Tom Thumb

Plot synopsis:
Richard Johnson's The History of Tom Thumbe of 1621 tells that in the days of King Arthur, old Thomas of the Mountain, a plowman and a member of the King's Council, wants nothing more than a son, even if he is no bigger than his thumb. He sends his wife to consult with Merlin. In three months time, she gives birth to the diminutive Tom Thumb. The "Queene of Fayres" and her attendants act as midwives. She provides Tom with an oak leaf hat, a shirt of cobweb, a doublet of thistledown, stockings of apple rind, and shoes of mouse's skin.
Tom cheats at games with other boys and because of his many tricks, the boys will not associate with him. Tom retaliates by using magic to hang his mother's pots and glasses from a sunbeam. When his fellows try the same, their pots and glasses fall and are broken. Thereafter, Tom stays home under his mother's supervision. At Christmas, she makes puddings, but Tom falls into the batter and is boiled into one of them. When a tinker comes begging, Tom's mother inadvertently gives him the pudding containing her son. The tinker farts while crossing a stile, but Tom calls out about the farting and the frightened tinker drops the pudding. Tom eats himself free and returns home to tell his mother and father of his adventure.
His mother thereafter keeps a closer watch upon him. One day, he accompanies her to the field to milk the cows. He sits under a thistle, but a red cow swallows him. The cow is given a laxative and Tom passes from her in a "cowturd." He is taken home and cleaned. Another day, he accompanies his father for the seed sowing and rides in the horse's ear. Tom is set down in the field to play the scarecrow, but a raven carries him away. His parents search for him, but are unable to find him.
The raven drops Tom at the castle of a giant. The cruel giant swallows the tiny boy like a pill. Tom thrashes about so much in the giant's stomach that he is vomited into the sea. There, he is eaten once more by a fish which is caught for King Arthur's supper. The cook is astonished to see the little man emerge from the fish. Tom then becomes King Arthur's Dwarf.
Tom becomes a favorite at King Arthur's royal court, especially among the ladies. There is revelry; Tom joins the jousting and dances in the palm of a Maid of Honour. He goes home briefly to see his parents, taking some money from the treasury with the king's permission, then returns to court. The Queene of Fayres finds him asleep on a rose and leaves him several gifts: an enchanted hat of knowledge, a ring of invisibility, a shape-changing girdle, and shoes to take him anywhere in a moment.
Tom falls seriously ill when a lady blows her nose, but is cured by the physician to King Twaddell of the Pygmies. He takes a ride in his walnut shell coach and meets Garagantua. Each boasts of his many powers. When Garagantua threatens to harm Tom, he is cast under an enchantment and Tom hurries home to safety. King Arthur listens with amazement to Tom's many adventures.
Richard Johnson's 1621 narrative ends here, but he promised his readers a sequel that has never been found, if published at all. In 163,0 a metrical version in three parts was published that continues Tom's adventures.
=== Later narratives ===
Other versions paint a different picture to Tom's end. Dinah Mulock continued the tale and noted that Tom exhausted himself with jousting but recovered in Fairyland. When he returned to Arthur's court, he accidentally landed in a bowl of the king's frumenty. Tom enrages the cook and is threatened with beheading. He seeks refuge in the mouth of a passing slack-jawed miller. Sensing tiny voices and movements within him, the man believes he is possessed. He yawns and Tom emerges, but the Miller is so angry he tosses Tom into a river where he is swallowed by a salmon. The fish is caught, taken to the King's kitchen, and Tom is found and kept in a mousetrap until King Arthur forgives him.
The court goes hunting and Tom joins them upon his steed, a mouse. A cat catches the mouse and Tom is injured. He is carried to Fairyland where he recovers and dwells for several years. When he returns to court, King Thunston now reigns. Charmed by the little man, the king gives Tom a tiny coach pulled by six mice. This makes the queen jealous as she received no such gifts and she frames Tom with being insolent to her. Tom attempts to escape on a passing butterfly, but is caught and imprisoned in a mousetrap. He is freed by a curious cat and once more wins back the favor of King Thunston. Sadly, he does not live to enjoy it as he is killed by a spider's bite. Tom is laid to rest beneath rosebush and a marble monument is raised to his memory with the epitaph:
Here lies Tom Thumb, King Arthur’s knight,
Who died by a spider’s cruel bite.
