Grimms Fairy Tales & Its Adaptations in Television,Movies, Performing Arts, and Literature

Margita Lidaka, LIS 740

Introduction
Jacob Ludwig Carl Grimm was born in Germany in 1785, while brother Wilhelm Carl Grimm was born in 1786. They were the oldest of five children, whose father was a lawyer and jurist who died in 1796 when the brothers were still quite young. This caused some financial hardships in the family, but they were still able to experience higher education. They were originally studying law at the University of Marburg, but they ended up becoming interested in medieval literature and eventually folklore. This eventually led to their completion and publication of the well-renowned collection of fairy tale stories entitled Kinder und Haunsmarchen, whose translation means Childrens and Household Tales, in the 1800s. Originally promoted by the Brothers Grimm to have been stories collected through traveling the Germany countryside, it was discovered that the stories were mostly collected through their upper class, female friends. Nevertheless, these stories remain incredibly popular as well as important. This fairy tale collection includes many popular tales, probably best known for the fairy tale stories of Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Little Red Riding Hood. This beloved collection, which has also been called Grimms Fairy Tales, has been re-released and adapted numerous times over

the years in different categories and disciplines. They provide historical insight as well as entertainment, and have left a permanent mark in our culture. This bibliographys purpose is to help the patrons of a public library discover the different aspects of Grimms fairy tales, learning about the original stories as well as their many adaptations. The resources provided in this piece combine to provide an overview of the topic of Grimms fairytales. It is mainly intended for an adult audience at a public library, although some of the items also work for a younger audience. It should help its readers get a glimpse into the vast, magical world of Grimms fairytales.

Books on the Brothers Grimm

Hettinga, Donald R. The Brothers Grimm: Two Lives, One Legacy. New York: Clarion Books, 2001. Print. This biography examines the relationship between the Brothers Grimm as well as look at their lives in context of the social and political occurrences in Europe at the time. There are many interesting illustrations, a timeline as well as listings of all the stories within the original Childrens and Household Tales. This book can be used to find other resources through the numerous sources provided. Paradiz, Valerie. Clever Maids: The Secret History of the Grimm Fairy Tales. New York: Basic Books, 2005. Print. A book that seeks to investigate and reveal how the brothers Grimm actually collected the stories they ended up publishing. It examines the role that their female acquaintances played in providing stories, as well as the portrayal of the female characters in the tales. This is a helpful book for womens history and uncovering the true nature of the famous fairy tale collection. Zipes, Jack David. The Brothers Grimm: From Enchanted Forests to the Modern World. New York: Routledge, 1988. Print. Fairy tale lecturer and enthusiast Jack David Zipes provides a biography of the brothers Grimm as well as their cultural and historical settings. There is also a study of the fairy tales themselves as this book aims to provide a critical analysis of the brothers and their work, rather than a romanticized fairy tale story.

Books on Fairy Tales

Haase, Donald, ed. The Greenwood Encyclopedia of Folktales and Fairy Tales. 3 Vols. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 2008. Print. A helpful three-volume encyclopedia that is entirely devoted to the topic of folktales and fairytales. This is a good starting point for general research regarding the topic. One can look up related terms as well as specific characters from the story and some of their adaptations. A great starting point for the general researcher or curiously minded to use. Orenstein, Catherine. Little Red Riding Hood Uncloaked : Sex, Morality, And The Evolution Of A Fairy Tale. New York: Basic Books, 2002. Orenstein looks at the evolution of the Little Red Riding Hood tale over time, and what insight these changes provide about our own culture and values. A book that presents a great analysis of the changes in the perception of womens roles, exemplified through the Little Red Riding Hood tale. Zipes, Jack David. The Oxford Companion to Fairy Tales. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000. Print. A helpful resource for researchers as well as the general public in looking up information on the authors and characters of fairy tales, as well as discover information on fairy tales throughout various time periods and regions.

Edens, Cooper. Tales From The Brothers Grimm: A Classic Illustrated Edition. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books, 2007. Print. Although a childrens version of Grimms fairy tales with toned down versions of the story, this book is worth viewing for the illustrations used throughout the book. There are classic drawings and illustrations of the fairy tales from artists such as Randolph Caldecott and Arthur Rackham. Grimm, Jacob, Wilhelm Grimm and Tracy Arah Dockray. Grimms Grimmest. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books, 1997. Print. A fun book intended for adults that presents 19 of Grimms most well known tales as they were originally done with all the gruesome violence and cruelty of the originals intact. The stories are presented along with illustrations, and are intended as fairy tales from a time when such tales were not meant for children. Grimm, Jacob, Wilhelm Grimm and Ralph Manheim. Grimms Tales For Young and Old: The Complete Stories. New York: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1977. Print. Acclaimed translator Manheim provides a new translation from the original German Grimms Fairy Tales. An opportunity to enjoy all the original tales, as well as a good version of the stories to add to ones collection.

