Doogal - the first CGI boxoffice bomb?

[corey3rd]

Looks like Doogal is going to completely tank with $840,000 on Friday (2,318 screen) so it should pull in barely a $1,000 a screen or not enough to even pay for striking a print. Even Valiant pulled nearly $6 million it's opening weekend. Only takes a couple more dogs like this for studio beancounters to realize that just cause it's CGI doesn't mean it sells itself.

[Studio Toledo]

Looks like Doogal is going to completely tank with $840,000 on Friday (2,318 screen) so it should pull in barely a $1,000 a screen or not enough to even pay for striking a print. Even Valiant pulled nearly $6 million it's opening weekend. Only takes a couple more dogs like this for studio beancounters to realize that just cause it's CGI doesn't mean it sells itself.
Otherwise find it funny that this film had to be re-dubbed as well, being that it had originally been released a year before in Europe, and was based on a French chidlrens' program from the '60s that would only be remembered by those that had seen this (such as the British "Magic Roundabout" on the BBC). Not that it matters, but I used to watch that stop-motion series too!

[MF TOON]

Well if the TV trailer spots are anything to go by, this is well deserved!

[Bricolo]

I imported the R2 Magic Roundabout, British version of this due to Tom Baker being in it, it was OK but the real treat were the handful of the original included as a bonus.

[CueBallCat79]

My opinion...GOOD!!

Not everything done in CGI is theater-worthy. I'm relishing this.

[Studio Toledo]

I imported the R2 Magic Roundabout, British version of this due to Tom Baker being in it, it was OK but the real treat were the handful of the original included as a bonus.
I've read somewhere about that, though I think these episodes were in black & white as well.

Recently a person I delt with sent me a tape of the episodes that were in color that aired on Nickelodeon in the '80s on "Pniwheel". Those were the ones I remember a lot personally.

[Leviathan]

I was hoping that Hollywood's First CGI Bomb would be either Dinosaur or the Polar Express, but better late than never, right?

Surely this can't be the only CGI Film to flop this year, as we've got bunch of more CGfilms waiting to be released.

[Bricolo]

I've read somewhere about that, though I think these episodes were in black & white as well.

Recently a person I delt with sent me a tape of the episodes that were in color that aired on Nickelodeon in the '80s on "Pniwheel". Those were the ones I remember a lot personally. I didn't have cable in the 80's, it was a new experience but I like it. I would hope that the original series, or the British take of the original series, sees a DVD release soon. There are 5 shorts in black and white on the 2-Disc Edition, these are presented in the British version and in the original French with English subtitles to show how it changedhttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v687/bricolo/magicroundabout.jpg.

[Studio Toledo]

I didn't have cable in the 80's, it was a new experience but I like it.
Just had to be luckier to had cable then. Nickelodeon back then wasn't the powerhouse network the turned out to be, and they had their share of importing a lot of programs outside the country like You Can't Do That on Television (Canada), The Tomorrow People (UK), Danger Mouse (UK), The Mysterious Cities of Gold (France) and more. Pinwheel used to be home to a lot of British/European childrens classics I had explained earlier. Much of which can't be found anywhere in the US outside of obscure 16mm releases for school use, or finding that stuff online such as from DVD stores in Europe or through illegit means.

I would hope that the original series, or the British take of the original series, sees a DVD release soon. There are 5 shorts in black and white on the 2-Disc Edition, these are presented in the British version and in the original French with English subtitles to show how it changedhttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v687/bricolo/magicroundabout.jpg.
That's true. The British edition that was aired on the BBC relied on no translation, as the series' narrator, Eric Thompson, made up the dialogue to the visuals on the screen. For the version that Nickelodeon aired in the US, it was a different Englsih dub that was an accurate translation of the French version, using different voice actors for the characters, though it kept most of the names in from the British version I think (accept Dylan, who might've been called "Flappy" instead). Those are the episodes I had to see nearly 25 years ago (and what I know have nearly a dozen or so of on tape, the title of the series was called "The Magic Carousel" as well).

But yeah, it was apparent this movie (Doogal the Movie) would bomb, too often blamed on the technique used in the execution rather than for it's orgins or the characters themselves.

Here's a few Wikipedai entries for both the original TV series (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Magic_Roundabout) and the film (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Magic_Roundabout_%28film%29).

I find it best to be informed, no matter how irrelevent it may be!

[TheBlueHombre]

I know the Weinstein Group is distributing the movie but the Weinsteins are no longer associated with Disney at all. However, there were Doogal toys at McDonalds this weekend for my two boys to snatch up. Is Disney in some way associated with this film? McDonalds and Disney have had an exclusive agreement for several years with Happy Meal toys and promotions but I didn't know if that had expired or not.

[Studio Toledo]

I know the Weinstein Group is distributing the movie but the Weinsteins are no longer associated with Disney at all. However, there were Doogal toys at McDonalds this weekend for my two boys to snatch up. Is Disney in some way associated with this film? McDonalds and Disney have had an exclusive agreement for several years with Happy Meal toys and promotions but I didn't know if that had expired or not.
Heh, didn't know there was already tie-ins to this film! Imagine a few furry fans going for that!