He was well known in Arthur’s court,
Where he afforded gallant sport;
He rode at tilt and tournament,
And on a mouse a-hunting went;
Alive he fill’d the court with mirth
His death to sorrow soon gave birth.
Wipe, wipe your eyes, and shake your head
And cry, ‘Alas! Tom Thumb is dead.

Tags: romantic

Review:
Jonathan muses that perhaps the queen would grant them one more wish, even a small one...Based on the Brothers Grimm story, "tom thumb" may just be the most undervalued musical ever made in the 1950s.
With the athletic and vibrant Russ Tamblyn taking the lead as Tom, and villains portrayed with such gleeful caddishness by Peter Sellers and Terry-Thomas, the film was always going to start from a good footing.
Add in Tom Howard's Academy Award winning effects, Gamley & Jones' whimsical score and the zippy direction from Ray Harryhausen mentor, George Pal. Well what's the excuse for not letting this film into yours, and your children's life?
Superb Special Effects, courtesy George Pal, but Peter Sellers and Terry-Thomas almost steal the movie.
There were lots of funny setpieces (dancing shoes, a romantic sub plot, ...) to extend the length of the movie, which would otherwise have lasted only half an hour or so, but this one stands out in my mind even today: The animated puppet that sings a yawning song, which makes Tom fall asleep.
In 2009 this version might at first seem a bit too juvenile for today's kids but the simple ideas presented as a pantomime with sheer brilliance of on screen mastery and some hilarious acting by Terry Thomas Peter Sellers and Russ Tamblyn made me in middle age realize that once the lights go down and a genuinely well made film begins, it works for any person of any age.
Russ Tamblyn is appealing in the title role and Terry-Thomas and Peter Sellers as, respectively, the conniving Ivan and his eager confederate Tony practically steal the film with their comic shenanigans.
Well, next thing you know, Tom Thumb (played by Russ Tamblyn) has come knocking on their door - he's tiny, but he sure can dance!
There is also a subplot involving a local music man (Alan Young) who is in love with the Forest Queen and doesn't realize that he can turn her into a mortal via a kiss.As a whole, this film is really a lot of fun - with great dancing, brightly colored period costumes, and trick photography which really succeeds in making Tom look small.
All the actors are great in this - but Russ Tamblyn really steals this film with his marvelous, amazing, athletic skill at combining dance with gymnastics - really a fantastic talent.
A Big Hand for the Little Man. A long time ago in a forest far away, woodcutter Bernard Miles (as Jonathan) is granted three wishes by beautiful forest queen June Thorburn (as Queenie), for sparing a giant tree from his axe.
Alas, Mr. Miles squanders his wishes by growing a giant symbolic sausage on his nose, but wife Jessie Matthews (as Anne) receives a consolation prize when tiny Russ Tamblyn (as Tom Thumb) arrives on his birthday, fully grown.
After getting lost at the local fair with family friend Alan Young (as Woody), Mr. Tamblyn is rescued by villainous Terry-Thomas (as Ivan) and mugging sidekick Peter Sellers (as Antony).
The black-dressed men use Tamblyn to steal some gold coins, which gets his parents arrested...This marvelous adaptation of the "Brothers Grimm" story is, to coin a familiar phrase, "fun for children of all ages." The film won special effects wizard Tom Howard a second "Academy Award", making him two for two.
A romantic subplot is the only thing not filled to the brim with magic.******** tom thumb (11/27/58) George Pal ~ Russ Tamblyn, Terry-Thomas, Peter Sellers, Alan Young.
This 1958 'Tom Thumb' is much too sweet, sugar-coated and unassuming to even begin to delve the depths of the Grimms.24-year old Russ Tamblyn plays the minuscule boy Tom who, by the intervention of a miracle, comes to liven up the days of a childless middle-aged couple, a woodcutter and his wife.
