'This is James Henry Trotter. 'He lived with his mother and father 'in a cosy little house by the sea.' I've got you! Happy birthday, darling! Quickly. Blow them out before the wind does. Make a wish first. 'It was a wonderful life. 'They had each other and they had their dreams.' Look! That cloud looks like a camel. And that one looks like a train engine. Can you see the tallest building in the world? Can't find it. Try looking at it another way. I see it! That's where we're going. On a great ship across the ocean. We'll go to the top of that building. The three of us ` on top of the world. Are there any kids there like me? Hundreds of them. It's a wonderful place, James. A city where dreams come true. 'Then, one day, a terrible thing happened. 'An angry rhinoceros appeared out of nowhere, 'and gobbled up his mother and father. 'Their troubles, 'if they had any at all, 'were over in 35 seconds flat. 'But James's troubles were just beginning. 'For now he lives here, with Aunt Sponge...' Get up, you lazy little bug! '..and Aunt Spiker.' You've wasted four minutes of daylight. Look at him! Lollygagging in dreamland when there's so much work to do. Weeds to pull. Wood to chop. Work! Work! Work! Work! Work! Ew! Wouldn't want one of those nesting in your knickers. I look and smell, I do declare, as lovely as a rose. Just feast your eyes upon my face. Observe my shapely nose. Behold my heavenly silky locks! And if I take off both my socks... you'll see my dainty toes. But don't forget, my dearest Sponge, how much your tummy shows! You lazy bug! Who told you to stop working? Who told you to stop working? I finished the wood. A travel book? How dare you dream of leaving? This is the only home you'll ever have. No one else would tolerate a worthless nothing like you. Where did you get this? Where? From Father. He said we'd go there one day. Stupid, foolish man! Always dreaming. That's what got him killed. And your mother. Not looking where he was going. He never even saw that rhino coming. That rhino. And the beast will get you too, if you don't behave! So get these stupid dreams out of your head, and get back to work! Careful, Spongy. Don't ruin that girlish figure! Oh, shut up. Yes? I finished all the chores. What a coincidence. We've finished all the dinner! Sponge, you're such a tease. There's something special for you in the oven. Urgh! Oh, do let me guess. They're not good enough for him. Do you think this is Buckingham Palace? Get out of our sight! Go on! Go on! (BURP!) Hello, there. Where did you come from? You probably shouldn't build your web up here in the window. Spiker and Sponge might see you and they hate spiders. I'll be your friend though. # My name is James # That's what Mother called me # My name is James # So it's always been # Sometimes I forget # When I'm lonely or afraid # Then I'll go inside my head # And look for James. # Here's something I've never shown anyone. # There's a city that I dreamed of # Very far from here # Very, very far away from here # Very far away # There are people in the city # And they're kind to me # But it's very, very far away, you know # Very far # They'll say James, # James # James # How are you? # Isn't it a lovely day? # James # James # James # We're so glad you came here # Where we are # From so very, very, very far # My name is James # James # James. # Good night. Pleasant dreams. Aaagh! Spider! Vermin! Beast! Wait! Sponge! Wait. I'll get it. Kill it! Kill it! Kill it! Where is it? Get it. Get it. Kill it. Get it! Kill it! You hit me in the face. You hit me in the face! Oh, shut up! Go on. Get out of here. Get as far away as you possibly can. I wish I could. I wish I could. What's stopping you? Oh! Don't be frightened, James. I mean you no harm. How do you know my name? I know more than just your name. What would you say if I were to tell you that the answer to all your troubles is right here... inside this little bag? Hey, that's my... Of course it is. Go on, James. Have a look. There's more magic in them things than in all the rest of the world put together. But what are they? Crocodile tongues. Tongues? One thousand long, slimy