Clifford's Really Big Movie
Clifford joins a traveling animal show to win dog food.
Clifford's Really Big Movie is a 2004 American animated adventure comedy film based on the PBS Kids television series Clifford the Big Red Dog. Directed by Robert Ramirez and produced by Scholastic Entertainment and Big Red Dog Productions, it was released in theaters by Warner Bros. Pictures on February 20, 2004. The film is notable as one of only two theatrically released films based on a PBS children's property (excluding Sesame Street) and as the final film role of John Ritter, who voiced Clifford.
Quick Facts
- Director
- Robert Ramirez
- Screenplay
- Rhett Reese; Robert Ramirez
- Based on
- Clifford the Big Red Dog
- by Deborah Forte
- Clifford the Big Red Dog
- by Norman Bridwell
- Producer
- Deborah Forte
- Editing
- Monte Bramer
- Music
- Jody Gray
- Studio
- Scholastic Entertainment; Big Red Dog Productions
- Released
- 20 February 2004, limited, 23 April 2004, official
Facts from the source article.
Plot
On Birdwell Island, Clifford attends a carnival with Emily Elizabeth and her friends Charley and Jetta, accompanied by his canine friends Cleo and T-Bone. They watch a struggling animal act called Larry's Amazing Animals, whose owner Larry Gablegobble tells the carnival owner P.T. that the only way to continue is to win an upcoming Tummy Yummies Animal Talent Contest offering a lifetime supply of Tummy Yummies. Shackelford the ferret tries to recruit Clifford, Cleo, and T-Bone, but they decline. The next day, Clifford overhears Mr. and Mrs. Howard talking with Mr. Bleakman and mistakenly believes he is a financial burden due to his food costs. He decides to join the animal show to win food, and Cleo and T-Bone join him. After leaving a note for the sleeping Emily Elizabeth, the trio crosses a seaway and escapes a frightened town before finding Larry's animals. Cleo discards their pet tags, claiming they are for tricking dogcatchers. Larry welcomes them, and Clifford saves the show, becoming the star. He helps the other animals improve, but Shackelford grows jealous. Meanwhile, Emily Elizabeth, Mrs. Diller, and Sheriff Lewis discover their dogs are missing.
Voice cast
John Ritter voices Clifford, the enormous red dog. Wayne Brady plays Shackelford, a blue ferret. Grey DeLisle voices Emily Elizabeth Howard and also her mother Caroline Howard. Jenna Elfman voices Dorothy, a cow. John Goodman plays George Wolfsbottom, CEO of Tummy Yummies. Judge Reinhold voices Larry Gablegobble, the ringmaster. Jess Harnell plays Dirk, a dachshund. Kel Mitchell voices T-Bone, a yellow bulldog. Nick Jameson voices Sheriff Lewis. Kath Soucie voices Madison Wolfsbottom and also Jetta Handover. Oren Williams plays Charley. Cree Summer voices Cleo, a purple poodle, and also Mrs. Diller. Wilmer Valderrama plays Rodrigo, a chihuahua. Cam Clarke voices Mark Howard. Earl Boen voices Horace Bleakman. Ernie Hudson plays P.T., the carnival owner.
Production
John Ritter had already finished recording his lines for this film during a break from his TV show 8 Simple Rules before his death on September 11, 2003, making it his final movie role. The picture was dedicated to his memory. It also holds the distinction of being the last Warner Bros. Pictures release to use hand-drawn animation until Teen Titans Go! To the Movies came out in 2018. The film arrived on DVD and VHS on August 24, 2004, via Warner Home Video, and was later re-released by Universal Pictures Home Entertainment in September 2015.
Reception
Anna Smith of Empire gave the film three out of five stars, calling it bland but wholesome. Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian gave two out of five stars, describing it as dull compared to newer films. Solan Freer of RadioTimes also gave two out of five stars, stating the unsophisticated plot and flat animation have no appeal beyond its target audience. Nell Minow of Common Sense Media gave three out of five stars, calling it charming and harmless. The film earned $662,152 in its opening weekend from 471 theaters, finishing with $2,922,354 domestically and $333,072 internationally for a combined $3,255,426.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who composed the music for Clifford's Really Big Movie?
The music for Clifford's Really Big Movie was composed by Jody Gray.
Who wrote Clifford's Really Big Movie?
Clifford's Really Big Movie was written by Rhett Reese and Robert Ramirez.
How long is Clifford's Really Big Movie?
Clifford's Really Big Movie has a running time of 74 minutes.
How much did Clifford's Really Big Movie earn at the box office?
Clifford's Really Big Movie grossed $3.3 million.
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