Sandmännchen
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Sandmännchen (Little Sandman) is a German children's bedtime television programme, produced by a film technique known as "stop motion animation", in which puppets are moved by very small amounts between individual frames, producing the effect of motion when the film is played back, as in conventional drawn and painted animation. The puppet was based on a character by Hans Christian Andersen.
Historical Background
Two versions of Sandmännchen were created: one in East Germany (Unser Sandmännchen), and one in West Germany (Das Sandmännchen).The original idea came from Ilse Obrig of West Berlin TV and radio station Sender Freies Berlin (SFB), whom with the help of author Johanna Schüppel, developed a working version in 1959. The Little Sandman himself first appeared on screen in West Berlin in Sandmännchens Gruß für Kinder (Sandmännchen's Greeting to Children) on 1 December 1959, and other episodes were soon developed.
However, on 22 November 1959 (less than three weeks after the production had started), East German television (Deutscher Fernsehfunk, DFF) had began broadcasting Unser Sandmännchen with its own "good night, children" character, also called Sandmännchen.
Created by the puppetmaster and director Gerhard Behrendt the show represented everyday life, travel, and fantastic adventure, as well as a certain amount of propaganda. The title character bore startling resemblance to the then leader of the DDR, Walter Ulbricht, and the show was often a showcase for DDR and Socialist technology and success. Which is one of the reasons why he often arrived in amazing vehicles like futuristic cars and flying devices.
The East German show was shown in many countries, including western countries like Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Norway (Where he went under the name of "Jon Blund")
The production of the Western version of Sandmännchen ceased in 1991, following the unification of Germany. However, episodes from the DFF show are still run on German television today.
The Theme Tune of Unser Sandmännchen
Wolfgang Richter composed the theme in just three hours one evening. Wolfgang Krumbach wrote the text.Opening verse (on the Sandman's arrival):
- "Sandmann, lieber Sandmann, es ist noch nicht so weit!
- Wir sehen erst den Abendgruß, eh jedes Kind ins Bettchen muß,
- du hast gewiß noch Zeit."
- (Sandman, dear Sandman, it's not yet time!
- First we'll watch the evening's greeting before every little child must go to bed.
- Surely, you have time for that.)
- "Kinder, liebe Kinder, das hat mir Spaß gemacht.
- Nun schnell ins Bett und schlaft recht schön.
- Dann darf auch ich zur Ruhe gehn. Ich wünsch euch gute Nacht."
- (Children, dear children, that was fun.
- Now, quick, to bed and sleep tight.
- Then I can also go and rest. I wish you a good night.)
Supporting Characters
The Sandmännchen stories contained a number of characters who remain popular today:
- Pittiplatsch, a litle roundly goblin, Schnatterinchen, a duck, and Moppi, a dog
- Herr Fuchs, a fox, and Frau Elster, a magpie
- Plumps, a water goblin, and Küken, a baby chicken
Sandman Trivia
- His look went through some changes since his debut till he settled down with his final appereance decades ago. His childlike face was meant to give him trust while his beard was meant to give the impression of age and wisdom of an adult.
- Sandmännchen, the Little Sandman, is featured in the 2002 Wolfgang Becker film Goodbye, Lenin!.
- The rock band Rammstein uses the opening monologue from das Sandmännchen (Nun, liebe Kinder, gebt fein Acht. Ich habe euch etwas mitgebracht) at the beginning of the song "Mein Herz brennt".
External links
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