Greetings, Boils & Ghouls...
...and welcome to 'Day Twenty-Nine' of "Abnor Mal's Guide To Creepy Cartoon Classics on Roku" where I aim to bring you another creepy cartoon classic from the plethora of spooky animated short films that have been released throughout the course of animation history - any of which can be streamed on TV via the magic of Roku players - so let's dim the lights, for more fun & frights! :-O
If you read my special hallowe'en blogathon preview - FOUND HERE - published twenty-nine days ago, you will know that I plan to post a Hallowe'en / Horror related article every day, throughout the month of October, featuring one vintage cartoon classic with spooky overtones each and every time. With recommendations for thirty-one of the most spook-tacular shorts I can find, by the end of the month, this means you'll have plenty of great choices for your creepy cartoon viewing as we count down the days to Hallowe'en... as well as ensuring lots of laughs & screams come October 31st! :-D
Likewise... if you read my previous post on 'Day Twenty-Eight' of this month-long blogathon, you may recall the cartoon I shared featured multiple horror references (books, movies, etc.) and that two such references - namely 'Edgar Allan Poe' and "The Raven" - were among the personal favourites of mine from Guillermo Del Toro's jam-packed opening sequence of horror-related geekery. By way of coincidence, today's spooky short also includes references to both 'Edgar Allan Poe' and "The Raven" while also narrated by the star of many Poe-related films over the years: horror icon Vincent Price! :-)
Released on 1st October 1982... while written, designed, and directed by Tim Burton with animation duties taken care of by Stephen Chiodo, this stop-motion short was produced by Rick Heinrichs who was also responsible for all of the sculpture and additional design work. The music was composed by Ken Hilton and, being a Walt Disney Production, distribution of this Tim Burton/Rick Heinrichs film was handled by Buena Vista. Did I mention it was also NARRATED BY VINCENT PRICE!?!! :-D
Based on a screenplay written by the director, Tim Burton, and originally intended for publication as a children's book, it tells the tale of 'Vincent Malloy' (a polite 7-year-old boy & fervent 'Vincent Price' aficionado) who has only one dream: to become like his idol. With this in mind and furthered by his unrestrained imagination, young Vincent relives his favourite actor's movies and stories, performing strange experiments in the likes of Edgar Allan Poe's tales. So influenced by the works (and worlds) of these two artists, 'Vincent' is convinced that he is a tortured soul and completely misunderstood... although, as you will soon discover, his mom has an entirely different perspective on her son's ways!
As the story begins... we first hear, and then see, 'Vincent' playing a mournful version of an old tune, entitled "The Streets of Cairo", also used for "Poor Little Country Maid", and (as some will know it) "Nelly, Put Your Belly Next To Mine!", on his recorder. While he continues to play, we hear the voice of the narrator (Vincent Price) introducing the young musician, who then stops playing to pet his cat.
When the narrator (who, as I've said, happens to be the real Vincent Price) mentions the name of his idol, we see 'Vincent' (the boy) imagine his appearance to change so as to reflect that of his hero. The cat doesn't seem to like the new look being sported by 'Vincent' and leaps out of his arms to run away. Ironically, when the cat's hair stands on end, it looks just like that of 'Vincent' in his new guise! :-D
Fortunately for the cat, 'Vincent' changes back to his former self as he goes into the adjoining room to join his sister, dog, and other cats... though, as the narrator explains, he'd rather share his home with spiders and bats. The reason being: there, he could reflect on the horrors he's invented... and wander dark hallways, alone and tormented - which, for a "tortured soul" such as he, sure sounds idyllic! ;-)
Then reality (briefly) kicks-in again, as the lights come back on and 'Vincent' sees that his aunt has come to see him, so he behaves nicely - as he always does when she visits - however, that does not stop him from imagining that he dips her into hot wax to prepare the next exhibit in his wax museum! Then he experiments on his dog 'Abercrombie', in the hopes of creating a horrible zombie... so that he and his horrible "zombie" dog can go out searching for victims in the cold London fog! :-O ;-) :-)
His thoughts aren't only of ghoulish crime, however, and 'Vincent' also likes to paint and read to pass some of the time... but, while other kids read "Go Jane Go", his favourite author is Edgar Allan Poe! One night, while reading a gruesome tale, 'Vincent' reads a passage that turns him pale. Such horrible news he could not survive, his beautiful wife has been buried alive... but, when he digs-out her grave to make sure she's dead, he's unaware her "grave" is his mother's flower bed! :-O :-D
Rather than risk spoiling this spooky short, by revealing what happens to 'Vincent' now that his mom has had her precious flower bed destroyed, it's probably best to let you watch (and listen) to his other tale(s) of torment for yourselves. So, if you wish to find out whether 'Vincent' is finally able to lead the kind of life he desires, without his mother ruining it, press "Play" on the embedded video below:-
