The Charmkins

Charmkins delighted my sister when she was a child, and I enjoyed it very much, too. She is 24 at this time, and was given a VHS copy on her latest birthday. She was thrilled, and has sought a copy of Charmkins ever since we lost the old tape we wore out in the '80s and early '90s.

The good-natured inhabitants of Charm World could have stepped right out of a Strawberry Shortcake cartoon, and the bad guys might be best described as mutant Smurfs with a caveman for a leader. Ben Vereen voices the main villain, and Sally Struthers and Aileen Quinn lend their talents to a great cast of voice actors. The music is notable, as it alternates between sweet and menacing, with a whimsical flair Vereen is to be praised for.

I doubt any merchandising sprung from this '80s lost gem. Toys would have sold well, had Charmkins been released on a wide scale, a la Care Bears, Rainbow Brite, etc., because the characters were unique and fun to look at.

I highly recommend digging up a copy of this film, and showing the new generation of children how cool 1980s animation is.