I watched the movie several times in middle school, and checked the book out of the library more than once. I was so psyched when my ex found a copy of the book in a garage sale. I still have it, and try to read it for my daughter, but she gets bored with it. I will try reading it to my nephew (age 7 months) and see how he likes it.
I never experienced it in person, but I know of it from the fond expressed memories of my housemate. While I appreciate the antiquated feminist notions, I would surmise that current sentiment is even more progressive… but I’ll have to investigate specifically to be sure…
Sadly/Happily, I agree, Kyla. My kids are completely and utterly disinterested in this CD. I was baffled, because, of course, I loved loved loved the album as a kid, and generally they like stuff I’m enthusiastic about.
My 5 year old just requests I turn it off. Finally, my 17 year old pointed out, “Mom…it’s just weird. I didn’t like it when I was little, either, 'cause it’s…weird. Why do we need a whole album of songs and stuff about why boys *and *girls can be anything they want? Duh!”
sniff How far we’ve come. And yet…Atalanta? Really? How can you not love that story?
Never saw the special, never heard the song till this damn commercial. My husband asked me what the song was from and I told him I didn’t know so he googled it; he can’t stand it. He says it’s cancerous. And we both want to kick the kids.
Target is very well aware that it is. I’m curious whether they made this commercial before or after their political contribution SNAFU in Minnesota (not that it would change my opinion of the incident either way, just interested from a PR standpoint).
I honestly think the film hasn’t aged well. The early-70s nuts-and-berries earnestness really dates it, and very few of the performers are recognizable to today’s kids. (Roberta Flack? Who’s she?) And what was a rather progressive message 35+ years ago is now the social norm. Think about the last time you thought (or cared) about the gender of your doctor or lawyer, for example.
But the book has some good material and the music is fun, so some of it has survived.
I actually cry, listening to the album now, I love it so much. The book is really part of my soul. I have been waiting to name a daughter “Zenobia” all my life, though we just had a son – my first child – and I’m 41, so I probably won’t get to do that…
I’m not sure I ever saw the film. I’m willing to believe it’s outdated now, as is the larger project, but some of those songs and stories are STILL my favorites. I had no idea who any of the performers were when I was a kid but still had opinions about them (adored Alan Alda and Carol Channing, didn’t much care for Margo Thomas). I didn’t love it because of its social message (oh-so-earnest in retrospect!), but because it was fun. Princesses who win races are fun. Making fun of commercials is fun. Prissy obnoxious girly-girls getting eaten by crocodiles is *really *fun!
I never did, but my dad still does. In his world, there are “doctors”, and there are “gal doctors”; “judges” and “gal judges”. And of course, the “gal doctors” and “gal judges” are far inferior to the “real” ones, even though he insists that he’s not at all sexist, and that both sexes have equal worth.