Of course, in addition to watching the embedded version of this video right here on my blog, you can also choose to stream it on your television using the "cast" function built-in to the 'YouTube' app(s) for mobile devices on both the iOS (Apple) plus Android platforms. For those who may have missed my special hallowe'en blogathon preview posted twenty-nine days ago... to "cast" the video to your Roku player and/or NowTV device(s), you'll first need to have the Roku channel (app) for 'YouTube' installed to act as a receiver for the stream you are casting. If you're not sure how to go about casting from your mobile device to your Roku there's a help article from 'Roku Support', which can be found on the official Roku website, that walks you through the process step-by-step! ;-)
YOUTUBE..........................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "WEB VIDEO" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
On whichever platform you decide to stream this video, watch out for the scene where 'Vincent' is "banished to the tower of doom" - in other words, sent-up to his room - because, as you will observe from the still frame image below, it is very reminiscent of the German Impressionist films that were being made one hundred years ago. The bit where 'Vincent' climbs the stairs reminded me a lot of a scene from "Nosferatu" (1922) where the vampire climbs a set of stairs - so, have a look and see:-
There's another scene in "Vincent" (1982) that mirrors the look and feel of "Nosferatu" (1922) when 'Vincent' is in a room and we see the "shadow" of his horrible "zombie" dog on the wall, as shown:-
I have to say... that, during the course of my research, I was surprised how few of the online sources I looked at referenced "Nosferatu" specifically (by name) because, to me, it seemed obvious from the very first viewing. Sure, there were quite a few that mentioned the German Impressionist films as a whole - by way of reference - but not many who appear to have seen the similarities that I did! :-O
Meanwhile, to round-off this article, I thought I'd share some images for a few of the memorabilia items that I came across during the course of my research on this creepy cartoon classic. While there did not seem to be an original film poster - i.e. one that was used at the time of it's original release - there were a couple of contemporary fan art posters (one of which is shown above) as well as another poster from a 'Special Screening' of "Vincent" (1982) which took place at 'The Palmer Amphitheatre' on Monday 30th October 2006. Besides those, I also found some "Behind The Scenes" photographs, plus some contemporary fan art which I thought you may like to take a look at... so here they are:-
I'd also like to remind readers of this blog that there are now just two days left to go till Halloween !!
If you read my special hallowe'en blogathon preview - FOUND HERE - published twenty-nine days ago, you will know that I plan to post a Hallowe'en / Horror related article every day, throughout the month of October, featuring one vintage cartoon classic with spooky overtones each and every time. With recommendations for thirty-one of the most spook-tacular shorts I can find, by the end of the month, this means you'll have plenty of great choices for your creepy cartoon viewing as we count down the days to Hallowe'en... as well as ensuring lots of laughs & screams come October 31st! :-D
Likewise... if you read my previous post on 'Day Twenty-Eight' of this month-long blogathon, you may recall the cartoon I shared featured multiple horror references (books, movies, etc.) and that two such references - namely 'Edgar Allan Poe' and "The Raven" - were among the personal favourites of mine from Guillermo Del Toro's jam-packed opening sequence of horror-related geekery. By way of coincidence, today's spooky short also includes references to both 'Edgar Allan Poe' and "The Raven" while also narrated by the star of many Poe-related films over the years: horror icon Vincent Price! :-)
Released on 1st October 1982... while written, designed, and directed by Tim Burton with animation duties taken care of by Stephen Chiodo, this stop-motion short was produced by Rick Heinrichs who was also responsible for all of the sculpture and additional design work. The music was composed by Ken Hilton and, being a Walt Disney Production, distribution of this Tim Burton/Rick Heinrichs film was handled by Buena Vista. Did I mention it was also NARRATED BY VINCENT PRICE!?!! :-D
Tim Burton (Left) And Vincent Price (Right) During The Filming Of "Vincent" (1982)
Based on a screenplay written by the director, Tim Burton, and originally intended for publication as a children's book, it tells the tale of 'Vincent Malloy' (a polite 7-year-old boy & fervent 'Vincent Price' aficionado) who has only one dream: to become like his idol. With this in mind and furthered by his unrestrained imagination, young Vincent relives his favourite actor's movies and stories, performing strange experiments in the likes of Edgar Allan Poe's tales. So influenced by the works (and worlds) of these two artists, 'Vincent' is convinced that he is a tortured soul and completely misunderstood... although, as you will soon discover, his mom has an entirely different perspective on her son's ways!
