Newsies Movie Review 1992

An unfortunate attempt at an old-fashioned musical with a lot of cute kids and cardboard characters and settings. The plot, such as it is, concerns the 1899 New York newsboys strike against penny-pinching publisher Joseph Pulitzer. Bale plays the newsboy's leader and at least shows some charisma in a strictly cartoon setting. The songs are mediocre but the dancing is lively. However, none of it moves the story along. Add a bone for viewers under 12. Choreographer Ortega's feature-film directorial debut.

Distribution

Walt Disney Home Video, 500 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank, CA 91521, Phone: (818)265-6500, URL: http://disney.store.go.com, Remarks: Does not handle retail queries from consumers; contact your local video distributor.

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 121 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Musical Comedy, Labor & Unions, Front Page, Period Piece: 19th Century, Disney Family Movies, Paperboys

Screenplay

Bob Tzudiker

Cast

Christian Bale, Bill Pullman, Robert Duvall, Ann-Margret, Michael Lerner, Kevin Tighe, Charles Cioffi, Luke Edwards, Max Casella, David Moscow

Cinematography

Noni White

Director

Kenny Ortega

Music

Alan Menken, Jack Feldman

Other

Andrew Laszlo

Producer

Walt Disney Studios

Awards

Golden Raspberries 1992: Worst Song ("High Times, Hard Times").