Monday, August 3, 2009

Once Upon A Time A Little Girl...

Once upon a time, many years ago (on today's date), a little girl was born who loved fairy tales... and yes, that little girl was me. :)

Today, I leave you with a reminder of the awesome Lotte Reiniger (1899 - 1981) who loved two things I do - fairy tales and animation.

This amazing German woman directed the first full length feature animation in 1926, long before Walt Disney brought us Snow White. The film, titled "The Adventures of Prince Achmed", can most definitely be classed as an Arabian Nights fairy tale and is full of her beautiful silhouette work.Late last year the British Film Institute released a two-DVD set of her animated fairy tale films, spanning 1922 to 1961.

Here's the list of tales and when they were released:

* Cinderella (1922)
* The Death Feigning Chinaman (1928)
* The Golden Goose (1944)
* Aladdin and his Magic Lamp (1954)
* The Frog Prince (1954)
* The Gallant Little Tailor (1954)
* Sleeping Beauty (1954)
* Snow White and Rose Red (1954)
* Cinderella (1954)
* Puss in Boots (1954)
* The Magic Horse (1954)
* The Grasshopper and the Ant (1954)
* The Three Wishes (1954)
* Thumbelina (1954)
* The Caliph Stork (1954)
* Hansel and Gretel (1954)
* Jack and the Beanstalk (1955)
* The Little Chimney Sweep (1956)
* The Frog Prince (1961)

It's available HERE through the BFI website and through Amazon.co.uk (hint, hint Mudsock dearest!)

I'll bring you more of her gorgeous art another day but for now have some cake. :)

1 comment:

  1. This looks fantastic! I wonder if it will be available in the US eventually.

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