The Smurfs
The Smurfs | |
---|---|
Studio Peyo | |
Years | 1958–present |
Print publications | |
Comics | The Smurfs comics |
Films and television | |
Film(s) | The Smurfs in film |
Animated series |
|
Games | |
Video game(s) | List of The Smurfs video games |
Audio | |
Original music | The Smurfs music |
Miscellaneous | |
Merchandise | The Smurfs merchandising |
The Smurfs (
The word "smurf" is the original Dutch translation of the French "schtroumpf", which, according to Peyo, is a word he invented during a meal with fellow cartoonist André Franquin when he could not remember the word salt.[1][2][3]
The Smurfs franchise began as a comic and expanded into advertising, films, TV series,
Origin
At the time he came up with the idea for the Smurfs, Peyo was the creator, artist, and writer of the
With the commercial success of the Smurfs came the merchandising empire of Smurf miniatures, models, games, and toys. Entire collecting clubs have devoted themselves to collecting
Name
Schtroumpf (IPA [ʃtʁumf] ⓘ) is pronounced like the German word "Strumpf" meaning "sock". However, according to Peyo, the original author of the Smurfs comic strip, the term and the accompanying language of the Smurfs came during a meal he had with his colleague and friend André Franquin at the Belgian Coast. Having momentarily forgotten the word "salt", Peyo asked him (in French) to pass the schtroumpf. Franquin jokingly replied, "Here's the Schtroumpf—when you are done schtroumpfing, schtroumpf it back..." and the two spent the rest of that weekend speaking in "schtroumpf language".[1][3]
Both the comics and cartoons have been translated in many languages. In most cases, the original name "Schtroumpf" is replaced by a new term. The most common are variations of the Dutch translation "Smurf", which is also used as the name in English. However, other names are indicative of their gnome-like appearance.
In English, they were briefly named the goblins in the book Dilly Duckling and the Goblins (1973) before being renamed the Smurfs.[7]
In Spanish, they are called "Pitufos", a term invented by Miguel Agustí who was the head of the Spanish magazine Strong which first published the cartoon in Spanish. According to Agustí, he was walking around Barcelona while trying to come up a name for the cartoon. He came across a sculpture of the Ox of Patufet and was inspired by the word Patufet. From Patufet he derived the non-existent word Pitufo. The name later spread to most Spanish-language versions of the cartoon.[8]
In
Smurfs universe
This section needs additional citations for verification. (October 2017) |
Smurfs
The storylines tend to be simple tales of bold adventure. The cast has a simple structure as well: almost all the characters look essentially alike—mostly male (a few female Smurfs have appeared:
The Smurfs fulfill simple archetypes of everyday people: "Lazy Smurf", "Grouchy Smurf", "Brainy Smurf", and so on. All Smurfs, with the exception of Papa, Baby, Smurfette, Nanny and Grandpa, are said to be 100 years old. There were originally 99 Smurfs, but this number increased as new Smurf characters appeared, such as Sassette and Nanny. All of the original Smurfs were male; later female additions are Smurfette and Sassette. Smurfette was Gargamel's creation, while Sassette was created by the Smurflings.
Language
A characteristic of the Smurf language is the frequent use of the undefinable word "smurf" and its derivatives in a variety of meanings. The Smurfs frequently replace both nouns and verbs in everyday speech with the word "smurf": "We're going smurfing on the River Smurf today." When used as a verb, "to smurf" typically means "to make", "to be", "to like", or "to do".
Humans have found that replacing ordinary words with the term "smurf" at random is not enough: in one adventure, Peewit explains to some other humans that the statement "I'm smurfing to the smurf" means "I'm going to the wood", but a Smurf corrects him by saying that the proper statement would be "I'm smurfing to the smurf"; whereas what Peewit said was "I'm warbling to the dawn". So "I'm smurfing to the smurf" is not the same as "I'm smurfing to the smurf".[10]
In the animated series, only some words (or a portion of the word) are replaced with the word "smurf". Context offers a reliable understanding of this speech pattern, but common vocabulary includes remarking that something is "just smurfy" or in some cases, "smurftastic".
