Charlotte’s Web (1973)
One of a very few non-Disney animated movies I’m aware of from the 1970s that’s actually not bad.
Brief Backstory
In 1952, E. B. White completed one of the most well-known children’s books known as Charlotte’s Web. A little over 20 years later in 1973, the tale was adapted for an animated feature, at a time when Black Sabbath sent out their 5th album, Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (followed up by Sabotage the year afterwards), Seth MacFarlane’s birth, disco and roller skating merged together, and just prior to Disney releasing Robin Hood.
Story
Wilbur, a runt pig, is brought to Zuckerman’s farm and with the help of a spider named Charlotte, tries to live a full life.
Random Facts
Although this movie may seem like something for kids, it is a little more serious sounding than some Disney movies.
In elementary school my third grade teacher read us the novel and showed us this classic although I was always somewhat familiar with the animated movie. She didn’t sing Charlotte’s song though.
The Sherman Brothers and Irwin Kostal are responsible for the soundtrack of this movie as they were for Mary Poppins. The latter composed the music for Mickey’s Christmas Carol and did a remaster of the soundtrack to Fantasia in the early 1980s.
Templeton is voiced by Paul Lynde, who was an inspiration for Roger from American Dad.
According to a TIME article, Charlotte’s Web is ranked as one of the saddest kids movies out there, which includes Where the Red Fern Grows (I only saw it once and will not watch it again) and oddly enough Bambi and Dumbo (both of those I never found sad).
One of the phrases written by Charlotte was yelled out by Broodmother in DOTA 2.
Random Opinions
I’ll take Robin Hood over this if we’re talking movies from 1973.
To Avery who says he was getting a frozen custard, a burger, and a soda pop: That’s not very smart. I know my father’s eaten shakes with burgers to this date but each time I do that I’ve had stomach issues. I can’t recall the last time I had a shake but I think it was at a Burger King or something. Then again I’m not a big dessert fanatic. Pile on the meat and salads!
Glad to see Mr. Zuckerman refused to have Wilbur sent to Bob Evans. As someone who loves to munch on sausages and salami, I have a lot of respect for him.
I don’t like spiders. Little ones aren’t a problem, but tarantulas are filthy mongrels. Nevertheless, only dead spiders are good spiders. Unless we’re talking Spiderman here.
I’m a little surprised people said this movie was really sad. The Rescuers was much sadder than this.
On my paternal grandparents’ property, they didn’t have rat issues, but had issues with mice particularly in their garage (which doubled as a basement, though it was more of just a garage).
Pros
- Zuckerman’s Favorite Pig is one of my favorite barbershop songs, coming pretty close to the Be-Sharps from the Simpsons.
- The animation is really good.
Cons
- Some of the song numbers aren’t that good. Makes me wish I was listening to something different, say maybe the Bare Necessities or Higitus Figitus?
Rating: 7/10 – Good
Overall not bad. If you don’t like musicals you may want to skip it though.
One response to “Charlotte’s Web”
-
Haven’t seen the OG Charlotte’s Web for many years. Have you seen the remake with Julia Roberts, Dakota Fanning & Steve Buscemi? My favorite movie from 1973 is Bruce Lee’s Enter the Dragon.
You still haven’t got any reviews based on current stuff like Oppenheimer, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Game of Thrones and The Boys?
Leave a Reply