Of course, Fairy Tales have always been reimagined in the sort of spirit of the age or a cultures particular values. Red Riding hood in 16th century France was eaten by the wolf, no huntsman arriving on the scene to save her. Le loup is the hero because he has tricked the wealthy folks with cleverness and audacity. As far as Disney is concerned, the Disneyfication of any fairy tale or fable has always been complained about, like giving The Little Mermaid a more predictable happy ending instead of the more complex one that Andersen originally wrote. But now, it seems as if their magic portion has finally soured, and perhaps it’s because the spirit of this age has no Joie de vivre but rather resembles a horrible, high toned progressive moralist. And of course, Oscar Wilde was right to say that “all art is quite useless,” or as he goes on to say in his preface to Dorian Gray, “ We can forgive a man for making a useful thing as long as he does not admire it. The only excuse for making a useless thing is that one admires it intensely.”
Have you come across Ronald Murphy's The Owl, the Raven, and the Dove? Despite some underlying Jesuit trickery, he does a pretty good job explicating the deliberate Christian valence of Grimm's fairy tales, including Snow White. He also opines that the original animated feature is one of the best renderings of the Snow White story. Pity Disney has to ruin everything.
Hilarious, true. And when those two things come together, you got human (in italics). Anne, do you know Kyle Dunnigan's stuff? If not, this is pertinent (and genius level deadpan): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5a7upRJ7CyI (I should say that parts of the piece include ads for a porn adjacent product).
(Well, I just watched it again, and must further add that it's strongly sexually inflected and, though there's nothing here that I didn't already hear from colleague's "research" in my 27 year academic career [which was, no lie, just like this] . . . so, be warned).
Critical Drinker did a hilarious video on Snow White awhile back. This is definitely one to watch. Just beware that there is some profane language. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WURPLvuJ-5I
I love Critical Drinker and I’m glad you linked to it (his British affinity for obscenity notwithstanding)
Of course, Fairy Tales have always been reimagined in the sort of spirit of the age or a cultures particular values. Red Riding hood in 16th century France was eaten by the wolf, no huntsman arriving on the scene to save her. Le loup is the hero because he has tricked the wealthy folks with cleverness and audacity. As far as Disney is concerned, the Disneyfication of any fairy tale or fable has always been complained about, like giving The Little Mermaid a more predictable happy ending instead of the more complex one that Andersen originally wrote. But now, it seems as if their magic portion has finally soured, and perhaps it’s because the spirit of this age has no Joie de vivre but rather resembles a horrible, high toned progressive moralist. And of course, Oscar Wilde was right to say that “all art is quite useless,” or as he goes on to say in his preface to Dorian Gray, “ We can forgive a man for making a useful thing as long as he does not admire it. The only excuse for making a useless thing is that one admires it intensely.”
Live action Cinderella is such a precious film. One of my favorites, and one I rewatch when I’m craving a truly beautiful story.
Have you come across Ronald Murphy's The Owl, the Raven, and the Dove? Despite some underlying Jesuit trickery, he does a pretty good job explicating the deliberate Christian valence of Grimm's fairy tales, including Snow White. He also opines that the original animated feature is one of the best renderings of the Snow White story. Pity Disney has to ruin everything.
Hilarious, true. And when those two things come together, you got human (in italics). Anne, do you know Kyle Dunnigan's stuff? If not, this is pertinent (and genius level deadpan): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5a7upRJ7CyI (I should say that parts of the piece include ads for a porn adjacent product).
(Well, I just watched it again, and must further add that it's strongly sexually inflected and, though there's nothing here that I didn't already hear from colleague's "research" in my 27 year academic career [which was, no lie, just like this] . . . so, be warned).
It’s not easy being green, just ask Kermit.
Critical Drinker did a hilarious video on Snow White awhile back. This is definitely one to watch. Just beware that there is some profane language. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WURPLvuJ-5I