The Brave Little Toaster (1987)

A group of dated appliances embarks on a journey to the city to find its master after being abandoned in its cabin in the woods.

Director:

Jerry Rees

Writers:

Thomas M. Disch (based on the novella by), Jerry Rees (screenplay by)

Stars:

Jon Lovitz, Timothy Stack, Timothy E. Day

Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 1 win & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jon Lovitz	...	Radio (voice)
Timothy Stack	...	Lampy / Zeke (voice) (as Tim Stack)
Timothy E. Day	...	Blanky / Young Rob (The Master) (voice)
Thurl Ravenscroft	...	Kirby (voice)
Deanna Oliver	...	Toaster (voice)
Phil Hartman	...	Air Conditioner / Hanging Lamp (voice)
Joe Ranft	...	Elmo St. Peters (voice)
Judy Toll	...	Mish-Mash / Two-Face Sewing Machine (voice)
Wayne Kaatz	...	Rob (The Master) (voice)
Colette Savage	...	Chris (voice)
Mindy Sterling	...	Mother / Two-Face Sewing Machine (voice) (as Mindy Stern)
Jim Jackman	...	Plugsy (voice)
Randall William Cook	...	Entertainment Center (voice)
Randy Bennett	...	Computer (voice)
Jonathan Benair	...	Black and White TV (voice)

Storyline

A group of dated appliances that find themselves stranded in a summer home that their family had just sold, decide to, á la "The Incredible Journey", seek their young 8 year old "master". Children's film which on the surface is a frivolous fantasy, but with a dark subtext of abandonment, obsolescence, and loneliness.

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Plot Keywords:

journey | obsolescence | toaster | friends who live together | song | 

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Taglines:

The Plug-In Heroes Pops Out In 3D

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Genres:

Animation | Adventure | Family | Fantasy | Musical

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA Taiwan Japan

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 July 1987 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Brave Little Toaster: A Bedtime Story for Small Appliances

Box Office

Budget:

$2,300,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hyperion Pictures, The Kushner-Locke Company, Walt Disney Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby Atmos

Color:

Color (DeLuxe) Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

During pre-production, Jon Lovitz was cast in Saturday Night Live (1975). Jerry Rees, who had been writing the character of Radio with Lovitz in mind, pleaded with him to stay in Los Angeles long enough to record his voice tracks. Lovitz agreed, despite protestations from his agency. Rees quickly finished the screenplay and hustled Lovitz into the recording studio. Lovitz's entire performance was then captured in one, marathon session.

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Goofs

After Lampy is struck by lightning in order to get power for the appliances' battery, his bulb is broken and the area around the bulb is burnt along with his plug, which disappears after when he obtains a new bulb. The burn marks were actually washed off when the appliances fall into the rapids earlier. How his plug is fixed is unexplained, though.

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Quotes

[first lines]
The Radio: Good morning, good morning, gooooood morning!

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Alternate Versions

A serialized version of the film was distributed in select theaters for a limited run.

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Connections

Referenced in Everybody Loves Raymond: Dancing with Debra (1999)

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Soundtracks

April Showers
Performed by Jerry Rees
Written by Louis Silvers and Buddy G. DeSylva (as B.G. DeSylva)

User Reviews

Great, great movie

When I was a kid, I absolutely loved this movie. I watched it essentially every week. Now, of course, I watch it a lot less, but it's still a great movie. With some awesome voices (Phil Hartman, Jon Lovitz etc.) and some good humor for adults, it's excellent family fun. A movie that kids love, and then adults can stand to watch with little pain. If you have kids, then I really suggest this movie.