I Go Pogo(film)
| I Go Pogo | |
|---|---|
 Publicity poster for 'I Go Pogo' | |
| Directed by | Marc Paul Chinoy |
| Written by | Marc Paul Chinoy |
| Produced by | Marc Paul Chinoy |
| Starring | Skip Hinnant Jonathan Winters Vincent Price |
| Cinematography | Robert W. Starbird |
| Edited by | Michael Usher |
| Music by | Holly Amber Church |
Production companies | Stowmar Enterprises Possum Productions Inc. |
| Distributed by | Fotomat Video |
Release date |
|
Running time | 82 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $2 million |
I Go Pogo(also known asPogo for President) is a 1980 Americanstop motioncomedy filmwritten and directed by Marc Paul Chinoy based on thecomic stripPogobyWalt Kelly.
Plot
[edit]Pogo the Possum attempts to run for president with the help of his fellow animal friends.
Cast
[edit]- Skip Hinnantas Pogo Possum
- Jonathan Wintersas Porky Pine / Molester Mole / Wiley Catt
- Bob McFaddenas Howland Owl
- Vincent Priceas Deacon Mushrat
- Jimmy Breslinas P.T. Bridgeport
- Stan Frebergas Albert Alligator
- Ruth Buzzias Miz Beaver / Miss Mam'selle Hepzibah
- Arnold Stangas Churchy LaFemme
Production
[edit]The film was announced in January 1980.[1]Kerry H. Stowell, president of Stowmar Enterprises, a film studio inCrystal City, Virginiathat produced the feature-length picture on a budget of $2 million.[2][3]The film was the first feature-length animation shot with a new technique called "flexiform," which involves the manipulation of three-dimensional plasticine figures[3]Marc Paul Chinoy, an animator on TV commercials and letter segments onSesame Street,introduced Stowell to the technique and became her partner in producing educational and industrial films. [4][3]Shooting on the picture took about a year, but planning for it had taken more than a year before that with the two discussing possible applications for the "flexiform" technique when the two agreed on adaptingWalt Kelly'sPogocomic strip[3]The two contacted Kelly's widow, Selby Kelly, regarding the rights and after showing her the studio she was impressed enough that she broke off her negotiations withNBCandMGMregarding an animated TV adaptation.[4][3]Kelly remained involved throughout production approving the models and suggesting changes.[4]During the writing process, Chinoy used Kelly's strips as a guideline and didn't invent any new situations that didn't directly tie back to the source material.[4]
Release
[edit]The film had been intended to be released three months before the1980 United States presidential electionwith a $1 million marketing budget as well as a write-in campaign for "Pogo for President", but21st Century Film Corporationnever delivered on their promise and instead released the film on videocassette viaFotomat'svideo rental service.[5]
Walt Disney Home Videowould reissue the film in 1989 on VHS under the alternate title ofPogo for President.[6]
Two versions of the film exist with one being the unaltered original and a re-edit that added narration.[7]
References
[edit]- ^"We Have Met the Movie and It Is Pogo!".The Washington Post.January 13, 1980.RetrievedMay 12,2023.
- ^"Bringing Walt Kelly's Pogo To the Screen".The New York Times.November 25, 1979.RetrievedMay 12,2023.
- ^abcde"Possum Politics".The Washington Post.October 27, 1980.RetrievedMay 12,2023.
- ^abcd"Doesn't Everybody Go Pogo?".The Washington Post.September 5, 1980.RetrievedMay 12,2023.
- ^Scapperotti, Dan (1980)."I Go Pogo".Cinefantastique.Fourth Castle Micromedia.RetrievedMay 12,2023.
- ^Umland, Samuel J. (2015).The Tim Burton Encyclopedia.Rowman & Littlefield.p. 28.ISBN978-0810892002.
- ^VideoHound's Family Video Retriever.1995. p.166.ISBN978-0-8103-7866-7.