The Rainmakers
- Studio
- TerryToon Cartoons
- Distributor
- 20th Century Fox
Synopsis
After a rainstorm ruins their picnic, Heckle & Jeckle make a wish on a wishbone that it will never rain again. Their wish only leads to a massive drought that dries up all of the water in the world. Realizing their mistake, the pair invent a makeshift helicopter and head for the clouds. They cause the clouds fight amongst themselves and rain is finally produced. The magpies return home to a hero's well-deserved- and wet- parade.
Characters
Heckle, Jeckle, Dimwit The Dog
Credits
Directing
- Director
- Connie Rasinski
Producing
- Producer
- Paul Terry
Voices
- Voice
- Dayton Allen (Heckle, Jeckle), Roy Halee (Heckle, Jeckle)
Production notes
Heckle and Jeckle were two inseparable black magpies, identical in appearance but distinguishably different in personality. Though both were remarkably witty, Heckle spoke with a New York accent, while Jeckle's tone was much more refined. Together, they sought to con free meals and shelter out of the upper class, who in all honesty, presented little difficulty for the clever and mischievous birds.
The first TV appearance of Heckle and Jeckle was on CBS Cartoon Theatre and then thier very own The Heckle And Jeckle Cartoon Show, the very first prime time network animated cartoon series (appearing in 1956, years before The Flintstones). Dick Van Dyke was the host of the show, and he introduced the Heckle and Jeckle segments, along with those of Gandy Goose, by pretending to converse with the animated birds.
In 1979, the magpies appeared in their second show, The New Adventures of Mighty Mouse and Heckle and Jeckle. Once again, the two birds were on the lookout for a free ride, using their immense vocabularies and sharpened street smarts to get the best of people.
The high point of any Heckle and Jeckle cartoon was always the witty banter between the feathered friends. Instead of resorting to violence, the birds bested their foes by outwitting them, and while doing so, indulged in wry commentary that made their adversaries appear even more foolish.
The first TV appearance of Heckle and Jeckle was on CBS Cartoon Theatre and then thier very own The Heckle And Jeckle Cartoon Show, the very first prime time network animated cartoon series (appearing in 1956, years before The Flintstones). Dick Van Dyke was the host of the show, and he introduced the Heckle and Jeckle segments, along with those of Gandy Goose, by pretending to converse with the animated birds.
In 1979, the magpies appeared in their second show, The New Adventures of Mighty Mouse and Heckle and Jeckle. Once again, the two birds were on the lookout for a free ride, using their immense vocabularies and sharpened street smarts to get the best of people.
The high point of any Heckle and Jeckle cartoon was always the witty banter between the feathered friends. Instead of resorting to violence, the birds bested their foes by outwitting them, and while doing so, indulged in wry commentary that made their adversaries appear even more foolish.
Pictures
Reviews
The Rain Maker
"The Rain Maker" features one of Heckle & Jeckle's most imaginative storylines. It isn't especially funny, but it doesn't try to be, and you might enjoy this cartoon just for its story. Your kids will like it too. Also, this cartoon subtly and enjoyably makes two very mature points without getting preachy. #1: If you get what you wish for, you might regret it. #2: If you cause a problem for other folks, it's your duty to fix it.
At the start of this cartoon, Heckle & Jeckle are trying to enjoy a picnic, but the rain is coming down too hard. Their picnic basket contains a roast chicken; apparently these two magpies eat poultry. Heckle & Jeckle grab the chicken's wishbone and get ready to make a wish. Jeckle says: "I wish it would stop raining FOREVER!" and then he gets the bigger piece of the wishbone. His wish is magically granted. The rainstorm stops in mid-raindrop, and the two magpies do a cheerful little song and dance: "It's never going to rain a-gain, a-gain!"
But now a clever gag sequence, neatly parodying a news broadcast, shows the horrible consequences of Jeckle's wish: there is no more rain ever, anywhere on Earth. Global drought ensues. For once, the magpies are willing to take responsibility for their own actions. Heckle & Jeckle have got to make it start raining again. The way they accomplish this is quite imaginative and visually interesting, though not especially funny.
A minor character in this cartoon jumps out of a TV set to remind Jeckle that the worldwide drought is HIS fault, caused by Jeckle's wish: not Heckle's & Jeckle's fault together. So it's nice to see Heckle helping his buddy Jeckle to restore the rain, instead of letting Jeckle take the rap alone.
There is one very brief scene which might upset small children, up in the air aboard Heckle & Jeckle's two-seater plane, when the magpies snatch a little-girl raincloud who clearly doesn't want to be snatched, and she struggles as the magpies stuff her into their plane. The raincloud is anthropomorphised to resemble a small girl ... and, when the cloud bursts into a rainstorm, some kids watching this cartoon might wonder what happened to the "little girl". This is the only upsetting incident in what's otherwise an excellent cartoon.
"The Rain Maker" (that title ought to be plural) rates at least a 7 out of 10 ... maybe more, if you realize that (for once) the TerryToon gang were trying to tell an interesting story instead of just throwing gags at us.