Posted by Eric Abraham on October 05, 2007 at 12:48:12 from 63.245.162.246 user EricAbraham.
In Reply to: Re: Pooh Bear (was New Swallows and Amazons Cartoons With Action Toys!!??) posted by Mike Field on October 05, 2007 at 08:53:20:
Of course, my idea of creating an animated film of Swallows and Amazons (or any of the other stories) from Mr. Ransome's drawings was centered strictly on the aesthetics. The expense would be great, but if there were an audience, then it would be worthwhile. Just think of the expense that Mr. Disney went to for the first feature length animated film, "Snow White" and the subsequent films in the '40's (think "Fantasia" - can you think of a less likely audience for Classical Music? and a very expensive animated production - which is now eagerly sought after - I have two copies!!!!).
I occasionally get requests to do figures from various sources such as the "Wizard of Oz", "Alice in Wonderland" and "Pooh". These drawings are so powerful and have such a strong connection with the story that it would be extremly difficult (even if there were no copyright considerations) to do. When I see someone who has attempted to do illustrations of these stories, I am vastly dissapointed.
Several years ago I had a man who commissioned a bathroom sink and mirror from me who wanted Disney characters all over it. When I explained that they were copyrighted and Disney defended their copyright EXTREMLY aggresivly, he relented and I did a series of nursery rhymes and fairy tales all over it - he and I were very happy with the results. No one does Disney (0r other illustrations) as well as the originals.
I think I have discussed this previously on this forum.
If Mr. Ransome's stories were to be transferred to North America, and changed to fit into modern times, why then, even call it "Swallows and Amazons"? Call it "Adventures in Boats" or anything. So many of the commercial cartoons derived from "classic" stories wind up so changed and watered down that one cannot even understand where they originally came from except for the names. But then, if one has NO knowledge of the original, as unfortunatly so many children now, then there is nothing to refer to (I sometimes get the feeling that after seeing and liking the cartoon, the source book - if they even find it -is considered vastly secondary to the cartoon); so why not just make up a new story for the new characters and go from there.
Eric Abraham - We do have soap boxes in Kansas!