As a cinephile who has traversed the labyrinth of film history, I must say that these two films, each hailing from different epochs and artistic movements, are truly captivating gems.
Through time, stop-motion technique is often linked to two categories: eerie narratives and yuletide tales. Yet, it’s essential to note that stop-motion plays a significant role in the realm of movies with animation. In fact, several pioneering full-length animated films were produced using the stop-motion method, before traditional animation took the spotlight following the debut of Disney’s “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”.
Numerous renowned animators believe that stop-motion is an ideal medium for conveying the narratives they wish to share. Additionally, there are numerous films that interweave live-action actors with stop-motion elements, often appearing together in the same scene. While some of these movies may not have endured as vividly in memory as others, several were highly praised during their release. Some are cherished by animation historians, while others have gained cult status over time.
10 Twice Upon a Time (1983)
The story “Twice Upon a Time” unfolds in the realms of Frivoli, the place where dreams are born, and Din, the destination for those dreams to be shipped out. A versatile creature known as Ralph, and a mime character named Mumford, find themselves entangled in a scheme that aims to switch dreams with nightmares. With an unskilled superhero and a humorously stoic fairy godmother, they must join forces to turn things around and save the day.
Three Films Out of One
As a passionate cinephile, I’d share that the movie was crafted with spontaneous dialogue, resulting in three unique takes. While this added depth, it also means some scenes may not be as kid-friendly as others. On the artistic front, it blended live-action, traditional animation, and cutout animation by manipulating plastic pieces on a light table – a technique known as the “Lumage” process, pioneered by John Korty, who previously used it for The Electric Company and Sesame Street. Interestingly, this film has the honor of being the first animated production under George Lucas.
9 Hansel and Gretel: An Opera Fantasy (1954)
Presenting operas to children can initially appear challenging, yet the task becomes more approachable with numerous timeless shows based on beloved stories they’re already familiar with. For instance, Engelbert Humperdinck transformed the classic tale of “Hansel and Gretel” into an opera back in 1893. Later on, this story was reimagined as a 1954 stop-motion film titled “Hansel and Gretel: An Opera Fantasy“, marking it as the first American feature-length animated film that didn’t rely on traditional animation methods.
The Film Later Became a Christmas Special
In the revised tale, a sibling duo gets lost within the forest and encounters a sorceress. This malevolent sorceress plans to devour the helpless kids, yet it’s her who meets an unexpected fate – she winds up inside her very own oven.
At first, the movie didn’t have a distributor but still managed to create enough buzz to be picked up by RKO Radio Pictures for broadcast during the holiday season. Over time, many television stations chose to show it as a Christmas special. Given that the original opera is typically performed around Christmastime, this seems quite appropriate.
8 Mad Monster Party? (1967)
As a true connoisseur of cinema, I must say that Rankin-Bass has a special place in my heart for their enchanting Christmas specials. Yet, they also had an uncanny knack for creating chills when the time was right. One such example is the spine-tingling stop-motion masterpiece, Mad Monster Party?, where the eerie allure of classic monster movies comes to life. This tale unfolds as Baron Boris von Frankenstein, our respected leader of the Worldwide Organization of Monsters, declares his retirement, setting the stage for a grand celebration on the Isle of Evil.
“Welcome to a Creepy Creature Convention!”
In a short while, Count Dracula, the Invisible Man, Mr. Hyde, among others, are vying for a position as his successor. This includes his assistant, Francesca. Yet, it’s important to note that the baron has previously selected his kind-hearted nephew, Felix Flanken, as his chosen one.
Initially released in March, contrary to popular perception that it’s a Rankin-Bass Halloween special, this film is noteworthy for having a traditionally animated sequel titled “Mad, Mad, Mad Monsters“. Over time, the film has been recognized as an early influence on stop-motion horror films that followed. It has also been likened to the “Hotel Transylvania” movie series.
7 Tom Thumb (1958)
The movie titled Tom Thumb, sometimes written as tom thumb, is a whimsical, musical production. Although primarily live-action, featuring Russ Tamblyn as the main character, it was both directed and produced by George Pal, who blended real-life scenes with stop-motion animated characters.
Heroes Come in All Shapes & Sizes
Originally, a lumberjack receives three wishes from an enigmatic Forest Ruler. Unfortunately, they squander these wishes unwittingly, leaving them with a lingering hope that their genuine wish would still come true: a child, though as small as a thumbnail. Miraculously, their desire materializes when Tom Thumb appears at their doorstep. From then on, Tom embarks on his escapades, eventually needing to outsmart a pair of mischievous thieves.
In Tom’s world, stop-motion animation is frequently employed to bring his toy characters to life, who are roughly his size and engage with him. While Pal may venture into live-action movies, numerous films featuring special effects will utilize stop-motion, as demonstrated in “The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm.
6 Alice in Wonderland (1949)
The movie titled “Alice in Wonderland” is actually a French production where Carol Marsh takes on the lead role as Alice. In this film, Alice is portrayed live-action, while the inhabitants of Wonderland are brought to life using the technique of stop-motion animation.
