Keith Hopwood Movies
A lonely orphan girl makes a most unusual friend as best-selling children's author Roald Dahl's timeless story comes to life in an animated effort that was nominated for Best Children's Program by the Academy of Film and Television. A twenty-five foot prince who harvests the dreams of Dream Country and blows them into the minds of children with his magical trumpet, the Big Friendly Giant is troubled to learn that some of the less friendly giants of the land have left many English boys and girls unable to rest soundly in their beds at night. Now determined to put a stop to the frightening activities of the gargantuan grumps, the Big Friendly Giant joins forces with young orphan Sophie to seek out the aid of Her Majesty the Queen and deliver the most spectacular dreams imaginable to the children who now sleep safely nestled away from the threat of the towering monsters who had once filled their hearts with fear and dread. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
For many aficionados of Kenneth Grahames' The Wind in the Willows, the definitive film version was seen in Disney's omnibus animated feature Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949). Even so, this 1983 British adaptation is every bit as accomplished and worthwhile as the Disney film. Consisting of three short stories, each lasting about 20 minutes, the film features most of Grahame's beloved anthropomorphic-animal characters, specifically Toad, Rat, Badger and Mole. The animation was accomplished with a stop-motion process, reminiscent of George Pal's Puppetoons. The Wind in the Willows was directed by Mark Hall, of Count Duckula and Danger Mouse fame. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
This musical comedy stars Herman's Hermits, the popular British pop group that made the title song from the movie a million-selling hit record. Herman (Peter Noone) inherits a greyhound and decides to enter the dog in the races. The dog, appropriately named Mrs. Brown, and the group travel from Manchester to London in hopes of entering a national invitational. The group finds work as a pop group (quite a stretch) as Herman falls for the girl next door. The group sings nine songs including the title track and the romantic tune "There's A Kind Of Hush." Herman's Hermits were much more popular in America than they ever were in England. Peter Noone later developed into a competent actor. The original group toured together until 1976. Guitarist Derek Leckenby and drummer Barry Whitwam continued to tour as Herman's Hermits into the 1990s on the oldies circuit. Noone has appeared in several films and television shows and also delivers his string of nostalgia in concert. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Noone, Keith Hopwood, (more)
- 1966
In the wake of the Beatles' landmark film Help comes this campy movie featuring British pop-rockers Herman's Hermits. The story begins as the English cuties find themselves pursued by a NASA scientist while on a U.S. tour. The scientist is trying to determine whether the group should have a space capsule named after it. Meanwhile the lads find themselves mixed up with an ambitious starlet willing to stop at nothing, and of course there is one of their girlfriends around to complicate things. During the film's musical finale, the Hermits perform at the Rose Bowl and get their name upon the spacecraft. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Herman's Hermits, Peter Noone, (more)
