Stanley and the Dinosaurs
Stanley and the Dinosaurs is a 1989 short stop-motion animated children's film based on Syd Hoff's 1962 book, Stanley. It is about a caveman named Stanley who is much smarter than the other cavemen. The film was produced by Churchill Films and directed by John Matthews.[1][2][3] A second extended version was made in 1991, and aired in 1992 on ABC Weekend Special, season 15.[4][5]
| Stanley and the Dinosaurs | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | John Matthews |
| Produced by | George McQuilkin |
| Screenplay by | John Matthews |
| Based on | Stanley by Syd Hoff |
| Starring | |
| Music by |
|
Production company | |
Release date | August 5, 1989 |
Running time |
|
| Country | United States of America |
| Language | English |
Plot
Original 1989 release:[1]
A singing dinosaur tells a young dinosaur a story. He introduces a caveman named Stanley, his family, and his cave. Stanley is smarter than the other cavemen, and they dislike him for it. He can move rocks easily with a lever, plant seeds to grow flowers, paint cave art, is polite and has manners, and can retrieve apples off of trees with tools. The other cavemen think these are all wastes of time. When a little girl doesn't have enough food, Stanley offers her some of his food. He also invents the idea of using utensils to eat. While the other men are sitting at a fire, Stanley is howling at the moon and creating music.k The other men confront Stanley and tell him that if he doesn't stop acting different, they are going to kick him out.
After a rough night of sleep, Stanley proposes to the others that they find another place to live, but they decide to kick him out. After leaving, he builds a stone house, with the help of some singing dinosaurs. They sing "I Wonder Why". Meanwhile, the other cavemen decide to hunt dinosaurs. When the dinosaurs start to chase the men, Stanley helps the men out, after they apologize. They offer for him to come back to their cave, but he shows them his house. He helps the cavemen learn that it is okay to be innovative. That evening, they all sing "Wake Up, Stop Your Sleeping".
1991 extended version:
The extended version adds on a new, modern-day introduction and conclusion. The middle section remains the same, as none of the original footage is removed.
Stanley, a young school boy, has been day-dreaming in class about dinosaurs. Walking home from school, he talks about dinosaurs to his friend. After she leaves to go to the library, Stanley spots a group of kids harassing a dog. He tells them to stop, and the dog gets away. The next day, on a field trip to the museum, Stanley sneaks off to the dinosaur exhibit. He falls into a dream about dinosaurs.
(Here is the middle section, taking place in dinosaur-times, starring Stanley the caveman).
Stanley wakes up and finds that his friend is looking for him. On the way home, he spots the same boys messing with the dog. They chase the dog over a fence, where they are attacked by angry dogs. As a parallel to the middle caveman section, Stanley saves the boys from the dogs. The boys apologize, and invite him to go skateboarding with them. He declines, and goes back to walking with his friend.
Credits
Original 1989 release:[1]
- John Matthews - Director, Screenplay, Songwriter, Character Sculpture, Magic Cave Paintings
- Joel Fletcher - Animator, Character Sculpture
- Justin Kohn - Animator, Character Sculpture, Armatures
- George McQuilkin - Executive Producer
- Will Ryan - Singing Dinosaurs, Songwriter, Voice Characterization
- Stuart Ellis - Percussion
- Jim Cummings - Voice Characterization
- Corey Burton - Voice Characterization
- Rick Polizzi - Voice Characterization, Set Construction, Second Unit Animation, Production Coordinator
- Carol Kramer Koch - Voice Characterization, Artist
- Nigel Matthews - Voice Characterization
- Nathan Matthews - Voice Characterization
- George Wong - Character Sculpture
- Steve Koch - Scenic Paintings
- Bill Woodward - Set Construction
- Tim Niver - Set Construction
- Niki Matthews - Puppet Construction
- Floarea Liceica - Artist
- Catherine Hamilton - Artist
- Frances Schifrin - Artist
- Peter Marinello - Armatures
- Mark Rozett - Sound Mixing
- David Yamamoto - Sound Mixing
- Bruce Honda - Foley Recording
- Don Sykes - Negative Cutting
- Syd Hoff - Writer of Stanley (1962 book)
1991 extended version:[4]
- Will Ryan - Voice, Songwriter, Singing Dinosaurs
- Corey Burton - Voice
- Jim Cummings - Voice
- Pat Musick - Voice
- Rick Polizzi - Voice, Set Construction
- John Clark Matthews - Songwriter, Teleplay, Producer, Director, Production Design, Lighting, Character Sculptures, Magic Cave Paintings
- George McQuilkin - Executive Producer
- Joel Fletcher - Animator, Character Sculptures
- Justin Kohn - Animator, Armatures
- Gail van der Merwe - Animator
- Niki Matthews - Creature Construction
- Thomas Dickens - Character Sculptures, Scenic Paintings
- Bruce Zahlava - Character Sculptures
- Mike Balla - Character Sculptures
- Lynda Helfman - Artist
- Melinda Currey - Artist
- Floarea Liceica - Artist
- Carol Kramer Koch - Artist
- Catherine Hamilton - Artist
- Frances Schifrin - Artist
- Nancy Williams - Artist
- Ferne Sirois - Artist
- Stuart Ellis - Percussion
- Steven Mark Kohn - Additional Music
- Tyler Rose - Set Construction
- Bill Woodward - Set Construction
- Tim Niver - Set Construction
- Steve Koch - Scenic Paintings
- Mark Kendrick - Second Unit Animation
- Mark Bell - Second Unit Animation
- Michael Parks - Second Unit Animation, Assistant Editor
- Peter Marinello - Armatures
- Mark Rozett - Mixer
- David Yamamoto - Mixing
- Bruce Honda - Foley Recording
- Don Sykes - Negative Cutter
- Syd Hoff - Writer of Stanley (1962 book)
References
- "John Clark Matthews | Filmmaker / Songwriter / Musician". www.johnclarkmatthews.com. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
- Stanley and the Dinosaurs, retrieved June 11, 2020
- Stanley and the Dinosaurs (1989), retrieved June 11, 2020
- Yanko, Johnny (November 30, 2019). "Stanley and the Dinosaurs (VHS Uncut Version)". YouTube.
- "John Clark Matthews | Filmmaker / Songwriter / Musician". www.johnclarkmatthews.com. Retrieved June 11, 2020.