MOVIE REVIEW : ‘The Gumby Movie’: Toys, No Story

Sometimes big stars are better served taking on a supporting character role in a popular film than in trying to carry their own lame vehicle. Case in point: Had Gumby appeared in a supporting capacity in “Toy Story,” his popularity and figure sales would now be soaring; alas, his ego drove him to headline “Gumby the Movie,” which may be out on video before you finish reading this review.

Written, produced, directed and just about everything else by Gumby creator Art Clokey and his family, “Gumby the Movie” (in the film itself, it’s somewhat more hopefully titled “Gumby 1”) is like that new Beatles song: It won’t exactly taint your fond childhood memories of the little green slab of clay, but it certainly doesn’t do anyone involved any favors.

In this age in which computers can create lovable, sympathetic characters, “Gumby’s” jittery claymation has something of a quaint appeal (a dog rides a skateboard in the movie, less because skateboards are cool nowadays than because it’s easier to animate that way).

But there’s nothing quaint or charming about the tired and listless screenplay, which sort of dawdles from situation to situation (the main plot involves the malevolent Blockheads’ efforts to prevent Gumby and his pals from organizing a Farm Aid benefit).

Characters occasionally mouth groaners so lame it takes a few seconds to realize that the lines were intended as jokes. It’s admirable, in a way, that Clokey and Co. haven’t felt the need to update their hero for a ‘90s audience, but they should realize that movies should have dialogue much sharper than that slapped together on a tight TV production schedule.

Even Pokey seems a little embarrassed by the proceedings.

* MPAA-rating: G. Times guidelines: Tamer than tame, unless one is disturbed by images of melted clay.

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‘Gumby the Movie’

Dallas McKennon: Gumby

Art Clokey: Pokey, Prickle

Gloria Clokey: Goo

A Premavision production, released by Arrow Releasing. Director Art Clokey. Producers, screenplay Art Clokey, Gloria Clokey. Editors Lynn Stevenson, Marilyn McCoppen. Music Jerry Gerber. Model sculpturing Tom Rubalcava. Running time: 1 hour, 28 minutes.

In limited release in Southern California.