Down the Rabbit Hole
In this production, a number of voice actors for the stop-motion characters additionally star as characters within live-action scenes set in England. For example, Stephen Murray portrays Lewis Carroll on screen, while also lending his voice to the Knave of Hearts. This setup recalls the dynamic seen in MGM’s classic “The Wizard of Oz”, where the character Alice interacts with counterparts from the real world.
Notably, this movie faced rivalry from Disney, as they were simultaneously launching their own traditional animation adaptation of the tale. Furthermore, the film stirred up what some claim was a contentious issue in Britain, given its depiction of the Queen of Hearts as a caricature resembling Queen Victoria.
5 The Daydreamer (1966)
Titled “The Daydreamer“, this production is a unique blend of live-action and stop-motion, brought to you by Rankin/Bass. Our protagonist, a young man named “Chris,” who’s none other than Hans Christian Andersen in disguise, frequently finds himself lost in dreams of his future tales. These fantasies materialize into captivating stop-motion puppet performances. Along his journey, Chris encounters the Little Mermaid and Thumbelina, among other extraordinary escapades, all in search of the mythical “Garden of Paradise.” However, it’s not the garden he finds, but rather immortality through the stories he’ll one day pen.
“Does Anybody Have Some Luck to Sell?”
In creating the movie, it’s evident that The Wizard of Oz served as a significant inspiration, given that Ray Bolger and Margaret Hamilton were both cast in the production. The film boasted an impressive lineup of stars, with Hayley Mills, Boris Karloff, Tallulah Bankhead, Patty Duke, Ed Wynn, and Sessue Hayakawa all making appearances.
4 The Tale of the Fox (1937)
The Fox’s Adventure, alternatively recognized as Van den vos Reynaerde, revolves around the tales of cunning fox, Renard. Significantly, this movie premiered eight months prior to Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, hence it can be considered one of the earliest surviving animated motion pictures. Remarkably, the animation for the film was completed by 1930; however, its release was delayed due to complications in adding sound.
Reynard’s Not Your Average Animated Hero
The cunning character Reynard the Fox is renowned for his mischief. Yet, his deceitful acts ultimately provoke King Lion’s anger. Nevertheless, this sly fox proves a formidable adversary, challenging even the king’s troops. Eventually, the king recognizes it would be safer to maintain Reynard as an ally rather than confront him as an enemy.
It’s commonly thought that Ladislas Starevich, a pioneer in animation, directed the movie with life-sized puppets due to photos of him surrounded by them. However, it was found out later that these images were actually a combination or montage of pictures taken from different angles, not truly depicting the actual size of the puppets used in the film.
3 Nutcracker Fantasy (1979)
The Nutcracker Fantasy is based on the original tale by E.T.A. Hoffmann, The Nutcracker Story, and its subsequent ballet version. Following the gift of a nutcracker figurine from her Uncle Drosselmeyer, a young girl named Clara embarks on an enchanting journey into a dreamland. Facing challenges against a rodent queen and a self-absorbed princess, Clara seeks to rescue her magical nutcracker.
“Now That the Dance of the Dolls Has Begun…”
The animation style resembles those seen in Rankin-Bass holiday specials. However, due to its connection with The Nutcracker and Christmas, the movie is frequently mistaken for a Rankin-Bass production. Contrarily, it was produced by Sanrio. This fact becomes more apparent in the original Japanese version of the film, where Hello Kitty toys are featured in a dream sequence. Furthermore, Sanrio released an updated version of the movie in 2014, featuring new voice actors.
2 The Pied Piper (1986)
In another version, the tale goes by the name of Krysař, or The Rat Catcher. This story revolves around the town of Hamelin, plagued by a swarm of rats. A secretive piper emerges as the potential savior, employing his magical tune to lead the vermin away. Yet, when it comes time for payment, the town refuses to honor their agreement with this enigmatic figure.
Don’t Forget to Pay the Piper
As a movie enthusiast, I found myself in a chilling predicament as my friend met an untimely, gruesome end. Determined to avenge her death, I took it upon myself to mete out punishment to the townsfolk responsible. In a grim twist of fate, I transformed them into rodents and led them to their own demise, much like the previous group. By the film’s climax, only an elderly fisherman and an infant remained unscathed, promptly departing from the haunted town. This dark masterpiece, which pushed the boundaries of cinematic storytelling, was heavily inspired by German Expressionism and medieval German art.
1 The Adventures of Prince Achmed (1926)
The Adventures of Prince Achmed is a captivating animated movie produced by the renowned animator Lotte Reiniger. This film is based on tales from One Thousand and One Nights, where the protagonist, Prince Achmed, faces challenges as a sorcerer tries to marry his sister. Throughout his journey, he encounters love and even crosses paths with Aladdin.
The Oldest Known Surviving Feature-Length Animated Film
Just like many of Reiniger’s creations, this film is crafted using shadow puppet animation, often referred to as silhouette animation. Notably, it stands out as one of the earliest known full-length animated films that still exists today. Additionally, it boasts a collection of innovative filmmakers from the era, including names like Walter Ruttmann, Berthold Bartosch, and Carl Koch.
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2024-09-28 05:02