Pinocchio in Outer Space

I'm transferring my VHS copy of this film to DVD right now and I'm re-appreciating the hard work to make this above average animated sci-fi fantasy. Great character design reminiscent of the Fleisher era Popeyes. Lots of imaginative monsters. The animation is never lazy, lots of full character shots of walks and runs and good "acting" to go with the voice track. I mistakenly thought this was an example of the early Japanese animation like Astro Boy. It's actually French-Belguim. I saw this when it came out in the sixties when I was about 12 or 13. At the Knob Hill theater in Oklahoma City. Probably co billed with something like Hercules vs The Vampires.

...despite the fact that they made him a blonde... It's true that while this film is a visual departure from the Disney version (as it should be, IMO), it does have some elements that make it enjoyable nonetheless. The songs ("In the Little Toy Shop", "Goody Good Morning" and "Doin' the Impossible") are very decent and fun to listen to. Then there's the combination of a classic fairy tale and the space age (Pinocchio saves the Earth from Astro the flying whale). Throw in Arnold Stang (Nertle the Turtle), some scary intergalactic mutants, an atomic blast, and you've got...well, a decent 60's animated movie about a puppet saving the world.

I have seen "Pinocchio in Outer Space".

Two or three times, in fact.

And it is the only full-length feature up to that time that tried to make a sequel to Disney's long-time classic.

What do you mean, you've never heard of it?!

Well, it features Gepetto and the Blue Fairy from the original, but that's about as nostalgic as it gets. This time, they hybrid Pinocchio with James Bond and he must save earth from a "space whale" (I know, that's what I said, too) because he has been destroying our planet's satellites and now threatens to do the same with anyone who crosses him.

So now Pinocchio has been thrust into the space age with only his wits and Nurtle the Turtle (from the land of Twurtle-Dee, if I recall correctly) to help him overcome this monstrous foe.

The whole story is kind of bland, much like the direction, and one plot point: wasn't he already a boy at the end of the first movie? Oh well....

At least this movie has one saving grace: Arnold Stang as the voice of Nurtle. If you don't know his name, just look him up. I'm sure once you see him or hear that whiny voice you'll go, "oh, yeah!". I did.

Two stars for "Pinocchio". After this one, they should have done "Pinocchio in a Toothpick Factory".

Could have had a million sequels.

You know, this wasn't half bad. It can't compare to arguably the greatest animated film of all time, but "Pinocchio In Outer Space" has its own merits. The animation is good. (It's much better than most modern animated TV shows.) The story is interesting. Even the three songs are lively and pleasant. It's also clear that the film strove to be a bit educational, as a number of space facts are brought up. Pinocchio and his friend Twertle, voiced by the inimitable Arnold Stang, have good chemistry and a pretty exciting adventure. If you have a small tot, there are many, many worse kid's movies you could rent for them.

wow i was beginning to think i'd imagined the whole thing. i actually did see this in the 70's as a child , i was beginning to think this was some sort of shared delusion with my brother.....i'm glad it's real ;)