crocodile tongues, boiled in the skull of a dead witch for 20 days and nights. Add the fingers of a monkey, the gizzard of a pig, a parrot's beak, and three spoonfuls of sugar. Stew for a week and then... let the moon... do the rest. Have 'em, and marvellous things will happen. Things even you never dreamt of. Like what? Well... You'll never be miserable again. And... You are miserable, aren't you, James? You weren't meant to be. And that place you're dreaming of... it's not as far away as you think. New York City! And it'll be that much closer once you take the first step. But how? This doesn't make any sense. Not up here, it doesn't. The answers are in here. And the magic is in here. So, James, what'll it be? Listen, James. Don't let them get away, because if they do, they'll work their magic on whoever or whatever they meet first. Understand? Good. What's going on out here? > No, wait! Wait! No. No, wait! Here he is. Get up, little worm. We sent you out to kill a spider. Not to laze about. I wasn't lazing about. I tripped. How dare you disagree with us? Beat him, Sponge. It's too early. That makes you the luckiest boy alive. Come inside and get dressed! Spiker! Look! A peach. A what? A peach! Up there, on that branch. That old tree's never had so much as a blossom, let alone a... Well, I'll be blowed. There is a peach there. A nice big one too. How can we get it? (BOTH) The boy! Now be a good boy and climb up there and get that peach for your dear aunties. Can we eat it? Of course. We'll share it ` me and Aunt Spiker! Start climbing! Wait! What? What? What? It's... It's growing. The boy? No, the peach! Look. Oh. Come down. I won't get hurt. Climb down! What a peach. What a peach! Look, Spiker. It's still growing. I'm not blind, you dolt. I can see! Oh, look at it go! It's a miracle. It's coming down. Stand back! Oh, my heavens! Marvellous things will happen. Just like he said. Shut up, you little grub. This has nothing to do with you. Keep away from it. Oh, can you smell that, Spikey? It smells delicious. No! It smells like...money. * Roll up! Roll up! See the giant peach! The eighth wonder of the world. Have your money ready. Chance of a lifetime. No peeking at the peach. Have your money ready, ladies and gentlemen. Can we touch it? Touch it?! You want to touch it? She'll want to taste it next. Admission refused. This child has too many cheeky ideas. Go away! Ooh, Sponge. A photographer! (SHUTTER CLICKS) And another. (SHUTTER CLICKS) Move in. No cameras allowed. Don't dawdle. Come on. Father, it'll cost you double. May God forgive you. Thank you. Come along, children. Last chance of the day! Yoo-hoo! Come down here. Yes, Auntie Sponge? Ooh, you're all spiffed up. I wanted to play with the children. I wanted to play with the children. Aw! The children have gone. But you can play with their garbage. Garbage! And don't even think of going near our peach. Because if you do... Remember they never caught that rhino. No! Wait a moment. Wait. (FEMALE VOICE) Where do you think you're going, Yank? (MALE VOICE) I've gotta take a look around. Plan our escape from Spiker and Sponge. Escape? To where? We'll all be squashed, swatted, smooshed! (MALE VOICE) No one's going to smoosh you. You're six feet long. Bigger target. Let the biddies come. I'll take them on. I'm indefeatable. I'm indivisible. I'm... Ooh! ..in trouble! Spiker and Sponge have found us. Hello! Ugh. It's the lad from the house. What's his name? Miserable Tick. I thought it was Rotten Little Grub. I thought it was Rotten Little Grub. No. That's what those aunts call him. His real name is... It's James. Aaagh! Look what you've done. Scared him to death. Please, don't eat me! Eat you? Glow-worm, turn up your lights. I'm a vegetarian. I eat dirt. No one will eat you. She'll puncture your head and suck out the brains! That I am saving for you. That I am saving for you. Pretty fast, long legs! Hisss-sss! Oh, such rude behaviour! There's no need to be frightened, dearie. But you're enormous bugs! Fascinating, isn't it? We've all changed. And so have you, James. The old man, who gave me the green things, said marvellous things would