In Schtroumpf vert et vert Schtroumpf (see
Smurf village
When they first appeared in 1958, the Smurfs lived in a part of the world called "Le Pays Maudit" (French for "the Cursed Land"). To reach it required magic or travelling through dense forests, deep marshes, a scorching desert and a high mountain range.[12] The Smurfs themselves use storks in order to travel long distances, such as to the kingdom where Johan and Pirlouit live, and keep up-to-date with events in the outside world.[13]
In the Johan et Pirlouit stories, the Smurf village is made up of mushroom-like houses of different shapes and sizes in a desolate and rocky land with just a few trees. However, in the Smurf series itself, the mushroom-like houses are more similar to one another and are located in a clearing in the middle of a deep forest with grass, a river, and vegetation. Humans such as Gargamel are shown to live nearby, though it is almost impossible for an outsider to find the Smurf village except when led by a Smurf.
Characters
Papa Smurf is the leader of the community. Other Smurfs are generally named in reference to their main personality trait; for example, Brainy, Greedy, Vanity, Lazy, Clumsy, Hefty, Jokey, Dreamy, Grouchy; or their profession; for example, Poet, Actor, Handy, Harmony, Farmer, Clockwork, Painter, Tailor, Miner, Architect, Reporter, Timber, Barber and Doctor Smurf; much like Disney's Seven Dwarfs. The first female Smurf, Smurfette, was created by Gargamel to lure the other Smurfs. Papa Smurf then changed her into what we see today. The non-Smurf characters who would appear later would include their enemies: the wizard Gargamel, his cat Azrael, an ugly witch Hogatha, and Gargamel's godfather Balthazar; and their friends: the page Johan and his young friend Peewit, and the wizard Homnibus. There are 105 Smurfs.
Smurf comics
Since the first appearance of the Smurfs in Johan et Pirlouit in 1958, 39 Smurf comics volumes have been created, 16 of them by Peyo, the others by his studio. Originally, the Smurf stories appeared in Spirou magazine with reprints in many different magazines, but after Peyo left the publisher Dupuis, many comics were first published in dedicated Smurf magazines, which existed in French, Dutch, German and Turkish. A number of short stories and one page gags have been collected into comic books next to the regular series of 39. English translations have been published in the U.S. by the graphic novel publisher Papercutz as well as a mini series published by Marvel Comics in the mid-1980s.
Other media
Motion pictures
In 1965, a
In 1976, La Flûte à six schtroumpfs (an adaptation of the original "Johan et Pirlouit" story) was released. Michel Legrand provided the musical score to the film. The film would be released in the United States in 1983 (after the animated series became popular there) in an English language dubbed version titled The Smurfs and the Magic Flute. A few more full-length Smurf films were made, most notably The Baby Smurf and Here are the Smurfs. created from episodes of the Hanna-Barbera television cartoon series.
At CinemaCon on August 25, 2021, it was announced that a new Smurfs movie is in the works. The movie will be a musical and it is planned for a 2024 release for Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon.[6] In August 2022, Paramount Pictures announced that the movie was pushed back to February 14, 2025, in favor to Sonic the Hedgehog 3.[23]
Television series
The Smurfs secured their place in North American
, two years later. The decreased ratings were the result of the network changing the format of the show, resulting in the final season featuring regular time travel with only a few Smurfs.In the TV series, many classical masterpieces are used as background music during the episodes, among them Franz Schubert's Unfinished Symphony (Symphony No. 8 in B minor), Edvard Grieg's Peer Gynt and Modest Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition.[24]
The Smurfs was named the 97th best animated series by IGN. It has been called "kiddie cocaine" for people growing up during the 1980s.[25]
On August 31, 2017, it was announced that IMPS and
Home media
On February 26, 2008,
Magna Home Entertainment in Australia has released a 9-disc 50th Anniversary Collection, containing a total of 52 episodes.[citation needed] In September 2009, a Smurfette-themed collection containing 25 episodes was made available followed by the "Papa Smurf Collection" in December 2009 containing 26 themed episodes.[32] In July 2010, both the Smurfette and Papa Smurf Collection were included in a special 'Favourites Collection'.[33] Also releasing at the same time was the Smurfs very first feature film (produced in 1975), The Smurfs and the Magic Flute, available for the first time on DVD, in Australia.[34]
On November 3, 2010, two "Just Smurfy" collections were released, each featuring episodes not yet released on DVD to the Australian market.[35][36] December 3, 2010 saw the 3rd collection hit the market.[37] A fourth Just Smurfy set was planned for release on March 2, 2011.[38]
Magna Home Entertainment in Australia have released Season 1[39] and Season 2[40] on August 24, 2011. Season 3[41] and Season 4[42] was released on October 5, 2011. A limited edition "Ultimate Collection 1",[43] which features the first five seasons, was released on August 24, 2011. An "Ultimate Collection 2",[44] which features Season 6 to Season 9, was released on November 2, 2011.
