NAMES IN THE NEWS : Star Billing for Raggedy Ann

Raggedy Ann, perhaps the most popular doll ever and certainly the most cuddled, will star in a $30-million movie musical.

While there has been an animated movie based on Raggedy Ann and a current Saturday morning CBS kiddie series, there has never been a major live-action motion picture based on her.

It is a promising idea, but Lang Elliott--producer-director of “A Raggedy Miracle”--is aware of the perils of transforming an internationally popular icon into a Big Screen personality. It didn’t work with the film version of “Annie,” based on the Broadway musical and comic strip “Orphan Annie.” “Blondie,” on the other hand, was a successful B movie series. “Li’l Abner,” was considerably less than a hit on film.

Elliott’s first consideration is the script, currently being written by David W. Duclon. Second is a first-rate musical score of eight or 10 production numbers.

But most important of all is the casting of Raggedy Ann and Andy.

“It’s going to be an extensive and expensive talent hunt. The selection of the two children is absolutely vital to the success of the picture,” said Elliott.

“We’re hoping to make a super musical fantasy, something like ‘The Wizard of Oz’ that will appeal to people of all ages, not just children. It’s been a long, long time since such a movie has been made.”