HornedKing

My little girl is almost two at this time, and she loves singing. She is very interested in learning new words and concepts, too. This show is perfect for her. Its goal is to provide positive male role models on television, as well as to thrill kids with music and action entertainment. It is not as far-out as Captain Kangaroo or as fantasy-filled as Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood. It doesn't need to be. It is tailored to suit modern children, kids who need more realistic father figures than what we usually see presented on TV. The Movers don't interact with eight-foot-tall, make-believe dinosaurs, slapstick cats and dogs, or an idiot sponge-person. The puppets on the show are cute and limited to a small amount of screen time. Disney has a hit with this series that seeks to provide a lot of music, a lot of positivity, and a bit of education to boot. It's more grounded in reality than most programs found on children's television these days (for example, "Yo, Gabba Gabba!"), and features a violence-free warehouse in which the Movers can interact with other amusing or pleasant human characters, such as Mr. Knit Knots and Nina. The music featured on the show is strongly reminiscent of '80s and '90s pop rock. I like it, and my wife agrees that the Imagination Movers is just right for our little girl.

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.