Darkwing Duck (1991-1992)

Darkwing Duck is an egotistical superhero who protects St. Canard from the strange and bizarre criminals that haunt it. He does this with the help of Lauchpad McQuack (a crossover with DuckTales) and Gosalyn, his adopted daughter. The story is a good one that plays not only on Disney’s genius at making humanoid animals, but also the idea of superheroes and super villains. He is the terror that flaps in the night!

Neverland

Peter Pan by J.M. Barrrie

Peter Pan first appeared as a character in 1902. This is the boy that will never grow up. He lives in a magical place called Neverland with pirates, mermaids, and fairies. One day he takes a normal girl, Wendy and her two brothers to live with them so that they too can experience the joy of never growing up. But the Darlings decide to return to the real world, leaving Peter Pan alone.

Peter Pan (1953)

Disney’s foray into the classic tale; it is actually fairly close adaptation of Barrie’s original story. One thing I love is the ending where Mr. Darling says he remembers seeing Hook’s ship before.

Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson

An origin story of Peter Pan and the first of the Starcatcher series. In it Peter discovers extraterrestrial gold “star stuff”. It is this that gives him the ability to fly and keeps him a child. He has to keep it out of the hands of nefarious people who would use the star stuff for their own personal gain. It is really a charming series.

Peter Pan (2003)

Following the plot of the play a little more, Peter in this version is displayed as a sort of demigod of Neverland. When he is away from Neverland everything becomes cold and wintery. He is also able to get people to magically say they believe in fairies when Tinker Bell lies dying. (In the original play this is accomplished by Peter breaking the fourth wall and asking the audience to clap if they believe in fairies). A good adaptation of the original story.

Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg by Gail Carson Levine

One of the many authored Disney Fairies of Pixie Hollow books, Levine introduces us to Prilla. As a fairy she seems to be a failure, acting more like a human than any proper fairy should. But Prilla does have a Talent that only she possesses and when Mother Dove is threatened, it is Prilla who has the power to save the day.

Hook (1991)

This movie brings up an interesting concept, where Peter has grown up and doesn’t remember who he is. When Hook kidnaps his children, Peter is forced to go back to Neverland and reclaim his legend in order to save them. Robin Williams plays Peter to perfection.

Neverland (2011)

Another origin story. Peter is an orphan in the back streets of London. He thieves for his mentor James Hook. When they magically get transported to Neverland, Peter suddenly has to decide who he can really trust in this strange new world. 

Magic Island (1995)

One of those movies I would watch whenever it came on TV. It stars Zach Tyler from Home Improvement as Jack, a 13 year old boy who is convinced by his nanny to read a book entitled Magic Island. As he reads the story he is literally sucked into the world of the book and he has to join forces with Prince Morgan and his crew of Buccaneers in their search for hidden treasure in order to return to the real world. There are also evil pirates led by the infamous Blackbeard that they have to defeat and a mermaid named Lily who becomes a friend/love interest for Jack. I love this movie and wish I could find it!

Etiquette and Espionage by Gail Carriger*

The first book in Carriger’s finishing school series, this tells the story of Sophronia who goes to a finishing school that trains young ladies to be spies. Here she meets a vampire and werewolf that act as teachers at the school. Sophronia also gathers friends and a small mechanical dog that she names Bumbershoot. There is also a possible romance with the “sooty” named Soap. In their flying school they have to defeat the bad guys and rule the day. A fun and charming read.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8BqtTBCP8w

Robin Hood (1973)

Based on the classic English legend, this version of Robin Hood has Robin as a fox and Little John as a giant bear. And that is the extent of the Merry Men because it would take too much time to add others to the story. We still have Friar Tuck as a badger though. This was actually my first introduction the Robin Hood legend. It is a fun romp through the story. One of my favorite characters is actually the rooster minstrel that provides musical commentary throughout the movie. I also like the song “The Phony King of England.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMj16A7j4RM

The World Above by Cameron Dokey

The World Above takes a different take to the traditional Jack and the Beanstalk story. When Jack brings home the magic beans, Jack’s mother cries, with joy. For she recognizes them. They are the pathway back to their homeland above the sky. Jack immediately climbs the beanstalk that springs up and gets himself captured. It is then up to his more practical twin sister Gen to save Jack from his fate. Upon her own climb up the beanstalk, she finds a Robin Hood like character, but is he friend or foe. A good twist upon a traditional tale.

Peter and the Magic Egg (1983)

Peter and the Magic Egg is another of the silly Easter programs of my childhood. It is totally sponsored by the Paas Easter Egg Dye.

Anyway it tells the story of the Doppler family who owes a bunch of money to Tobias Tinwhiskers. In order to help them pay off the bill, Mother Nature sends them Peter Paas. Peter makes a deal with the Easter Bunny to supply him with colored eggs. This angers Tinwhiskers, and he almost kills Peter. Peter and the Dopplers, and even old Tinwhiskers himself are saved again by Mother Nature and the crazy Kookibird. As is said throughout the special this movie is a wonderment!