“Who Framed Roger Rabbit” is the story of a private detective hired to investigate an alleged adultery scandal involving the wife of one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, Robber Rabbit. But when her supposed boyfriend, owner of Toontown, is found murdered, a villainous judge vows revenge on Rabbit. This fantasy-comedy film is a combination of live-action and animation, set in Hollywood of the 1940’s, skillfully handled by director Robert Zemeckis (“Romancing the Stone” 1984), animation director Richard Williams, and screenwriters Jeffrey Price and Peter S. Seaman. It was based on a 1981 novel “Who Censored Roger Rabbit?” by Gary K. Wolf.
The live action cast includes Bob Hoskins as the private eye, Christopher Lloyd as the judge, Stubby Kaye as the owner of Toontown, Joanna Cassidy as a waitress, as well as Alan Tilvern, Richard LeParmentier, Richard Ridings, Joel Silver, Mike Edmonds, and Betsy Brantley. The voice cast includes Charles Fleischer as Roger Rabbit, Kathleen Turner as Jessica Rabbit (speaking voice), Amy Irving as Jessica Rabbit (singing voice), Mel Blanc as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Tweety, & Sylvester the Cat, Wayne Allwine as Mickey Mouse, Russi Taylor as Minni Mouse, Pat Buttram, Nancy Cartwright, and numerous others.
The watchable “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” was a massive hit at the box office, the second highest grossing film of 1988, for executive producers Steven Spielberg and Kathleen Kennedy, producer Frank Marshall, Touchstone Pictures, Amblin Entertainment, Silver Screen Partners, Buena Vista Pictures Distribution, and The Walt Disney Company. Disney CEO Michael Eisner and Disney Chairman Jeffrey Katzenberg felt that the film should be released under the Touchstone label rather than Walt Disney Animation due to the mature themes involved.
“Who Framed Roger Rabbit” was nominated for seven Academy Awards, winning four: Best Film Editing, Best Sound Effects Editing, Best Visual Effects, and a Special Achievement Award for Richard Williams, director of animation. This was the first movie in Hollywood history to feature a combination of live action and animation. Non-winners include Best Art Direction, Best Sound, and Best Cinematography (Dean Cundey).
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
cinema
My Review
“Who Framed Roger Rabbit” is the story of a private detective hired to investigate an alleged adultery scandal involving the wife of one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, Robber Rabbit. But when her supposed boyfriend, owner of Toontown, is found murdered, a villainous judge vows revenge on Rabbit. This fantasy-comedy film is a combination of live-action and animation, set in Hollywood of the 1940’s, skillfully handled by director Robert Zemeckis (“Romancing the Stone” 1984), animation director Richard Williams, and screenwriters Jeffrey Price and Peter S. Seaman. It was based on a 1981 novel “Who Censored Roger Rabbit?” by Gary K. Wolf.
The live action cast includes Bob Hoskins as the private eye, Christopher Lloyd as the judge, Stubby Kaye as the owner of Toontown, Joanna Cassidy as a waitress, as well as Alan Tilvern, Richard LeParmentier, Richard Ridings, Joel Silver, Mike Edmonds, and Betsy Brantley. The voice cast includes Charles Fleischer as Roger Rabbit, Kathleen Turner as Jessica Rabbit (speaking voice), Amy Irving as Jessica Rabbit (singing voice), Mel Blanc as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Tweety, & Sylvester the Cat, Wayne Allwine as Mickey Mouse, Russi Taylor as Minni Mouse, Pat Buttram, Nancy Cartwright, and numerous others.
The watchable “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” was a massive hit at the box office, the second highest grossing film of 1988, for executive producers Steven Spielberg and Kathleen Kennedy, producer Frank Marshall, Touchstone Pictures, Amblin Entertainment, Silver Screen Partners, Buena Vista Pictures Distribution, and The Walt Disney Company. Disney CEO Michael Eisner and Disney Chairman Jeffrey Katzenberg felt that the film should be released under the Touchstone label rather than Walt Disney Animation due to the mature themes involved.
“Who Framed Roger Rabbit” was nominated for seven Academy Awards, winning four: Best Film Editing, Best Sound Effects Editing, Best Visual Effects, and a Special Achievement Award for Richard Williams, director of animation. This was the first movie in Hollywood history to feature a combination of live action and animation. Non-winners include Best Art Direction, Best Sound, and Best Cinematography (Dean Cundey).