Annabelle's Wish
A calf wishes to fly like Santa's reindeer.
Annabelle's Wish is a 1997 American direct-to-video animated Christmas film narrated by country singer Randy Travis. It follows a young calf who dreams of flying like Santa's reindeer and forms a bond with a mute boy named Billy. The film was released by Ralph Edwards Films on October 21, 1997, and later aired on Fox.
Quick Facts
- Director
- Roy Wilson
- Producer
- Barbara Dunn-Leonard
- Based on
- "Clarabell the Christmas Cow" by Dan Henderson
- Starring
- Kath Soucie
- Randy Travis
- Cloris Leachman
- Jerry Van Dyke
- Jim Varney
- Rue McClanahan
- Music
- Steve Dorff
- Editing
- Tom Gleason
- Clay Iverson
- Terry Moore
- Studio
- Ralph Edwards Productions
- Released
- 21 October 1997
Facts from the source article.
Plot
Annabelle, a calf, is born on Christmas Eve on Charlie Baker's farm in Twobridge, Tennessee. Each Christmas, Santa gives animals a speaking voice for one day; Annabelle meets him, becomes fascinated with his flying reindeer, and wishes to fly herself. She is given as a gift to Charlie's grandson, Billy, who became mute and terrified of the barn after a fire killed his parents. Annabelle befriends Billy and helps him overcome his fear. Meanwhile, Billy's mean aunt Agnes, who rejected custody after the fire, seeks to gain custody for a "perfect Christmas." She visits the farm to warn Charlie, but Billy refuses to live with her. Annabelle accidentally reveals her ability to speak, but Billy keeps her secret. They go sledding with Billy's friend Emily and crash into the fence of grouchy neighbor Gus Holder. Unable to pay damages, Charlie sells an old music box that belonged to Billy's mother to retrieve Annabelle. Over the next year, the three are inseparable. As the next Christmas Eve approaches, Agnes secures a court order granting custody while Billy remains mute. She arrives to claim him, but the animals stall by dragging her car into a trough, forcing her to stay overnight. That night, Santa arrives, and Annabelle whispers a wish into his ear. The next morning, Billy speaks, voiding the court order. Annabelle had given up her voice in exchange for Santa granting her wish to allow Billy to speak. Gus later returns the music box, and he and Agnes become smitten. As adults, Billy and Emily marry and inherit the farm. When Annabelle is dying, Santa grants Billy's wish, transforming Annabelle into a flying reindeer with restored speech, and she flies off with Santa.
Reception and legacy
Critics were divided on the special. Lynne Heffley of the Los Angeles Times liked David Holt's narration, Randy Travis's music, and what she called the film's "gentle message of selfless love." Andrea Higbie of The New York Times compared the character Agnes to Cruella de Vil, saying the movie would appeal to young children but that its focus on a narcissistic, dysfunctional relative might puzzle them. A myReviewer.com review described it as a simple story with obvious plot holes, flat characters, and dull animation, though the songs were nice, and noted it could occupy very young kids. When Fox aired it, the special became the highest-rated program among two-to-five-year-olds. It ranked among the top five best-selling videos in November and December 1997 and was Hallmark Home Entertainment's top seller as of January 1998. Part of the video sales went to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who directed Annabelle's Wish?
Annabelle's Wish was directed by Roy Wilson.
Who stars in Annabelle's Wish?
Annabelle's Wish stars Kath Soucie, Randy Travis, Cloris Leachman, Jerry Van Dyke, Jim Varney and Rue McClanahan.
How long is Annabelle's Wish?
Annabelle's Wish has a running time of 54 minutes.
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