[The Silver Fox]

i think the only hit CGI film that will come out this year

going to be the long awated movie "CARS", which was supose to be the last Disney Pixar film (prior to there full buyout, by disney (side note, Jobs hinted in a article that apple will stop producing consumer i mac next year, in favore of the ipod production)

from a few web pages, the soundtrack to the movie is supose to have some classic car songs, such as Mustang Sally, Little red corvette, and title song Cars.

kinda amazing since non of the CGI characters resemble any model of car produced, cept for the older model NEON.

I to remember Doggal playing on Pinwheel when it was a powerhouse on Nick (prior craptoon lineup of the late 80's), also it aired on Calliape(sp) series on USA, does anyone remember this show, who's host was named Gene (later version he had a dog named Liza). In the first incarnation, had Gene only, the show at that time had a Circus style theme (it aired around 81 to 83, when the show was changed and ran in its 2nd incartaion till USA pulled the series in the mid 1990's (when it aired about 3 or 4 am) days before the informercial.)

If anyone has this show (either verions) on old VHS or Beta, let us all know, it was a cool show that even had some US made toons, stop action, most were made in italy, France, Spain, UK and Mexico.

[rp-j]

I really thought the film stank. It wasn't received too well here at all, and the reviews were pretty viscious. Besides the fact that it didn't have the feel of the UK version we all knew and loved, the characters were just totally re-modelled to fit the "plot" (if that's not too strong a word...):rolleyes:


However, there was a good film from the original makers in 1970. Again, Eric Thompson wrote an entirely new story around the visuals - Here's the sleeve of the soundtrack album...

http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/wizardofdoom1/magicroundabout1.jpg

Interestingly, when the dog "Pollux" was renamed "Dougal" for the UK, some people in France thought it was a satire on the then French president, "De Gaulle". Thompson insisted it was a coincidence.

Later on (around 1991), Channel 4 in the UK purchased some further French episodes which had never been dubbed into english, screening them as "The New Magic Roundabout". This time, Nigel Planer provided voice and story duties, keeping rigidly to Thompson's template. Unusually in animation, the new episodes were a worthy successor.

I have the film and some of the Channel 4 episodes if anyone's interested...:D

There's a bit more Magic Roundabout related stuff on my website (which I really must get around to revamping and updating at some point!):

http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/wizardofdoom1/magicroundabout.html

[Studio Toledo]

i think the only hit CGI film that will come out this year

going to be the long awated movie "CARS", which was supose to be the last Disney Pixar film (prior to there full buyout, by disney (side note, Jobs hinted in a article that apple will stop producing consumer i mac next year, in favore of the ipod production)

from a few web pages, the soundtrack to the movie is supose to have some classic car songs, such as Mustang Sally, Little red corvette, and title song Cars.

kinda amazing since non of the CGI characters resemble any model of car produced, cept for the older model NEON.

I to remember Doggal playing on Pinwheel when it was a powerhouse on Nick (prior craptoon lineup of the late 80's), also it aired on Calliape(sp) series on USA, does anyone remember this show, who's host was named Gene (later version he had a dog named Liza). In the first incarnation, had Gene only, the show at that time had a Circus style theme (it aired around 81 to 83, when the show was changed and ran in its 2nd incartaion till USA pulled the series in the mid 1990's (when it aired about 3 or 4 am) days before the informercial.)
Oh yeah, I remember Calliope! I only saw it though around '85 when my cable company added USA to it's rouster, so I remember it with Gene and Liza being these animated figures who presented the material shown. Usually there wasn't as many sequences with them, so I remember when they used the same few animated bits here or there and just dub Gene's voice for that moment before or after the break.

If anyone has this show (either verions) on old VHS or Beta, let us all know, it was a cool show that even had some US made toons, stop action, most were made in italy, France, Spain, UK and Mexico.
Stuff you'd wish they show again. Another program of some interest that also snuck a few into it's show was 'The Great Space Coaster" that played works from Osvaldo Cavandoli, Bruno Bozzetto and others. There hadn't really been a real output for this materal at all in the US, and hardly any of it gets the attention I feel they need to. PBS sorta felt like the perfect home for this stuff, if viewers didn't mind paying for that.

[Studio Toledo]

I really thought the film stank. It wasn't received too well here at all, and the reviews were pretty viscious. Besides the fact that it didn't have the feel of the UK version we all knew and loved, the characters were just totally re-modelled to fit the "plot" (if that's not too strong a word...):rolleyes:
Interesting to hear that though. Even with the dubbing, the US version is also going through the same treatment as well.

However, there was a good film from the original makers in 1970. Again, Eric Thompson wrote an entirely new story around the visuals - Here's the sleeve of the soundtrack album...

http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/wizardofdoom1/magicroundabout1.jpg
I think I have an AVI of this on disc in my collection.

