Funkytown

Funkytown is a 1980 Canadian animated musical fantasy television special directed by Clive A. Smith, produced by Nelvana Limited and airing on CBC. A loose sequel to their 1978 special The Devil and Daniel Mouse, the film is a redemption story revolving around previous special's supporting antagonist Weez Weezel and his new companion, popular but overly-fame driven and short-tempered Jackal musician Jessi bonding and working together to escape and renounce themselves from the devil's clutches, find their own musical identity and reform to find peace and true happiness in their lives. This special as well as The Devil and Daniel Mouse are the two specials that would soon become the inspiration for their 1983 feature film Rock & Rule. The title of the special is a reference to the song of the same name by Lipps Inc., who also collaborated on music for the special. 
== SYNOPSIS ==
Weez Weezel was once one of the most well-acclaimed, famous and talented pop stars in the music industry after a life of hardship, but it was not without his unfortunate deal with the devil. However, fame soon was forced to become his number one priority and the obsession transformed him into a vain and callous animal. When his time was supposedly up, the devil saw that he was able to already snatch his soul due to the changes in his behaviour and decided to make him into his personal assistant in exchange for the erasure of his music career. For a while, things weren't out of the ordinary. But one encounter with two musicians who saved themselves from the same fate as his opened his eyes for the first time and made him truly see what he had done and what he lost. Knowing that he lost his contract and as punishment for his regret it would be his turn instead, Weez escaped. But because he had already sold his soul off for too long, he wouldn't be on earth for long and his soul would either ascend or descend. In one final plea with heaven, he was given a last chance to spend what few days on earth he had left to create a "Redeeming bond" meaning that he and one other star who would most likely in future have their soul bargained away needed to work together to achieve this goal in order for their souls to be saved from the devil. Through this journey he befriends Jessi, another famous musician who just like who Weez once was, got lost in her fame because of what her producers wanted and became overly-ambitious, egotistical and short-tempered. Seeing deep down the desire find their true selves again and atone for their lost guidance, the two form a team to revive both Weez's name and Jessi's career before it's too late, forming a romantic relationship in the process.
== CAST AND CHARACTERS ==
Weez Weezel (Voiced By: Martin Lavut/Singing Voice: Robin Gibb): One of the two protagonists of the sequel and a returning character from the first special. A snarky and sarcastic but deeply sympathetic animal, Weez Weezel made a contract with the devil long ago to make him famous and talented singer that could enchant anyone with his voice. However, when his contract expired and he lost his morality, turning into a fame-obsessed and callous individual, he would be recruited to become the Devil's assistant in exchange for his career. After the events of the first special, Weez realised the tragic extent of his actions and escaped. Realising his time left on earth was short, he made one last deal with heaven to redeem himself before his departure. Throughout the special, he would wear different outfits symbolising his progress to redemption into heaven. His outfits were all designed by Bobbie Mannix, who also served as costume designer for the 1980 movie Xanadu, which a majority of the crew for the special had some involvement in.
Jessi (Voiced By: Jane Woods/Singing Voice: Marilyn Sokol): One of the two protagonists of the sequel and a newly introduced character. Jessi is a jackal who is also one of the most popular musicians in the world. However, the fame sacrificed any genuine connections and relationships she could've earned after her insecure and lonely childhood and eventually got over her head, transforming her into an egotistical, demanding and short-tempered diva who wants everything to be the way she wants it to be, similarly to Weez Weezel during the height of his career. With it only being a matter of time before she fell into the devil's trap, she partners with Weez so that they could both reform. Despite her flaws, Jessi is a very social individual with a good sense of leadership and courage, which is highlighted more throughout her character development in the special. This character development also makes her less selfish, more considerate and is able to form a genuine romantic bond with Weez. Her outfits were all designed by Bobbie Mannix, who also served as costume designer for the 1980 movie Xanadu, which a majority of the crew for the special had some involvement in.
Category:Nelvana
Category:Nelvana films
Category:1980s
Category:1980
Category:Animation
Category:TV Specials
Category:Canadian films
Category:Canadian animated films
Category:Musical Films
Category:Fantasy films