Wiggling ducts, jumbles of planks, coils of cable … William Heath Robinson’s peculiar genius has been given the perfect home

Hans Christian Andersen's The Marsh King's Daughter illustrated by William Heath Robinson, 1913

Seventy years ago William Beveridge wrote a report that was to lay the foundations for the welfare state. He identified the Five Giants that society needed to slay: Want, Disease, Ignoranc…

Wiggling ducts, jumbles of planks, coils of cable … William Heath Robinson’s peculiar genius has been given the perfect home

Art and Artists, Paintings, Painters, Prints, Printmakers, Illustration, Illustrators

In an exclusive interview, British actor Joseph Marcell – famous for his portrayal of the British butler Geoffrey in the beloved Will Smith sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel Air – speaks to us ahead of his visit to Malta in July, when he will be taking on the titular role of King Lear in the Globe Theatre’s touring production of William Shakespeare’s classic tragedy.

Wiggling ducts, jumbles of planks, coils of cable … William Heath Robinson’s peculiar genius has been given the perfect home

40. Spirited Away (2001) Director: Hayao Miyazaki Writer: Hayao Miyazaki Cast (voices of): Rumi Hiragi, Miyu Irino, Mari Natsuki Animation god Hayao Miyazaki deservedly won an Oscar for this mesmerizing, magical (what Miyazaki film isn't) creation. 39. A Tale of Two Sisters (2002) Director: Ji-woon Kim Writer: Ji-woon Kim Cast: Kap-su Kim, Jung-ah Yum, Su-jeong Lim, Geun-Young Moon Captivating, intelligent, creepy psychological thriller that, like most Asian horror flicks, relies more on atmosphere than on cheap scares. Great acting by the principal cast. Korea has got to have among the best child actors in the world. 38. The Science of Sleep (2006) Director: Michel Gondry Writer: Michel Gondry Cast: Gael Garcia Bernal, Charlotte Gainsbourg A criminally overlooked adorable, touching Gondry pic starring the adorable Bernal and Gainsbourg. It's classic Gondry with the surreal animation. 37. Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children (2005) Directors: Tetsuya Nomura, Takeshi Nozue Writer: Kazushige Nujima This is how that other visually great but ultimately flat Final Fantasy film should have been. These are characters we've learned to love in the games, with breathtaking animation and action sequences. What a trip for fanboys! 36. Moon (2009) Director: Duncan Jones Writers: Duncan Jones, Nathan Parker Cast: Sam Rockwell, Kevin Spacey Brilliant sci fi flick that's a throwback to the intelligent, human-driven science fiction of the 70s. Rockwell is great in this one-man show. 35. Paris Je T'aime (2006) Directors: Multiple Writers: Multiple Cast: Too many to mention Ah, the city of love. This omnibus from some of the best filmmakers is a product of love. Touching and emotionally involving. Stand-outs include Gurinder Chadha's "Quais de Seine," Alfonso Cuaron's "Parc Monceau," Vincenzo Natali's "Quartier de la Madeleine" (the only horror segment), Tom Tykwer's "Faubourg Saint-Denis," Nobuhiro Suwa's "Place des Victoires" (in which Juliette Binoche is, as always, amazing), and the winning closing segment by Alexander Payne, "14th arrondissement," which features the lovable Margot Martindale. 34. The School of Rock (2003) Director: Richard Linklater Writer: Mike White Cast: Jack Black, Mike White, Joan Cusack, Sarah Silverman Black probably hasn't been funnier or more natural than in this fun, music-driven flick. The kids are great and so are the songs. I'd love to see a sequel. 33. A Knight's Tale (2001) Director: Brian Helgeland Writer: Brian Helgeland Cast: Heath Ledger, Shannyn Sossamon, Rufus Sewell, Paul Bettany, Laura Fraser, Mark Addy, Alan Tudyk This could have failed miserably, mixing medieval Europe with modern pop beats. But it soars and delights, thanks mostly to the great chemistry and fantastic humor among the cast, led by the late great Ledger. 32. (500) Days of Summer (2009) Director: Marc Webb Writer: Scott Neustadter, Michael H. Weber Cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Zooey Deschanel One of the best, most well written romantic comedies in recent years. Gordon-Levitt and Deschanel are both adorable. 31. The Incredibles (2004) Director: Brad Bird Writer: Brad Bird Cast (voices of): Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Samuel L. Jackson, Jason Lee The title says it all. Great kinetic fun, much better than a lot of live-action superhero movies. How about a sequel? Numbers 50-41 here. Numbers 30-21 soon.

