The Tell-Tale Heart (1953/I)

Director:

Ted Parmelee

Writers:

Edgar Allan Poe (story)
Bill Scott (story) ...

Release Date:

17 joulukuu 1953 (USA)

Genre:

Animation | Short | Crime | Horror

Plot:

One of the most discussed and imaginative cartoons of any era. It tells the famous Edgar Allan Poe story...

Plot Keywords:

Landlord | Eye | Murder | Killer | Police

Awards:

Nominated for Oscar. Another 1 win

Cast

  (Credited cast)

James Mason

...

Narrator (voice)

Runtime:

USA:8 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

USA:Approved | USA:Passed (National Board of Review)

Company:

United Productions of America (UPA)

Trivia:

Rumors for years surrounding this film would have it being in 3-D. However, absolutely no trade magazines list the production as being in 3-D (even pre-filming announcements and in-production articles), and according to Grover Crisp, head of the restoration unit at Sony/Columbia, the original negative bears absolutely no markings that would indicate that the film had any 3-D origins. It is speculated, based on several collectors' memories, that the myth started when super8mm editions of the film were labeled with 3-D stickers by accident, around the same time that stickers were being put on the 3-D shorts that Columbia was releasing in that format.

Quotes:

Title Card: The story is told through the eyes of a madman.........who, like all of us, believed that he was sane.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Hellboy (2004)

One of the most indescribably beautiful pieces of animation ever made.

Just tonight I saw this short in a presentation of animated films as part of the Milwaukee International Film Festival. I found myself literally watching this with my mouth hanging open in awe. The animation is not groundbreaking in the various techniques used, but the ways they are used, and the ways they are merged to create brilliant, original techniques in their own light, are astounding. The use of numerous versions of a full paintings to animate things like the changing of a light source is shocking in it's simple, yet immense effectiveness. The music is very minimalistic, but very appropriate for the film. James Mason is haunting in his narration. This film is one of the most beautiful, unconventional, and effective uses of the animation art form in American film history. It is a shame that it is not available on video, though it may be that the only way to really experience it fully is in a theater. In that case it is a shame that it isn't played very often.

UPDATE...

The film is now available as an extra on the DVD for the original theatrical version of the film Hellboy. The only reason I can see for this is that Hell Boy director Guillermo del Toro must be a fan of it. The film Hellboy isn't bad, but the DVD is worth it for this short alone. And it can be had quite readily in used shops for a very good price (I've seen them as low as $9.99).