happen. Did he say, "Marvellous pigs in satin"? No, dear lady. (SHOUTING) "Marvellous things will happen"! Poor Glowworm. She's a little deaf. I, however, have exquisite hearing. Yeah? Well, listen to this. Phut! Phut! Phut! LET'S GET OUTTA HERE! You mean leave the hill? I can't. The rhino will get me. Rhino?! I say, dear boy. I've lived on this hill for decades. There are no rhinoceri here. There are no rhinoceri here. Except for Sponge. She's twice as big as a rhino, eh, kid? And twice as dangerous. My life hangs by a thread. I've had to send my 300 children to safer pastures. You think hiding in solid rock is fun? I can't remember what fun is. You've been stuck here too long. Listen, kid. I know a place that'll refresh your memory. # Bright lights, big city # That's where we gotta go # Where the food is great and the bugs are so pretty # I could get my arms round a hundred or so # I'd hug 'em, squeeze 'em, hold 'em tight # Sleep all day, dance all night # I want the bright lights and the big city # That's the life for me, yeah, that's the life for... # You little maggot, # Have you never seen the moon # Gliding 'cross the western sky? # A dead oak tree by the waterside # Putrid vapours rising... # That sounds lovely, dear, I'm sure we all agree # But I prefer the sunshine # A little park right in the centre of the town # Flowers everywhere, children all around me # I'd love it # Landing on a baby's cheek so warm # It's wonderful # Wonderful # That's the life for me # Ah-ha-ha-ha # That's the life for me # Ah-ha ha-ha # That's the life, that's the life for me # Elegant conversation # Elegant conversation Bright lights, big city # Elegant conversation Bright lights, big city An elevated point of view # That's where I'd go # That's where I'd go Intellectual stimulation # Maybe for you # And someone you love to share it with you. (ALL) # It would be wonderful # Wonderful # That's the life for me # That's the life for me Call that a life? # That's the life for me # That's the life for me It's no pile of dirt # That's the life # That's the life # That's the life # That's the life for... # (SPONGE) Where are you hiding? Time to go make a pest of myself! Look at this place! It's still filthy. (SPIKER) Where are you, worm? Aaagh! Not you, me! You'd better not be near our peach! Please don't let them spray us! Spray us? They'll come after us with a shovel. It happened to my brother! How awful. Split him down the middle. Now I have two half brothers. Sshh! They'll hear us. Yoo-hoo! > Where are you, boy? I think I hear a rhino out here! Ah! This'll be a snap. Sssh! I really do hear something. (CRUNCHING AND MUNCHING) Timber! What's that? Fasten your seat belts! Aaagh! The car! We're turning. What have you done? Start! Start, you piece of junk! Aagh! It's the peach! We'll be killed. (EARTHWORM) We're falling head over head over head! Aaagh! (CHURCH BELL RINGS) (CENTIPEDE) Bad stomach! Bad stomach! Bad stomach! (CROWS IN ALARM) Whoa! I'm gonna be sick. Whee! (BOTH) Our peach! * (GROANING) Ow! Somebody pinched me. Sorry. Thought you were the spider. (SLAP!) Ouch! What was that? Excuse. Thought you were the centipede. Glowworm, how about some light? Sorry, I can't hear you. I'll put my light on. > Help! This is so un-ladybug-like. Don't worry. I'll have you right-side up in no time. Thank you, James. Where are you going? To see where we've landed. (SEAGULLS CRY) Whoa! Oh, my! Oh, my, my! Oh, my aching back! Oh! Fascinating, isn't it? What's fascinating? Tell me. Don't leave me dangling. We are in the middle of the... How do you say? ..big puddle. Biggest puddle of them all, Angel-fangs ` the Atlantic Ocean. Technically, the Pacific is larger. Well, that goes without saying. But there is land in sight? Nothing but blue skies and clear waters. Aagh! This is all your fault! Hey! If it wasn't for me, we'd be Spiked and Sponged. This old man with his green things. Did he say where we were going? No. All he said was the answers would be right here. Huh? My travel book! And look... it's the peach! We're going to New York City! New York? They love me there. They've got a big park for you, Miss Ladybug. Central