Grimms Fairy Tales

Popular Fiction Adaptations

Cross, Sarah. Kill Me Softly. New York: Egmont USA, 2012. Print.

This Grimm-based novel follows teenager Mirabelle who is raised by her godmother ever since her parents tragic deaths. She runs away to her birthplace Beau Trivage right before her 16th birthday, a place that her godmother forbid her to visit. She discovers many interesting characters, and finds out that they are cursed to each live out their own fairy tale. A great modern fairy tale novel. Maguire, Gregory. Mirror Mirror. New York: HarperCollins, 2003. Print. A fascinating retelling of the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves that is set in the Venice of the Borgias during the 1500s. Snow White, here named Bianca de Nevada, and her father are staying with Cesare Borgia and his evil sister Lucrezia. Bianca attracts the attentions of jealous Lucrezia, causing her life to be in danger. Meyer, Marissa. Cinder. New York: Feiwel & Friends, 2012. Print. This futuristic version of the classic Cinderella tale is the first in a four-book series. It follows main character Cinder, who is part human and part cyborg. She is living with her adoptive mother and two stepsisters in New Beijing , but her world is turned upside down with the arrival of a plague, prince Kai and evil Lunar Queen Levana.

Film Adaptations
Brothers Grimm. Dir. Terry Gilliam. Perf. Matt Damon, Heath Ledger. Dimension Films, 2005. Film.

Set in the early 19th century, this exciting thriller follows the Brothers Grimm on a set of adventures. The Brothers are traveling to small towns where they con the local townspeople with their imaginative fairy tales and stories. They continue this until they run into actual characters from their stories. In It draws upon many of the classic Grimm fairy tales.

Ever After: A Cinderella Story. Dir. Andy Tennant. Perf. Drew Barrymore, Anjelica Houston. Twentieth Century Fox Film, 1998. Film. A romantic, modern version of Cinderella that portrays Cinderella as a strong, independent and intelligent female heroine who does meet her own Prince Charming but must fight to rescue herself from her life of hardship with her evil stepsisters and stepmother. A lighthearted movie that can be enjoyed by viewers both young and old. Snow White and the Huntsman. Dir. Rupert Sanders. Perf. Kristen Stewart, Charlize Theron, Chris Hemsworth. Universal Pictures, 2012. Film.
This upcoming feature film is a darker version of Snow White. In this version, Queen Raveena learns that her stepdaughter Snow White is destined to overthrow her and become ruler of the kingdom. So the queen plots to consume her heart and thus gain immortality. Snow White manages to escape into the woods, so the queen enlists the Huntsman Eric to find and kill her. However, the Huntsman ends up helping Snow White as they plan to wage war against the queen. This is a highly anticipated, adult retelling of the beloved tale.

Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs. Walt Disney Productions, 1937. Film.

Based on the Grimm fairy tale, this classic Disney movie was their first feature length animated film. It is a timeless movie that follows Snow White as she seeks to escape the evil Queen with the help of seven dwarfs. It is a film that remains important and entertaining to all.

Television Shows
Grimm. Perf. David Giuntoli, Russell Hornby. NBC, 2011. Television. One of NBCs newest shows, this is a cop drama that involves inspiration as well as characters from the Grimm Fairy Tales. It follows detective Nick Burnhadt who discovers that he descends from a long line of Grimms, people who protect the balance between humans and the supernatural. Once Upon A Time. Perf. Ginnifer Goodwin, Jennifer Morrison. ABC, 2011. Television.
One day bounty hunter Emma Swan finds her 10-yearold son Henry,who she gave up for adoption as a baby, on her doorstep. So begins the life-altering changes for Emma who ends up at Storybrooke, Maine, a town where everything is not as it seems. Fairy tale characters, some based on Grimms stories, have all been transported to this real world setting without memories of their former supernatural lives. This is all an evil plot by the Queen as part of revenge against Snow White. This new ABC family friendly show includes such characters as Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood and Cinderella.

Dance & Theatre Versions

Cinderella. Chor. Frederick Ashton. Joffrey Ballet. Auditorium Theatre, Chicago. Feb. 2010. Performance.
This ballet performance was done by the Joffrey Ballet in 2010. It used the choreography of well-known sir Frederick Ashton, and provides a timeless, beautiful interpretation of the classic Cinderella tale. Cinderella continues to be performed by various ballet companies, and remains a favorite.

Into The Woods. Comp. Stephen Soddenheim. Martin Beck Theatre, New York. Nov. 1987. Performance. This musical originally opened on Broadway in 1987. It follows the plots and characters from different Grimm fairy tales including Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood and Cinderella. It won several Tony Awards and has been performed numerous times over the years. Another run of performances are set for this year at the Delacorte Theatre in New York.