Heidi's Song is a 1982 animated musical feature film produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions and distributed by Paramount Pictures. The film is based on the novel Heidi by Johanna Spyri. Among the voice cast of the film are Lorne Greene as Grandfather, Margery Gray as Heidi and Sammy Davis Jr. as Head Ratte.
The film was merely distributed by Paramount, and as such, they relinquished rights to the film after initial release. The first VHS release was made by Worldvision Enterprises in 1985 (coincidentally, Paramount's TV division would absorb Worldvision in 1999). Over the years, the rights to Heidi's Song would be owned by whoever was the parent of Hanna-Barbera - at the time of initial video release, it was Taft Broadcasting. Ownership would pass on to Great American Broadcasting in 1987, Turner Broadcasting System in 1991, and finally Time Warner in 1996. The most recent VHS release was made by Turner Home Entertainment in 1998.
Today, rights to the film are owned by TW subsidiary Warner Bros. Entertainment.
Plot
An orphaned girl named Heidi is sent to live with her grandfather by her Aunt Dete, who has been looking after Heidi since she was a baby. Heidi's grandfather initially dislikes having Heidi around because she interferes in his routine. But when grandfather hurts his leg, Heidi helps nurse him back to health, and during this time the two bond together. Heidi's Aunt Dete arrives one day to take Heidi away again, saying that a wealthy family in Frankfurt want Heidi to come live with them. Heidi's grandfather reluctantly lets her go.
Heidi arrives at the house in Frankfurt, where she learns she's supposed to become the companion of a wealthy but invalid girl named Klara. Klara's Governess and guardian Fräulein Rottenmeier disapproves of Heidi's simple country ways, but Klara likes Heidi and insists that she stays. Heidi brings joy into Klara's life, especially when she gives Klara a basket of kittens as a present. When Rottenmeier discovers the kittens, Heidi is locked in the rat-infested basement.
Peter and the country animals come to Heidi's rescue. Together with Klara, the three travel to the Wunderhorn without telling Rottenmeier. At this time, Klara's father returns to Frankfurt after being away on business, and is angered that his daughter has disappeared. He immediately leaves for the Wunderhorn, and in this time Rottenmeier and the butler Sebastian take the opportunity to flee.
The three children travel up the mountain, but Klara stops halfway so that Heidi can run on ahead without pushing her wheelchair. Heidi runs ahead and is joyfully reunited with her grandfather. Back halfway down the mountain, Klara's kitten Snowball is attacked by a hawk. Klara crawls out of her wheelchair and uses a stick to fight off the hawk. Klara then discovers that she is able to stand. Klara's father arrives and together they celebrate Klara's mobility and Heidi's return.
Voice cast
See also
External links