Park. Loads of dark hiding places. Nightclubs! Museums and concerts. Yankee stadium. What about me? They've got miles of underground tunnels. The subway! My father said it's where dreams come true. # That's the life for me # That's the life for me That's the life for me # That's the life for me # That's the life for me That's the life for me # That's the life # That's the life That's the life, that's the life # That's the life for me! # New York it is then. Now, how do we get there? I'll get us there. You? Sure. I've sailed all the five seas. From the sun-drenched reefs of Bora Bora to the icy shores of Tripoli. Oh! Commodore Centipede, they used to call me. Seven. Huh? There are seven seas, and Tripoli is in the subtropics... Commodore. Trim the sails. There are no sails. Stoke the engine! There are no engines. I can't work with this crew. Great. We're stuck here till we shrivel up and die. Highly improbable. Highly improbable. That's a relief. Highly improbable. That's a relief. We're more likely to drown. I know! We could... No, it's a stupid idea. Compared to what? Hey! Well, we could fly out. Hmm. He's right. It's stupid. How would you do it, James? With the seagulls. We need string. I'll go to the stationers and pick up some paper clips too! I have string. Miles of string. And we'll need bait. Bird bait. Bird bait? How do you expect to find bird bait out here in the middle of the... No! Oh, no! Have you lost your minds? Aagh! They've lost their minds. Anything but birds. Don't worry. I'm right here. Now wiggle. No! They won't come if you don't wiggle. Exactly. You can't make me. Oh, yeah? (EARTHWORM LAUGHS) Hey, no fair! Mocking birds munched me mother. Here comes the first one. Get ready to pull. My sisters were swallowed by swallows! Pull! It worked! I got one. Sssh! I hear teeth. Great big gnashing teeth! (LOW RUMBLE) Sounds like a rhinoceros. In the ocean? Scientifically impossible. I hear it too. It's a school of tuna. They're being sucked into something. What do you mean? Take a look. It's a giant shark! It's seen us. What do we do? The seagulls. It's our only chance. It would take the whole flock. We'd never do it in time. We'll use Miss Spider's web for a net. Throw it here, dearie. Wiggle. Our lives depend on it. I can't. I'm all wiggled out. Here. Let me help you. Come and get it! Get your fresh, hot weenie! Come on, baby! I got them! Hand me the loops. Hurry. Shake a leg there. Keep your pants on. I've only got 12 hands. It's getting closer. Sea gulls away! Oh, no! Oh, dear! Oh! They're getting away! Hop on! Grab them! Help! Hooligans! Ruffians! Degenerates! Come on, seagulls! Put your backs into it! Shake your bloomin' tailfeathers! Good sharkie. Nice sharkie. No! Sharkie! Ah-aagh! (ALL CHEER) All right! That'll teach you to mess with me, you overgrown sardine! I'm from Brooklyn! (LAUGHING) Pure twaddle! Every bug on board displayed extraordinary courage. Did you see Miss Ladybug risk life and wing to bash those brutes on the snoot? They were being rude. I can't abide rudeness. We are forgetting something. Everything we did was part of the brilliant plan of James. It really did work, didn't it? I say three cheers for James. Hip, hip... Hooray! Hip, hip... Hooray! Hip, hip... (ALL) Hooray! New York... here we come! * Oh! Whoever you are, keep away from me! Keep away! Mr Earthworm, it's me. Oh, James. Thank goodness. You mustn't frighten yourself like this. Why not? You'll make yourself sick. When I had a problem, Mum and Dad told me to look at it another way. How? First I was bird bait. Then I was shark bait. Or you could say you gave us wings to fly, and defeated a giant shark single-handedly. No handedly! Exactly. You're a hero. I am. I'm Wonder Worm. You are. Want food. Food. Do you know where we're going? How can you navigate without a compass? It's very hot up here. I'm roasted. Unhand that bird! Aaagh! But I'm dying of hunger. Perhaps I have some soda bread in here. Food. It's not much... Not so fast! I have a much higher metabolism. Bite me! Have you two gone mad? Let go of it, gramps! Let go of me. Give it to me. Oh, my lower thorax. I'll rip you