The show was released on DVD in the UK through a joint conjunction with Arrow Films and Fabulous Films Ltd. The complete 1st season was released in a four-disc box set on July 5, 2010. Season 2 was released on September 6, 2010, Seasons 3, 4 and 5 were released on July 1, 2013, and the original Smurfs feature film, The Smurfs and The Magic Flute, was released on DVD and Blu-ray on October 11, 2010.
Crossovers
Papa Smurf, Hefty Smurf, and Brainy Smurf appeared in the cartoon crossover Cartoon All-Stars to the Rescue along with
Merchandising
From 1959 until the end of the 1960s, Dupuis produced Smurf figurines. But the best known and most widely available Smurf figurines are those made by Schleich, a German toy company. Most of the Smurf figurines given away as promotional material (e.g. by National Garages in the 1970s and McDonald's in the 1990s) are also made by Schleich. New Smurf figures continue to appear; in fact, only in two years since 1969 (1991 and 1998) have no new Smurfs entered the market. Schleich currently produces 8 to 12 new figurines a year. Over 300 million of them have been sold so far.[16]
Other Smurf figurines have been created for advertising purposes, e.g. worldwide for McDonald's and
A Smurf balloon/float/Falloon (which is half float, half balloon) continues to be presented in holiday parades such as Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.[47]
Smurfs had two cereals in the 1980s made by
The Smurfs had a commercial in the 1980s for the Mexican snack cake company
Music recordings
Over the decades, many singles and albums of Smurf music have been released in different countries and languages, sometimes very successfully, with millions of copies sold. The best known is the single
In 1989, I.M.P.S and R-Tek Music, International created ", as well as two original songs.
Smurfs on Ice
For several years, the Smurfs were the children's act in the Ice Capades travelling ice show. After they were retired from that function, the Smurf suits from the show were issued to Ice Capades Chalets, the show's subsidiary chain of ice rinks, lasting until the show was sold to a group of investors led by Dorothy Hamill. The Chalets were sold to Recreation World. The Smurfette suit in particular had a somewhat different hairstyle from what was portrayed in the Hanna-Barbera cartoons.
Smurfs in theme parks
In 1984, the Smurfs began appearing in North American theme parks owned by
In 1989, in the French region of Lorraine, the Sorépark group opened a complete Smurfpark, named
Comics Station,
Video games
The Smurfs have appeared in video games made for most major game consoles (including Nintendo's NES, Super NES, and Game Boy systems, Atari 2600, ColecoVision, Sega's Game Gear, Master System, Mega Drive and Mega CD systems, and the original Sony PlayStation) and for the PC. In 2010, the Smurfs expanded into the world of apps for Android, the iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch with the game Smurf Village.
Game titles
- Smurf: Rescue in Gargamel's Castle (1982)
- Smurf Play & Learn (1982)
- The Smurfs Save The Day(1983)
- Smurf Paint 'n' Play Workshop(1983)
- A Smurfin' Summer Holiday (1987)
- Smurfette's Birthday (developed for Atari 2600 and Intellivision, but never released)
- Infogrames) (1994)
- The Smurfs 2: Travel the World(1996)
- The Smurfs 3(1997)
- The Smurfs' Nightmare (1998)
- The Smurfs (PlayStation) (1999)
- The Adventures of the Smurfs(2000)
- Smurf Racer!(2001)
- The Revenge of the Smurfs(2002)
- The Smurfs' Village(2010)
- The Smurfs Dance Party (2011)
- The Smurfs DS(2011)
- The Smurfs Grabber (2011)
- The Smurfs & Co (2011)
- The Smurfs & Co: Spellbound (2013)[48]
UNICEF
In 2005, an advertisement featuring The Smurfs was aired in Belgium in which the Smurf village is annihilated by warplanes.