As the story begins... we first hear, and then see, 'Vincent' playing a mournful version of an old tune, entitled "The Streets of Cairo", also used for "Poor Little Country Maid", and (as some will know it) "Nelly, Put Your Belly Next To Mine!", on his recorder. While he continues to play, we hear the voice of the narrator (Vincent Price) introducing the young musician, who then stops playing to pet his cat.
"Vincent Malloy is seven years old,
He's always polite and does what he's told.
For a boy his age he's considerate and nice,
But he wants to be just like Vincent Price!"
When the narrator (who, as I've said, happens to be the real Vincent Price) mentions the name of his idol, we see 'Vincent' (the boy) imagine his appearance to change so as to reflect that of his hero. The cat doesn't seem to like the new look being sported by 'Vincent' and leaps out of his arms to run away. Ironically, when the cat's hair stands on end, it looks just like that of 'Vincent' in his new guise! :-D
'Vincent' Wants To Be "Just Like Vincent Price"...
Though His Cat Was Somewhat Less Enamoured With This New Look!
Fortunately for the cat, 'Vincent' changes back to his former self as he goes into the adjoining room to join his sister, dog, and other cats... though, as the narrator explains, he'd rather share his home with spiders and bats. The reason being: there, he could reflect on the horrors he's invented... and wander dark hallways, alone and tormented - which, for a "tortured soul" such as he, sure sounds idyllic! ;-)
'Vincent' Goes Into The Adjoining Room...
To Join His Sister, Their Dog, And The Other Cats...
But, 'Vincent' Would Rather Share His Home With Spiders And Bats...
So That He Can Reflect On All Of The Horrors He Has Invented...
Then Wander Dark Hallways, Alone And Tormented!
Then reality (briefly) kicks-in again, as the lights come back on and 'Vincent' sees that his aunt has come to see him, so he behaves nicely - as he always does when she visits - however, that does not stop him from imagining that he dips her into hot wax to prepare the next exhibit in his wax museum! Then he experiments on his dog 'Abercrombie', in the hopes of creating a horrible zombie... so that he and his horrible "zombie" dog can go out searching for victims in the cold London fog! :-O ;-) :-)
'Vincent' Is Nice, When His Aunt Come To See Him...
But Imagines Dipping Her In Wax, For His Wax Museum!
'Vincent' Likes To Experiment On His Dog, Abercrombie...
In The Hopes Of Creating A Horrible Zombie...
'Vincent' Then Imagines His Horrible "Zombie" Dog...
And Searching For Victims, In The London Fog!
His thoughts aren't only of ghoulish crime, however, and 'Vincent' also likes to paint and read to pass some of the time... but, while other kids read "Go Jane Go", his favourite author is Edgar Allan Poe! One night, while reading a gruesome tale, 'Vincent' reads a passage that turns him pale. Such horrible news he could not survive, his beautiful wife has been buried alive... but, when he digs-out her grave to make sure she's dead, he's unaware her "grave" is his mother's flower bed! :-O :-D
'Vincent' Like To Paint And Read, To Pass Some Of The Time...
But, While Other Kids Read "Go Jane, Go", His Favourite Author Is Edgar Allan Poe!
Then One Night, While Reading A Gruesome Tale...
'Vincent' Reads A Passage That Turns Him Pale...
It Seems His Beautiful Wife Has Been Buried Alive...
So 'Vincent' Digs-Out Her Grave, To Be Certain That She's Dead...
Unaware That Her "Grave" Was His Mother's Flower Bed !!