A pair of colorful crooks uses the boy to steal some money from the treasure, and his foster parents are accused of the theft, so now Tom Thumb has to save the day.Terry-Thomas and Peter Sellers compete as to who is the more deliciously unsavory and their interaction is quite violent by today's Disney standards, but still they come closer to the Brothers Grimm than anything else in this film.
The woodcutter agrees, but stupidly wastes his wishes; taking pity on him, the Forest Queen grants one further wish, giving the childless couple a son in the form of Tom (Russ Tamblyn), who is no bigger than their thumb.All is well until two despicable villains, Ivan (Terry Thomas) and Antony (Peter Sellers), dupe the diminutive, naive youngster into helping them steal gold from the town's treasury.
To save his mother and father from a public flogging, Tom must track down the real thieves and bring them to justice, with a little help from loveable local layabout Woody (Alan Young).Thirty seven years before Pixar's Toy Story, director George Pal made this charming fairytale adaptation that also featured toys that come to life (AND a prominent character named Woody!), but he did so without the aid of computers.
Showcasing an impressive array of old-school special effects techniques (stop-motion, travelling mattes, animation, oversized props, forced perspective, puppetry), Tom Thumb is an innovative, vibrant, family-friendly treat for fans of classic fantasy.Tamblyn, in the title role, can be a little bit annoying at times, with his over-exaggerated pantomime-style performance, but his sheer energy and agility has to be admired, especially during the 'living toy' dance set-piece, in which he busts some crazy moves to a jazzy beat and performs acrobatics worthy of Jackie Chan.
Also hamming it up a treat are Thomas and Sellers as the boo-hiss bad guys, but being the villains of the piece, the overacting here is a little more excusable.With a rollicking pace, terrific set design, a few catchy songs, and some memorably freaky moments (is it just me or is the Yawning Man seriously creepy, even moreso than the Black Swamp?), Tom Thumb is still highly entertaining fun for all ages, recommended for those who love the likes of The Wizard of Oz, Jack the Giant Slayer, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and the work of Ray Harryhausen..
Nice to re-watch a film I'd not seen since I was a child, the Brothers Grimm tale of Tom Thumb brought to cinematic life by George Pal. Not be confused with that other later film involving a character called Woody, a diminutive boy for whom the toys in his bedroom come to life and a musical soundtrack, "Tom Thumb" stars Russ Tamblyn as the tousle-haired tiny boy magically born fully formed to the elderly, good-hearted woodcutter and his doting but just occasionally nagging wife after he does a good deed in the eyes of the young Fairy Queen of the woods.
It's not long before Tiny Tom encounters and then befriends him, both of them happily heading on into town where a fun fair is in progress, although a bewitched pair of dancing shoes trip Tom into the path of scheming villain Terry Thomas and his portly, dumb sidekick both these parts played with gusto by Terry Thomas and Peter Sellers, soon to be reunited in an altogether different movie the next year, the sharp-edged political satire "I'm Alright Jack".Various scrapes and misunderstandings follow which all end up with Tom and Woody in a race to save Tom's wrongly accused parents face 20 lashes in public.
Russ Tamblyn, the young American actor soon to feature in "West Side Story" is very likeable as the acrobatic Tom.Okay so some of the process shots rather jarringly misfire, some scenes run on too long and the songs are okay at best but there's a nice title "storybook" sequence, a fine "Mutt and Jeff" turn by Thomas and Sellers and lots of fine stop-animation work to enjoy.Colourful, energetic and fun this is still a nice family entertainment perhaps best watched around Christmas time, as I did..
Alan Young is good as Woody too, however it is Terry Thomas and Peter Sellers who steal the acting honours as the villains.
On the plus side Tamblyn was good in the title role, the dances are colorful and there's some really cool stop motion animation with Tom's toys.
