Rating: 5/5
I was approached the other day by a veteran animator of Norfolk with a really amazing story. Having once been at the top of his game, working on massive, world-wide animation jobs for big names, the recession took its toll and saw him impoverished, with his home, family and work all suddenly gone. On top of this, a tumour and diagnosis of diabetes saw him suffer terribly, making it difficult to even stay awake. Some well-placed words of encouragement and admiration for his long-standing persistence prompted him to take a small sequence he had produced - to a production company's praise - and expand it into his very own children's animation. It is now completed, ready to be enjoyed. This man's name is Mr William Mobberley.
The Magic Bucket (The Scarecrow and Snowman Show) is a really adorable production. It plays out in a fashion which reminds me of Playdays Specials I had on video as a child: 40-odd-minute variety shows of sweet characters and their little adventures, with short cutaway episodes for the particularly delightful ones. It is somewhere between a feature movie and a television show - in terms of running time, structure and style. The main thread of the story sees Wizard Woo Hoo travelling in his self-driving wagon over hill, over dale, when he loses a wheel. In true sorcerer style, he magics the objects that fell from the vehicle to walk themselves back into it. However, a mischievous bucket isn't so quick to comply, and makes a bolt for it. In an attempt to magic the fleeing bucket back to him, the wizard animates a nearby scarecrow, the aptly named Stickworth, who joins the Magic Bucket in escape.
A few other characters - Dimpleton the Snowman and Dikky & Chick McFlutter - join the gang, creating a very cute ensemble. Each little segment of the adventure opens with titles such as 'What Happened When Scarecrow and Snowman Tried To Have Their Pictures Taken,' a particularly clever and amusing scene, and so forms an episodic sort of structure. The way the show is put together, especially with its musical styles and fades-to-black, reminds me somewhat of those charming old Nintendo 64 games, in which you'd battle your way through brightly-coloured perils to rescue Princess Peach. There is an alluring use of 'Waa Waa Waaaaas' and mild suspension of disbelief in the style of the Tom and Jerry cartoons that are still amusing so many years on.
In the same way, The Magic Bucket contains no spoken dialogue, with brief title cards and mostly on-screen action to tell the story. It's a classic method, which, done correctly, is highly effective. It's done correctly here, but the endearing characters we are watching may be a real treat for a sagely man like John Hurt or Derek Jacobi to narrate also.
The particular short sequence that Mr Mobberley started off with, appears as one of the cutaways presented as 'What's in The Magic Bucket Today?', entitled 'Dance of the Cygnets - Performed by Safety Pins.' Sounds crazy, but stay with me on this one. You would not believe the agility that animated safety pins possess as ballet dancers. This sequence is a tremendous work of imagination and creativity, and demonstrates a particular flow to its movement. Another scene that stands out in terms of awesome craft is 'Wizard Woo Hoo's Magic Aquarium,' which is a wonderful, colourful, psychedelic mish-mash of visuals, and struck me as a much less terrifying 'Sorcerer's Apprentice' as seen in Disney's 'Fantasia.'
Special attention must be drawn to the animation itself, which is the single-handed labour of William Mobberley, and is really very nice. It is of far higher standard than many of the computer animated shows on CBeebies, and all the more impressive in that it was produced by a single person. The scenery is beautiful, the motion of characters is imaginative, and it has quite a unique look to it all. I was amazed again to discover from the closing credits that the animator also composed and performed all of the music in the film. This guy is a real whizz in his field.
My four-year-old daughter was more than happy to oblige when I approached her about watching The Magic Bucket, and I believe that in this case, her opinion carries equally important significance. She watched attentively, laughing out-loud frequently and is now insisting we watch it again tomorrow. Enough said.
I'd like to thank Mr Mobberley for approaching me about this lovely DVD; I've had tremendous fun reviewing it, as did my little girl, and I am grateful for the opportunity to see such awesome independent work. It's been a pleasure,
The Magic Bucket is available exclusively on DVD from http://www.wilmobberley.com/
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