Pinocchio and the Emperor of the Night facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pinocchio and the Emperor of the Night |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Hal Sutherland |
| Produced by | Lou Scheimer |
| Written by | Robby London Barry O'Brien Dennis O'Flaherty Carlo Collodi (Novel) |
| Starring | Scott Grimes Tom Bosley Edward Asner Frank Welker Jonathan Harris James Earl Jones William Windom Don Knotts Rickie Lee Jones |
| Music by |
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| Editing by | Rick Gehr Jeffrey C. Patch |
| Studio | Filmation |
| Distributed by | New World Pictures |
| Release date(s) | 25 December 1987 (North America) 15 June 1990 (Great Britain) |
| Running time | 87 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $10 million |
| Money made | $3,261,638 |
Pinocchio and the Emperor of the Night is an animated fantasy adventure movie from 1987. It was released on December 25, 1987, by New World Pictures. The movie was made by Filmation.
This film was meant to be a follow-up to the famous 1883 Italian book The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi. The story happens one year after Pinocchio becomes a real boy. Some people also thought it was a bit like a sequel to Disney's 1940 movie Pinocchio. Disney actually sued Filmation. But Filmation won the case. This was because Collodi's original story is in the public domain. This means anyone can use it freely.
When it first came out, critics didn't really like the movie. It also didn't make much money. The movie cost $10 million to make but only earned about $3.2 million. However, over the years, some people have grown to really enjoy the film. It has gained a small group of dedicated fans.
Story of the Film
The movie begins with a bumblebee named Lieutenant Grumblebee. He wakes up when a big, scary ship arrives. A man named Puppetino, who is a puppet master, thinks this is a great spot for his carnival. Stakes and ropes fly from the ship. Soon, a circus tent forms. Grumblebee quickly flies away from the area.
A year after the Good Fairy turned him into a human, Pinocchio celebrates his first birthday. He is with Mister Geppetto. The Good Fairy appears and tells Pinocchio that love is his strongest power. She brings to life a wooden glow worm that Pinocchio carved. This glow worm is meant to be Pinocchio's conscience. Pinocchio is surprised and accidentally names it Gee Willikers. After the party, Pinocchio offers to take a jewel box to the mayor for Geppetto.
On his way, Pinocchio meets two tricky characters: Sylvester J. Scalawag the Raccoon and Igor the Monkey. They trick him into trading the jewel box for a "Pharaoh's Ruby." The ruby turns out to be a fake. Geppetto gets very angry. Pinocchio feels ashamed and runs away, leaving Gee Willikers behind.
Pinocchio looks for work at the carnival. He is amazed by a blonde puppet named Twinkle. Puppetino recognizes Pinocchio. He uses Twinkle to trick Pinocchio into joining the carnival. Puppetino starts playing an organ grinder. This makes Pinocchio dance without being able to stop. He slowly starts to turn back into a puppet. Puppetino attaches strings to Pinocchio's hands and feet. This finishes his transformation. He hangs the now lifeless Pinocchio next to Twinkle.
The Good Fairy appears and wakes Pinocchio up. She explains that he lost his freedom because he didn't appreciate it. She reminds him how important it is to make good choices. Then, she turns him back into a human.
Pinocchio decides to get the jewel box back. Willikers doesn't want him to go alone. So, Pinocchio sets him aside and travels by himself. He meets Scalawag and Igor again. They tell him the box is at the carnival, which has gone back to the ship. The three of them chase the carnival ship in a boat. Pinocchio doesn't know that Scalawag and Igor plan to give him to Puppetino for a reward. But Pinocchio saves them from a giant barracuda. After that, they change their minds. They start to truly become friends with Pinocchio.
As they travel, the carnival ship arrives. It captures their boat. Willikers, carried to the river by Grumblebee, grabs onto Pinocchio's pocket. They both drift onto the ship.
Scalawag realizes the ship is called the Empire of the Night. A boatman offers Pinocchio a ride to the jewel box. He leaves Scalawag and Igor behind. The boatman says the box is in the dark end of a cave. Pinocchio prefers the brighter path. So, they row to the "Neon Cabaret." A doorman says Pinocchio can play inside if he signs a contract. Pinocchio agrees without thinking. He runs inside and finds a room full of kids partying. Pinocchio drinks from a fountain of green liquid. This makes him feel dizzy and pass out.
He wakes up on a stage. A ringmaster tells him his fans are waiting. Pinocchio starts dancing. Scalawag and Igor have followed Pinocchio. They try to get his attention. But they are pulled offstage while Pinocchio is distracted by Twinkle. Pinocchio bows to loud applause.
Puppetino appears. Pinocchio turns to find the boatman, who changes into the doorman, and then the ringmaster. He tells Pinocchio that he has reached the "Land Where Dreams Come True." Then he changes into a floating being with four arms. This is the Emperor of the Night. He demands Pinocchio sign a contract. This contract will turn Pinocchio back into a puppet. If Pinocchio signs, the Good Fairy will become weak and die. Pinocchio refuses. He is then locked up with Scalawag and Igor. Scalawag says they just did what they wanted without thinking about what would happen.
The Emperor tells Pinocchio that Geppetto has been shrunk. He is now inside the jewel box. Pinocchio offers to sign the contract if the Emperor frees Geppetto and the others. Pinocchio signs away his freedom. He turns back into a living puppet.
The Emperor tricks Pinocchio. He says that the freedom of choice is what gives him his power. Pinocchio turns on the Emperor. A blue light, which is the Good Fairy's power, surrounds him. The Emperor shoots fire at Pinocchio. But the blue light protects him as the ship catches fire. Pinocchio escapes with his friends. The Emperor shoots Puppetino with magic because he was scared and tried to run away. Puppetino turns into a lifeless puppet and burns up.
The evil Emperor promises to make Geppetto pay for Pinocchio's choices. But Pinocchio runs and turns into a shining blue orb. He flies into the Emperor's flaming body. This destroys the Emperor and his ship. On the shore, Geppetto has returned to his normal size. Scalawag and Igor find Pinocchio, who is once again a real boy. The Good Fairy appears. She proudly tells Pinocchio that he no longer needs her. She gives the jewel box to Geppetto. She then shows the now human Twinkle waking up nearby. The Good Fairy fades away as the sun rises. The group celebrates together.
Cast
- Scott Grimes as Pinocchio
- James Earl Jones as The Emperor of the Night
- Don Knotts as Gee Willikers
- Tom Bosley as Mister Geppetto
- Rickie Lee Jones as The Fairy Godmother/The Good Fairy
- Ed Asner as Scalawag the Raccoon
- Frank Welker as Igor the Monkey
- Lana Beeson as Twinkle
- Linda Gary as Bee-atrice
- Jonathan Harris as Lt. Grumblebee
- William Windom as Puppetino
Songs
- "Love is the Light Inside Your Heart"
- Lyrics by Will Jennings
- Music by Barry Mann
- Performed by Rickie Lee Jones
- "You're a Star"
- Lyrics and music by Will Jennings
- Performed by Kid Creole and the Coconuts
- "Do What Makes You Happy"
- Lyrics by Will Jennings
- Music by Steve Tyrell
- Performed by Lana Beeson
- "Neon Cabaret"
- Composed and performed by Anthony Marinelli and Brian Banks
