Billie Richards Movies
- 1979
Rudolph is again a hero when he comes to the rescue of Baby New Year (otherwise time would stand still!). This animation/puppet combo features the talented voices of Red Skelton and Frank Gorshin. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1973
Coproduced by Canada's Rankin-Bass and Japan's Mushi Studios, this 30-minute cartoon special is essentially a remake of the classic 1940 film The Thief of Baghdad (which would itself provide inspiration for the 1991 animated feature Aladdin. It's the story of Pindar, a dauntless teenager in love with Fatha, the daughter of the Thief of Baghdad, Omar (no, he's not a tentmaker here). In order to win Fatha's hand, Pindar must outwit the evil Caliph and steal his slippers--and, oh yes, he's got to work his way around a fearsome genie who is guarding the largest treasure in the world. First telecast as one of the eighteen episodes of the syndicated Festival of Family Classics anthology, The Arabian Knights began making the TV syndication rounds in early 1973. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carl Banas, Len Birman, (more)
- 1972
- Add Festival of Family Classics: Around the World in 80 Days to QueueAdd Festival of Family Classics: Around the World in 80 Days to top of Queue
This two-part cartoon adaptation of Jules Verne's fanciful adventure novel Around the World in 80 Days was a coproduction of Canada's Rankin-Bass and Japan's Mushi Productions. The familiar story of how Phileas Fogg and his manservant Passepartout undertake to circle the globe in 80 days is retold with remarkable fidelity, even though the scenes in which the two protagonists are seen flying in a balloon cannot be found in the Verne original, but were invented for the 1956 movie version of the same property. Not to be confused with the concurrently produced TV cartoon series of the same name, Around the World in 80 Days was first syndicated in November of 1972, as part of the 18-episode Festival of Family Classics anthology. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carl Banas, Len Birman, (more)
Four stories from Hans Christian Andersen appear in The Daydreamer, a feature using the Animagic process that uses live action combined with stop-motion puppets. Included are "The Little Mermaid," "The Emperor's New Clothes," "Thumbelina," and "The Garden Of Paradise." Songs and dances compliment an international all-star cast of voices used for the characters. Ray Bolger, Margaret Hamilton, Burl Ives, Hayley Mills, Boris Karloff, Cyril Ritchard, Patty Duke, Terry-Thomas and Victor Borge join Ed Wynn in his second-to-last screen role. This was the last film in which fans would hear the voices of Sessue Hayakawa and Tallulah Bankhead. Director Jules Bass provided the lyrics, with Murray Law providing the music for this entertaining children's fantasy. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cyril Ritchard, Paul O'Keefe, (more)
- 1965
As if inventing a time machine weren't enough to enshrine him in the pantheon of great minds of history, in this puppet cartoon, professor Rasputin von Rotton is planning on using it to claim credit for the achievements of the greats of history, from the cavemen to Buffalo Bill. The professor's monkey has been following the development of this plan with great concern and manages to escape and turn over the plans to Willy McBean, who is charged with the task of saving history. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Larry Mann, Billie Richards, (more)
