Pinocchio in Outer Space
(aka PINOCCHIO DANS L'ESPACE)
English-Language Version:
Voices: Peter Lazer (Pinocchio), Arnold Stang (Nerdle), Jess Cain (Gepetto), Minerva Pious (the Blue Fairy), Mavis Mims, Conrad Jameson, Cliff Owens
Plot Outline: (Kevin S. Butler): Wooden boy Pinocchio has almost fulfilled his obligations as a real, live boy. But soon, he begins to slip back into his old, bad habits. The Blue Fairy has no alternative but to turn him back into a wooden puppet. Pinocchio is not happy about this, but he hopes to perform a brave act, in order to earn another chance at becoming a real boy (the voice of the Blue Fairy is performed by Minerva Pious, best remembered by radio fans as Mrs. Nussbaum on "The Fred Allen Show").
Meanwhile, an evil mutant whale from outer space, "Astro", is creating havoc within the many planets of the solar system. TV news reports fear that the large mutant may be preparing to attack Earth next!
Seeing an opportunity to redeem himself, Pinocchio wants to go to outer space, and Astro from his rampage. Luckily, Father Gepetto persuades his son not to try and go up against Astro, and stick to his studies in school.
The next morning, while heading for school, Pinocchio is greeted by the conniving Fox and his wacky, beatnik cat pal Mr. Groovy. They manipulate Pinocchio into buying a worthless pamphlet on hypnosis. The scurrilous Fox tells Pin that if he uses the instructions wisely, he'll be able to capture Astro and become a real boy again! To aid his phony sales pitch, The Fox sings about the possibilities of doing the impossible.
After The Fox and Mr. Groovy leave, Pinocchio is nearly run down by a spaceship which is piloted by a grumpy but kindly space agent: Nerdle The Twerdle. (the voice of Nerdle is performed by comic/character actor Arnold Stang, best remembered as the voice of "Top Cat!").
Nerdle tells Pinocchio he is on a secret mission to try and stop Astro from destroying the Earth and the other planets of the solar system. "Pinoke" (as Nerdle nicknames him) wants to accompany the friendly alien agent on his quest. But Nerdle says that he works alone. Eventually, he reconsiders and takes the heroic kid with him.
It isn't long before our two heroes find themselves trapped on the Planet Mars, and they find out to their horror that Astro is just one of an entire mutant colony of dangerous space mammals ready to destroy our universe. But Pinocchio and Nerdle destroy the breeding ground for the other mutant space whales by blasting the monster machines with Nerdle's ray gun. Happily, the destruction of the device also destroys the entire planet.
The duo quickly escape in the spaceship, only to end up trapped inside Astro's belly. Fearful of their fate, the pair think of a means of escape. While pondering, Pinocchio receives a visit from the Blue Fairy, who is angry that her charge didn't go to school, and instead went on a fool's errand. The irresponsible lad doesn't help matters by lying to his guardian and making his nose grow.
Yet, the Blue Fairy does admire the boy's courage, and tells him how they can escape from Astro's belly. All they have to do is fly out of his blowhole. They do so, but the giant mammal is not one for being foiled, and he soon takes after our heroes.
The only to stop Astro is to hypnotize him, by moving Nerdle's spaceship in a spinning motion. The movement, and the bright colors, do manipulate the giant whale, until he becomes a helpless
slave to the pair. But the battle with Astro damages the rudder of Nerdle's ship, so Pinocchio goes out to fix it. He manages to repair the rudder and tail fins of the spaceship, but he is caught by the backfire of the ship's engines, and he is apparently killed!
Returning to Earth, Gepetto", the dog Fedora, and Nerdle weep over the loss of the little fellow. But the Blue Fairy sees that her little charge has earned his second chance to become a real boy, and she happily brings Pinocchio back to life! Gepetto, Fedora and Nerdle dance with joy when they see that Pinocchio is once again alive.
The next day, the leaders of the world and Gepetto honor our heroic duo for their bravery, and Astro is made a citizen of Earth. Nerdle must return to his own realm, but he is also made a "World Ambassador", and is invited to return to Earth at the request of the U.S. President. Nerdle bids "Pinoke", his dad and Fedora a goodbye, and the little space agent flies off to another mission in the endless galaxy.
-- Kevin S. Butler
***
The first feature-length cartoon to come out of Belgium, similar in style to the works of top French animator Jean Image (who did JOHNNY IN THE VALLEY OF THE GIANTS and ALLADIN AND HIS LAMP), there is fun, fluid animation in this sci-fi adventure about our favorite wooden boy's trip through the cosmos, told with great shadow-play and simple expressionist graphics. There are also some endearing characterizations. And any example of the mid-60s obsession with grafting science-fiction and fairy tale is always welcome. Indeed, is this the only film in history where the villain is a whale!?!?
The trouble here, as often, is the absurd, anemic plot needed to make this mass-market entertainment, a good example of creative freedom being harnessed to create palatable mediocrity. Still, as a visual treat it's quite watchable. Co-produced by American Norm Prescott, who went on to form Filmation, maker of the worst in Saturday-morn kiddy-toon TV-drivel.
According to Kevin Butler, Arnold Stang made guest appearances on WPIX TV Ch.11 NYC's "Let's Have Fun!", with host/performer Terry Bennett, and on WTAE TV Ch.4 Pittsburgh, Pa.'s "Adventuretime!", with Mr. Paul Shannon, to promote PINOCCHIO IN OUTER SPACE. Mr. Stang also appeared in the 1965 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, to promote the film!
Video/DVD availability: VHS (RCA/Columbia, oop); DVD (Universal Home Video, available)
(1965, Belgium) color animated 89 minutes
Belvision/Swallow
Story: Carlo Collodi
Original Music: H. Dobelare, Arthur Korb, F. Leonard
Animation directors: Willy LaTeste, Vivian Miessen
Produced by Raymond Leblanc
Directed by Rene Goscinny (as "Ray Goosens")
(1965) Universal International 71 minutes
Music: Dan Hart, Billy Mure
Songs, Lyrics: Robert Sharp, Arthur Korb
Screenplay: Norm Prescott, Fred Laderman
Produced by Norm Prescott, Fred Laderman (as "Fred Ladd")
