The Music of Rock-a-Doodle
Contents
- Introduction
- The Music of Rock-a-Doodle
- The Characters of Rock-a-Doodle
- The Story of Rock-a-Doodle
- The Animation of Rock-a-Doodle
- The Legacy of Rock-a-Doodle
- The Music of Rock-a-Doodle – Part II
- The Characters of Rock-a-Doodle – Part II
- The Story of Rock-a-Doodle – Part II
- The Legacy of Rock-a-Doodle – Part II
Rock-a-Doodle is a 1992 American animated musical comedy film directed by Don Bluth and featuring the voices of Glen Campbell, Christopher Plummer, and David Spade. The film was released in theaters on April 10, 1992 by Universal Pictures.
Introduction
Rock-a-Doodle is a 1992 American animated musical comedy film directed by Don Bluth and featuring the voices of Glen Campbell, Christopher Plummer, Bryan Scott Richardson, Charles Nelson Reilly, Tawny Kitaen, Ellen Greene, and Ben Vereen. The film tells the story of Chanticleer, a rooster whose crow summons the sun every morning. When he is tricked into thinking that his crowing no longer has power, Chanticleer leaves the farm only to find that his crow does indeed have magical powers.
The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song for “I Will Always Love You” sung by Glen Campbell. The song peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.
The Music of Rock-a-Doodle
The Music of Rock-a-Doodle is a 1992 American animated musical comedy film directed by Don Bluth and written by Bluth and Linda Woolverton. The film features the voices of Glen Campbell, Christopher Plummer, Bryan Scott (in his only film role), Toby Scott Ganger, Sandy Duncan, Charles Nelson Reilly, Phil Harris (in his last film role), Edward Asner, Gregory Peck (in his final film appearance), and Ellen Greene. Rock-a-Doodle was the first and only feature length live action/animated hybrid film ever made until Space Jam 11 years later.
While the majority of the film is animation, the opening and closing scenes are live action blended with animation via rotoscoping. In addition, several shots throughout the movie make use of a technique known as ‘Blue Screen/Chroma Key’ Compositing’, where footage of actors or objects are shot in front of a blue or green backdrop and then combined with other footage or animations.
The Characters of Rock-a-Doodle
The characters of Rock-a-Doodle are colorful and diverse, each with their own musical style. Chanticleer is a cocky rooster whose crowing can bring the sun up in the morning. He’s also the only one who can make Edmond, the farmer’s boy, turn into a chick. Edmond is a average kid who turns into a chicken when he’s around Chanticleer. Patou is a loyal hound dog who sticks by Chanticleer through thick and thin. Snipes is a wise owl who helps Chanticleer whenever he can. Goldie is a beautiful hen who falls in love with Chanticleer at first sight. The Duke of Owls is the leader of the owls and the main antagonist of the film. He wants to get rid of Chanticleer so that he can rule over all the animals of the forest.
The Story of Rock-a-Doodle
The story of Rock-a-Doodle is a bit more complicated than the movie makes it seem. In the film, Chanticleer is a rooster who crows so loudly that he wakes up the sun every morning. The other animals are jealous of his talent and try to get rid of him. Chanticleer is eventually turned into a human and has to save the day by singing the sun up.
In reality, Rock-a-Doodle was intended to be a musical. The original script was written by Earl Kress and Tom Ruegger, with songs by Bruce Broughton and Randy Rogel. The movie was directed by Richard Williams, who also worked on Who Framed Roger Rabbit.
The movie wasn’t well-received when it was released in 1992, but it has since become a cult classic.
The Animation of Rock-a-Doodle
The Music of Rock-a-Doodle
The Animation of Rock-a-Doodle
Rock-a-Doodle is a 1991 American animated musical adventure comedy film directed by Don Bluth and written by Mark Dindal based on the 1971 book Chanticleer and the Fox by Geoffrey Chaucer. The film stars the voices of Glen Campbell, Patrick Stewart, David Odgen Stiers, Christopher Plummer, Elvis Costello and Sorrel Booke.
The plot focuses on a young rooster named Chanticleer who dreams of being a rock star and his adventures with an enchanted pup named Edmond who turns him into a real rooster.The film was released on April 26, 1991 by TriStar Pictures to mixed reviews from critics but was a box office bomb, only grossing $14 million against its $40 million budget.
The Legacy of Rock-a-Doodle
The music of Rock-a-Doodle is as varied as the movie itself. The film features songs by Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Patsy Cline, and Carl Perkins, among others. It also includes several original songs, most notably “I’m Gonna Be a Wheel Someday” performed by Chanticleer.
The original songs were written by Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman, who also wrote the film’s score. The brothers are best known for their work on Disney films such as Mary Poppins and The Jungle Book. However, they also wrote the scores for a number of other live-action films, including Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Snoopy Come Home.
Rock-a-Doodle was released in 1992 and was a box office bomb. However, the film has since gained a cult following among fans of animation and traditional cel-animation.
The Music of Rock-a-Doodle – Part II
In Part II of our series on the music of Rock-a-Doodle, we’ll take a look at the work of composer and lyricist Don Bluth. As with the first part of our series, we’ll explore how the music was created and what went into its making.
Don Bluth is best known for his work in animation, and he has been involved in some of the most popular animated films of all time. He was born in El Paso, Texas, in 1937, and he began his career in the film industry working as an animator for Walt Disney Productions. He left Disney in 1979 to start his own company, Don Bluth Productions.
