The Indian in the Cupboard (film)

Infobox Film
name = The Indian in the Cupboard


caption = Promotional movie poster for the film
director = Frank Oz
producer = Kathleen Kennedy
Frank Marshall
Jane Startz
- Executive Producer -
Robert Harris
Marty Keltz
Bernard Williams
Deborah Forte (uncredited)
- Associate Producer -
Arthur F. Repola
Michelle Wright
writer = Lynne Reid Banks (novel)
Melissa Mathison (screenplay)
narrator =
starring = Hal Scardino
Litefoot
Lindsay Crouse
Richard Jenkins
Rishi Bhat
Steve Coogan
David Keith
Vincent Kartheiser
Nestor Serrano
Ryan Olson
music = Randy Edelman
cinematography = Russell Carpenter
editing = Ian Crafford
distributor = - USA -
Paramount Pictures (theatrical)
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (video)
- non-USA -
Columbia Pictures (theatrical)
CIC Video/Paramount Home Video (video)
released = July 14, 1995
runtime = 96 min
country = USA
language = English
budget = $45,000,000 (estimate)
imdb_id = 0113419
amg_id = 1:134938|

"The Indian in the Cupboard" is a 1995 film based on the children's book "The Indian in the Cupboard" by Lynne Reid Banks. [ [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0052209/#writer Lynne Reid Banks ] ] The story is about a boy who receives a cupboard as a gift on his ninth birthday. He later discovers that putting toy figures in the cupboard, after locking and unlocking it, brings the toys to life.

It starred Hal Scardino as Omri, Litefoot as Little Bear, Lindsay Crouse, Richard Jenkins, Rishi Bhat as Omri's friend Patrick, Steve Coogan and David Keith, as Boone the Cowboy. [ [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113419/fullcredits#cast The Indian in the Cupboard (1995) - Full cast and crew ] ] It was directed by famous Muppetteer Frank Oz. The movie was distributed by Columbia Pictures (Non-US theater release and US home video release) and Paramount Pictures (US and UK theater release and TV broadcast rights and Non-US video release).

Special effects created the illusion of three-inch tall characters such as Little Bear, Boone,and Tommy the Medic. One scene had Boone being thrown from his horse and Boone falls to the floorbut is captured in Omri's hands. Another has a teacher asking Patrick to show what he andOmri were quarreling about; Boone and Little Bear pose as inanimate toys on Patrick's hand so asnot to give themselves away.

A mock up of a giant sneaker was used during a fight scene involving Little Bear and Boone. Oneearly scene shows Little Bear cautiously walking onto Omri's hand, and the boy marvels at how"real" the Indian looks. The Chief was played by 75-year-old Ojibway actor George Randall.

MPAA Rating

The film is rated PG (Parental Guidance Suggested) for mild language and brief images of violence and a scene of provocative dancing (Mötley Crüe's "Girls, Girls, Girls") from a music video (while Omri is watching television with his friend).

Tributes

In one scene added for the movie, Omri places several toys into the Cupboard, including Robocop, Darth Vader, Rebel Officer Admiral Ackbar, a Ferengi, a Cardassian and a Tyrannosaurus. They all come to life for a few brief seconds, and immediately start fighting, before Omri quickly closes the door and returns them to normal.

Reaction

The film currently secures a 65% rating of "Fresh" on the movie review scaling site Rotten Tomatoes. [ [http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/indian_in_the_cupboard/?critic=columns The Indian in the Cupboard Movie Reviews, Pictures - Rotten Tomatoes ] ] Additionally, both Rishi Bhat and Hal Scardino received Young Artist Award nominations.However, the film made only $35 million on a $45 million budget. [ [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113419/business The Indian in the Cupboard (1995) - Box office / business ] ]

References

External links

*imdb title|id=0113419|title=The Indian in the Cupboard

* [http://images.google.com/images?um=1&tab=wi&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLG,GGLG:2005-31,GGLG:en&q=The+Indian+in+the+Cupboard]
* [http://www.jstor.org/view/08867356/ap020045/02a00060/0/ "Animated Indians: Critique and Contradiction in Commodified Children's Culture"] by Pauline Turner Strong discusses "Pocahontas (1995 film)" and "The Indian in the Cupboard"