The Wonderful 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. It was the first Strawberry Shortcake episode.
The titular hero and her friends and the Peculiar Pieman and his minions make their way here, and when she gets duped into getting something that causes her to ruin the land and forces her and her friends to sell the berries so the Pieman can use them for his baking, Strawberry has to think of a plan to save her wonderful world.
Plot[]
Mr. Sun introduces us to Strawberryland and its residents, including Strawberry Shortcake and her pet cat, Custard. We also catch a glimpse of the Peculiar Purple Pieman of Porcupine Peak, who is plotting to steal berries for his baking from the residents of Strawberryland.
The intro plays, then Strawberry wakes up and sings Smile a Sunny Morning, explaining how she likes to start each day with a smile. The Purple Pieman uses his magic pie tin to watch her singing and walking through Strawberryland, and realizing that she is distracted, he sends his berry birds to steal the giant strawberries that she grows. A living tree helps Strawberry scare the birds away, and she thanks it.
We then go back to the Purple Pieman, who vows to get the berries, even if he has to play dirty.
By now, the rest of the residents of Strawberryland are awake. Mr. Sun pesters the lazy Huckleberry Pie, explaining that it’s Strawberry’s sixth birthday and that he needs to start planning her a party. He goes to gather their friends, including forgetful Blueberry Muffin, intelligent Plum Puddin’, outspoken Raspberry Tart, and baby Apple Dumplin’. They decide to hold the party at Lilac Park and go to prepare.
Some time passes, and Mr. Sun tells everyone that it’s time for lunch. Strawberry Shortcake goes to all of her friends and asks if they want to eat with her, but since they’re busy working on her surprise party, they all give excuses and leave. Strawberry sits down and cries, and we switch back to her friends, who have set up the party but are having trouble picking out a gift. They send Lucky Bug to spy on her and see what gift she would want.
Meanwhile, the Purple Pieman has disguised himself as an old peddler. He walks up to Strawberry and shows her a magic watering can that never runs out of water, which she loves, but can’t afford. Strawberry leaves and Lucky Bug leads him back to her friends, who all pitch in and buy the watering can.
We then see that Strawberry is still crying, and Mr. Sun, who can’t bear to see her upset any longer, tells her to go meet her friends at Lilac Park. She goes over, then they jump out and wish her a happy birthday. After they hold the party, Blueberry Muffin gives her the present.
Strawberry is excited and shows her friends how the watering can works, but once it starts pouring water, they can’t get it to stop. Strawberryland is flooded, and the kids float downstream in a basket until they come across the peddler, who reveals himself to be the Peculiar Purple Pieman. He forces them to pick all of the berries in Strawberryland and bring them to Porcupine Peak. After the water recedes, they find that their home is covered in mud and that Apple Dumplin’ has accidentally been sent to the Pieman along with the berries.
While they’re all dejected, Mr. Sun decides to give Strawberry another birthday present: one magic wish. She wishes for someone as strong as the tree who scared the berry birds away, who could help them stand up to the Pieman. Mr. Sun summons an army of trees. They march over to Porcupine Peak and make the Purple Pieman’s Pie tin Palace collapse. Then they intimidate him into signing a note of surrender, written by Apple Dumplin’.
He gives Apple and the berries back and cries for mercy. Strawberry explains that she’d be happy to be his friend and that if he brings his pies to the market and sells them, they could all have a “berry grand time.” He asks her why she keeps saying “berry,” and she starts singing Berry Talk, saying that it’s fun, and explaining how to talk like she does. He eventually joins in, and they become “berry good friends.”
Characters[]
- Strawberry Shortcake (voiced by Russi Taylor)
- Mr. Sun (voiced by Romeo Muller)
- Peculiar Purple Pieman (voiced by Bob Ridgley)
- Huckleberry Pie (voiced by Julie McWhirter)
- Blueberry Muffin (voiced by Joan Gerber)
- Plum Puddin' (voice actor unknown)
- Raspberry Tart (voiced by Pamela Anderson)
- Apple Dumplin' (voiced by Joan Gerber)
- Escargot (voiced by Bob Holt)
Quotes[]
"Aw, what's the matter, kiddies? Did your can spring a leak!?" (pulls off his disguise and giggles) -- The Peculiar Purple Pieman reveals that he tricked the kids into flooding the valley where they live in.
Trivia[]
- Aside from Escargot and Mr. Sun, every character featured in this special would go on to appear at least once in every succeeding Strawberry Shortcake generation.
Goofs[]
- TBA