Hansel and Gretel (1954)

An "electronic puppet" version of the Humperdinck opera, adapted for children and using spoken dialogue as well as Humperdinck's music.

Director:

John Paul

Writers:

Padraic Colum (adapted for the screen by), Adelheid Wette (original play)

Stars:

Anna Russell, Mildred Dunnock, Frank Rogier

Cast

Cast overview:
Anna Russell	...	Rosina Rubylips, the Witch (voice)
Mildred Dunnock	...	Mother (voice)
Frank Rogier	...	Father (voice)
Constance Brigham	...	Hansel / Gretel (voice)
Helen Boatwright	...	Dew Fairy (voice) (as Helen Boatright)
Delbert Anderson	...	Sandman (voice)

Storyline

With brilliant imagination and technical wizardry, this 1954 feature film used stop-action animation, and hand-sculpted dolls and sets to create a fantasy land of unearthly beauty. Set to Engelbert Humperdinck's classic 1892 opera, sung by some of the most acclaimed performers of the 1950's, this recording was nominated for a Grammy Award. This may be the definative production of one of the greatest fairy tales ever told, and it is now on DVD.

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Plot Keywords:

opera | fairy tale | puppet | fairy | hansel and gretel | 

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Taglines:

See the fabulous "Kinemins" ...life-like little people so truly real, they laugh, they sing, they walk, they dance... they almost breathe!

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Genres:

Animation | Family | Music | Musical

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 December 1954 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hansel and Gretel: An Opera Fantasy

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Radio Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

72 min

Sound Mix:

Mono Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The likeness of comedic opera diva Anna Russell was used for The Witch.

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Connections

Version of Shrinkel and Stretchel (1965)

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Soundtracks

"Children's Prayer"
Music by Engelbert Humperdinck
English Lyrics by Padraic Colum
Sung by Constance Brigham (as both Hansel and Gretel)

User Reviews

Hansel and Gretel: Made in the United States

Despite its European, "old world" look, Hansel and Gretel was made in New York City. Indeed the comments to the contrary are a tribute to the filmmakers' success in evoking a genuine fairy tale style. Nonetheless, the film was shot using conventional stop-motion puppets (notwithstanding the producer's claims to using some sort of mysterious "electronic" method) in the main room of an abandoned courthouse which is still standing at the corner of Second Avenue and Second Street in New York City. The large set was built in the main chamber on the second floor (now the largest of several theaters in what is currently (2005) the Anthology Film Archives).

Apparently electromagnets were used to hold the stop-motion puppets in place during some sequences, but normal procedures were used for the rest. This and some hype that lured in backers may account for the mistaken report that they are electronic puppets. They were solid, armature puppets and not clay (or "claymation") dolls.

The set survived the production and actually toured county fairs as a fairy tale exhibit for many years after the completion of the film.