The World of Strawberry Shortcake (1980)

The World of Strawberry Shortcake is a 1980 animated television special written by Romeo Muller, directed by Charles Swenson, and produced by Swenson, Muller and Fred Wolf. Starring the voices of Romeo Muller, Russi Taylor, Julie McWhirter and Joan Gerber, it was made by animators from Murakami-Wolf-Swenson in the United States and by Toei Doga in Japan. The music was written and performed by Flo & Eddie of the rock group, The Turtles.

The titular character, Strawberry Shortcake, lives in a fictional place called Strawberryland. In the special, narrated by Romeo Muller (as Mr. Sun), she and her friends celebrate her sixth birthday. While preparations for her party are underway, a villain called the Peculiar Purple Pieman plots to steal the berries from Strawberry's home in order to make his pies.

Produced and sponsored by the Kenner toy company, The World of Strawberry Shortcake was the first special to feature the American Greetings character, Strawberry Shortcake. Bypassing network television, it debuted on March 28, 1980, in syndication across more than 90 U.S. cities, and was later released on 16 mm film, VHS, Beta and DVD. The special received generally favorable reviews in the School Library Journal, which reviewed it in 1983 and 2007.



^ Television/Radio Age (Television Editorial Corp.) 29: N/A. 1981. "Lexington Broadcast Services is offering two half-hour animated children's specials: Strawberry Shortcake in Big Apple City, for which stations will receive compensation; and The Wonderful World of Strawberry Shortcake, on a barter basis"

^ Orlin, Lesley E., ed. (1984). Media Review Digest 14. Pierian Press. p. 283. ISBN 0-87650-198-6. Retrieved September 6, 2010.

^ "Retailing: New Releases". Billboard (VNU/Nielsen Business Media) 97 (41): 24. October 12, 1985. Retrieved September 4, 2010.

^ Woolery, George W. (1989). "The World of Strawberry Shortcake". Animated TV Specials: The Complete Directory to the First Twenty-Five Years, 1962–1987. Scarecrow Press. pp. 458–459. ISBN 0-8108-2198-2.

^ Mavis, Paul (March 16, 2007). "DVD Video Reviews - Strawberry Shortcake: The World of Strawberry Shortcake & Strawberry Shortcake in Big Apple City". DVD Talk. Retrieved September 6, 2010.

^ Swenson, Charles (director); Muller, Romeo (writer) (March 28, 1980). "The World of Strawberry Shortcake". Syndication.

^ Salmans, Sandra (April 5, 2010). "When Merchandisers Guide the Animator's Hand" (Subscription required). The New York Times (The New York Times Company). p. 27 (Section 2). Retrieved September 17, 2010.

^ Engelhardt, Tom (1986). "Children's Television: The Shortcake Strategy". In Gitlin, Todd. Watching Television: A Pantheon Guide to Popular Culture. Pantheon Books (Random House). pp. 72–73. ISBN 0-394-74651-1.

^ O'Connor, John J. (March 28, 1980). "TV Weekend Nuclear Power Debate; Friday/Sunday" (Subscription required). The New York Times (The New York Times Company). p. C34. Retrieved September 3, 2010. "Also of interest: (Friday) 'The World of Strawberry Shortcake' (WNEW, Channel 5, 8 P.M.). This animated special, it is emphasized, was designed for tots."

^ United Press International (UPI) (March 23, 1980). "Shortcake Program". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. p. 19-H. Retrieved September 4, 2010.

Synopsis

Strawberry Shortcake lives in a place called Strawberryland, with her calico cat Custard; her house resembles a shortcake. Her friends – Huckleberry Pie, Blueberry Muffin, Raspberry Tart, Plum Puddin' and toddler Apple Dumplin' – also live close by. One morning, during their Market Day, Strawberry's friends discuss plans for her sixth birthday – all except for lazy Huckleberry Pie.

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