Following three hugely popular television specials, Hallmark Cards, Inc., alongside DiC, started mulling over the idea of a feature film starring the characters of Rainbow Land. Howard R. Cohen, who wrote the third (and final) television special, The Beginning of Rainbow Land, returned to write the film, and distribution was handled through Warner Brothers.
Deep in space, a selfish Princess has laid claim to Spectra, the diamond planet, the source of all the color and light in the entire universe. Seeing it only as a giant diamond, she decides it must be hers and hers alone. Instead of heeding the warning of Orin, a sagely sprite, who tells her she’s about to destroy everybody in the entire universe – including herself – she has him imprisoned vowing “No one is going to stop me.”
Far away in Rainbow Land, Rainbow and the Color Kids are waking up to the first day of spring. After her annual race with Stormy ( the little girl in charge of winter and rain), Rainbow Brite, Starlite, and Twink head to Earth to help the cold winter brighten into spring. However, when she attempts to use the Star Sprinkles, they discover that, rather than melting the snow, they fade into it, prompting Twink to ponder, “Maybe they’re tired from the long winter?”
Realizing they’ve never been tried before, Rainbow knows something isn’t right. Turning from Brian, she promises, “Spring will be here before you know it!” Then, the trio return to Rainbow Land.
While Rainbow is on her way back, Murky and Lurky are visited by On-X, a mechanical horse looking to find Rainbow Brite so he can give her a message about a diamond. To serve his own selfish desires, and to the stunned shock of Lurky, Murky directs the horse to Rainbow Land.
Upon her return, Rainbow learns about the princess wanting to own Spectra. Knowing how important the diamond planet is to them and the color and hope they bring, Rainbow accepts On-x’s request for help. Without the light of life, everything on Earth will die, and so will they.
Hearing the horse’s message, Murky and Lurky decide to follow Rainbow and foil any plans she has of saving the diamond planet, thus plunging the universe into darkness forever!
On Spectra, Rainbow Brite meets Krys, a heroic, but hot-headed, young boy who is Orin and Onyx’s friend. He’s been fighting the princess and her menacing Glitterbots, who have hypnotized everyone on Spectra so that they will help construct the net that will allow her spaceship to bring the diamond home to her. The net is the cause of the problems with the Star Sprinkles; it blocks the light and does not allow the full power of the planet’s illumination to shine.
With Krys at her side, Rainbow Brite confronts the Dark Princess. But, when pleading to her sense of logic and compassion for life doesn’t work, Krys attacks her magic jewel – the source of her power.. While trying to save him, Rainbow Brite is stunned by the princess’s power, and the Color Belt is taken from her. Almost powerless without it, the two children are thrown into the princess’ dungeon. While they’re trapped there, the earth continues to grow darker, and everyone across the planet has lost all hope – except for Brian. He knows Rainbow will save them.
After storming the castle, Starlite, with On-X’s help, takes back the Color Belt and returns it to Rainbow Brite. Escaping from the dungeon, the plan is to return to Rainbow Land to get more Star Sprinkles and recruits to fight the princess. However, the children are captured by the princess’ power and sent to a desolate prison planet.
Without Star Sprinkles, the Color Belt has lost its power. Luckily, Rainbow Brite finally meets Orin, who just happens to have a handful of the magical crystals with him. With her belt energized, Rainbow, Krys, Orin, Starlite, and On-X return to challenge the Princess.
This time, the pair win the battle and the Dark Princess is defeated. With Spectra restored, the cold, dark winter finally warms, and the universe returns to color and light.
Released on 15 November 1985, Rainbow Brite and the Star Stealer was not the blockbuster it was hoped to be, but it became a staple on the Disney Channel and HBO for years after its release. The film also introduced children to a whole new cast of characters, most of which were ready for purchase, including Puppy Brite and Tickled Pink.
Stormy was meant to be released as a doll, and a prototype was made, designed by Pam Sisk of the Mattel design team. However, the dol would not become commercially available until the 2015 Hallmark relaunch.A bit of trivia about the film: Krys’ full name is Krys-Tal, and he was written to be Rainbow Brite’s cousin, with his powers linked to hers. The Dark Princess also has an official first name; Hysteria, and she was initially written as the Dark Empress – which is way more menacing.
There are so many aspects of this film that I love. Cohen had a way of writing stories for children. He didn’t overcomplicate the plot but didn’t dumb it down, either. While a departure from the typical Rainbow Land adventures, the film was fun and exciting and when paired with Hiam Saban and Shuki Levy’s incredible synthwave score, has continued to fuel my imagination and creativity.
There will be more Rainbow Brite soon so…
Stay Tuned!
Life In Cartoon Motion 