Interestingly, when the dog "Pollux" was renamed "Dougal" for the UK, some people in France thought it was a satire on the then French president, "De Gaulle". Thompson insisted it was a coincidence.
Remember reading about that someplace. Still, the French should be proud!

Later on (around 1991), Channel 4 in the UK purchased some further French episodes which had never been dubbed into english, screening them as "The New Magic Roundabout". This time, Nigel Planer provided voice and story duties, keeping rigidly to Thompson's template. Unusually in animation, the new episodes were a worthy successor.

I have the film and some of the Channel 4 episodes if anyone's interested...:D
I wouldn't mind getting that myself! Might be interesting to compare that with what I have on tape. As I said before, Magic Roundabout had a brief apperance on cable TV here in the US, though the episodes were a totally different English version that was retitled "The Magic Carousel", based on an accurate translation but using the same names from the British version accept for the voices being different and all.

There's a bit more Magic Roundabout related stuff on my website (which I really must get around to revamping and updating at some point!):

http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/wizardofdoom1/magicroundabout.html
Cute site!
(http://mysite.freeserve.com/wizardofdoom1/magicroundabout6.GIF?0.9126362784174159)

[chuckamuck45]

I was hoping that Hollywood's First CGI Bomb would be either Dinosaur or the Polar Express, but better late than never, right?

Surely this can't be the only CGI Film to flop this year, as we've got bunch of more CGfilms waiting to be released.
Dinosaur was one of the first CGI bombs. Here's a link from Jim Hill Media with part of the story:

http://www.jimhillmedia.com/article.php?id=1857

[corey3rd]

I used to think Dinosaur was not a CGI bomb - but in reality it brought in $137 million in the US alone from theatrical. And worldwide and DVD sales have kept it from being "CutThroat Island" Jr. Sure it cost a fortune, but it didn't bomb as in opening to barely 3 million on its first weekend.

[rp-j]

Cute site!

Thanks!:D I really must do an update (but, you know, other commitments, etc...)

I have a couple more Magic Roundabout items to add, including a BBC Records issue of some of Eric Thompson's original narrations. Unfortunately, the Thompson episodes aren't currently available, due to some copyright related red tape...:( Something to do with the episodes (Serge Danot AB), the narration (owned by Filmfair) and the broadcasting rights (BBC) all being owned by different parties, I'm afraid...:rolleyes:

Incidentally, the Dougal mousemat, the Zebedee figure, and the Ermintrude toy shown on my site all adorn my computer desk...:D

[Studio Toledo]

Thanks!:D I really must do an update (but, you know, other commitments, etc...)
That's true. Liked seeing a few things like the clunky graphics of that computer game (that brings back memories of when games were that way), and the MusicForPleasure logo of that record. I actually spotted a few records/cassettes under the MFP label that too often got stuck in bargain bins in American stores or garage sales.

I have a couple more Magic Roundabout items to add, including a BBC Records issue of some of Eric Thompson's original narrations. Unfortunately, the Thompson episodes aren't currently available, due to some copyright related red tape...:(

Shame if knowone could try to do something like, if a possible recording had been made off a TV speaker on a reel-to-reel tape, to transfer that to the visuals somewhat! (Seems to be the least I can think of)

Something to do with the episodes (Serge Danot AB), the narration (owned by Filmfair) and the broadcasting rights (BBC) all being owned by different parties, I'm afraid...:rolleyes:
Shame really. Probabliy why we had to get a different version seen here in the US back then.

Speaking of Filmfair, I have episodes of the stop-motion Paddington Bear on 16mm in my collection.

Incidentally, the Dougal mousemat, the Zebedee figure, and the Ermintrude toy shown on my site all adorn my computer desk...:D
That's cute!

Still seems rather funny that Dougal's name in our version is being renamed "Doogal" like that. Like to blame the Weinstein Bros. for that perhaps. Oddly, I was surprised to find out after many years they were responsible for bringing over the Spanish BRB's classic series "David the Gnome" to North America through their Miramax Films in the '80s (having to credit themselves proudly in the opening titles). Yet nowadays I don't know if they have a brain cell left to figure out how to market animation anymore.

Here's their site (http://www.weinsteinco.com/) if anyone cares to check them out...

Here's some info I found from Toonhound (http://www.toonhound.com/magmovie.htm) about the Americanization of the film.

And because I have nothing else to do than to show off, here's some screengrabs from the tape of episodes I have...

Enjoy!

[Leviathan]

I have a couple more Magic Roundabout items to add, including a BBC Records issue of some of Eric Thompson's original narrations. Unfortunately, the Thompson episodes aren't currently available, due to some copyright related red tape...:( Something to do with the episodes (Serge Danot AB), the narration (owned by Filmfair) and the broadcasting rights (BBC) all being owned by different parties, I'm afraid...:rolleyes:

It sucks that PTS/BR Syndrome has stricken The Magic Roundabout, as i was hoping that they would release on DVD here as a Tie-in for Doogal

[mojokingbee1]

Heh, didn't know there was already tie-ins to this film! Imagine a few furry fans going for that!

Heh, I find Dylan pretty cute myself. (I have a thing for bunnies):D