apart. It's mine! (BOTH) Aarugh! Now look what you've done! We're going to starve. Waste away. And not quickly. That would be the easy way out. We'll linger. Slowly. Miserably. Painfully. Nobody's going to starve. Huh? Don't you see? We've enough food for five voyages. Food? Where? Is there really food? Our whole ship is made of food. Such a clever boy. Takes after me. After you, there is nothing left to take. Delectable. Mmmm. Better than aphids. Better than ladybugs. What? Excuse. It's not dirt...but it's not bad. Not bad? It's the best thing I've ever tasted. And I've tasted a lot. # I've eaten many strange and scrumptious dishes in my time # Like jellied bugs and curried slugs # And earwigs cooked in slime # Mice with rice is very nice # When they're roasted in their prime # But don't forget to sprinkle them with just a pinch of grime # I'm crazy about mosquitoes # On a piece of buttered toast # And pickled spines of porcupines And then a great big roast # And dragon's flesh, quite old, not fresh # It costs a buck at most # Does it come with gravy? # It comes to you in barrels if you order it by post (ALL) # It comes to you in barrels if you order it by post # For dinner on my birthday # Shall I tell you what I chose? # Hot noodles made of poodles on a slice of garden hose # And a rather smelly jelly # Made of armadillo's toes # The jelly is delicious but you have to hold your nose (ALL) # Peach, peach, peach, peach # Peach, peach, peach, peach, peach, peach # I crave the tasty tentacles of octopi for tea # I like hot dogs, but I love hot frogs # And surely you'll agree # A plate of soil with engine oil's a super recipe # Recipe-ee # I hardly need to mention that it's practically free! # Peach, peach, peach, peach, peach, peach, peach, peach # We hardly need to mention that it's practically free # Now comes, my fellow travellers, the burden of my speech Show off! # These foods are rare, beyond compare # And some right out of reach Nice aim! # But there's no doubt I'd go without # A million plates of each Out of my face! # For one small mite # One small mite # One tiny bite # Tiny bite # Of this fantastic peach! # Peach, peach, peach, peach... Stop! What's going on? # This fantastic peach! # (HE SNORES) You keep to yourself, don't you? I prefer to be alone. I was alone for a long time once. I think it's much nicer to have friends, don't you? I would not know. They would be your friends ` the others ` if you'd let them. No. It is in their nature to have fear of me. This I cannot change. You're very kind to me. Maybe this is because you are kind to me first. You were the spider in my window! Mm-hmm. You were my first friend... since I went to live with my aunts. They hated me. Ssshh. Do not think of them now. But what if they find us? What if we don't make it to New York? I'll die if I have to go back. They can't make me! Nobody can make you do anything, James, if you do not let them. You are a brave boy. Now to sleep. You have had a very tired-making day. (RUMBLING) Look! The little maggot's stuffing his face with our peach! Get him, Sponge. Aaagh! You can't crawl away from us! The rhino will get you. The rhino will get you. The rhino will get you! The rhino will get you. The rhino will get you. This is an outrage! You are a disgrace to your class, order, genus and species! Say it in English. You're an ass! Where are we? What's going on? I found this dime-store timmy asleep at the helm. Now we're lost. We are not lost. Then where are we? Somewhere north. Or possibly far south. What's your latitude? Longitude? Hey, hey! That's personal, bub. You said you could navigate. You said you'd travelled. You said you'd been to Bora Bora. Well, not Bora Bora per se... What about the shores of Tripoli? Did I say Tripoli? Ha! I meant the Halls of Montezuma. Such mendacity. Liar! Charlatan! Wait! If he said he's seen the world, he has. Right, Mr Centipede? Right? Well, I used to live between two pages of the National Geographic. Huh? Very informative magazine. Wonderful pictures. You incompetent blithering nitwit! All right, hoppy. Them's fighting words. Put 'em up. Come on. Give me your best