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:

Spoofed in Tiny Toon Adventures: Night Ghoulery (1995) (TV)

Pretty creepy!

In the past, I have been very, very critical of the cartoons made by UPA/Columbia Pictures during the 1950s and 60s. In every case, the artwork of the cartoon was very poor compared to comparable films from MGM, Warner Brothers and Disney. Sadly, because the UPA films were so cheaply made and they unbelievably received more than their share of Oscars, this style became the norm. Well drawn backgrounds and high frame rates were to become a thing of the past and the cheap look of UPA dominated with cartoons such as Gerald McBoing-Boing and Mr. Magoo.

Fortunately, while the same bare-bones look of UPA is present in this cartoon, here it actually works to good effect due to the colors used and the grim plot. In many ways, the art is highly reminiscent of the old silent classic, THE CABINET OF DR. CALIGARI--with its German expressionistic style. Here, for once, the UPA look actually works and works well.

As for the story, it's a retelling of the classic Poe tale as read by actor James Mason--a man whose voice alone is reason to see this film.

So, despite not winning the Oscar in 1954, it was justifiably nominated and the beauty and creepiness of this film haven't diminished over the years.