The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking
The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking | |
---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | Ken Annakin |
Produced by |
Gary Mehlman Walter Moshay Mishaal Kamal Adham |
Screenplay by | Ken Annakin |
Based on |
Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren |
Starring | |
Music by | Misha Segal |
Cinematography | Roland Smith |
Edited by | Ken Zemke |
Distributed by | Columbia Pictures |
Release dates |
(U.S.) |
Running time | 100 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $5 million |
The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking is a 1988 American fantasy–adventure–musical film written and directed by Ken Annakin based on the books of the fictional character Pippi Longstocking, created by children's book author Astrid Lindgren. While the title suggests a continuation of previous entries, the film is in fact a remake of the original story. It was filmed in Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island and at soundstages in Jacksonville, Florida. It was released in movie theaters worldwide in 13 languages by Columbia Pictures.
Plot
After her father's lost at sea in a sudden storm, Pippi Longstocking (Tami Erin) is stranded with her horse, Alfonso, and monkey, Mr. Nilsson, and takes up residence in Villa Villekulla, which the neighborhood children believe is haunted. Soon Tommy Settigren (David Seaman, Jr.) and his little sister, Annika Settigren (Cory Crow), venture into the house after seeing lights in the windows. Looking for ghosts, they meet Pippi, Mr. Nilsson, and Alfonso instead. They become friends and get into various adventures together such as making pancakes, cleaning the floor with scrubbing shoes, serving ice cream to children of the local orphanage, riding a motorcycle, and dodging "splunks". Pippi must also fight off Mr. Blackhart and his goons Rype and Rancid who wish to demolish her house and sell the property, as well as avoid being legally taken to the orphanage by Miss Bannister. She agrees to run away with Tommy and Annika in a homemade autogyro to avoid this fate. They end up needing to be rescued after nearly going over a waterfall while riding barrels down a river. Believing that Pippi will hurt their children Tommy and Annika's parents refuse to let them play with her anymore. Pippi believes that Tommy and Annika would be better off without her and she goes to the orphanage. As a result Pippi is forced to leave Mr. Nilsson and Alfonso behind. Pippi does not fit in with the other children due to her lack of discipline and education. However, after she saves the orphanage from a fire and becomes the town heroine, Pippi is allowed to return home and play with Tommy and Annika again. She is reunited with her father on Christmas Day, and he offers her the chance to become a cannibal princess of the uncharted island he had washed ashore on and was crowned king. Pippi agrees and everyone comes out to bid Pippi a tearful farewell. Just as they prepare to sail off, she decides to stay after seeing that everyone in the village is sad to see her go. Pippi explains to Captain Longstocking that she can't leave Tommy and Annika. He understands and tells his daughter that he loves her. Pippi and her father say goodbye and Pippi goes home with Tommy, Annika, Mr. Nilsson, and Alfonso.
Cast
- Tami Erin as Pippilotta Delicatessa Windowshade Mackrelmint Efraim's Daughter "Pippi" Longstocking, a spunky 9 year old girl who arrives on land after her father is lost at sea. When Pippi was a baby her mother died.
- David Seaman, Jr. as Thomas "Tommy" Settigren, Annika's older brother who becomes friends with Pippi.
- Cory Crow as Annika Settigren, Tommy's younger sister who becomes friends with Pippi.
- Eileen Brennan as Miss Bannister, the well meaning no nonsense owner of the town orphanage who believes that Pippi will be safer under her care. Miss Bannister tries to explain to Pippi that because she's an unaccompanied minor and can offer no proof that her father is still alive by law she has to live at the orphanage.
- Dennis Dugan as Mr. Settigren, Tommy and Annika's polite father who thinks that Pippi is annoying and wants her to leave Villa Villekulla.
- Dianne Hull as Mrs. Settigren, Tommy and Annika's overprotective mother who wants to keep her children safe from Pippi.
- George DiCenzo as Mr. Daniel "Dan" Blackhart, a local businessman who originally intended to knock down Pippi's house to make more space but after Pippi moves in, attempts to lure her out using his two clumsy henchmen.
- Dick Van Patten as Gregory "Greg" the Glue Man, a strange man who invented special sticky glue that walk him up and down anywhere. He uses his glue to sneak into the orphanage one night where he meets Pippi and instantly becomes her friend.
- John Schuck as Captain Efraim Longstocking, Pippi's widowed father who is captain of the ship "Hoptoad". After a storm he is washed out to sea and floats towards an island at the start of the movie but he later returns home during Christmas. Captain Logstocking's wife died before the events of the movie.
- Branscombe Richmond as Fridolf, Captain Longstocking's cabin boy and best friend who teaches Pippi while she is on board the Hoptoad.
- Fay Masterson as Head Girl, a bossy older girl at the orphanage.
- Carole Kean as Miss Messerschmidt a strict teacher at the orphanage who wants Pippi to behave and get an education.
- Frank Welker and Michael Bell as Mr. Nilsson and Alfonso, Pippi's pet monkey and horse respectively.
- Clark Niederjohn as Jacob "Jake," the town pilot who befriends Pippi and invents an autogyro. When Pippi runs away with Tommy and Annika, he decides to take Mr. Settergren up in the autogyro to search for them and bring the kids home before they get hurt.
Songs
- "Pippi Longstocking is Coming Into Your Town!" - Margie Nelson and the International Children's Choir
- "We Live on the Seas" - Michael Mendelson and the Hoptoad Crew
- "Scrubbing Day" - Marlene Ricci, Tami Erin, David Seaman, Jr., Cory Crow, and the International Children's Choir
- "Runnin' Away" - Margie Nelson, Tami Erin, Cory Crow, and the International Children's Choir
- "Runnin' Away (Reprise)" - Tami Erin, David Seaman, Jr., and Cory Crow
- "Sticky Situation" - Sandra Simmons
- "Merry Christmas Tree" - Gail Lopata Lennon
- "We Live on the Seas (Reprise)" - Tami Erin, Michael Mendelson, and the Hoptoad Crew
- "Pippi Longstocking is Coming Into Your Town! (Reprise)" - Margie Nelson and the International Children's Choir
Soundtrack
Atlantic Records issued the film's motion picture soundtrack upon its release, in both LP and CD formats (LP: 91016-1, CD: 91016-2). It was also issued in Japan by Polydor Records (CD: P32P-20156).[1] The Atlantic LP and CD had 22 tracks, with the score by Misha Segal, and all of the songs.[2] It is out of print, and hard to find.
- Pippi Longstocking is Coming Into Your Town
- The Storm (Lyrics)
- The Gulf Stream
- Ghost of Villa Villekula
- Pippi March
- Scrubbing Day
- War of the Ice Cream
- Beautiful Day at the Villa
- Pastorale
- Runnin' Away
- Runnin' Away (Reprise)
- The Rescue (Lyrics)
- Mama (Lyrics)
- Sticky Situation
- Pippi Saves the Day
- Merry Christmas Tree
- Father's Return
- Kurre Kurre Islands
- Goodbye Papa
- We Live on the Seas
- If You Ever Need Me
- Pippi Longstocking is Coming Into Your Town (Reprise)
Reception
The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking received generally negative reviews from film critics. The film has a 17% approval rating on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes. Despite this however, it is much more popular with the general public, as 70% of the audience have given it a favorable opinion.
Home entertainment release
The film was released worldwide on DVD in 2000 and re-released as a double feature with Matilda in 2007.
References
- Hug Brings Pippi To Hollywood, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 1985.
External links
- The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking at the Internet Movie Database
- The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking at the TCM Movie Database
- The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking at Box Office Mojo
- Original release production notes at Sony Movie Channel.