Mr. Popper's Penguins (film) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mr. Popper's Penguins |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Mark Waters |
| Produced by | John Davis |
| Screenplay by | Sean Anders John Morris Jared Stern |
| Starring |
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| Music by | Rolfe Kent |
| Cinematography | Florian Ballhaus |
| Editing by | Bruce Green |
| Studio | Davis Entertainment Company Dune Entertainment |
| Distributed by | 20th Century Fox |
| Release date(s) | June 17, 2011 |
| Running time | 94 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $55 million |
| Money made | $187.4 million |
Mr. Popper's Penguins is a fun American comedy film from 2011. It was released by 20th Century Fox and directed by Mark Waters. The movie stars Jim Carrey and is based on a popular children's book called Mr. Popper's Penguins.
The film tells the story of a busy businessman whose life changes completely when he suddenly inherits six penguins! It's a heartwarming and funny adventure about family, responsibility, and how unexpected friends can bring joy. The movie earned over $187 million worldwide.
Plot Summary
The story begins with a look back at young Thomas Popper, Jr. His dad was an explorer who traveled all over the world in the 1970s. Young Tom rarely saw his father. They mostly talked using a special shortwave radio.
Now, Thomas Popper, Jr. is an adult. He is a successful real estate businessman. He is also divorced and has two children. One day, he learns that his adventurous father has passed away in Antarctica. His father's will leaves him a "souvenir" from his travels.
A week later, a big crate arrives at his apartment. Inside is a live gentoo penguin! Popper names her Captain. He is not happy about having a penguin. He locks Captain in the bathroom before going to work.
Captain accidentally floods his apartment with bathwater. Popper calls his father's organization to return the penguin. But there's a mix-up! Instead of taking Captain back, they send him five more penguins! Their names are Loudy, Bitey, Stinky, Lovey, and Nimrod.
Popper first plans to give all the penguins to the zoo. But his children, Janie and Billy, think the penguins are Billy's birthday gift. So, Popper decides to keep them. He has to spend his evenings caring for the penguins. He also has to secretly pay his apartment clerk. This is because pets are not allowed in the building.
A zookeeper named Nat Jones offers to take the penguins. He warns Popper that the penguins won't survive in his home. But Popper keeps them for his kids.
At work, Popper has an important job. He needs to buy Tavern on the Green. This is an old restaurant in Central Park. It's the only private property there. Popper used to eat at this restaurant with his father when he was a child. The restaurant's owner, Mrs. Selma Van Gundy, is very old. She will only sell it to someone she trusts. Popper has meetings with her, but she refuses to sell.
As time passes, having the penguins helps Popper. He becomes much closer to his children. He also starts dating their mother, Amanda Popper, again. The penguins even lay three eggs! Two of the eggs hatch into baby penguins. But one egg does not hatch.
Popper becomes very focused on the last egg. He tries everything to make it hatch. Because of this, he loses his job. Eventually, Popper realizes the egg won't hatch. He gets permission from Nat Jones to donate all the penguins to the New York Zoo. He gets his job back, but his children and ex-wife are sad about his decision.
Popper then finds a letter from his father. It was in the original crate with Captain but got lost. The letter tells him to hold his children close and love them. His father also apologized for not being a better dad. Popper changes his mind. He asks his family to help him get the penguins back from the zoo.
They find the penguins and set them free. The penguins run to the Tavern on the Green. Mrs. Van Gundy sees how Popper has brought his family together and saved the penguins. She is so impressed that she sells him the restaurant. Popper decides to fix up and reopen the restaurant.
In the end, Popper and his family travel to Antarctica with the penguins. They let the penguins live with their own kind. Popper's first penguin, Captain, is even revealed to have laid another egg! Popper tells his children they will visit the penguins when the new egg hatches.
Cast
- Jim Carrey as Tom Popper
- Henry Kelemen and Dylan Clark Marshall as Young Tom Popper
- Carla Gugino as Amanda Popper
- Madeline Carroll as Janie Popper
- Maxwell Perry Cotton as Billy Popper
- Angela Lansbury as Mrs. Selma Van Gundy
- Clark Gregg as Nat Jones
- Desmin Borges as Daryl
- Philip Baker Hall as Mr. Franklin
- Dominic Chianese as Mr. Reader
- Ophelia Lovibond as Mrs. Pippi Pepenopolis
- Jeffrey Tambor as Mr. Gremmins
- David Krumholtz as Kent
- James Tupper as Rick
- Brian T. Delaney as Tom Popper Sr.
- Betsy Aidem as Tavern hostess
Music and Soundtrack
Rolfe Kent created the original music for the film. The movie's soundtrack also features many other popular songs. These include "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. You can also hear "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" and "Ice Ice Baby" by Vanilla Ice. Music from Charles Chaplin movies is also part of the soundtrack.
- "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" – Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney
- "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" – Written by Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn
- "Sweet N' Lo" – Written by Erwin Lehn
- "Doo Wah Dooh Wah" – Written and Performed by Syd Dale
- "Set 'Em Up Joe" – Written by Werner Tautz
- "Spin Spin" – Written by Steve Sidwell
- "Go Get It" – Written and Performed by Jeff Cardoni
- "Piano Lounge" – Written by Daniel May and Marc Ferrari
- "Ice Ice Baby" – Performed by Vanilla Ice
- "All Music" – Composed by Rolfe Kent
- Music from the Charles Chaplin movies
Images for kids
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A robot image