shot. Whoa! Good shot. Did you see what he did to me? Serves you right. What do we do? Which way do we go? We have to determine our co-ordinates, then use triangulation to chart a route to New York. There's hope. Don't be ridiculous! There's no hope. We have no compass. We'll never reach New York. We'll be stuck here forever. We'll be frozen like living statues. Dead...living statues. (SPIDER) No dark hiding places. (LADYBUG) No cosy park. No city where dreams come true. Don't ships have compasses? No doubt. But to brave those icy waters would mean certain death. Only a fool would do it. Ah-ha! Geronimo! What was that? The Centipede jumped in. Good heavens! He's committed pesticide. This is all my doing. Don't take all the credit. I helped. I have to go after him. Not on your life. You'll catch cold. But he's my friend. James is right. Centipede is one of us. Get on my back. I'm going too. Take good care of him. This, I promise. Stay by the line. When you feel two tugs, pull us up. * (CENTIPEDE WHISTLES) # Blow the Man Down # A skellington. Jackpot! A genuine compass. (CREAKING) Sounds like you need oil, Captain. Thank you, sir. I'll be shoving off now. Ha-argh! Ah! I should have worn a belt! Holy shipwreck! Aaargh! I've got a long history of back problems, and I don't need it to get any longer! Aaargh! Hey, that one felt pretty good. It's Paul Bunyan, coming to cut me some slack. Whoa, wait! Pal, you're aiming a bit low. He's gonna cut me in half! Hey, sailors! Looking for some kicks? Cut me loose! Get the compass! I've got it! (HE GRUNTS) Gotcha! (SQUAWKING) Polly want a smacker? Look out! Sounds like trouble. Get ready to pull. I got a good one. Why don't skeletons play music in church? Because they got no organs! No-ooo! Oh, thank goodness. You're all right. Where's Centipede? He found a compass. And pirates. Hold this. I am going back. Do be careful, Miss Spider. Poor Centipede. He saved our lives down there. Look out! Miss Spider! Oh! Centipede! How do I look, kid? Centipede, I do not know whether to kill you... or kiss you. I'm so sorry. My sincere apologies. I wanna apologise. I wanted to say... I'm trying to say... Enough! I'm freezing! The compass is ready. Mr Centipede, would you do us the honour of navigating us out of this ice box? It's my pleasure. I believe our position... I admire your bravery, Miss Spider. I really do. Why, thank you, Mrs Ladybug. All right, boys. Coffee break's over! I'm looking forward to a hopping good time in the Big Apple... Mr Centipede. You said it, Mr Grasshopper. (HE YAWNS) Oh, boy. What I wouldn't do for a cup of coffee. Cup of joe. I say, I came to relieve you of your duties. I said I'd steer. Have to steer the peach. Can't quit now... Good show, old boy. Thanks...Mr Grasshopper. (HE SNORES) (GENTLE VIOLIN PLAYS) That music! Oh, Sir James. Did I disturb you? So sorry. I'll put this away. No, I like it. I heard it at my aunts' house before I went to sleep. That was you, wasn't it? Or do all grasshoppers play? All grasshoppers try. I'm sure you've heard this. (CHIRRUPING) Mmm-hmm. Ghastly, isn't it? Cricket stuff. Music should be the voice of the soul. What does that mean? Well, when I'm happy, my music sounds like this. (PLAYS A JOYFUL TUNE) And when I'm sad, it's like this. (MOURNFUL TUNE) When I was sad, I used to climb in bed with my mum and dad. But that was a long time ago. I'm sure they'd be very proud of you, James. I know we are. (PLAYS HAPPY INTRODUCTION) # Take a little time, just look at where we are # We've come very, very far # Together # And if I might say so, # And if I might say so too (BOTH) # We wouldn't have got anywhere # If it weren't for you, boy # Love is the sweetest thing # Love never comes just when you think it will # Love is the way we feel for you # We're family # We're family # We're family # All of us and you # Think of where we'd be # If we were on our own We'd be dead! # You're what holds us all together I am? # And if I might say so # And if we might say so too # We never could love anyone # As much as we love you # Love is the strangest thing # Love # Knows exactly what it wants to do # Love # Boy, you