They treat him as their own son and the film revolves around his misadventures after his parents are wrongly accused of a crime and he must find the real culprits (TERRY-THOMAS and PETER SELLERS) in time for a happy ending.The trick photography is marvelous, the toys that come to life are inventive and fun, the interaction between Tom and all the other townspeople is well done--and this was all before the CGI effects we have today.There's a lot of charm to several musical numbers, especially one called "Yawning Man," and all of the song-and-dance numbers are done in rollicking style.
Today, however, it stands out, at least to this pair of older eyes, more as a curio, a showcase for some impressive special effects, a directorial debut for kid-film king George Pal, and Peter Sellers' first appearance in an international screen role as Antony, one of a pair of villains (alongside Terry-Thomas, who as Ivan has the bigger part here).Terry-Thomas got his only British Academy Award nomination for his work here, though neither he nor Sellers stand out especially.
To the extent "tom thumb" strives to be diverting, it succeeds, but at the expense of offering more lasting entertainment.More central to the film, and to its relative merits, are Russ Tamblyn as the title character, a cheerful if gullible youngster who arrives at Acorn Cottage, home of Honest John (Bernard Miles) and his wife Anne (Jessie Matthews).
This slightly disappointing film from George Pal takes the famous fairytale as a starting point when a tiny chap (played with some charm by Russ Tamblyn) arrives at the house of childless couple Jessie Matthews and Bernard Miles, following the encounter between the man of the house and a woodland fairy.It all starts well enough and one particular scene, where Tom's toys come alive and put on a display for him, is fabulous, but the introduction of some token bad guys (Terry-Thomas and Peter Sellers) slows up the action and doesn't really work.I imagine this film is entertaining for kids in fits and starts but as a feature it is far too long and sags badly in places.
George Pal directed this colorful production based on the tale by the Brothers Grimm involving a woodcutter and his wife who are granted a succession of wishes--though their request for a little boy goes somewhat awry when a thumb-sized young man shows up on their doorstep!
So, despite some wonderful George Pal effects, today it just seems like a silly and insignificant film.The story begins with a magical queen giving an old couple a 'son'--a 4 inch high one!
And, the baddies (Terry-Thomas and Peter Sellers) convince the little guy to steal for them--and poor Tom doesn't know what he's going.
Additionally, Tom has lots of singing and dancing adventures with magic shoes, toys that come alive and the like.I guess that part of the reason the film hasn't aged well is that stop-motion has been supplanted by CGI.
Average musical almost redeemed by Terry-Thomas and Peter Sellers as the villains as well as by special effects that surpassed most of those of the 50s.The Peggy Lee songs do not come near matching those of The Lady and the Tramp.
Tamblyn went to the United Kingdom in 1958 to film tom thumb, one of the Brothers Grimm more interesting fairy tales.
As desired by Jessie Matthews after she and husband Bernard Miles waste three wishes granted by the forest fairy June Thorburn, she would love any child sent though the child be a wee one.Of course Tamblyn becomes the joy of their lives and his best scenes are dancing with those animated George Pal Puppetoons.
The Puppetoon scenes won for tom thumb an Oscar for Special Effects in 1958.I remember accompanying my younger siblings to see the film when it opened.
And Peter Sellers and Terry-Thomas make a wonderful pair of villains who trick Tamblyn into using his small size to rob the king's treasury.And in the Grimm Brothers world of happily ever after, young tom gets a bride of his size.
Unfortunately they squander the three wishes while squabbling over dinner, what they really wanted was a son they cannot have, they have a second bedroom full of toys and a crib for a child, Anna laments that they could have wished for a child, Jonathan consoles her that the Forest Queen may yet show kindness and grant them one more wish, Anna says she would love any child they have, "even if he was no bigger then her thumb." Later at night Jonathan and Anna are woken by a soft knocking at the door, there appears a young boy (Seven Brides for Seven Brothers' Russ Tamblyn) who is literally the size of a thumb, he addresses them familiarly as "father" and "mother", Anna instinctively knows the boy's name is Tom, and they put him to bed happy that they finally have a child.
