THE MAGIC RIDDLE (1991) Movie Poster, Daybill, RARE, Australian Animated
Condition Very Fine / Near Mint (9.0)
Size AU Daybill Post 80's (33 x 66 cm)
THE MAGIC RIDDLE (1991) Movie Poster, Daybill, RARE, Starring Robyn Moore, Ross Higgins, Keith Scott, Directed by Yoram Gross, is in Very Fine/Near Mint Condition. Movie Poster and Condition This...
THE MAGIC RIDDLE (1991) Movie Poster, Daybill, RARE, Starring Robyn Moore, Ross Higgins, Keith Scott, Directed by Yoram Gross, is in Very Fine/Near Mint Condition.
Movie Poster and Condition
This Daybill Movie Poster is a very RARE find and is an Australian Animated feature which was released on the 19th September 1991 and is presented in Very Fine/Near Mint condition. This poster is currently stored rolled and will be carefully wrapped, packaged, and shipped in a cylinder.
Movie Synopsis
THE MAGIC RIDDLE (1991) is a unique Australian animated musical feature film that weaves together a vibrant tapestry of classic fairy tales, creating a whimsical and nostalgic adventure. Directed and co-written by Yoram Gross, a celebrated figure in Australian animation, the film blends elements of Cinderella, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Little Red Riding Hood, Sleeping Beauty, and Pinocchio into a single, imaginative narrative. The story centres on Cindy, voiced by Robyn Moore, an orphan who lives as a servant to her cruel stepmother, known as the Widow, and her two stepsisters, Ertha and Bertha, also voiced by Moore. The film features Ross Higgins as Philippe’s singing voice and Keith Scott as Philippe, Pinocchio, the Seven Dwarfs, and additional characters, with additional writing by Leonard Lee and John Palmer. Released on September 19, 1991, this Australian animated film is a nostalgic gem for collectors and fans of 1990s animation.
The plot follows Cindy, short for Cinderella, who endures a harsh life under her stepmother’s rule. The Widow, aware of a hidden will that bequeaths the family inheritance to Cindy, keeps her busy with endless chores to prevent her from discovering it. The story takes a fantastical turn when Cindy’s grandmother, also voiced by Robyn Moore, reveals a mysterious secret that intertwines her fate with characters from various fairy tales. From Pinocchio to the Seven Dwarfs, these iconic figures appear in unexpected ways, creating a chaotic yet charming narrative.
Robyn Moore shines as the voice of Cindy, infusing the character with warmth and resilience. Her versatility is evident as she also voices Ertha, Bertha, the Grandmother, and the Widow, showcasing her range in Australian animation. Keith Scott complements her performance, taking on multiple roles, including the charming Philippe and the mischievous Pinocchio. Ross Higgins adds a melodic touch as Philippe’s singing voice, with standout songs like “Ordinary Miracles” and Cindy’s heartfelt duet with the Ugly Duckling. The soundtrack, released by Alhambra Records in July 1992, features contributions from Julie Anthony and has been praised for its emotional resonance, despite mixed reviews of the film’s overall quality.
Yoram Gross, a Polish-born Holocaust survivor, brought his experimental filmmaking background to THE MAGIC RIDDLE. Having studied under Jerzy Toeplitz at the Polish Film Institute, Gross emigrated to Australia in 1967 and became a pioneer in Australian animation with his Dot series. Unlike his earlier works, which used live-action backgrounds, this film employed traditional painted backgrounds supervised by Richard Zaloudek, who previously worked with Hanna-Barbera and Disney’s Australian operations. Production began in early 1989 at Gross’s newly renovated 1,400-square-meter studio in Camperdown, Sydney, with a team of 70 animators. The film was developed with support from the Australian Film Commission and the Australian Film Finance Corporation, marking it as one of the most ambitious animated features in Australia at the time.
This RARE Daybill Movie Poster from 1991 is a collector’s treasure, capturing the film’s vibrant and eclectic spirit. Measuring approximately 13” x 30”, typical of post-war Australian Daybills, it features striking artwork that appeals to fans of animated movie posters and Australian cinema collectibles. Its Very Fine/Near Mint condition makes it a prized addition for enthusiasts seeking vintage 1990s movie posters.
