The Hugga Bunch is a 1980s toyline from Kenner, Parker Brothers and Hallmark Cards. Starting in early 1985, the companies manufactured the Hugga Bunch dolls, each of which held a smaller doll called a "huglet" in their arms. During that year, the line generated over US$40 million in sales.
The title characters in the franchise lived in a place called "Huggaland".
Film
The toys inspired The Hugga Bunch, a 1985 television film produced by Filmfair Communications.
Written by David Swift and directed by Gus Jekel, it earned a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Visual Effects. Produced for US$1.4 million, it was the most expensive TV special ever produced at the time. Along with a making-of special, it was released on VHS, LaserDisc and Beta by Vestron Video's Children's Video Library. To date, it has not been released on DVD and/or Blu-ray.
Plot
In the film, a girl travels through her mirror into HuggaLand to find a way to keep her grandmother—the only one who knows how to hug—young.
Cast Gennie James - Bridget Severson Natalie Masters - Grams Severson Terry Castillo - Huggins Tony Urbano - Hugsy Aarika Wells - Queen Admira Carl Steven - Andrew Severson Susan Mullen - Janet Severson Mark Withers - Parker Severson Kelly Britt - Aunt Ruth Richard Haydn - Bookworm (voice)
A Day Full of Hugs In 1985, Parker Brothers released an album. Singers included Jonathan Edwards, Bradley Kane, Russell Horton, Michael Mark, Jessica Craven, Merle Miller, Terry Teszor, John Henry Kurtz, Steve and Tom Chapin.
SongSongwritersEverybody Needs A FriendTom and Steve ChapinAll Kinds of HugsTom Chapin, John Forster and Steve ChapinSmiling AgainJohn ForsterThe Choose-Up SongJohn Forster, Steve and Tom ChapinThrough the MirrorSteve Chapin, Tom Chapin and John ForsterMarch to the Bookworm's HouseTom and Steve ChapinThe Bookworm's BookSteve Chapin, Tom Chapin and John ForsterThe Hug-A-Lug SongJohnny Talon and Don SpechtShrugs Are Like the MeaslesTom Chapin, John Forster and Steve ChapinLove to ShareJohn Forster
References
External links