Image via ha.com.
Showing posts with label czech republic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label czech republic. Show all posts
Thursday, December 7, 2017
1970s Czech 'Sněhurka' Movie Poster
Snow White poster from the Czech Republic. Measures 16.25" x 11.25". Dates from circa December 1973. Published by Severografia, a Czechoslovak printing house in the city of Děčín. A stamp on front reads, Neděle (Sunday) 16 V. v.15... Also vstupné (admission) 3-4-5Kč (koruna).
Friday, July 21, 2017
1938 Sněhurka Posters from Czechoslovakia
1938. Distributed by RKO. Movie poster from Czechoslovakian Snow White release. Measures 28" x 39". Printed by A. Haase of Prague.
Also see the 1938 Czech insert in an earlier Archive entry.
Images via Heritage Auctions.
Also see the 1938 Czech insert in an earlier Archive entry.
Thursday, June 26, 2014
1938 Czech Snow White Insert
With rave reviews and early successes--like the Grand Art Trophy from the 1938 Venice Film Festival--the initial release of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs had roused the public's interest throughout a Europe on the brink of war. In former Czechoslovakia, it was one of the first movies to be dubbed into the Czech language. The Barrandov Studios in Prague worked to create the audio track, which was sent to the Disney Studio in Hollywood. As was done with many of the international prints, Disney animators also replaced the illustrated English text (e.g., the Dwarfs' names on their beds) with those in another language, in this case, with Czech words.
The film played for three months in Prague and the government was so grateful for this special version that Disney did not have to pay the usual exhibition taxes.
This insert poster dates from the 1938 release, but because the prints took some time to complete, we can see that the film was still arriving to Czech theatres in 1939. Glued to the top of the poster is an advertisement for the screening of Sněhurka at the local cinema Bio Slavia on April 22-23, 1939. The show times for both days were 2:30, 5:00 and 7:30 pm.
The text goes something like this::
Lithograph printed by Dolezal, Cerveny kostelec (noted in the small print to left and above Dwarfs).
A rough translation of the red lettering at the bottom reads:
A RKO Radio Films release.
Not exactly sure what "ATL LB Hoffmann" stands for, possibly the poster artist or a Czech movie distributor?
Reverse side is blank. Poster measures 96 x 31cm (37.5" x 12.25"); with glued advertisement, it's 106cm (41.75") tall.
It's interesting to note that at this time, Czechoslovakia was already under Nazi occupation. As such, Snow White might have also been introduced with German subtitles. It's said that highly placed Nazi officers had to ask for permission to borrow a copy of the film for private screenings. So maybe this German version wasn't for public showings, yet again, it might have been--as indicated by the poster below. The original title is pasted over with another written in both German and Czech. There was an actual German-language dub created in Amsterdam in 1938, but it never played openly in Germany until after the war.
Special thanks to Martin Maxa for his assistance with this post. Additional info courtesy of Greg Philip of A Lost Film.
The film played for three months in Prague and the government was so grateful for this special version that Disney did not have to pay the usual exhibition taxes.
This insert poster dates from the 1938 release, but because the prints took some time to complete, we can see that the film was still arriving to Czech theatres in 1939. Glued to the top of the poster is an advertisement for the screening of Sněhurka at the local cinema Bio Slavia on April 22-23, 1939. The show times for both days were 2:30, 5:00 and 7:30 pm.
The text goes something like this::
The first feature-length, animated, colorful, sound, spoken in Czech and stereoscopic picture by Walt Disney:
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Unique work, that has thrilled the entire world and now brings even your admiration. The film honored by Grand Biennale Art Trophy in 1938.
Lithograph printed by Dolezal, Cerveny kostelec (noted in the small print to left and above Dwarfs).
A rough translation of the red lettering at the bottom reads:
Movie? - No!
Unique event of the week!
Unique revelation of fairy-tale wonders!
Unique experience of unfathomable beauty!
Unique work that has fascinated the whole world and now brings even your admiration!
A RKO Radio Films release.
Not exactly sure what "ATL LB Hoffmann" stands for, possibly the poster artist or a Czech movie distributor?
Reverse side is blank. Poster measures 96 x 31cm (37.5" x 12.25"); with glued advertisement, it's 106cm (41.75") tall.
It's interesting to note that at this time, Czechoslovakia was already under Nazi occupation. As such, Snow White might have also been introduced with German subtitles. It's said that highly placed Nazi officers had to ask for permission to borrow a copy of the film for private screenings. So maybe this German version wasn't for public showings, yet again, it might have been--as indicated by the poster below. The original title is pasted over with another written in both German and Czech. There was an actual German-language dub created in Amsterdam in 1938, but it never played openly in Germany until after the war.
Special thanks to Martin Maxa for his assistance with this post. Additional info courtesy of Greg Philip of A Lost Film.
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Vintage 6-Sided Block Puzzle
Although the majority of these wooden block puzzles contain no visible copyright or manufacturer information anywhere, they most certainly hail from Europe, with the earliest examples produced circa 1938. The dandy 20-piece set can be assembled into six completely different Snow White scenes, all of which feature very early, atypical character renderings, the kind of work seen by international artists before Disney pulled in the reins.
At first sight, you may think this was not an officially licensed Disney product, and you might be right. However, several of the puzzle boxes I've come across have “FOREIGN” stamped on the bottom, something that has been seen on other products from that era which were Disney-approved. The marking also leads to the assumption that they were made for export.
