I want to wish each and every one of you a happy holiday and may you enjoy peace and prosperity in the New Year to come. I posted this last year and thought I would share it again…it’s a favorite story of mine and I love the haunting song in this movie which you can hear on the video below.
In 1978, English author, Raymond Briggs, published the story “The Snowman”. It is a wordless book using only illustrations to tell the story. The pictures are in full color and are in a hazy softness that hints of the falling snow that brings about the story that unfolds. A movie was made of the book in 1982 and has a different ending than the book but is also wordless except for one song that is sung, “Walking in the Air”. The movie is 26 minutes long.
The movie (and the book) came to my attention in 1982 when I was approached by our family hairdresser who asked if our two daughters, then 9 and 7, would like to assist her husband in the review of a new children’s movie. Her husband, Jay Boyer, was the movie critic for the Orlando Sentinel at the time. He would interview each of them for their opinions after the screening and they would be quoted in the subsequent write up . The girls were very excited about getting to see the movie before it opened to the public and were accompanied by two other children and Jay on the day that they went to do their “job”. They also missed a day of school–even more fun.
This is the movie version:
A small boy builds a snowman after a heavy snowfall. He continues to look out at it as he joins his family inside at the end of the day.
However, the boy can’t sleep and he goes downstairs and opens the front door to check on his friend. The clock strikes twelve and the snowman magically comes to life. The snowman joins him inside as the boy shows him around the house and the wonders of TV, a light switch, running water, etc. He doesn’t care for the fireplace…the refrigerator, he loves!
They return outside and the snowman decides to show the boy his world and gently they glide up into the sky. They fly over London and off towards the North Pole to meet up with Father Christmas. Father Christmas greets the boy and gives him a gift of a scarf. The boy and his friend return to the boy’s home.
In the morning, as he awakens, the boy runs to the yard and finds that his friend has melted by the morning sun. As he puts his hand in his robe’s pocket, he finds the scarf.
The movie was nominated for an Academy Award for Animated Short Film. It was scored by Howard Blake who wrote the music and lyrics and conducted his own orchestra, Sinfonia of London. “Walking in the Air” was sung by St. Paul’s Cathedral choir boy, Peter Auty.
You can watch it in it’s entirety on Vimeo.
journeyintopoetry
/ December 23, 2012A lovely story Gayle.
Have a lovely Christmas and hopefully a peaceful New Year
Love and Christmas hugs
Christine xxxxxx
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Bodhirose
/ December 24, 2012Thank you, Christine…may your holiday be bright and filled with love.
Love,
Gayle xoxo
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Lorna's Voice
/ December 23, 2012I’ve never heard of it, but thanks for sharing it with us. I’ll have to check it out. Have a lovely holiday with your family, Gayle.
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Bodhirose
/ December 24, 2012I wish the same for you, Lorna. Hope you are feeling recovered from your travels by now.
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Lorna's Voice
/ December 24, 2012Yes, Feeling fine. Now I just have to get through the Holiday Hoopla. Ah, January, where are you? 😉
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Bodhirose
/ December 24, 2012Good to hear that, Lorna. January will be here before we know it…we can make it! 🙂
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bardessdmdenton
/ December 23, 2012A beautiful story and film, Gayle – and the song is so lovely. Wishing you a warm and wonderous Christmas, enjoying time family and friends but especially your darling Mira. Happiness, health, and blessings for the New Year! Diane XO
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Bodhirose
/ December 24, 2012I’m glad you enjoyed it, Diane. I surely will enjoy that sweet little girl. I can’t seem to get enough of her! Blessings and love to you, Diane. xoxo
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Mary
/ December 24, 2012What a wonderful Christmas post….and touching story. Wishing YOU a very Merry Christmas with family this year!
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Bodhirose
/ December 24, 2012So glad you liked this, Mary. Merry Christmas to you and hope the holidays aren’t stressful on you.
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Tincup
/ December 24, 2012I heard this song “Walking in the Air”….for the first time last week at my nine year old’s school holiday choir performance…it was so beautiful…I also posted something similar to celebrate this beautiful music.
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Bodhirose
/ December 24, 2012I love this song…and like to listen to it over and over…it is very beautiful..I agree. I’m coming over to see what you posted. Thanks for your visit, Tincup.
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Androgoth
/ December 24, 2012Merry Christmas and a very
Happy New Year in 2013 Gayle 🙂 🙂
Thank you for being one of my
greatest friends 🙂
Have lots of fun, I know that you will 🙂
Andro xxx
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Bodhirose
/ December 24, 2012Thanks so much, Andro…see you in 2013! You’re a sweetheart! xoxo 🙂
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Jamie Dedes
/ December 24, 2012Oh, yes! I do remember this story…thank’s for posting it again. It’s worth doing every year.
Meanwhile, I’ve been going around too, making my good wishes … sending my love through the wires, so to speak. Thanks for stopping by …
… and Happy Holidays! to you and the best 2013. Hey it’s the little one’s first Christmas. That makes it extra special for all.
Be well and happy, Gayle
Wishing you every blessing,
Jamie
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Bodhirose
/ December 24, 2012That’s what I thought…it could be shared every year. I love this story…and that song especially. I’m doing the same…making the rounds, spreading good cheer. Yes, little Mira’s first Christmas…can’t wait to see her tomorrow morning (even though I saw her quite a bit today). 🙂 She’s such a good girl.
Thank you for coming by, Jamie, and for the warm wishes…very sweet of you.
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brian miller
/ December 25, 2012smiles…what a wonderful story…i wish you a merry christmas as well…and hope the day is full of warmth and love…
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Bodhirose
/ December 26, 2012Thank you, Brian…glad you liked this. Had a love-filled and merry Christmas…hope yours was too.
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Daydreamertoo
/ December 25, 2012It is a lovely story. My twin nephews loved the short movie of it. 🙂 This is a lovely reminder of some of my past happy days.
Thank you for stopping by. I wish many blessings to you as you share this time with your loved ones Gayle.
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Bodhirose
/ December 26, 2012It’s a lovely child’s (well, really for every age) story that I love to enjoy during the holidays. I’m glad your nephews have seen it. Blessings to you in the New Year, Bren!
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Victoria C. Slotto
/ December 26, 2012Absolutely enchanting. It may be for children, but it spoke aloud to the child in me that still loves magic. Very touching,Gayle. Blessings in 2013!
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Victoria C. Slotto
/ December 26, 2012Just watched the video…sheer delight!
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Bodhirose
/ December 26, 2012Blessings in the New Year, Victoria! So glad you liked it. It is enchanting and still speaks to the child in me too…I just love it.
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becca givens
/ December 27, 2012I am sorry I didn’t stop by before Christmas to wish you a Merry one … but as I believe the Spirit of Christmas extends itself for much longer than the day — Merry Christmas and best of wishes for dreaming and dreams coming true in 2013! Thank you for being YOU!!
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Bodhirose
/ December 29, 2012How right you are, Becca..the spirit of Christmas continues throughout the year. I just posted a happy holiday greeting on FB also to hopefully reach all of my friends. Thank you for coming by and wishing me a Merry Christmas….so sweet of you. May you and your loved ones be blessed with peace and prosperity in the coming year. And thank you for being YOU too! xoxo
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Jamie Dedes
/ January 2, 2013Wishing you many blessings in 2013, Gayle. I’m sorry its starting with the writing of an elegy. Be well …
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Bodhirose
/ January 2, 2013Thank you, Jamie…may blessings flow abundantly for us both in 2013. My friend asked me to write one…I don’t know her family. She just thought if I wrote something, it could help ease their grief. A tall order that intimidated me but I wrote something today and sent it off to her.
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