Man, I love this movie. I loved it the first time Darin showed it to me (via laserdisc he’d brought back from Japan in 1992, no English subtitles or translation), and I love it every time Sophia watches it. She loves it too.
It’s the story of two young girls, Mei and Satsuke, who move to the countryside so that they can live nearer to the hospital where their mother is staying. Their new house is creaky and dusty—and filled with “dust bunnies,” which are little spirits. They soon discover there are a lot more spirits than that around, including the gigantic teddy-bearish Totoro! Sophia’s favorite is the Cat Bus, of course. Mei and Satsuke’s adventures with the spirits, while at the same time trying to cope with their mother’s illness (never stated, but I think it’s tuberculosis), is charming and fun.
Highly recommended.
Question: The first time I heard the American DVD, I was sure the father was played by Phil Hartman. I haven’t been able to find a cast list, but I have found that one of the voices is Kenneth Hartman. Anyone know if he’s Phil’s brother? (I haven’t found anything on the Web one way or the other, which is why I ask.)
Apparent answer: According to Julia’s stellar info, the Dad isn’t played by Kenneth Hartman, so I am clearly wrong and will now cease and desist.
Diane – I couldn’t find a connection between Kenneth and Phil Hartman. I came at the search from Phil’s obituary. The closest I could find was at http://obits.com/hartmanphil.htm, which in part reads:
“Born the 4th of the 8 children of Doris and Rupert Hartman in Brantford, Ontario CA on September 25th, 1948, Phil Hartman divided his childhood with frequent family moves. The elder Hartman’s career as a building supply salesman relocated the family from Canada to Connecticut to California, but the comedian always identified himself with his hometown of Brantford, the birthplace of hockey legend Wayne Gretszky. Though a genial “class clown” through his years at Los Angeles’ Westchester High School, Hartman never considered a career as a performer, but pursued graphic arts.”
As one of eight children, it at least seems possible that Phil could have had a brother named Kenneth. But none of the obits named siblings.
SATSUKI LISA MICHAELSON
MEI CHERYL CHASE
DAD GREG SNEGOFF
KANTA KENNETH HARTMAN
MOTHER ALEXANDRA KENWORTHY
NANNY NATALIE CORE
FARMER STEVE KRAMER
FARM GIRL LARA CODY
KANTA’S MOM MELENIE McQUEEN
fwiw
Diane – I don’t think they’re related based on the following link:
http://www.news-star.com/stories/052998/new_hartman.html
“Born Philip Edward Hartmann in Ontario, Canada, Hartman — who later dropped the second ‘n’ — was one in a line of Canadian-born comedians to find success in the United States, including the late John Candy and “SNL” veteran Dan Aykroyd.”
Phil’s last given name was actually Hartmann with an extra “n”. If Kenneth Hartman was Phil’s brother, then he would have coincidentally also dropped the extra “n”.
– Mark
Well, if Kenneth Hartman isn’t playing the father, then I am completely and totally off-base. (Which isn’t exactly a first for me, I’ll admit.)
Totoro! I wound up buying the English-language version for my friend who showed it to me the first time as a wedding gift … I should get a copy for Vic when he gets a little bit older since it’s such a fun story for both kids and adults.
According to imdb.com, Phil Hartman has a brother in the business, but his name is Butch, and he does the cartoon “Fairly Oddparents.” He also does some voice work, so maybe his real name is Kenneth? It isn’t mentioned, however. There is also a Kenneth Hartman, but since he was a t.v. writer in the late 60’s, he’s unlikely to be Phil’s brother OR to be doing the voice of Kanta.