| Heaven and Earth Magic | |
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 Screenshot |
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| Directed by | Harry Everett Smith |
| Release date(s) | 1957-1962 (USA) |
| Running time | 66 min |
| Country | USA |
| Language | English |
| IMDb profile | |
Heaven and Earth Magic (also called Number 12, The Magic Feature, or Heaven and Earth Magic Feature) is an American avant garde feature film made by Harry Everett Smith. Originally released in 1957, it was re-edited several times and the final version was released in 1962. The film primarily uses cut-out-animated photographs. A VHS version exists, but there are no known plans of a DVD release. The film is sometimes screened at one-time cinema events, often with some kind of live music instead of the film's soundtrack (which consists solely of sound effects).
Contents |
Plot
Smith explains:
The first part depicts the heroine's toothache consequent to the loss of a very valuable watermelon, her dentistry and transportation to heaven. Next follows an elaborate exposition of the heavenly land, in terms of Israel and Montreal. The second part depicts the return to Earth from being eaten by Max Müller on the day Edward VII dedicated the Great Sewer of London.
Notes
Re-edited several times between 1957-62. 16mm, black & white, mono, initially 6 hours, later versions of 2 hours and 67 min. Extended version of Smith's No. 8. Cutout animation culled from 19th century catalogs meant to be shown using custom-made projectors fit out with color filters (gels, wheels, etc.) and masking hand-painted glass slides to alter the projected image. Jonas Mekas gave the film—which is often regarded as Smith's major work—its title in 1964/65.