know it's true # We're family # We're family # We're family # Me. Me. Me. Me. # And you # Ashes and ashes # And dust to dust # Without you # There'd be no us # Love is the sweetest thing # Love does exactly what it wants to do # Love is the way we feel for you # We're family # We're family # We're family # Me # And you. # We'll always be together, won't we? Kid, you're stuck with us. For life. (SHIP'S HORN) Look, everybody. We made it. We did. New York City. Breathtaking! Stunning. Look at the park. It's fabulous. We have made it! What a wonderful sight. There's Lady Liberty. I can almost smell the lovely dirt. Is it not beautiful? The Empire State Building! See those lights? Yahoo! Yee-hay! Attaboy, Jimmy. Good show, James. The city awaits us. Remember, James. First impression is very important. (SEAGULLS CRY IN ALARM) Oh no! We'll be blown off course. We'll wind up in Jersey! Could it be? No, it couldn't be. It's the rhino. Oh, James. Do something. Everyone, climb up into the rigging. Hurry! James, are you not coming with us? No. It got my mum and dad. It won't get my friends. Show your face, you stupid beast! (ROARING) Good God Almighty! Remember what your parents said. Try looking at it another way! You're not even a real rhino! You're just a lot of smoke and noise! I'm not afraid of you! I'm not afraid of you-oooo! James! No-oo! Miss Spider? Mr Grasshopper? Hello? Is anyone there? Huh? This isn't right. Where's the Empire State Building? What in the...?! Officer! There's a boy up there! What? A boy? We've got ourselves a huge object here. "What's it look like?" Round, fuzzy, like a giant fruit or something. "What is it?" I don't know! Just send the biggest crane in New York! * Please, sir! How do I get to the Empire State Building? You're on top of it, kid. We made it! Well, I made it. Hang on. Have you seen any big bugs tonight? Big bugs? How big? (SIRENS WAIL) I hope they're all right. Come on. Stay back. Stay back. Don't worry, kid. You'll be all right. Come on. Don't be afraid. I've got you. What is it? Where are you from? Who? What? Where? When? Hold your fire, fellas. He's just a kid! Here. Down. It's OK, little guy. Nobody's gonna hurt you. (CAR HORN HONKS) No... Hello... little angel. So kind of you to look after our little lost lamb. Who are you? We are the boy's legal guardians. We've missed him so much. So we'll just take him home now. And the peach, of course, too. Wait a minute. Back up. You're telling me that this thing is a peach? It's not a peach, it's our peach. Our peach. Show him, Spongy. Looks like it's their peach. And we're very proud of it. It's a record. It's not theirs. The old man gave the green things to me. That's what made it grow. How dare you disagree with us! Patience, sister. Remember his...condition. His condition? He's a chronic liar. Sad, really. He needs treatment. That's why we're here. To bring him home. So you come with us... lovey! I'm not lying, they are! As you can see, Officer, it is urgent that you give him to us immediately. Let the boy speak! (CROWD MURMUR IN AGREEMENT) All right! All right! Let's get to the bottom of this. This thing is a peach. All right, I'll buy that. Can somebody tell me how it got here? We attached it to a hundred seagulls. We attached it to a hundred seagulls. Seagulls! That's what happened. Me, Miss Spider, the Centipede, Grasshopper. (CROWD CHUCKLE) I think he's gone mad. This is something he dreamed up. Well, maybe it started that way ` as a dream ` but doesn't everything? Those buildings, these lights, this whole city! Somebody had to dream about it first. Maybe that's what I did. I dreamed about coming here, then I did it. The boy needs his medicine. Yes. So we'll just take him... And the peach. ..back to our cosy little house on the hill. Come along. You're going home with us. No, I'm not. What did you say? I said, "No...I'm...not"! I hate that house and that cold room and how I was always hungry. That's enough! And how you beat me! He's lying! And told me I was nothing. Shut up! Shut up! No! Not this time. I flew in a giant peach across the ocean, I landed on top of the tallest building in the world. I