CHARLOTTE'S WEB (1973,U.S.)

Charlotte's Web

(aka E.B. WHITE'S CHARLOTTE'S WEB)
(1973, U.S.) animated color 94 minutes
Paramount Pictures / Hanna-Barbera Productions / Saggitarius Productions
Story: E.B. White (from his book)
Screenplay: Earl Hamner Jr.
Music: Richard M. Sherman, Robert B. Sherman
Cinematography: Dick Blundell, Ralph Migliori, Roy Wade, Dennis Weaver
Produced by: Joseph Barbera, William Hanna
Directed by Charles A. Nichols, Iwao Takamoto

Voices: Debbie Reynolds (Charlotte), Paul Lynde (Templeton), Agnes Moorehead (Goose), Henry Gibson (Wilbur), Pamelyn Ferdin (Fern Arable), Danny Bonaduce (Avery), Joan Gerber (Mrs. Zuckerman), Don Messick (Jeffrey), Charles Nelson Reilly. Narrated by Rex Allen

Plot Outline (IMDb): Wilbur the pig is scared of the end of the season, because he knows that come that time, he will end up on the dinner table. He hatches a plan with Charlotte, a spider that lives in his pen, to ensure that this will never happen.

***

This delightful animated feature by Hanna-Barbera is by far the best 'toon to emanate from the prolific animation studios who gave us THE FLINTSTONES. The enchanting E.B. White storybook begets a wistful and powerful film, far ahead of its time in its unabashed, virtually militant adoration of the animal kingdom, definitely a prototype for later PC wannabes like BABE. It’s easy to see why CHARLOTTE’S WEB is a favorite amongst all of us who champion the rights of animals so passionately; some see it as a veritable blueprint of the animal-rights movement.

The hero of the piece, Fern Arable, is a new-age icon who embodies the spirit of humane treatment for all creatures great and small. In addition to her intense devotion, Fern has a telepathic communion with the animals, making her a perfect emblem of the animal-rights warrior, and their profound spiritual bond with non-speaking creatures. "There's more to us together than just you and me..."

(And isn't it ironic that forward-thinking Charlotte uses "the Web" to communicate to human beings, in order to raise their consciousness re: the plight of the animal kingdom? A prophecy of the animal-rights Internet, wouldn't you say?)

Although the animation and storyboarding are just fine, the best thing about CHARLOTTE'S WEB are the voice characterizations.

Everybody's favorite child actress, Pamelyn Ferdin, is simply darling as the voice of Fern Arable. Ferdin has the uncanny ability to sound both joyous and mournful in the same breath, giving her characters an unusual depth. As history shows, any animated production blessed with her talents is likely to end up a classic.

(To us, it is simply wondrous that Ms. Ferdin became, in adult life, a successful animal rights activist, a veritable Fern brought to life!)

Ferdin worked with beloved comedian Paul Lynde in his short-lived ABC-TV series THE PAUL LYNDE SHOW. Lynde here is quite good as a (what else?) sarcastic, self-centered rat! Debbie Reynolds is marvelous in anything she tackles, and as Charlotte, she becomes a character so real and so moving, its almost spooky. Henry Gibson (poet lauriat of ROWAN AND MARTIN’S LAUGH-IN)is mighty sweet as Wilber, the "sacrificial" pig. Agnes Moorehead (Endura from TV’s BEWITCHED) is pretty hilarious as a blueblood goose who stutters.

Rex Allen, the drawly voice of Americana in many Disney flicks, lends a nostalgic air to this new-age gem. Allen’s son, Rex Jr., has carried on the vocal tradition of his father, as a popular country singer, and narrator of the hilarious Jim Carrey comedy ME, MYSELF AND IRENE.

Long-time voice actress Joan Gerber (Mrs. Zuckerman) has been in everything from Bugs Bunny cartoons to TV’s LANCELOT LINK, SECRET CHIMP (1970, as Mata Hari). Her first professional voice role was as Spunky, a young boy, in the cliff-hanger TV toon THE ADVENTURES OF SPUNKY AND TADPOLE (1955). Ms. Gerber worked with Pam Ferdin in THESE WERE THE DAYS, a funny, short-lived prime-time animated TV series.

Another voice pro who makes an appearance, Don Messick (Jeffrey the Gosling), also started out on THE ADVENTURES OF SPUNKY & TADPOLE, as Tadpole (supposedly Spunky’s teddy bear come to life!). However, you know Don better from these classic voices: Boo Boo (YOGI BEAR), Bamm-Bamm (THE FLINTSTONES), Astro (THE JETSONS), and Scooby-Doo himself! Now that’s a resume to be proud of!

There are some lovely songs, (also released on a now-rare soundtrack album) by the esteemed Sherman Brothers, still going strong after their MARY POPPINS heyday. Our favorite songs are "Mother Earth, Father Time", "Charlotte's Web" and "Smorgasbord", all of which are enhanced by impressive visual montage. There is also a Barershop Quartet rendition of "Zuckerman's Famous Pig" which is just sensational.

Some children might find Charlotte the spider a frightful creature, especially when she coos things like, "I love to drink blood," as she wraps a quivering fly up in advance of killing it. Additionally, many find fault with the changes Hanna-Barbera brought to the story, but as we always say, "the film isn’t the book," and we think the results are just spiffy!

Some pig! Indeed!

CHARLOTTE’S WEB begat a video sequel (thirty years later!): CHARLOTTES’S WEB 2: WILBUR’S GREAT ADVENTURE. Thanks to the magic of technology, Reynolds, Ferdin, Gibson and Lynde worked together again!

Video/DVD availability: VHS, DVD (widescreen or fullscreen; Paramount Home Video).

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