The Mouse and the Motorcycle [VHS]

Bored, bored, bored. That's how young Keith feels about being stranded at the time-worn Mountain View Inn with his parents. Then he meets Ralph, an equally stir-crazy mouse who quickly befriends Keith and begs to ride Keith's toy motorcycle. Soon Ralph masters the tiny two-wheeler and "rrroom-zzzooms" through the hotel hallways, dodging four-legged predators, adults, and the occasional vacuum; he even risks his furry skin to help Keith recover from a high fever. Based on Beverly Cleary's famous children's novel of the same name, this 42-minute video combines live-action talent (including Ray Walston as the wise bellhop) and award-winning stop-motion animation. While the dated look of the TV movie may not appeal to kids who prefer the heart-pumping action of computer-generated favorites such as Small Soldiers, its tame plot and relatively slow pace make The Mouse and the Motorcycle a healthy choice for families with 3- to 7-year-olds. Followed by an even popular sequel, Runaway Ralph. --Liane Thomas

Price: $9.99

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