The next classic childhood character to be updated...Raggedy Ann?

R

Ravenfang

New member
I just found a news article that says Simon and Scheuster have hired Starz media to reintroduce Raggedy Ann to a new generation of kids. This will take the form of a new animated series and a bit of a makeover for the beloved ragdoll.

http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6532165.html?rssid=190 This is a link to the news report, including a picture of Raggedy's Ann's new design.

To be honest I'm torn about this. It's nice to see Raggedy Ann get some attention. But, at the same time fiddling with a classic character is never a safe bet. This could very easily go wrong.
 
WAT?

Ugh, I really wish they'd stop "updating" characters. I've got a Raggedy Ann doll (and Andy... dunno where Andy got off to though), and I read some of the books when I was little, and I gotta say it never bothered me that they weren't the latest, greatest thing. I always just liked the doll - the books and cartoons (which I barely remember) were just a bonus. But those weren't MY Raggedy Ann. My Raggedy Ann had her tea parties invaded by ninjas, and went base jumping off the tree in the back yard (or the roof), and rode Rainbow Brights horse around to round up My Little Ponies.

What happened to leaving things to the imagination, sheesh... >.>
 
Looks like Ann's about to become a stylish, fashion-fanatic mall-goer princess then.
Meanwhile, Andy is going to end up a panhandler with his name.

No offense to the original doll, but I don't think today's kids will be that interested unless there's something really unique to present with the character.
 
I wouldn't call it that bad. The costume is still pretty much a period outfit, it's just that the proportions have been changed.

I prefer the original, but at least they didn't dress her up in modern clothes and give her a Bratz face. Though I think she does look a little to much like a Strawberry Shortcake character now.
 
With the name Raggedy Ann she is the perfect for the underdog protagonist role. Her nemesis could be a girl that is a parody of Barbie. If they make the whole setting like a real world setting. She could go to school and have to deal with mean girls and having crushes.

But actully I always thought they should do a movie when Ann wishes to be a real girl and her wish is granted. If not a movie, a multt part episode. If she is going to remain a doll, that is good story plot to explore.
 
I wonder if this will lead to a DVD release of Raggity Ann: A Musical Adventure (I've read it's never been released on DVD), or even the cartoon series (okay, I don't really know or care whether the series has been released).
 
I think I might put the bolded part into my signature, if it's O.K. with you.:p

While you're probably right that nothing any company does with the property is going to be as epic in scope as the things a kid playing with the toy makes up (I believe A Town Called Panic was built around that thought, although I haven't seen it yet), I'm not opposed to them trying something new. I wish the character design was less bland, though - she doesn't even look Raggedy anymore.
 
I think the updated design looks like something from an old Hallmark card. It doesn't seem like they'll do anything really drastic.
 
Well, maybe there's a bright side. Maybe we'll see Raggedy Ann and Andy: A Musical Adventure on DVD. Although, Rainbow Brite has been retweeked, and I have yet to see any of the episodes on DVD, save for the movie (now out of print :/).
 
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