In honour of their 50th anniversary in 2008, the Smurfs began a year-long "Happy Smurfday Euro Tour" in connection with UNICEF. The Smurfs visited fifteen European countries on the day of their 50th "Smurfday" in the form of publicly distributed white figurines. The recipients could decorate and submit them to a competition. The results of this contest were auctioned off and raised a total amount of 124,700 euros for benefit of UNICEF.[50]
Coins
The 50th anniversary of the Smurfs and the 80th anniversary of the birth of its creator Peyo, were celebrated by issuing a high-value collectors' coin: the Belgian 5 euro 50th anniversary of The Smurfs commemorative coin, minted in 2008.
Sociological discussion
In 1998, writer Marc Schmidt wrote a parody article citing the Smurfs as an example of the impact of
French sociologist Antoine Buéno described Smurf society in a 2011 book as a
References
- ^ a b "Franquin's official Web site". Franquin.com. Retrieved May 7, 2009.
- ^ De Coster, Marc (2007). "Smurf (Blauw Stripfiguurtjemo)". etymologiebank.nl (in Dutch). Meertens Institute. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
- ^ a b "Peyo". lambiek.net. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
- ^ Blenkinsop, Philip (January 14, 2008). "Smurfs braced for movie and more females". Reuters. Archived from the original on May 22, 2022. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
- ^ BDoubliées. "Spirou année 1958" (in French).
- ^ a b "Smurfs preparing big 50th birthday celebrations". The China Post. Agence France-Presse. January 16, 2008. Retrieved October 20, 2008.
- ISBN 0854081534.
- ^ Amela, Victor; Ima, Sanchis; Lluis, Amiguet (August 1, 2016). "Acuñé la palabra 'pitufo' inspirándome en 'Patufet'". La Vanguardia. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
- ^ "Smurf". smurf.com
- ^ Le Sortilège de Maltrochu (French for "Maltrochu's Spell"), written and drawn by Peyo, published in 1967
- ^ "CBC News: Reports from abroad, Nov 2007". CBC. Canada. November 6, 2007. Retrieved May 7, 2009.
- ^ La Flûte à six Schtroumpfs (published in 1958) and Le Pays maudit (published in 1961), both written and drawn by Peyo
- ^ La Flûte à six Schtroumpfs (published in 1958), written and drawn by Peyo
- ^ "Koninklijk Belgisch Filmarchief" (in Dutch). Koninklijk Belgisch Filmarchief. Archived from the original on May 10, 2007. Retrieved January 16, 2008.
- ^ "The Smurfs – Sony Pictures Official Movie Site". Retrieved May 28, 2011.
- ^ a b c d Leo Cendrowicz (January 15, 2008). "The Smurfs Are Off to Conquer the World – Again". Time. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
- ^ Zap2It.com (June 10, 2008). "The Smurfs coming to big screen". Jam! Showbiz: Movies. Archived from the original on June 11, 2008. Retrieved June 10, 2008.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Gorman, Steve (June 11, 2008). "Smurfs head for big-screen at Columbia Pictures". Reuters. Retrieved November 23, 2010.
- ^ Abramowitz, Rachel (March 29, 2010). "Quentin Tarantino as Brainy Smurf? Think again". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 6, 2010.
- ^ Katz, Josh (September 21, 2011). "The Smurfs Blu-ray". Blu-ray.com. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
- ^ "Production Begins on The Smurfs 2". ComingSoon.net. April 26, 2012. Archived from the original on April 27, 2012. Retrieved April 26, 2012.
- ^ Flores, Terry (June 14, 2015). "Demi Lovato, Rainn Wilson, Mandy Patinkin Join 'Get Smurfy' Voice Cast". Variety. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (August 8, 2022). "Paramount Sets 'Sonic The Hedgehog 3' Release, Pushes Date For Smurfs Animated Musical". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 9, 2022. Retrieved August 9, 2022.
- ^ Montreal Mirror article Archived January 29, 2003, at the Wayback Machine, Astro's Treasure Chest website article Archived November 15, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "97, The Smurfs". IGN. January 23, 2009. Archived from the original on January 19, 2009. Retrieved January 23, 2009.
- ^ Milligan, Mercedes (October 17, 2018). "KiKA Boards 'Smurfs' Series as Co-Producer". Animationmagazine.net. Retrieved January 18, 2019.