Each puzzle cube measures 1.5" across and has a lithographed illustration attached to all six sides. Included with the set are six separate paper sheets showing what the assembled images should look like. Four are loose, one is attached to the outside of the box, and the other is on the underside of the lid.
This first example features a box cover with the Dwarfs' discovery of Snow White. The box itself is made of wood. Definitely a rare one!
The four loose sheets in this set include the Dwarfs marching home.
Snow White surrounded by the Dwarfs.
Evil Queen at the Mirror, Huntsman with heartbox, and Prince sneaking over wall to have a better look at Snow by the (wishing) well.
The Witch with Snow White and the poison apple.
Inside the hinged wooden box is the final scene, the Prince's arrival at Snow White's coffin.
The bottom of the box reads “FOREIGN”.
Several variations in the box design were produced, with most simply fashioned from paperboard. No manufacturer markings anywhere on this edition. Measures 8" x 6.5".
Another example sports red-colored sides and a different cover image. Also, a bottom-stamp that reads "Made in Czechoslovakia". Since the Nazis took control of this region in 1939, it's likely this puzzle was produced at the time of the film's 1938 release.
Under the lid.
A marching Dwarfs box cover, though no red sides panels.
And now the completed puzzles...
It's always a treat when such a simple thing as a child's toy can offer a glimpse into another time, and in this case, also to some very early Snow White artwork!
At first sight, you may think this was not an officially licensed Disney product, and you might be right. However, several of the puzzle boxes I've come across have “FOREIGN” stamped on the bottom, something that has been seen on other products from that era which were Disney-approved. The marking also leads to the assumption that they were made for export.
Each puzzle cube measures 1.5" across and has a lithographed illustration attached to all six sides. Included with the set are six separate paper sheets showing what the assembled images should look like. Four are loose, one is attached to the outside of the box, and the other is on the underside of the lid.
This first example features a box cover with the Dwarfs' discovery of Snow White. The box itself is made of wood. Definitely a rare one!
The four loose sheets in this set include the Dwarfs marching home.
Snow White surrounded by the Dwarfs.
Evil Queen at the Mirror, Huntsman with heartbox, and Prince sneaking over wall to have a better look at Snow by the (wishing) well.
The Witch with Snow White and the poison apple.
Inside the hinged wooden box is the final scene, the Prince's arrival at Snow White's coffin.
The bottom of the box reads “FOREIGN”.
Wooden Box images courtesy of CollectingCollectibles.com.
Several variations in the box design were produced, with most simply fashioned from paperboard. No manufacturer markings anywhere on this edition. Measures 8" x 6.5".
Another example sports red-colored sides and a different cover image. Also, a bottom-stamp that reads "Made in Czechoslovakia". Since the Nazis took control of this region in 1939, it's likely this puzzle was produced at the time of the film's 1938 release.
Under the lid.
A marching Dwarfs box cover, though no red sides panels.
____
And now the completed puzzles...
Red Box Cover + Completed Puzzles courtesy of Rick Payne at dadric's attic.
It's always a treat when such a simple thing as a child's toy can offer a glimpse into another time, and in this case, also to some very early Snow White artwork!
Saturday, December 8, 2012
RKO International 'Snow White' Postcards
A collection of Snow White postcards was produced by RKO Radio Films during the international run of the movie back in the late 1930s. The series was issued in English, French, German, Czech, Polish and probably more languages. This first set appears in French and was printed in Brussels by the publisher A. Beirnaerdt. The character image is accompanied by a related text poem (except for the Snow White card).
Blache Neige.
Card back side with RKO logo.
Prof.
Timide/Dormeur.
Simplet.
Atchoum/Joyeux.
Grincheux.
Here's the same series but printed in the Czech language and published in Prague. It's fairly certain these date from 1938 because by the following year, Czechoslovakia was occupied by the Nazis.
Sněhurka.
Kejchal, Smudla and Profa.
The card back displays the same RKO logo but reads, "PRAHA II- VACLAVSKE NAM. 51" (PRAGUE II- Wenceslas Square 51) and "Sněhurka a sedm trpasliku" (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs).
This next set employs the same artwork (with different color shading) for all the Dwarfs except Dopey. And Snow White appears with the Prince from a Gustaf Tenggren drawing. Copyright "W.D.P."; text in English. Each card measures 3.5" x 5.5".
The cards were used as store premiums. The reverse side of this set each has a light ink stamp, "With Best Wishes From Foy's". Sold in auction by Hakes, March 22, 2012 for $336.49 (USD).
Blache Neige.
Card back side with RKO logo.
Prof.
Timide/Dormeur.
Simplet.
Atchoum/Joyeux.
Grincheux.
____
Here's the same series but printed in the Czech language and published in Prague. It's fairly certain these date from 1938 because by the following year, Czechoslovakia was occupied by the Nazis.
Sněhurka.
Kejchal, Smudla and Profa.
The card back displays the same RKO logo but reads, "PRAHA II- VACLAVSKE NAM. 51" (PRAGUE II- Wenceslas Square 51) and "Sněhurka a sedm trpasliku" (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs).
______
This next set employs the same artwork (with different color shading) for all the Dwarfs except Dopey. And Snow White appears with the Prince from a Gustaf Tenggren drawing. Copyright "W.D.P."; text in English. Each card measures 3.5" x 5.5".
The cards were used as store premiums. The reverse side of this set each has a light ink stamp, "With Best Wishes From Foy's". Sold in auction by Hakes, March 22, 2012 for $336.49 (USD).
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