To find out more about THE MAGIC RIDDLE (1991) click here to go to IMDB.com.
Special Notes
Images may have a small 'MPA' digital watermark and this does not appear on the poster. Posters are being held by magnets in the corners to take photographs, so you may see some magnet and shadows from the magnets in these areas. The magnets are not included in the sale of the item.
Postage, Insurance & Your Country Taxes
Postage costs are quoted for this item, include insurance up to AUD$100, but if you reside outside of Australia, the price does not include any import taxes/fees that you may be required to pay when the item reaches your borders. Please check with your local authorities for any additional taxes or fees. If you would like full insurance coverage for your purchase, please message me and I would be happy to quote the additional cost (estimate is AUD$2.50 p/AUD$100 or 2.5% of the item value, up to a maximum item value of AUD$5,000).
FAQ
At Movie Posters Australia, the love and conservation of movie posters comes first, and we like to share this passion. Our commitment to quality means we will provide high quality memorabilia to our customers. Posters are carefully chosen and authenticated to ensure originality and value. We want our customers to trust MPA, so we always try to be as open and transparent as we can, provide detailed condition information and images, to ensure customers are comfortable and confident in their purchase.
While the industry does have a few condition rating standards, there is no movie poster condition rating system that has become the accepted standard world wide. This unfortunately makes condition terms vary from movie poster dealer to movie poster dealer. Terms like Mint, Near Mint, Very Fine, Fine, Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor, seem to be universal to most condition rating standards, but most standards still lack definition about what and how many flaws/defects/damage defines a specific condition level. For more information on how Movie Posters Australia grades the condition of its movie posters, daybills, lobby cards and other ephemera please see out Movie Poster Condition and Grading page.
In the early days of cinema, posters were primarily hand-drawn and printed in various sizes, often tailored to fit the available space in theaters or promotional areas. In the United States, the "One Sheet" size (some times called '1 Sheet' or '1SH' approximately 27" x 41", became the standard during the 1930s. This size was manageable for theater display and suited the needs of a growing film industry.
Different countries developed their own poster sizes and styles, which also changed sometimes over the decades, and were influenced by local preferences and practical considerations, like available paper sheet sizes and how many posters could be printed on one sheet.
In Australia, the most popular size, the Daybill, has evolved over the decades. Australian Daybills sizes in chronological order are:
- Long Daybills (15" x 40"), from 1920's to pre-WW2 or pre-1941, were printed two to a sheet, longer than current Daybill versions. There were size variances in width from 14.5" to 15" and in height from 39.5" to 40".
- War Time Daybill (10" x 30"), during WW2, for a short time to conserve paper during a war time shortage, four Daybills were printed on one sheet. Information from Press Sheets also referred to these War-Time sizes as "New Size Daybills".
- Post-War Daybill (13" x 30"), this 13" x 30" Post-War size carried through until the 1980's, but also varied in size from 13"-14" x 29.75"-30.25".
- Post-80's Daybill (33cm x 66cm, or 13" x 26"), over a few years in the late 80's, the size changed again to a metric 33cm x 66cm, although these have also varied from 32-33cm x 64.5-66cm. New sizes from the late 80's were created, sometimes called a Mini Daybill or Mini Poster, in 9" x 12", 11" x 17" and 13" x 20".
In the UK, the somewhat unique 'Quad' poster, measuring 30" x 40", became popular, offering a larger landscape format that allowed for more elaborate designs.
In Japan, movie poster sizes were smaller, such as the "B2" (20" x 28"), which suited the more compact living environment of larger cities, smaller advertising spaces, and unique aesthetic sensibilities.
The 1970s and 1980s, witnessed the rise of the "six-sheet" (81" x 81") format, reflecting a trend towards larger and more visually impactful advertising.
Overall, the variation in movie poster sizes across different countries and decades highlights the interplay between technological printing advancements, paper resource availability, paper sheet size changes, cultural preferences, and the evolving nature of movie marketing.
At Movie Posters Australia we tag each poster we sell with a 'size' and 'condition' description at the very top of the page for our customers to easily see. There may however be some slight variations to sizes by up one inch due to variations in production and guillotine methods by printers over the decades.