The Magic World of Topo Gigio (partially found animated feature film; 1961)
The poster for the theatrical release in the United States
Status: Partially Found
The Magic World of Topo Gigio (released in Italy as Las Aventuras de Topo Gigio) is a 1961 animated film using the popular Italian characters of Topo Gigio, created by puppeteer Maria Perego. Topo Gigio found great popularity not only in Italy but the United States as well when he became a recurring character on The Ed Sullivan Show in December of 1962. [1]
Plot
According to the press book, the plot was about "Topo Gigio, the little English-speaking Italian mouse, builds a rocket in which he, his girl friend Rosy, and his best friend, the cowardly worm Giovannino, take off for the moon. They land at Luna Park, a fun resort, where they meet a kindly old puppeteer whose performances are being ignored by the children; the youngsters prefer the tricks of a flamboyant magician. When Topo, Rosy and Giovannino perform for the puppeteer the children eagerly return. Angry, the magician frightens Giovannino, kidnaps Rosy and attempts to hypnotize Topo. With the help of the children, Topo ruins the magician’s performance, making him a laughing stock. He rescues Rosy and he also persuades the magician to change his ways; there is no reason why puppeteer and magician cannot work together since they are both in the business of entertaining children." [2]
Release
The Magic World of Topo Gigio was originally released in Italy in 1961[3] and in the United States, dubbed in English, in 1965[2] in theaters to positive reviews and would be screened at varying times over the years in various theaters.[4] However, though the copyright continued to be renewed in 1992, the film was never released on home video and has not seen a release outside of theaters. The orignal Italian release of the film was last screened at the Jovellanos Theater in Gijon on September 1st, 2012 as part of the Gijon Film Festival, whose channel uploaded a clip from that same year.[3]
Gallery
References
- ↑ Topo Gigio's biography on The Ed Sullivan Show Retrieved 19 Jun '24
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Pressbook for The Magic World of Topo Gigio Retrieved 19 Jun '24
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Clip of Las Aventuras de Topo Gigo Retrieved 19 Jun '24
- ↑ The Interior News, 6 Mar '85 Retrieved 19 Jun '24