The Jim Henson Mother Goose Stories are a charming retelling of old nursery rhymes or fairy tales, brought to life with Henson's wonderful array of puppet creations. However, it isn't all puppets, as in each episode there is a child lead to carry the story.
In this episode it's Victoria Shalet, here playing Jenny, the little girl with a curl. The nursery rhyme goes "When she was good, she was very very good, but when she was bad she was horrid," but in this story she is only ever bad when she has to be when her life is at threat. Jenny lives with her grandparents and their dog Tracker in a cottage in the woods, and lives a happy contented life. But when playing with her dog she fails to heed the warnings of both her grandparents and Tracker not to go too deep into the forest nearby, and soon she gets distracted picking flowers and wanders off. Tracker, ever the loyal dog, turns tail and runs off back home, only to be admonished by his owners for his cowardice when he returns.
Now lost in the forest, Jenny seeks a cave to sleep in, but this proves foolish as it is home to some wolves, who return home to discover the sleeping girl. When Jenny wakes she has to think quick on her feet, otherwise the wolves will eat her, so she pretends she is one of them. As wolves are naturally horrid (their words in this story, not mine, I may add), she soon realizes that to survive she must prove she is as horrid as they are. But surviving isn't the only thing on her mind, as she is also trying to think of a way to get back home out of the forest, using all her wits in which to outsmart the wolves.
How she does this would reveal things, but I can say things turn out well in the end. Victoria Shalet is probably best known for her role in The Queen's Nose, but she started acting aged 7 in a surprising variety of things, and she makes for a charmingly reassured lead in this, one of two Jim Henson productions she did (the other being The Greek Myths). This is a much lighter family affair than the Myths, directed by Brian Henson, who took over from his brother Jim when he died halfway through this last series, and keeps a sense of fun and innocence to the episode. One thing I do have to say though, and that is the puppets of Jenny's grandparents - in particular grandma - are just a little bit creepy looking! Otherwise, a lovely series that deserves wider viewing.
In this episode it's Victoria Shalet, here playing Jenny, the little girl with a curl. The nursery rhyme goes "When she was good, she was very very good, but when she was bad she was horrid," but in this story she is only ever bad when she has to be when her life is at threat. Jenny lives with her grandparents and their dog Tracker in a cottage in the woods, and lives a happy contented life. But when playing with her dog she fails to heed the warnings of both her grandparents and Tracker not to go too deep into the forest nearby, and soon she gets distracted picking flowers and wanders off. Tracker, ever the loyal dog, turns tail and runs off back home, only to be admonished by his owners for his cowardice when he returns.
Now lost in the forest, Jenny seeks a cave to sleep in, but this proves foolish as it is home to some wolves, who return home to discover the sleeping girl. When Jenny wakes she has to think quick on her feet, otherwise the wolves will eat her, so she pretends she is one of them. As wolves are naturally horrid (their words in this story, not mine, I may add), she soon realizes that to survive she must prove she is as horrid as they are. But surviving isn't the only thing on her mind, as she is also trying to think of a way to get back home out of the forest, using all her wits in which to outsmart the wolves.
How she does this would reveal things, but I can say things turn out well in the end. Victoria Shalet is probably best known for her role in The Queen's Nose, but she started acting aged 7 in a surprising variety of things, and she makes for a charmingly reassured lead in this, one of two Jim Henson productions she did (the other being The Greek Myths). This is a much lighter family affair than the Myths, directed by Brian Henson, who took over from his brother Jim when he died halfway through this last series, and keeps a sense of fun and innocence to the episode. One thing I do have to say though, and that is the puppets of Jenny's grandparents - in particular grandma - are just a little bit creepy looking! Otherwise, a lovely series that deserves wider viewing.