A Troll in Central Park (1994)

An evil witch banishes a flower loving troll named Stanley, to New York City, where he befriends two young children.

Directors:

Don Bluth, Gary Goldman

Writers:

Stu Krieger (screenplay), Don Bluth (story)

Stars:

Dom DeLuise, Cloris Leachman, Charles Nelson Reilly

Cast

Credited cast:
Dom DeLuise	...	Stanley (voice)
Cloris Leachman	...	Gnorga (voice)
Charles Nelson Reilly	...	Llort (voice)
Jonathan Pryce	...	Alan (voice) (as Jonathon Price)
Hayley Mills	...	Hillary (voice)
Phillip Glasser	...	Gus (voice)
Tawny Sunshine Glover	...	Rosie (voice)
Neil Ross	...	Generic Pansy (voice)
Will Ryan	...	Boss (voice)
Pat Musick	...	Snuffy (voice) (as Pat Musik)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Frank Zambetti	...	Himself, Ugly Little Tree Troll

Storyline

Stanley is a kindhearted, popular troll who can create flowers with a mere touch. When Gnorga, the mean-spirited Queen of the Kingdom of Trolls discovers Stanley's secret, she banishes him to a faraway place where she assumes nothing green can grow - New York City! Taking refuge in Central Park, Stanley befriends two young children, Gus and his baby sister Rosie. The three share wonderful adventures until Gnorga decides to let her mischief-making magic loose in the Big Apple.

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Plot Keywords:

world trade center | troll | flowers | park | thumb | 

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Taglines:

A classic tale of Thumb vs. Evil

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Genres:

Animation | Adventure | Comedy | Family | Fantasy | Musical

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

Ireland USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 December 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Troll in Central Park

Box Office

Gross USA:

$71,368

Company Credits

Production Co:

Don Bluth

Technical Specs

Runtime:

76 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby (as Dolby Stereo)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Co-director Gary Goldman said during an interview that the reason the movie did so poorly at the box office was the fact that it was released without any promotion, and that release was limited. He also stated that its distributor Warner Bros. did not have any confidence in the film.

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Goofs

When Llort locks Rosie in a dog transport box the hinge of the door of the box is on the left side, when Gus lets her out the hinge is on the right side.

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Quotes

[first lines]
[Stanley runs and bumps into a troll from behind]
Troll: Hey! Watch yourself!
[Stanley accidentally grows a flower]
Troll: Say, what was that?
[the troll laughs as Stanley drops his bag behind him and the flower jumps in]
Troll: Oh, for a minute, I thought I saw one of them, um, um, uh, flower things.
[the troll laughs]
Troll: That's a relief. I'd sure hate to have to tell the queen. Oh, well, have a rotten day!
[as the troll walks off, Stanley picks up his bag and waves]
[...]

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Crazy Credits

The final scene where the dog bites Llort continues during the beginning of the end credits.

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Alternate Versions

The DVD version omits the Warner Bros. logos, as it was released by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, which its logo appears instead.

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Connections

Referenced in Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?: A 'Toon for the Misbegotten (1994)

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Soundtracks

Absolutely Green
Music by Barry Mann
Lyrics by Cynthia Weil
Performed by Dom DeLuise and St. Patrick's Cathedral Choir

User Reviews

No...just...no

Whatever happened to the masterpieces Don Bluth gave us? Secret of NIMH, hello? Of course, not ALL of his movies had to be like Secret of NIMH...but at least have the wonderful vibe. Is that vibe in this movie? Not even a little.

I cannot believe I watched this movie as a kid. Why do people like this movie? I can't bear watching it! It's horribly written (I think Bluth got help from a few five-year olds to write the script.), there is no good moral, and it is sometimes confusing!

Before you rate this comment negatively, let me explain the thing that gets to me most about this movie...

"Why is the moral so bad?" There were actually two "morals" in this atrocity. One of them was "If you dream, good things will happen"

...I understand that it's something for the kids, but when you think about it, that is NOT a good moral. You cannot just DREAM to get an A on the test, to have a steady relationship, or get a good job...you have to EARN it! I know that sounds a little over-the-top, but think! A kid can't dream to have a puppy. Your kid is going to be pretty disappointed if he dreams and he gets no puppy.

The second "moral"? Well, when we meet Gus, he's a kid who just wants quality time with his dad. But he's always busy, so he always complains that he never wants to do what he wants to do. After all the chaos he went through, what does he teach the children watching this movie?

"Dad...maybe we can do what I want to do?"

Let it sink in. It may not sound so bad at first, but like the other moral, when you think about it, it's not good at all. Kids need to learn that they can't always get what they want and that their parents have to work to pay for their food and their house. Again, that sounds over-the-top, but again, think.

Avoid this movie, especially if you're looking for something for the kids.