CHARLOTTE’S WEB (Theatrical Release USA 1973)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì

Charlotte’s Web—sweet, with heart and good, old-fashioned animation—performs at a higher level of believability than the live action 2005 remake. Part of the realism lies in better portraiture of persons who live on farms and deal with farm animals and part of its draw lies in the choices of voice casting and the way the story enacts itself. Perfect example of an animation story that completely succeeds without all the bells and whistles computer generation allows to tell a story.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Humans, farm animals, and a spider interact to help a runt pig succeed and escape the usual fate of farm pigs.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Directors Charles Nichols and Iwao Takamoto for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producer Edgar M. Bronfman and Producers Joseph Barbera and William Hanna for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Charlotte (voice of Debbie Reynolds), Templeton (voice of Paul Lynde), Wilbur (voice of Henry Gibson), Narrator (voice of Rex Allen), Mrs. Arable (voice of Martha Scott), Ram (voice of Dave Madden), Avery Arable (voice of Danny Bonaduce), Jeffrey (voice of Don Messick), Lurvy (voice of Herb Vigran), The Goose (voice of Agnes Moorehead), Fern Arable (Pamelyn Ferdin), Edith Zuckerman/Mrs. Fussy (voice of Joan Gerber), Homer Zuckerman (voice of Bob Holt), Mr. Arable/Parking Officer (voice of John Stephenson), Henry Fussy (voice of William B. White), Singer (voice of Joann Albert), and Singer (voice of John Richard Bolks).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It performs as a classic due to its ‘heart’. It’s the best of film attempts that have endeavored to tell this well-known children’s story. It provides entertainment for children and adults alike.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers