The Secret of the Magic Gourd (2007 film)

The Secret of the Magic Gourd (Chinese: 宝葫芦的秘密; also known as The Magic Gourd) is a 2007 Chinese live-action/animated fantasy drama film made by Centro in co-operation with China Movie Co Ltd and Disney. It is the second film based on a 1958 novel by Zhang Tianyi after the 1963 Chinese film. The film is all about an 11-year-old lazy boy, Raymond, who learns the meaning of hard-work after a magic gourd, Bailey, grants him anything he wants.

The Secret of the Magic Gourd
Official U.S. home video cover artwork
Traditional Chinese	魔法南瓜的秘密
Simplified Chinese	宝葫芦的秘密
Directed by	John Chu Frankie Chung
Written by	Zhang Tianyi
Screenplay by	John Chu Lam Kee To
Produced by	Han San Ping John Chu
Edited by	Angie Lam
Music by	Peter Kam
Production companies	Walt Disney Pictures China Centro Digital Pictures Limited
Distributed by	China Film Group
Release dates	June 29, 2007 (2007-06-29) (China) January 27, 2009 (2009-01-27) (United States)
Running time	85 minutes
Country	China
Language	Chinese
Box office	$3.1 million[1]

The Secret of the Magic Gourd is Disney's first CGI/animation full-length feature film produced for the Chinese mainland market.^[2]

The film was released on January 27, 2009, on DVD in the United States.^[3] The English dubbed version of the film features Corbin Bleu as the voice of the Magic Gourd and Drake Johnston as the voice of Raymond, plus Megan Hilty as Ms. Lee.^[4] The Secret of the Magic Gourd is also available on Disney+.^[5]

Plot

When an inquisitive 11 year old discovers a mythical, magical gourd while fishing, he has no idea of the trouble that lies at the end of his hook. With the ability to grant any and every wish, The Magic Gourd attempts to make all of the boy's dreams come true, but instead succeeds in turning his world upside down.

Cast

Character	Original actor	English voice
Miss Liu/Ms. Lee	Gigi Leung	Megan Hilty
The Magic Gourd	Peisi Chen	Corbin Bleu
Wang Bao/Raymond	Qilong Zhu	Drake Johnston
Grandma	Meng Qian	Takayo Fischer
Yao Jun/John	Lao Yijia	Aaron Drozin
Su Mingfeng/Susie	Wei Lai	Grace Fulton
Yang Shuan/Dan	Zheng Jiahao	Josh Reaves
Zheng Xiaodeng/Sean	Wang Jiakun	Jeremy Shada
sister	Hu Qianlin	unknown
Mother	He Qing	unknown
Father	Guo Kaimin	unknown
swimming coach	Long De	unknown

Additional voices

• Original: Zhu Gi Long, Zheng Jia Hao, Wang Jia Kun, Lao Yi Jia, Guo Kai Min, He Qing, Meng Qing, Hu Qian, Hu Qian Lin, Long De, Zhang Yao Dong, Tang Wen Ting, Wei Ji Hao, Chen Jun Jie, Jin Li Lin, Zhou Min Min, Huang Cun Bao, Li Hao Ban, Lin Bai Ling, Pan Jia Wen, Xia Da Zi, Miao Ling, Shen Ling, Cai Sha Li, Chai Ge Fei, Wang Qing Wen, Wang Sang Qi, Sun Tian Qi, Jia Cheng, Lu Yi Han, Zhang Ruo Lin, Guan Min, Fang Li Peng, Tong Hui Lin, Zhu Yi Ting, Mo Yan Nan, Liu Jing Ni, Gu Kai Ping, Wang Hang Yang, Zhang Tian En, Yu Feng, Zhang Yan Qin, Yang Ni, Li Hao, Wang Yi, Wang Chao, Yang Yang, Zhang Yi Men, Huang Meng, Sun Bang Bang, Zhao Ren Jie
• English: Corey Burton, Blake Dempsey, Tiffany Espensen, Harrison Fahn, Keith Ferguson, Isabelle Fuhrman, Cheryl Sklarr, Stephen Stanton (Father), Audrey Wasilewski

Production

The film was shot in China in October 2005.

Reception

Common Sense Media gave the film 3 out of 5 stars and the disclaimer: "Magical tale teaches moral lesson."^[6]