Dot in Space

Flying Bark Productions

Industry	Animation, Film production
Headquarters	Australia
Products	Animated films

Dot in Space is an Australian animated movie released in 1994, starring Dot from the Dot and the Kangaroo franchise. Unlike earlier installments that were distributed in the United States, this particular film was mainly available within Australia.

Plot

The story begins with Dot observing a Russian space dog named Whyka, whose spacecraft becomes stranded in orbit. To save Whyka, Dot travels to the United States and takes the place of Buster, a monkey chosen for a lunar expedition.

Following the launch, Dot manages to rescue Whyka moments before the dog's rocket detonates. However, a shockwave redirects them to the planet Pie-Arr-Squared, where they are apprehended by local soldiers known as the Roundies. Dot is confined by the authoritarian ruler Papa Drop, while Whyka is handed over to his son, Roley.

While imprisoned, Dot encounters Poley, a Squarey prisoner who shares that Roundies and Squaries once lived in harmony. After suffering through forced labor, Dot devises strategic plans to gain their freedom.

With their spacecraft immobilized at the crash site, Dot and Whyka embark on a quest to find The Party, which Papa Drop perceives as a menace. As they evade Roundy troops, they confront several perilous obstacles.

Although captured again, they are rescued by Gorgo, an extraterrestrial dinosaur. Dot and Whyka then ally with The Party—a rebel faction led by Roley undercover—to reveal Papa Drop’s deceit. Inflato, Papa Drop’s assistant, inflates him until he floats away into space. Gorgo retrieves Dot’s rocket, allowing them to journey back to Earth.

Cast

• Robyn Moore voices:
  • Dot (a young Australian girl with red hair who is barefoot and passionate about animals)
  • Dosey Face (a laid-back and friendly kangaroo)
  • Poley (a prisoner of the Squarey faction on Pie-Arr-Squared and love interest of Roley)
  • Various additional characters
• Keith Scott voices:
  • Grumblebones (a cantankerous kangaroo)
  • Buster (the monkey who swaps places with Dot)
  • Papa Drop (the despotic ruler of Pie-Arr-Squared and head of the Roundies)
  • Roley (Papa Drop’s rebellious son and Poley's romantic interest)
  • Professor Globus (a scientist aligned with the Roundies)
  • Inflato (servant to Papa Drop)
  • Sergeant (commander of the Roundy Army with possible ambitions against Papa Drop)
  • The Roundy Soldiers
  • Additional supporting roles

Cancelled U.S. release

In contrast to earlier Dot movies, numerous American distributors declined to acquire rights for Dot in Space, resulting in no official release outside Australia across any format.

Historical reference

The character Papa Drop alludes to former Haitian leader François Duvalier, also known as Papa Doc.

External links

• Dot in Space at Yoram Gross Films