Rather than risk spoiling this spooky short, by revealing what happens to 'Vincent' now that his mom has had her precious flower bed destroyed, it's probably best to let you watch (and listen) to his other tale(s) of torment for yourselves. So, if you wish to find out whether 'Vincent' is finally able to lead the kind of life he desires, without his mother ruining it, press "Play" on the embedded video below:-
Of course, in addition to watching the embedded version of this video right here on my blog, you can also choose to stream it on your television using the "cast" function built-in to the 'YouTube' app(s) for mobile devices on both the iOS (Apple) plus Android platforms. For those who may have missed my special hallowe'en blogathon preview posted twenty-nine days ago... to "cast" the video to your Roku player and/or NowTV device(s), you'll first need to have the Roku channel (app) for 'YouTube' installed to act as a receiver for the stream you are casting. If you're not sure how to go about casting from your mobile device to your Roku there's a help article from 'Roku Support', which can be found on the official Roku website, that walks you through the process step-by-step! ;-)
YOUTUBE..........................................................................COST: FREE [Roku Guide Review]
***FILED UNDER: "WEB VIDEO" in Roku UK Channel Store WHEN FIRST RELEASED***
On whichever platform you decide to stream this video, watch out for the scene where 'Vincent' is "banished to the tower of doom" - in other words, sent-up to his room - because, as you will observe from the still frame image below, it is very reminiscent of the German Impressionist films that were being made one hundred years ago. The bit where 'Vincent' climbs the stairs reminded me a lot of a scene from "Nosferatu" (1922) where the vampire climbs a set of stairs - so, have a look and see:-
'Vincent' Knew He'd Been Banished To The Tower Of Doom!
But Would He Suffer, As 'Nosferatu' Did, When He Reached The Top Of The Stairs!?!!
There's another scene in "Vincent" (1982) that mirrors the look and feel of "Nosferatu" (1922) when 'Vincent' is in a room and we see the "shadow" of his horrible "zombie" dog on the wall, as shown:-
'Vincent' And His Horrible "Zombie" Dog
Observing The Similarity In Style, Between "Nosferatu" (1922) And "Vincent" (1982)
I have to say... that, during the course of my research, I was surprised how few of the online sources I looked at referenced "Nosferatu" specifically (by name) because, to me, it seemed obvious from the very first viewing. Sure, there were quite a few that mentioned the German Impressionist films as a whole - by way of reference - but not many who appear to have seen the similarities that I did! :-O
Meanwhile, to round-off this article, I thought I'd share some images for a few of the memorabilia items that I came across during the course of my research on this creepy cartoon classic. While there did not seem to be an original film poster - i.e. one that was used at the time of it's original release - there were a couple of contemporary fan art posters (one of which is shown above) as well as another poster from a 'Special Screening' of "Vincent" (1982) which took place at 'The Palmer Amphitheatre' on Monday 30th October 2006. Besides those, I also found some "Behind The Scenes" photographs, plus some contemporary fan art which I thought you may like to take a look at... so here they are:-
Tim Burton - "Vincent" (1982) [Contemporary Fan Poster Art]
Tim Burton - "Vincent" (1982) [Contemporary Fan Artwork]
Tim Burton - "Vincent" (1982) [Special Screening Poster]
Rick Heinrichs And Tim Burton With Some Of The Models From "Vincent" (1982)
Tim Burton With Some Of The Models From "Vincent" (1982)
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Anyhow, that's all I've got time for today... but do remember to come back again tomorrow, for my next creepy cartoon recommendation from the archives of animated film history, when I will suggest another spooky short for 'Day 30' of "Abnor Mal's Guide To Creepy Cartoon Classics on Roku" that you can stream right here on this blog - as well as through the equivalent channel on your Roku player(s). Meanwhile... please be sure to visit the "Countdown To Hallowe'en" website and show your support for this annual online Hallowe'en extravaganza PLUS don't forget to use the links you find there and check out all the other 'Cryptkeepers' taking part this year. I know they'll appreciate it, if you visit their blogs and share your thoughts on the contribution(s) they've made.
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ONE LAST THING, BEFORE I GO: Don't forget that, aside from the Hallowe'en / Horror-themed ghastliness going on around these parts for the next month, you can also keep up with the UK Roku action (as it happens) by checking-out my regular 'Weekly RoundUp' posts each weekend where you will find up-to-the-minute info on all things Roku-related is posted on a weekly basis (well, almost).
Until the next time, then...
That's all folks !!
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