Free for educational use
The Magic Pudding Illustrations
Year of production - 2004
Duration - 4min 9sec
Tags - animation, conscription, heritage, media, World War 1, see all tags
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How to Download the Video Clip
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The Magic Pudding is an episode of the series National Treasures produced in 2004.
The Magic Pudding
How did bohemian artist Norman Lindsay, famous for painting provocative nudes, end up producing one of Australia’s best-loved children’s books? Cartoonist James Kemsley reveals the legend behind the creation of the first great Australian anti-hero – Albert the never-ending pudding – as Warren Brown takes a look at Lindsay’s original illustrations at the State Library of New South Wales.
National Treasures
Take a road-trip of discovery with the irrepressible Warren Brown – political cartoonist, columnist and history “tragic” – as he reveals a fascinating mix of national treasures drawn from public and private collections across Australia. On its own, each treasure is a priceless snapshot of an historic moment. Together, they illustrate the vitality and uniqueness of the Australian experience.
National Treasures is a Film Australia National Interest Program. Produced with the assistance of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Objective:
Students will develop knowledge, understanding and skills to critically and historically interpret art informed by their understanding of practice, the conceptual framework and the frames.
Outcomes:
A student
5.7 applies their understanding of aspects of practice to critical and historical interpretations of art
5.8 uses their understanding of the function of and relationship between artist – artwork – world – audience in critical and historical interpretations of art
5.9 demonstrates how the frames provide different interpretations of art.
This material is an extract. Teachers and students should consult the Board of Studies website for more information.The Magic Pudding is a children’s book by Norman Lindsay, published in 1918.
It is the adventures of the koala Bunyip Bluegum in search of his missing parents. One of his companions is a magic pudding, which magically renews itself whenever part of it is eaten. A gang of pudding thieves stalk the magic pudding, who is protected by his companions.
When Bunyip Bluegum finds he can no longer live with his uncle’s annoying whiskers, he sets out to find his own place in the world. Rather quickly he meets Sam Sawnoff (a penguin) and Bill Barnacle (a man with a long white beard) and their pudding, Albert. Albert can taste like steak and kidney pie, or plum duff, or any number of things. Albert is rather cranky and his goal in life seems to be to get people to eat as much of him as possible.
The pudding owners are in constant conflict with a couple of pudding thieves, who frequently succeed in stealing Albert for short bursts of time, until they are set upon and beaten up by the Society of Pudding Owners.
The story is a variation on the ‘three wishes’ theme common in fairy stories.
- Understanding the video clip
- What is The Magic Pudding?
- Why was it created?
- Why has it been a popular book?
- How do the illustrations show the skill of the artist Norman Lindsay?
- What is meant by an ‘antihero’?
- Who is an example of an antihero today?
- Why does the character of the Pudding appeal to many people?
- Exploring issues raised in the video clip
Look at an illustrated version of the book. What is the main purpose of the illustrations — to reflect the text, or to add additional information and ideas to the story? Describe the:- style
- characterisation
- use of colour
- use of black and white
in the illustrations.
- The Magic Pudding was a popular book from its first publication. Is it likely still to appeal to its main audience today? Explain your reasons.
- The Magic Pudding was published in 1918; it was created as an animated film in 2000. Watch the film and compare the key features with those of the illustrations. Also discuss the filmic elements in it: the nature of the voices, the animation, the use of music, the adaptation and modernisation of the language and the general style.
- What are the main strengths and weaknesses of the two different media?
For more National Treasures information and video clips go to the Investigating National Treasures website