Rock-a-Doodle was released in 1992 and was one of the first films to be produced by Bluth’s new company. The film is about a young boy named Edmond who goes to bed one night after watching a TV show about a chicken named Chanticleer who can make the sun rise with his singing. Edmond falls asleep and dreams that he is transported to a world where Chanticleer does not exist, and all the animals are forced to work for a wicked owl named Grand Duke Of Owls. In order to save the day, Edmond must help Chanticleer find his way back to this world so that he can make the sun rise again.
The music for Rock-a-Doodle was composed by Bruce Broughton, and the lyrics were written by Glenn Leopold. Broughton is best known for his work on several animated films, including The Fox And The Hound (1981) and The Rescuers Down Under (1990). Leopold is a veteran lyricist whose credits include An American Tail (1986) and The Land Before Time (1988). Together, they wrote all of the songs for Rock-a-Doodle.
One of the most memorable songs from Rock-a-Doodle is “Do The Moo Shoo”, which is sung by Edmond and Chanticleer as they travel through the farmer’s field on their way to find the sun. This upbeat song features some fun lyrics about all of the different animals on the farm, including cows, pigs, chickens, ducks, and horses. The song also includes a catchy horn solo which adds to its overall charm.
Another memorable song from Rock-a-Doodle is “There’s Only One Way To Say I Love You”, which is sung by Edmond and his girlfriend Patti as they share a romantic moment together. This sweet ballad features both tender lyrics and beautiful melodies that will stay with you long after you’ve heard it.
The music of Rock-a-Doodle is truly special, and it’s no wonder that the film has become a timeless classic. If you’ve never seen it before, be sure to check it out!
The Characters of Rock-a-Doodle – Part II
In the previous article, we looked at the five main characters of Rock-a-Doodle and how they each related to a different type of music. In this article, we will look at the six main musical themes in the movie and how they are used to further the plot and character development.
The first theme is “The Battle.” This theme is used whenever Edmond and Chanticleer are fighting, most notably in the scene where Edmond turns into a giant rooster to fight Chanticleer. This theme is also used during the final battle between Chanticleer and Grand Duke, after Grand Duke transforms into a giant snake. This theme represents the struggle between good and evil, as well as the strength of Edmond’s convictions.
The second theme is “Chanticleer’s Theme.” This is the main melody of the movie, and it represents Chanticleer’s essential goodness. It is first heard when Chanticleer saves Edmond from broom attics in Bruinsma’s farmhouse. It is also heard during other key scenes, such as when Chanticleer defeats King Garuzo’s henchmen and when he leads all the animals back to Fiddlesticks Farm.
The third theme is “Edmond’s Theme.” This theme represents Edmond’s sense of adventure and his determination to help Chanticleer. It is first heard when Edmond sets out to find Patou, and it plays again when he decides to go back to Fiddlesticks Farm to help Chanticleer. This theme also represents Edmond’s growing sense of responsibility, as he comes to realize that he must stop Grand Duke if Chanticleer is going to save his farm.
The fourth theme is “Patou’s Theme.” Thistheme represents Patou’s loyalty to Chanticleer and his dedication to helping him find his way back home. It is first heard when Patou sets out looking for Edmond, and it plays again when he helps Edmond escape from prison. This theme also represents Patou’s wisdom, as he often provides guidance to Edmond during their journey.
The fifth theme is “The Hounds’ Theme.” Thistheme represents the danger that Grand Duke poses to both Chanticleer and Edmond. It is first heard when Grand Duke unleashes his hounds on them, and it plays again when they are chasing Edmond through Fiddlesticks Farm. This theme also represents Grand Duke’s evil nature, as he will stop at nothing to achieve his goals.
The sixth and final theme is “Rock-a-Doodle.” As you might guess from its title, thistheme represents the power of music (and specifically rooster crow)to overcome adversity. It plays during the climax of the movie, as Chanticleeryells out a mighty crow that destroys Grand Duke’s snake formand restores sunlight to Fiddlesticks Farm. This moment not only marksthe triumph of good over evil, but also symbolizes the importanceof hope in times of darkness.
The Story of Rock-a-Doodle – Part II
The story of Rock-a-Doodle is a long and fascinating one, full of twists and turns. In Part II, we take a look at the music of the film – from the classic hits to the more obscure tracks.
The film’s soundtrack was released in 1992 and featured some of the biggest names in rock music at the time. The opening track, “All Along the Watchtower”, was performed by none other than Bob Dylan, while other artists such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson also contributed to the soundtrack.
However, it’s not just the big names that make the Rock-a-Doodle soundtrack so special. There are also some lesser-known tracks that have become cult classics in their own right. These include “Chanticleer’s Song”, performed by actor Glenn Campbell, and “Sunrise Sunset”, sung by country music legend Hank Williams Jr.
With its mix of classic hits and lesser-known gems, the Rock-a-Doodle soundtrack is a must-listen for any fan of the film – or of rock music in general.
The Legacy of Rock-a-Doodle – Part II
The rock-a-doodle phenomenon began in the early 1970s and eventually produced dozens of derivative works. The most famous of these is probably the Elvis Presley movie, which was based on the original book. However, there have been several other movies, TV shows, and even a stage musical based on the original story. The legacy of rock-a-doodle extends even further than that, though. The original book has been translated into dozens of languages and is still in print today, more than 40 years after it was first published.