Why a giant red dog joined a traveling animal show in 2004
In short: Clifford the Big Red Dog once hit the big screen in a quest to solve his family's financial woes. Believing he was a burden due to his massive appetite, the 20-foot-tall canine joined a failing carnival act, leading to a high-stakes adventure involving dog food, kidnapping, and a daring rescue.
Released in February 2004, Clifford's Really Big Movie serves as the series finale to the popular PBS Kids television show. Directed by Robert Ramirez, the film follows Clifford, a 20-foot-tall Labrador Retriever/Vizsla mix, who mistakenly overhears his owners discussing the high costs of his dog food. Driven by a desire to help, he joins Larry's Amazing Animals, a struggling troupe featuring a ferret, a cow, a dachshund, and a chihuahua, hoping to win a lifetime supply of Tummy Yummies dog food.
The production is notable for being the final film role of actor John Ritter, who provided the voice for Clifford before his death on September 11, 2003. The film was dedicated to his memory. It also holds a unique place in animation history as the last Warner Bros. Pictures project to utilize traditional hand-drawn animation until 2018. Despite its modest $3.3 million box office performance, the film remains a significant artifact of the early 2000s children's television landscape.
Critical reception was mixed, with reviewers noting that while the plot and animation style were simplistic, the film succeeded in its goal of entertaining a preschool audience. Critics like Anna Smith and Peter Bradshaw highlighted its wholesome, if somewhat bland, nature. The story concludes with a resolution to Clifford's financial concerns, as the CEO of the Tummy Yummies corporation eventually provides the dog food after his daughter, Madison, has a change of heart regarding Clifford's ownership.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Clifford's Really Big Movie
- Also: Wikidata — Clifford's Really Big Movie · CC0
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