Raggedy Ann & Andy DVD Movies
Simon & Schuster, Starz Media Updates Johnny Gruelle Characters
Simon & Schuster and Starz Media are producing a series of television and DVD movies for Johnny Gruelle's classic Raggedy Ann & Andy characters.
Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing has hooked up with Starz Media to develop and produce a series of Raggedy Adventures TV and straight-to-DVD animated movies, based on the publisher's popular Raggedy Ann and Me! books.
The publishing company will use the opportunity to unveil a new and updated look for the venerable character, which was created by writer/illustrator Johnny Gruelle (1880 - 1938) in 1915. Russ Berrie is developing the updated Raggedy Ann doll, and United Media is putting together the licensing program to make up some merch.
The Simpsons Producer Makes Raggedy Ann Movies
Starz Media owns Film Roman, an animated studio known for producing Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!, The Simpsons and King of the Hill. The company hired writer Joe Ansolabehere (Rugrats) to create an updated Raggedy Adventures story that "has the excitement that will appeal to today's young audiences, while retaining the characters' core values of friendliness, imagination and giving," according to the press release.
"We knew it was only a matter of time before these classic Raggedy Ann & Andy stories made it onto the television screen," says Mara Anastas, vice president of Sales & Subsidiary Rights at Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, in the release. "We have had tremendous success with Starz Media in the past with properties such as Eloise and Wow! Wow! Wubbzy and knew this transition would be handled properly by a premiere media company; one with passion and vision for Raggedy Ann & Andy, which is to produce top quality entertainment."
"Raggedy Ann & Andy is beloved by generations of young children, and we're sure the characters' positive message and fresh approach will attract today's girls and boys too," added Scott Greenberg, the president and COO of Film Roman. "We've had great experiences working with established brands, as well as creating new ones, and we're looking forward to introducing a whole new generation to this venerable property."
These animated movies will be produced at Film Roman, with TV sales handled by Starz Media and DVD releases going out via Starz Media's Anchor Bay Entertainment.
Gruelle Created Raggedy Ann for Daughter
Johnny Gruelle, a noted writer and illustrator noted for his paintings for the 1914 edition of Grimm's Fairy Tales, created the iconic character after his daughter Marcella brought him a faceless rag doll she had found. The popular belief is that Gruelle drew a face on the doll and, taking his inspiration from two poems by Ray Whitcomb Riley ("The Raggedy Man" and "Little Orphan Annie"), suggested she call the doll Raggedy Ann.
After Marcella died at age 13 after being vaccinated for smallpox (given without her parents' consent), Gruelle wrote the first collection of Raggedy Ann stories, published in 1918. Her friend Raggedy Andy was created two years later.
Raggedy Ann was also used as a symbol for anti-vaccination movement.
Although Hasbro and Simon & Schuster claim to own the rights to Raggedy Ann, the original design and stories have slid into the public domain.
The first Raggedy Ann & Andy movie is due in the fall.
