Jane's Wishes

Jane's Wishes is a 1978 live-action/animated slice-of-life drama-comedy ABC Afterschool Special which aired on November 22, 1978, based on the book Jane Wishing by Tobi Tobias, illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman.

Synopsis
11-year-old Jane Lang isn't quite content with her own life and she always strives for things that she thinks would make her life perfect, such as wavy red hair that she'd wear loose all the time, eyes that would change colors, a pretty bedroom of her own with a big window for stargazing, and many other things she could think of, but her family says everything is okay and there's nothing wrong with that and most of her wishes can't just come true. This leads Jane to learn how to be content with her life and everything and everyone else around her.

Live-Action Real Life Sequences
Camilia E. Brezetta - Jane Lang

Tatum O'Neal - Margaret Lang

Brandon Strong - Daniel "Danny" Lang

Walter Matthau - Nathan Lang

Amelia Wellington - Rebbeca Lang

M. Alice Dudley - Grandma Elizabeth Stevenson

Kate Jordan - Linda Martinez

Tom Jordan - Francisco Sanchez

Lucy B. Kokovski - Mrs. Anna Jones

Carol Marie Tyler - Melissa Grant

Voice Cast (animated dream sequences)
Butch Miyazaki - Jane's Dream Suitor

Harold Lee Jackson - Various voices

Isabella Marcus - Various voices

Emily C. DuBois - Various voices

John P. Shapiro, Jr. - Village boy

Claire Little - Jane's singing voice

Reception
Jane's Wishes received mostly positive reviews. One newspaper article stated, "Jane's Wishes is a stunning and lively work of art when it comes to its animated segments just like the book, but the live-action ones are pretty good, if you ask me." Another one praised the actors: "Although Ms. Brezetta's Jane is a character kids watching this can relate to, Brandon Strong's portrayal of her little brother can give everyone the chuckles." A third one stated, "It did the book some justice. In the original one, Jane chooses to be happy right away, but in this, she goes on an adventure in loving herself by looking for ways, with a little help from her friends and family."

It was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Writing and Graphic Design.