Arlene: The Story Begins

***Arlene Story Begins*** is 1999 American 2D animated fantasy comedy film produced by Nickelodeon Movies and ClearWorld Entertainment. It was directed by Thalia Ward from screenplay by Tianna Hopes and David Weiss and story by Ward, Hopes, and Kyler Fischer, and stars voices of Brittany Murphy, Andrea Libman, Will Ferrell, Hank Azaria, with Hugh Jackman, and Robin Williams. Film centers on young girl name Arlene, who must on quest to stop evil king from ruling town and world.

*Story Begins* was originally conceived by Ward and Hopes in while work at Hanna Barbera. ClearWorld was approached by Paramount Pictures to produce animated feature film in 1986. With it original draft completely different from it final version, *Arlene* initially began production for release in 1989. It was later abandoned by ClearWorld in 1988, but restart production on film for release, with script being rewritten.

*Story Begins* was originally release on May 14, 1999 to positive reviews from critics, who praised it animation, characters, music, and voice. It was success at box office, earn over $2 million worldwide on it $4 million budget. Film later spawned expanded franchise, with 3 sequels, *2 Part*, *Rise Of Good And Evil*, and *Final Part*.

## Cast

* Brittany Murphy as Arlene
* Andrea Libman as Tina

*More coming soon!*

## Production

### Development

Idea of *Story Begins* was originally conceived by animators Thalia Ward and Tianna Hopes in 1970 while work at Hanna Barbera before their new formed animation studio Thalia Ward Productions was separated from Hanna Barbera and name as ClearWorld Entertainment in 1988, they always wanted to realize their dream of producing animated feature length film. Ward then came up with story of film, which was about girl who attempts to save her world from mad king.

After success of ClearWorld short film *Beauty Visitor* in 1986, studio was approached by Paramount Pictures to produce animated feature film that would become *Arlene*, offer which founders immediately accept. Deal was settled in 1988, and Ward and Hopes, along with fellow ClearWorld animator Kyler Fischer, began work on script of *Arlene*. Original draft was completely different from final version of film.

However, development for *Arlene* was stalled in 1989 when Paramount and ClearWorld became concerned over upcoming release of animated films, *Little Mermaid (1989)* and *All Dogs Go To Heaven* which were both release on same day. ClearWorld abandoned *Arlene* in 1989 after studio had already design 6 months worth production and Paramount had left project. Studio then decided to start work on other projects, such as TV series *Alaina Gleen* to be aired on CBS in same month.

With success of *Alaina Gleen*, ClearWorld began concerning their interest in restart development on *Arlene* in 1995 and title *Story Began*. ClearWorld chose to pitch film to Nickelodeon due to network success with *Charity Wicked Witch*. Follow year, ClearWorld and Nickelodeon revived project and staff brought David Weiss on to help their script. Network theatrical motion picture production Nickelodeon Movies was brought in to produced film with ClearWorld. Paramount then return to film in 1996.

### Animation

Animation was provided by ClearWorld Entertainment under leadership of animation director David Silverman, as film was animated in house at studio main headquarters in Burbank.

## Release

*Story Begins* was theatrical release by Paramount Pictures on May 14, 1999 in US and UK. Film was accompanied with *SpongeBob SquarePants* episode, Reef Blower.

### Marketing

Film was accompanied by promo campaign by Burger King.

#### Trailers

* 1 teaser was release on September 18, 1998, and was shown before *Naturia*, *Antz*, *Missing Riddle*, *You Be Home For Christmas*, *Rugrats Movie*, *Bug Life*, *Pig In City*, *Jack Frost*, *Prince Of Egypt*, and *Mighty Joe Young*.
* Official trailer was release on February 12, 1999, and was shown before *Your Favorite Martian*, *King And You*, *Doug 1 Movie,* and *Kit Mineko*.
* TV spots began to air from April to May of 1999.

### Home media

*Story Begins* was release on VHS and DVD on December 14, 1999. DVD release included commentary, documentary, test footage, deleted scenes, and DVD ROM features. *SpongeBob SquarePants* episode, Reef Blower, and ClearWorld short film, *Living In Island* were also included. This is 1 of 1 films to had feature for Jeremy Vast. Film was eventually release on Blu ray in 2009 along with bundle in mark of film 10 anniversary.

## Transcripts

### Main

To see the main transcript of the film, click here.

### Trailers

To see the transcript for the trailers of the film, click here.