Zuckerman's Famous Pig

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Zuckerman's Famous Pig" is the victorious ultimate song of Charlotte's Web the 1973 Hanna Barbera animated musical. It is sung by everyone present at the county fair and exemplifies that Wilbur the Pig's life is safe.

The film was released by Paramount Pictures. The song was covered by the Brady Kids among performers.

1 Storyline
2 Barbershop Quartet
3 Trivia
4 Literary Sources

[edit] Storyline

The morning the ribbons are to be given out at the fair, Charlotte finishes her "Magnum Opus" her egg sack. One last time she has written a message in her web so that Wilbur life may be saved. Like a banner "Humble" is spun in her web for all to see. Unfortunately Avery sees that "Uncle", the big fat pig in the next pen to Wilbur, who isn't very smart, or good looking, has won the Blue Ribbon already. Just as the Arabel's and the Zuckerman's get upset, a band comes declaring them to come up to the grand stand with their "Famous Pig". Mrs. Zuckerman is worried about her hair, but everyone else is worried about showing off Wilbur. As Charlotte says, it's Wilbur's day. He is sang to by an acapella quartet about his fame.

Wilbur gets awarded a bronze medal engraved with his name. Mr. Zuckerman then declares, if he has anything to do with it, Wilbur is "going to live to a ripe old age". Charlotte keeps her promise to Wilbur. Wilbur was her dearest friend, and gave her life a greater meaning. He gave her the gift of friendship, and she gave him the gift of life.

[edit] Barbershop Quartet

The Sherman Brothers utilized a barbershop quartet styling of the song in keeping with the music of the time and place they were writing about. They similarly incorporated a "bq" arrangement for their song "That's What Friends Are For" for the 1967 Disney musical adaptation of The Jungle Book. In 1982 the Shermans' song for the Imagination Pavillion at Epcot Center entitled, "Makin' Memories" also featured a barbershop quartet vocalization.

[edit] Trivia

"The Brady Bunch Phonographic Album" features three Sherman Brothers songs including "River Song" from Tom Sawyer, "Zuckerman's Famous Pig" and the title song from Charlotte's Web.