The Real Story of Happy Birthday to You

The Real Story of Happy Birthday to You is a Canadian children's animated short film directed by Gerald Potterton as part of The Real Story of... / Favorite Songs animated anthology series. The short was produced in Canada by Cinar (now known as DHX Media, previously and formerly known as Cookie Jar Group) and in France by France Animation in association with Crayon Animation and Western Publishing and was released in January 1992 in the USA. It also features the voices of Edward Asner and Roger Daltrey and was based on a real song (originally called Good Morning to All) written by Patty and Mildred J. Hill.

Plot

The story involves neglected child Olivia, whose only friends are Charlie the Horse and Barnaby the Stablehand. Olivia wants her own special birthday song, but her evil caretaker tries to keep her from hearing it.^[1]

Songs

• The Girlie Wants a Song

Music by Milan Kymlicka, Lyrics by Gerald Potterton

• The Birthday Contest Medley

Music by Milan Kymlicka, Lyrics by Gerald Potterton

• Happy Birthday to You

Used by permission Warner Brothers Music, Written by Patty Hill and Mildred J. Hill

Production

• The film was first made and produced in 1991.
• Czechoslovakian-born Canadian composer Milan Kymlicka provided the music for the film. He has also composed music for other Canadian TV series such as Babar, Rupert, The Busy World of Richard Scarry, The Legend of White Fang, The Adventures of Paddington Bear, the 1997 version of Lassie, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Night Hood and The Neverending Story.

Broadcast history

• The film was first broadcast on CTV Television Network in Canada and later on HBO in the USA. It has also been airing on Cartoon Network and the BBC in the UK, ABC TV in Australia, and Arutz HaYeladim in Israel. All three channels have aired it along with all the other animated short films in The Real Story of... / Favorite Songs series.

Video releases

• It was first released on video by Golden Book Video and later Sony Wonder in the USA and released again by ABC Video and Roadshow Entertainment.
• The Australian release also contained another short film Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star which featured the voices of Vanna White and Martin Short.

Voices

• Charlie - Edward Asner
• Barnaby - Roger Daltrey
• Olivia - Sonja Ball
• Chef Henri - A.J. Henderson
• Maids - Liz MacRae, Judi Richards
• Gardeners - Carlyle Miller, Dan Lebel
• Lord O / Snitchgrovel - Tony Robinow
• Lady O - Paula Harding Howe

References