MisterWhiplash
As a child, this was one of the shorts that I played a lot (it came in one of those clamshell cases as part of a series, another with it was The Snowman for example). It didn't really sink in that Maurice Sendak was the creative force behind it (aside from Carole King, who is unmistakable in the lead role), but seeing it today it's so Sendak's work that it works as the kind of musical other side of what he could do from Where the Wild Things Are. Where that had lots of monsters and adventure, this is more grounded in the urban area, with kids singing along and playing with the big-hatted/flamboyantly dressed Rosie - and it also comes, from what I've read, from books by Sendak, so it makes sense he would want to spear-head the direction of the TV special.I think that a big part of the enjoyment for me was the songs. They're catchy and memorable, but they also have things that kids can relate to: Chicken Soup with Rice is something kids like, and when the one kid whines "I Don't Care!" it inspires one of the songs that has stayed with me for my entire life: a story of what happens if you keep repeating 'I don't care' over and over to the things you don't want to try or do. If you don't take to the songs as a kid then it might not stick with you, but the combination of animation that has a quality that is all Sendak's - a little rough but also warm at the same time, an odd combination but that was the artist and author for you - and the music, worked for me many times over, as it seems to have for other generations of kids (whether you were born in 1970 or 1980 or 1990).Is it perfect? I don't know, but it's all about the joys of being expressive and being a child and not holding too much inside - enjoying life, in other words, which was one of Sendak's chief concerns. It's jubilant, soulful and, in its unassuming way, masterful. I hope to show my children this special one day.
ironhorse_iv
Originally, aired on CBS TV in February 1975, this animated television special, written and directed by Maurice Sendak feels somewhat uncompleted, to me. First off, if you take off, your rose-colored nostalgia glasses for a second. You would notice that two, highly different books are adapted, for this special. First off, there is 1960's Sign on Rosie's Door, a book that tells the story of a young girl, being replaced by a female lounge singer. Then, there is 1962's Nutshell Library, a 4-volume boxed book set collection contains an alphabet book, a book of rhymes about each month, a counting book, and a cautionary tale. In my opinion, the two stories are way too diverse to try to combine. A wannabe movie star, living near a family of anthropomorphic alligators. Clearly, this special didn't make, for a very logical story. Still, I have to give, the special, some credit, for trying. In this special, Rosie (Voiced by Carole King) is having auditions for the neighborhoods kids AKA the Nutshell Library Kids to star, in her exaggerated movie version of her life. Only to find out, that they want to tell, stories about themselves. Without spoiling the special, too much, the various types of interpretations is indeed jarring to watch. It made for a very confusing, and unsteady watch, because the two stories don't mixed well. I don't know, where the film is going for. The special start out, saying it's about Rosie, but it's really not. You don't see, any of the supporting characters from the book. Unless, the girl, standing near Rosie is Kathy. However, they don't address her name. Honestly, where in the hell is Kathy, Sal, Pudgy, and Dolly? Where is the Magic Man? What happen to Rosie's alter ego, Alinda? I get that, Rosie will being hanging out with the Nutshell Library Kids in this special, but, this TV special needs some characters from Rosie's book, as well. Instead, of being a movie about Rosie. It's felt more like a series of miscellaneous educational sequences, under a very tinny-plot audition thread. It's so thin that the special, abandoned it, toward the end. This give the special, a very lacking ending conclusion. I really felt, that certain critics have, really overlook this. Another problem with this special, is the traditional animation. A lot of the hand-drawn animation, doesn't flow, right in this special. Some of the sequences were oddly-timed. Whenever, there was a transition in cells frames, the character's height, color, and even, the movement wouldn't synched right, making very clunky animation. Even, when the characters are on a certain cell frame. They were still, missing some frames of motion. This really became jarring, whenever, a character speaks. The voice-acting, somewhat doesn't match, what's happening on screen. One of the worst things in this special is the musical sequences. They were missing backgrounds. Where were they? It feel, so cheaply made. Not only that, but the special was also, omitted, a lot of cool songs that came from, Carole King's soundtrack. Where were the songs: "Avenue P", "My Simple Humble Neighborhood", The Awful Truth" & "Such Suffering"? Maurice Sendak, the well-known artist and author-illustrator of this special did help, write the lyrics. So what happen to those songs? How come, they didn't make the cut!? I guess, they were cut, because the animation was so hard to produce. Still, the songs that we, indeed got, weren't that bad. The song, 'Really Rosie' was amazing, sung. I love Carole King's singing voice, however, she doesn't really sound, like a pre-teen girl. 'One was Johnny" was a great counting song, but it was a bit weird, that Johnny wanted to eat everybody, there. Another song that was alright was 'Alligator All Around'. It's a wonderful song, still used in pre-school, to get kids, to remember, their ABCs. Songs that I didn't like, were "Pierre', "Screaming and Yelling", and 'The Ballad of Chicken Soup", because they were really annoying, loud, repetitive or way too depressing. The voices here are the typical shrill and strident noises made by adults on stage trying to imitate kids. They all sound mean and angry. It's horrible! Some of the song lyrics seem so inappropriate for children. Who in their right mind, would make kids, so paranoid about choking on Chicken Soup or having lions eat you up!? Talk about nightmare fuel. While, I hope it was made, with the means, of causing no harm. I have to say, that a bit sadistic for Maurice Sendak. I guess, if you're childhood was affected by the death of many of his family members during the Holocaust. Your story would be, a little grim, as well. Still, for the most part, Really Rosie is alright watch for your children. However, it's a bit dated. So, it might not, be very entertaining toward your children. Overall: It's an excellent learning tool, worth checking out. However, just note, that first half, is so much, better than the latter so this 1970s TV special, is a 50/50 watch. Every rose has it thorn.
