Pink Flamingos in a movie!!!

FITCHBURG, MASS. (Feb. 3, 1:15 p.m. ET) -- Garden ornament aficionados may soon be flocking to movie theaters to see a three-dimensional animated movie starring garden gnomes -- but also including the iconic plastic pink flamingo.

The flamingo designed by Don Featherstone is a member of the cast of the film Gnomeo and Juliet, which is due to hit theaters Feb. 11. The flick is a take-off on the classic Romeo and Juliet romance and pits rival garden-gnome families as the key characters.

Don Featherstone, who designed the flamingo for Union Products Inc. in 1957, attended with his wife Nancy, the film’s world premiere in Hollywood last week and was thrilled by what he saw.

“I’m very happy, they did a nice job,” said Featherstone, who did not want to reveal too much about the plot.

However, it just happens to have a pink flamingo named Featherstone as one its characters. And if you watch the Touchstone Pictures trailer about the movie, you’ll see the flamingo in some of the clips.

Gnomeo and Juliet was directed by Kelly Asbury, who also directed Shrek 2. The voice of the flamingo is Jim Cummings. Elton John’s music is a big part of the show.

“It’s got great music -- the old classics like Crocodile Rock. His music really blends in,” noted Featherstone.

Featherstone said that he got a call abut two years back from the production team, asking to use his name and the feathered bird in the film. They also obtained permission from the company that owns its licensing right, which is currently Cado Products Inc. of Fitchburg, Mass.

The animated flamingo impressed Featherstone, who recently turned 75.

“They did a great job. The flamingo is mine down to the last feather. The only thing they did was with the eyes. They wanted bigger eyes that could turn so that they got better expressions,” he said.

Featherstone said that he sculptured about 750 different products during his days at Union Products. He said that his goose and his swan both outsold the pink flamingo, but the flamingo continues to garner the most publicity.

When his signature started appearing on the pink flamingoes in 1987, he had no idea that it would lead to a film character called “Featherstone.”

“We’re really excited about it,” said Cado President Bruce Zarozny.

He said that Disney Enterprises Inc. gained permission from HMC International LLC originally and that the agreement was carried over when Cado acquired the rights in 2009 and formed its own Union Products division. He said that Union Products, a division of Cado, will be listed in the film’s credits.

The injection and blow molding company is proud that the original Donald Featherstone pink flamingo will be in the movie and has updated its packaging for the release. They’re prepared in case interest rises in the manufactured product.

“It’s just one of things that is neat for the community. As a company, we’re hoping more retail companies jump on board. It is a great item,” Zarozny said.

Article can be found here :Plastic News