Heidi's Song (1982)(dvd)

Synopsis: After numerous live-action versions, Johanna Spyri's much-loved classic gets the cartoon treatment in this sugary, critter-strewn offering. This was a rare feature outing for the Hanna-Barbera studio, which had concentrated on TV shows such as The Flintstones and Top Cat after its production of countless Tom and Jerry shorts. But little of the old magic is evident in this lacklustre adaptation, which is not helped by the abundance of substandard songs from the usually reliable Sammy Cahn and Burton Lane. Margery Gray does what she can voicing Heidi, while Sammy Davis Jr adds a little pizzazz as Head Ratte.

Yet for all this, it was a spectacular flop, as audiences tired of the early sound era's musical boom.

Cast: Lorne Greene, Margery Gray
Runtime: 90 min