, Snowball, is attacked by a hawk. Klara bravely crawls out of her wheelchair. She uses a stick to fight off the hawk. To her surprise, Klara discovers she can stand! Klara's father arrives soon after. Everyone celebrates Klara being able to walk and Heidi's happy return.
Who Are the Voices?
Here are the talented actors who lent their voices to the characters in Heidi's Song:
- 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
