Puff the Magic Dragon (film)
| Puff the Magic Dragon | |
|---|---|
| Genre |
Animation Fantasy Family Short |
| Written by | Romeo Muller |
| Directed by |
Charles Swenson Fred Wolf |
| Starring |
Burgess Meredith Frank Nelson Robert Ridgely Regis Cordic |
| Theme music composer |
Peter Yarrow David Richard Cambell |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | Kevin Hunter Robert L. Rosen |
| Producer(s) |
Charles Swenson Peter Yarrow Romeo Muller |
| Editor(s) | Rich Harrison |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Production company(s) |
Murakami Wolf Swenson Yarrow/Muller-My Company |
| Release | |
| Original network | CBS |
| Original release |
|
Puff the Magic Dragon is a 30-minute animated television film based on the song of the same name by Peter, Paul and Mary. The title character was voiced by Burgess Meredith. The doctors were voiced by Frank Nelson, Regis Cordic, and Charles Woolf. The special first aired October 30, 1978 on CBS.
The film begins with Puff's narration about a little boy named Jackie Draper, who is filled with so much self-doubt and fear that he has stopped talking altogether. His parents are so concerned that they have three doctors examine him, and they say it is hopeless and that little Jackie will never talk again. Jackie returns to his room, where he sits until Puff comes to his bedroom window and starts a conversation with him.
Puff invites himself in, talks to Jackie about inner happiness, and pulls a long sheet of paper out of a magic bag. He cuts the paper into a paper doll shaped like Jackie and dubs it Jackie Paper. He explains that Jackie Paper can do anything and then asks if he can put his happiness into it. After he does so, the paper doll version of Jackie comes to life, and Puff then begins to make plans to go to Honalee, which is located by the sea. Jackie admits he is afraid. Puff then helps Jackie make a boat using things in Jackie's room, such as string, sealing wax, and the frame of his bed.
They set out onto the ocean, where they meet a boat filled with kings and princes in the shape of cards. Afterward Jackie says he was afraid of pirates after hearing about them. They then run into Very Long, a giant pirate who takes them to his island. While they await their fate, Puff says that Very Long will not be scary if they get to know him. They then view his inner desire with Puff's magic smoke rings which have the power to reveal hidden things. It reveals that Very Long secretly wishes to be a baker. Jackie then goes and asks Very Long if he can make pies, which Jackie doubts Long could. After baking dozens of pies, Very Long expresses that he always wanted to be a baker, but never believed he could do it and was afraid he couldn't change from being a pirate. Jackie prompts him to make this change, and Very Long expresses his gratitude to Jackie and Puff.
They continue their journey until they reach the starless sky, where jealous clouds block out the brightness of the stars. One of the stars falls, and Puff instructs Jackie to take the small star to the sky with the boat, which Puff gives butterfly wings. In order for the ship to fly, Puff has to get out of the boat, leaving Jackie alone to face his fears. Jackie then returns the star to the sky, brightening the sky. Puff rewards Jackie with a medal for bravery.
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Wikipedia