The next day Jonathan and Tom are travelling, family friend Woody (Alan Young, best known as Scrooge McDuck in DuckTales) takes Tom into town to the fair, there The Cobbler (Ian Wallace) provides him with "Talented Shoes" that keep dancing to music being played, then he is carried away on a balloon.
At the top of the nearby treasury, thieves Ivan (BAFTA nominated Terry-Thomas) Antony (Peter Sellers) are trying to steal a bag of gold, they realise that due to his size Tom can help them, they convince him the money will be given to poor orphans.
Also starring Carry On's Peter Butterworth as Kapellmeister, Peter Bull as Town Crier and Stan Freberg as The Yawning Man. Acrobatic dancer Tamblyn is likable as the tiny hero who brings joy and happiness to his elderly parents, Young is a little out of place as the slow-witted friend, and Thomas and Sellers are great as the hissable pantomime villains.
Based on the fairytale by the Brothers Grimm, this film is full of bright colour, the stop-motion animation for the toys coming to life and all components to shrink the hero are well done, the songs are all enjoyable, especially "Tom Thumb's Tune" and The Yawning Man (which does work to make you yawn as you sing along), this is splendid entertainment for all ages, an enjoyable fantasy musical.
Tom Thumb featuring Russ Tamblyn at 23..
Russ Tamblyn is small, and even though they had to use forced perspective and other filming tricks to make him this small, he was a good choice to play Tom Thumb.
The TCM network has been featuring Russ Tamblyn movies on this, his 70th birthday, December 30, 2004.This version tells the traditional Tom Thumb story.
George Pal's splendid take on the Tom Thumb fairy story marries several intertwining story threads with some excellent special effects, some bravura performances, some cute songs, and a charm which is partly of the period and partly from the innocent joy with which the film is put together.Russ Tamblyn stands out.
And Alan Young and June Thorburn as the would-be lovers work well as the main, but understated, concern throughout the film.But this is a children's film, and the magic of Tom, as created and enhanced by the effects, is what holds the movie together.
Tom Thumb is a film that can be enjoyed by all age groups its harmless fun and the special effects are really state of the arc for 1958,especially when the toys come alive the puppetoons are really fascinating to watch and should even by todays standards keep children amused.George Pal went on to direct The Wonderful World Of The Brothers Grimm which I've never been able to get round to seeing as i keep missing it on TCM,but i know its suppose to be just as good.
Russ Tamblyn was the perfect choice to play the title role as he really does come across as a little boy even though he was 24 years old,his dance routines are amazing especially with the added acrobatics you cant tire from watching him he makes his routine look so easy when obviously its not.
Also another great bonus is the pairing up of two of my all time favourite comedians Peter Sellers and Terry Thomas as the two dastardly villains Tony and Ivan who greedily cheat and use Tom to steal a bag of the Kings gold and let Toms parents take the blame.
A nice children's picture where the story of Tom Thumb is brought to the screen and Russ Tamblyn, who was Oscar nominated the year before for the blockbuster "Peyton Place," and who also appeared in "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers," that same year was perfect for the part of small Tom.Granted as a wish by his childless parents, Tom immediately sings and dances his way into the hearts of the viewers.Peggy Lee must be given credit for writing the songs for this film and Terry Thomas and Peter Sellers steal the film with their villain roles.A little tedious at times, especially near the film's end, the picture brings joy to our youngsters..
However, the real joys of "Tom Thumb" are the songs and the musical and dance numbers and all the business with the animated toys — business which manages to get by on its novelty appeal rather than the skill of the animators.Aside from the fuzziness in the special effect sequences, the film is attractively colored and photographed.
An Under-Appreciated Classic Fantasy Film by George Pal. George Pal made some great special effects (live-action) movies but this is his best, in my opinion.
Like the Brothers Grimm story, "tom thumb" is an enchanted little boy about 5-1/2 inches tall, given to a poor-but-honest wood-chopper and his wife Anna, by the Good Fairy of the Forest.
Gymnast-dancer Russ Tamblyn (7 Brides for 7 Brothers) is the perfect "tom thumb".