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

This film had a limited run on June 19, 1987 in Orlando, Florida The Brave Little Toaster (1987).

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Goofs

The character's electrical cords constantly appear, disappear and change length throughout the entire film.

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Quotes

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

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Alternate Versions

On the 1998 VHS release, during the end credits, Mark Elliott announces that a preview for The Brave Little Toaster to the Rescue is following. Because of that, the end credits are at warp speed and the end credits score is shortened.

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Connections

Followed by The Brave Little Toaster to the Rescue (1997)

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Soundtracks

Wooden Meadow
by Bob Walter and Rick Johnston

User Reviews

A Fine Animated Film

Having seemingly been abandoned in their country cottage by their owner, five small household appliances (radio, lamp, blanket, vacuum cleaner, and toaster) set out cross-country on a journey to find their master, a young boy. Along the way, the five appliances encounter various adventures and trials, like a waterfall, a pond with frogs, and a fat little repairman.

In the transference of human emotion to everyday objects, the story's theme is the yearning to be included, to be relevant, to be needed and loved. The five adventurers display varying human traits. Radio is the most verbal, and something of a comic. Blanket is a tad snugly and sentimental. Kirby the vacuum cleaner is proud and brave. Lamp is "light"-hearted and upbeat. Toaster seems the most ... "grounded" with common sense.

The film makes these low-tech appliances sympathetic and heroic. But contrast, the "cutting-edge" electronics are portrayed as mean and possibly deceptive. I wouldn't disagree with that.

Color visuals are fine. Animation is acceptable. Even though the lyrics to some of the songs are hard to understand, I like the soundtrack, especially "Trutti-Frutti", "B-Movie Show", and "Mammy". I don't quite understand the rationale for including multiple references to Roosevelt. And radio is forever referring to past historical events. I'm not sure why.

Entirely appropriate for kids, "The Brave Little Toaster" works for adults too, mostly through its all-too-human emotional themes, and as a pleasant change from real-life actors, their dramas, and their careers.