The Marsh King's Daughter by Anne Anderson I'm finally posting my slow-growing collection of illustrations for The Marsh King's Daughter (by Hans Christian Andersen) illustrations. If you've been reading this blog for a while you'll know that this is one of my longtime favorite fairy tales, despite all the heavy handed religious aspects of the second half. I haven't included every single one if there were multiple pictures by one artist so if you look at the links (each name should link you to their work or the image source). Papercut - Maria Dorte Anne Anderson Brochure - Artist Unknown Contest "Disney's New Musical" Winner by Ashamyn Dugald Stewart Walker Harry Clarke Lorenz Frølich (1820-1908) Frølich's drawings really feel like they fit the story in mood and story telling style. I really like them. Postage stamp - Lorenz Frølich (1820-1908) Lorenz Frølich (1820-1908) Lorenz Frølich (1820-1908) Esben Hanefelt Kristensen Arnold Thornam The Walt Disney Company Kay Nielsen Kinuko Y. Craft Book Illustration 1926 The Marsh King's Daughter - Artist Unknown Arthur J. Gaskin I wish he had illustrated more aspects of the story. I love this style of illustration. Ricki Klages Marsh King's Daughter, Egyptian Princess - Artist Unknown (can't find image source either) Dugald Stewart Walker Tiziana Gironi Volquartz This looks really interesting! There is a whole section of the site dedicated to this production. Only problem is it's in Danish (I think). W. Heath Robinson Avi Katz Oscar Klever This is one of my favorites in the collection here. It really seems to fit the mood of the story and manages to incorporate many of the elements without feeling like a mural. Rex Whistler I really like this one too. amytaluuri This looks much nicer large but I wish the artist had dug a little further into the story and incorporated more key elements. drawmeapicture (silk dye on silk) W. Heath Robinson W. Heath Robinson I can't find Andersen's own papercut work for The Marsh King's Daughter online, and my H.C. Andersen fairy tale collection book which is printed with his original papercuts as the illustrations, is packed away in storage right now. I do know that it has a stork, a baby and marsh reeds and it isn't a "mirror image" or snowflake-type cut. When I find it - or find my book - I'll add it to the post. There was also at least one animation made of this story which I remember seeing somewhere back in the 70's too. Not all of it seems to be on YouTube but what parts there are, are below: I'm surprised there aren't many more illustrations floating around for this story. There are so many things going on in this one, it's rich fodder for an artist's imagination. (This illustration HERE by Beatriz Martin Vidal isn't based on the fairy tale - which is why I haven't included it in the collection here - but it would work well both for Frog King or for The Marsh King's Daughter.) I'm certain I saw some illustrations in my childhood that have helped keep this story so vivid in my imagination all these years - especially regarding scenes the beautiful but scary and out-of-control wild child Helga, of the transformation from vicious Viking girl to toad-like creature and of the nurses kindness. Either that or the story really spoke to me strongly at the time and I created my own in my head! I have a favor to ask: if you find, create, make any new or different illustrations from those posted here (ie by other artists), please email me or put a comment below and let me know - or send me a copy (with artist credited if at all possible). I'll add it to these and give you finder's credit/artist's credit (whichever is appropriate). Also, as per my previous post, I recently realized my Marsh King's Daughter inspired short story, Torn, was no longer available to read on the web anywhere, so I've made a dedicated page here at Once Upon A Blog so it will have a (hopefully) permanent home. by Tom Mazzocco You can click the tab labeled TORN under the Once Upon A Blog header or just click HERE to read.

He has created some of the most innovative and unique videos among other directors. Due to his intense skills and just as a content creator.

Art and Artists, Paintings, Painters, Prints, Printmakers, Illustration, Illustrators

Guitars on the Kings Heath Floral Trail, part of Kings Heath in Bloom. I was looking for the Toyah Willcox star on Kings Heath's Walk of Fame on York Road, but couldn't find it (on the pavement). But assume that it is near here somewhere (maybe under these guitars!). Next to the Hare and Hounds pub. Many singers / bands played down here in the '60s and '70s. It was raining in Kings Heath. This was outside Cash Converters. Formerly the Ritz Ballroom. Cash Converters burnt down by fire on the morning of 27th March 2013. Cause unknown, but is suspicious (arson).

Heath Ledger was an Australian actor. He rose to fame with his breakout role in 1999's '10 Things I Hate About You.' His most notable films include 'A Knight's Tale' (2001), 'Monster's Ball' (2001), 'Lords of Dogtown' (2005), 'Brokeback Mountain' (2005), 'I'm Not There' (2007) and 'The Dark Knight' (2008). He died of a drug overdose in 2008 at the age of 28.

In an exclusive interview, British actor Joseph Marcell – famous for his portrayal of the British butler Geoffrey in the beloved Will Smith sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel Air – speaks to us ahead of his visit to Malta in July, when he will be taking on the titular role of King Lear in the Globe Theatre’s touring production of William Shakespeare’s classic tragedy.