Of the various series of literary adaptations that Rabbit Ears Productions did for over a decade divided into four different series and some holiday specials, the "Storybook Classics" one was the most consistent. Most of the adaptations were amazing, and even the weakest of the series 'Brer Rabbit and the Wonderful Tar Baby' had many impressive elements. In fact, most of the company's filmography made a big impression on me and still continue to do so, they do deserve to be better known.
Their adaptation of 'Little Red Riding Hood' is no exception. Not one of my personal favourite of the "Storybook Classics" series, a series that had the likes of 'The Velveteen Rabbit', 'Elephant's Child', 'The Steadfast Tin Soldier' and 'Paul Bunyan', but it has everything that makes many of the company's literary adaptations so brilliant and a must for anybody who loves the still very popular and oft adapted and parodied 'Little Red Riding Hood' story. It is a story that has been done so many times in most mediums, but it doesn't feel stale in an adaptation that is a close third perhaps to 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow' and 'The Fisherman and His Wife' as the most dramatic (surpirisingly so for a usually quaint story) of the series.
'Little Red Riding Hood' works brilliantly in every area. The visuals are beautifully done, the character design of Red herself is cute without being too cutesy-sweet and the wolf has a sinister look without being over-scary. The backgrounds are suitably vibrant and while simple they are never sparse or simplistic (will always refuse steadfastly in calling the visusals in Rabbit Ears Productions' output limited).
Art Lande also composed the music for the company's adaptations of 'The Three Billy Goats Gruff' and 'The Three Little Pigs'. Of the three scores, this one is the best to me by far (just like 'Little Red Riding Hood' being a lot better than both overall too). The music here has presence but without ever being too loud or constant, especially shining in the classic bed scene between Red and the disguised wolf which is quite intense in the drama.
Meg Ryan, in one of two adaptations she narrated (the other being 'Goldilocks'), and it is a nuanced reading. Humorous in the interaction between Red and the wolf, intensely dramatic in that aforementioned infamous scene and also with a sympathetic bedtime story narrator approach. Her attempt at a French accent for the wolf is infinitely more successful than Tracey Ullman's for the whole of the 'Puss in Boots' adaptation.
It is an extremely well written adaptation as well. The storytelling is immensely charming and full of energy, the more unsettling parts having suspsense even when you know they're coming. The writing is accessible for the whole family, very easy to follow without being dumbed down. Red is never dull or annoying while the wolf is both amusing and menacing.
Concluding, brilliant. 10/10.
Their adaptation of 'Little Red Riding Hood' is no exception. Not one of my personal favourite of the "Storybook Classics" series, a series that had the likes of 'The Velveteen Rabbit', 'Elephant's Child', 'The Steadfast Tin Soldier' and 'Paul Bunyan', but it has everything that makes many of the company's literary adaptations so brilliant and a must for anybody who loves the still very popular and oft adapted and parodied 'Little Red Riding Hood' story. It is a story that has been done so many times in most mediums, but it doesn't feel stale in an adaptation that is a close third perhaps to 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow' and 'The Fisherman and His Wife' as the most dramatic (surpirisingly so for a usually quaint story) of the series.
'Little Red Riding Hood' works brilliantly in every area. The visuals are beautifully done, the character design of Red herself is cute without being too cutesy-sweet and the wolf has a sinister look without being over-scary. The backgrounds are suitably vibrant and while simple they are never sparse or simplistic (will always refuse steadfastly in calling the visusals in Rabbit Ears Productions' output limited).
Art Lande also composed the music for the company's adaptations of 'The Three Billy Goats Gruff' and 'The Three Little Pigs'. Of the three scores, this one is the best to me by far (just like 'Little Red Riding Hood' being a lot better than both overall too). The music here has presence but without ever being too loud or constant, especially shining in the classic bed scene between Red and the disguised wolf which is quite intense in the drama.
Meg Ryan, in one of two adaptations she narrated (the other being 'Goldilocks'), and it is a nuanced reading. Humorous in the interaction between Red and the wolf, intensely dramatic in that aforementioned infamous scene and also with a sympathetic bedtime story narrator approach. Her attempt at a French accent for the wolf is infinitely more successful than Tracey Ullman's for the whole of the 'Puss in Boots' adaptation.
It is an extremely well written adaptation as well. The storytelling is immensely charming and full of energy, the more unsettling parts having suspsense even when you know they're coming. The writing is accessible for the whole family, very easy to follow without being dumbed down. Red is never dull or annoying while the wolf is both amusing and menacing.
Concluding, brilliant. 10/10.