made it! I'm not nothing, you are! And I'm never going back with you. Not me, and not the peach. How dare you speak to us this way! (GRASSHOPPER) James! Up here! (GLOWWORM) Hello. We're here! (CENTIPEDE) Hey, buddy! What? Young James! Hey, Jimmy! Bugs! (CENTIPEDE) Need a little help? Giant bugs! Hey, you old biddies! Help us! Here we are, dear. Hello, James! I told you they were real. Hello, old boy. Requesting clearance to land. Miss Spider, throw me a string. OK. Pull them up. (BOTH SHRIEK) Spin them around. Wrap them tightly! Tighter! Tighter! Well, I'll be a... The kid was telling the truth. Get those two creeps outta here! Stop. I've got a new front page. "Big Bugs in the Big Apple". In big, bold print. "Little Lindy Flies Giant Peach". "Half-pint Hero and His Peach-Pit Pals." Everyone! These are my friends. The ones I've been telling you about. Mr Centipede. Old Green Grasshopper. Earthworm. Mrs Ladybug. Miss Spider. And the Glowworm. God bless the colonies! Can we eat some of your peach? It won't keep forever. Go ahead. Hey! What's your name? It's James. 'They ate that peach all the way down to the pit, 'and set it up in Central Park as a permanent home. 'And James Henry Trotter, 'who was once the saddest and loneliest little boy, 'now had a loving new family, 'and all the friends in the world.' James. Dinner is ready. All right. Nearly finished. (JAMES SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY) 'And since James's visitors begged him again and again 'to hear of his adventure with the giant peach, 'he wished for a way to share it with everyone.' And that is exactly what you have just seen. # Once upon a time, there was a vulture and a hog # Living in a house upon a hill # Had this little boy who lived with them # And they worked him like a dog # With any luck they'd have him up there still # Long came a magic man with a magic bag # Full of nasty little green things in a funky old rag # He said, "Boy, you may not know it, # "But this here's salvation you see # "Son, you're going down in history." # Good news is blowing in your window # Good news is knocking on your door # Good news is coming round the corner # Good news is rolling round your floor # Where can all my troubles be? # Must be good news chasing me # Good enough to set everybody free # Good news, good news, good news # There were bugs in the garden, didn't have a clue # But every day their life was on the line # They wanted to get out of there, But they didn't know what to do # Their little brains was working over time # That all changed one sunny day # That little boy dropped by to say # "If we all work together, we make out OK" # Good news, good news, good news # So they rolled down the mountain # Flew over the sea # Facing death and danger on their way # But together they have made it, and they're where they want to be # They love each other more and more each day # They care about each other # Good news is sweeping 'cross the country # Good news is spreading all around # Good news is hidden in this city # Good news has sprung up in the town # The things that used to hurt before # They don't hurt 'em any more # 'Cause they know there's something good in store # Good news. Good news. # Good news. Good news # Good news. Good news. Good news. Good news. # Good news. Good news. Good news. Good news. Good news. # Good news # Good news Coming down the chimney # Good news # Good news Knocking on my door # Good news # Good news Beaming through the window # Good news # Good news Can't take no more # Good news # Good news Spreading over the country # Good news # Good news For the young and old # Good news # Good news Going round the world now # It's too hot to hold back # Coming down the chimney Good news # Knocking on the door Good news # Beaming through the window Good news # Can't take no more Good news # Spreading over the country Good news # For the young and old Good news # Going round the world Good news # Oh, to hot to hold Good news # Good news. Good news. Good news. Good news # Good news. Good news # Good news, good news www.able.co.nz Captions were made with the support of NZ On Air. Able 2018