The Wacky World of Mother Goose (1967)

Bent on enslaving an entire land of nursery-rhyme characters (to mine diamonds!), the dastardly Count Warptwist sneers and chortles his crooked way through The Wacky World of Mother Goose. According to Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass (famed creators of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer), such can be expected when Mother Goose leaves King Cole in charge while she visits her ailing sister. Contorted as it sounds, the premise allows Rankin and Bass to concoct possible backstories on literary curiosities like Little Jack Horner, Peter Pumpkin-eater's wife, and the dish who ran away with the spoon. It also means an eclectic soundtrack, frequent eyebrow-raising lyrics not meant for the preschool set, and an occasional nursery rhyme belted out by a resounding, Ray Conniff-esque chorus. Digital remastering for the DVD edition restores wide-awake colors, an odd juxtaposition to the sleepy characters first conceptualized by legendary artist Paul Coker Jr. (MAD Magazine). (Ages 6 and older) --Liane Thomas Amazon.com

Don't be a goose! Take a gander...

This is probably the most overlooked property in the Rankin/Bass canon. It is a sprightly amalgam of various Mother Goose rhymes, not at all unlike "Babes in Toyland" in conception. The animation is highly stylized and dated (the film was made in 1966), so it's either tolerated or hated by viewers today. Some of the character rendering is rather good, especially the title character, who is round and jovial and seems like everyone's idea of Mother Goose. The Crooked Man is very crooked, twisting his body 'round and 'round as he makes his speeches, literally oozing against the scenery. But other characters suffer, smothered under their wacky 60s outlook, especially the princess Harmony, who has no nose, and breasts that look like two cue balls hanging around her neck. Sleeping Beauty she ain't! The story is as simple as Simple Simon: Mother Goose has flown off to take care of a sick relative and Count Warptwist (aka the Crooked Man) has used the opportunity to take over Mother Goose Village. His crooked knights burn down houses and terrorize little lambs. Harmony is imprisoned, her crime the preservation of her own virtue (Me marry Count Warptwist? Euwww!) There are several hapless heroes and lovable animals. That's about it. Six or so songs round out the feature. They are mostly jazzy 60s tunes, likeable if not so special. The best is arguably the rousing anthem "Great Big Wacky World," the title tune, sung by a children's chorus. The animation is actually sort of uneven, lively when needed, wooden the rest of the time. Animation vs. soundtrack mistakes abound: Count Warptwist yells at his henchman ZigZag to SHUT UP! The sound comes out of ZigZag's mouth! Mother Hubbard says "the cupboard was bare;" no sound escapes her lips. Mother Goose seems to mutter like a Japanese Samurai while tumbling from the clouds. The script has inexcusable gaps in plot/motivation logic: Jack Horner needs to find Mother Goose; he knows darn well she's flown off into space; so why does he go looking for her on the outskirts of town? And if Warptwist was so smart, knowing that Goose's magic was greater than his, why'd he bother to take over the kingdom when he knew she'd be back before long to kick his butt? I enjoyed this film quite a bit during its many tv showings in the early 70s. It is far from Rankin/Bass's best, but not everything can be Rudolph or the Mad Monster Party. Today's kids have been spoiled by things like Shrek to pay much attention to it. The film is dated but that does not drain it of its charm. Any student or fan of the Rankin/Bass studios will want to see it. Children of today have all seen better films, but may fall under its spell regardless. The dvd itself is as good as it gets; the previous VHS version was probably the single poorest vhs ever released...! It had warping, atrocious sound reverb, knicks and cuts and murky colors. This dvd is bright and vivid, the soundtrack acceptable, although there is a little background rumble in certain spots. October 10, 2005

GREAT RESTORATION AND WORTHY ADDITION TO ANY DVD LIBRARY

This is an extraordinary version of Mother Goose as seen through the talented and always original eyes of Rankin-Bass. I was a teenager when this first came out and loved it; I mostly forgot about it until I read the title and then it all came flooding back, the pictures, the colors, the music and the wonderfully bizarre characters interpreted by this great team. I did think, from time to time, of a wonderful TV cartoon I had seen and it had Mother Goose characters in it but I couldn't remember what it was...it stayed in the back of my mind for years until I bought a copy of Rick Goldschmitt's great book of Rankin-Bass films and saw the title and pictures; then it came flooding back and some months later the WWOMG was released and restored. I was so thrilled and excited to see this available on DVD I couldn't wait to get it home. I have watched it over and over and I love it each and every time, and having Margaret Ruthford (THE best Miss Marple from the Agatha Christie film versions) as the voice of MG is a stroke of genius; she is the perfect fit for this particular version. There is something very comforting as well as very good about the cartoons that came out in the 1960s, and this represents the very best. Real nostalgia and yet still very fresh and interesting as seen through the eyes of children and adults today; virtually something for everyone, fun for kids and a trip down memory lane for adults. April 22, 2005

A classic Rankin/Bass animated tale!

A great mix (and rearrangement) of several classic nursery rhymes, melded into one fine animated film that should keep any child interested today, just as it did in the late 60's when it was released. My young son stayed glued to this all the way through.

As a Rankin/Bass fan who loves the animagic more than the animation, this is one of their best animation stories and I have no trouble watching this one again and again with my son. Can't wait til all the Rankin/Bass stuff makes it's way onto DVD. How about Kid Power or The New Adventures of Pinocchio next!!! March 29, 2005

Not as good as I remembered, but ...

Saw this when it was first broadcast on television nearly 30+ years ago, as a "No School Today" presentation. I often would bring this movie up with friends of my generation and nobody could remember it. It had a catchy opening theme song, which I never forgot. So, imagine my delight of its release on DVD.The print is excellent, and the opening theme song is great as I remember it. But this movie soon went downhill after Mother Goose left for the Moon. Some of the storylines were just too much on the level for a five year old, and soon my wife and I couldn't take much more. But we managed to get through it somehow.Get "Mad Monster Party" instead. June 1, 2003

Mother Goose and Travelin Tyke

i dont think this video is very good. With all the other great videos for your children out there, this one just didn't stand the test of time. Just my opinion. ... April 18, 2003

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