A Wish for Wings That Work

A Wish for Wings That Work
Company type	Children's book and TV special
Industry	Publishing, Television
Founded	1991
Founder	Berkeley Breathed
Products	Children's book, Animated TV special
Parent	Amblin Television, Universal Cartoon Studios

A Wish for Wings That Work: An Opus Christmas Story is a children's book authored by Berkeley Breathed in 1991, which was subsequently transformed into an animated TV special within the same year. Both the book and the special incorporate characters originating from Breathed's comic strips Bloom County and Outland.

Plot

The narrative centers on Opus the Penguin, a figure from Breathed’s comic universe, who feels disheartened by his inability to fly. After attempting to construct a flying apparatus, he chooses instead a more cautious pursuit—baking Christmas cookies shaped like anchovies. Persisting in his desire, Opus sends a wish to Santa Claus for "wings that will go!" On Christmas Eve, when Santa’s sleigh crashes into a lake due to his reindeer disappearing, Opus uses his swimming abilities to save him. As a token of appreciation, a flock of ducks then carries Opus on a flight.

TV special

The animated adaptation debuted on CBS on December 18, 1991. Directed by Skip Jones and produced by Peggy Regan under Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Television alongside Universal Cartoon Studios, the special was later made available on DVD in 2007.

Voice cast

Michael Bell – Opus
Joe Alaskey – Truffles, The Ducks
John Byner – Bill
Tress MacNeille – The Chicken
Alexaundria Simmons – Ronald-Ann
Andrew Hill Newman – Santa Claus
Frank Welker – Additional Voices
Sudy Nim (Robin Williams) – The Kiwi
Dustin Hoffman (uncredited) – Milquetoast the Cross-Dressing Cockroach

Critical reception

Lisa Horowitz of Variety offered a favorable critique, highlighting that the special "packs considerable action and wit into its half-hour" and commending both the animation quality and voice acting performances.

Despite being credited as writer and executive producer, Breathed expressed dissatisfaction with the final product. In a 2003 interview, he downplayed the significance of its release on VHS or DVD, stating:

In 2007, he attributed his disappointment to "lackluster ratings" and felt that his style of humor "was not suited for television." He also mentioned his own limited experience as a writer and described the director as "overmatched." Breathed had originally hoped that Sterling Holloway would provide Opus's voice. Four years later, he disclosed that the director had inserted numerous inappropriate jokes into background scenes—such as profane images and signs—that were only discovered shortly before airing. Although it was a Steven Spielberg production, these elements remained due to limitations of pre-digital editing methods.

External links