- ^ "New SMURFS TV Series In Development". Newsarama. August 31, 2017.
- ^ "IMPS & Dupuis Plan New 'Smurfs' Series". Animation Magazine. August 31, 2017.
- ^ Watson, Ryan (September 4, 2017). "Smurfs to return to TV". Retrieved September 9, 2021.
- ^ Cardoen, Sandra (June 13, 2018). "Nieuwe afleveringen van "De Smurfen" -in 3D- op komst op Ketnet". VRT (in Dutch). Retrieved August 17, 2018.
- ^ Petski, Denise (June 18, 2020). "'The Smurfs': Nickelodeon Inks Deal For New Animated Series & Consumer Products Line". Deadline.
- ^ The Smurfs: Papa Smurf Collection Archived April 26, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, Magna Home Entertainment
- ^ The Smurfs: Favourites Collection Archived December 30, 2012, at archive.today, Magna Home Entertainment
- ^ "The Smurfs and the Magic Flute". Magna Home Entertainment. Archived from the original on December 30, 2012.
- ^ The Smurfs: Just Smurfy 1 Archived December 30, 2012, at archive.today, Magna Home Entertainment
- ^ The Smurfs: Just Smurfy 2 Archived December 30, 2012, at archive.today, Magna Home Entertainment
- ^ "The Smurfs: Just Smurfy 3". Magna Home Entertainment. Archived from the original on December 30, 2012.
- ^ The Smurfs: Just Smurfy 4 Archived December 31, 2012, at archive.today, Magna Home Entertainment
- ^ "Smurfs, The (1981) – Complete Season 1 (3 Disc Digipak)". Ezydvd.com.au. August 24, 2011. Archived from the original on October 14, 2011. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
- ^ "Smurfs, The (1981) – Complete Season 2 (3 Disc Digipak)". Ezydvd.com.au. August 24, 2011. Archived from the original on October 14, 2011. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
- ^ "Smurfs, The (1981) – Complete Season 3 (4 Disc Digipak)". Ezydvd.com.au. Archived from the original on October 14, 2011. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
- ^ "Smurfs, The (1981) – Complete Season 4 (4 Disc Digipak)". Ezydvd.com.au. Archived from the original on October 14, 2011. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
- ^ Smurfs, The (1981) – Ultimate Collection 1: Limited Edition – Seasons 1–5 (18 Disc Box Set). ezydvd.com.au
- ^ "Smurfs, The (1981) – Ultimate Collection 2: Limited Edition – Seasons 6–9 (16 Disc Box Set)". Ezydvd.com.au. Archived from the original on July 31, 2012. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
- ^ "Benco et les Schtroumpfs at". Bdoubliees.com. Retrieved May 7, 2009.
- ^ (in French) ad available at the INA (Institut national de l'audiovisuel) website. Ina.fr (September 14, 1979). Retrieved on 2013-03-07.
- ^ "2008 Parade Lineup". holidays.consummatecompendium.com. June 10, 2010. Archived from the original on January 20, 2013. Retrieved March 7, 2013.
- ^ Oxford, Nadia (September 27, 2013). "The Smurfs & Co: Spellbound Review". Gamezebo. Archived from the original on August 1, 2013. Retrieved July 30, 2013.
- The Smurfs 2
- ^ "Did UNICEF bomb the Smurf Village?". bluebuddies.com. Retrieved September 13, 2014.
- 3news.co.nz. Associated Press. October 25, 2008. Archived from the originalon January 12, 2012. Retrieved November 23, 2010.
- ^ Schmidt, Marc (1998). "Socio-Political Themes in The Smurfs". Archived from the original on June 10, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "Smurfs: Metaphor for Socialism?". Koreatimes.co.kr. September 5, 2008. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
- ^ Krake, Kate (2011). "In Theory – A Response to Socio-Political Themes in The Smurfs". Pop Cultured. Archived from the original on June 10, 2017. Retrieved August 13, 2012.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "The Smurfs Are Racist, Anti-Semites, Antoine Buéno Suggests in 'Le Petit Livre Bleu'". Huffington Post. June 3, 2011. Retrieved June 4, 2011.
- ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
- ^ "What to Know About the Rise and Fall of the Theory That the Smurfs Are Communists". TIME. October 23, 2018. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
- ^ "Sieg Smurf !". forbidden planet international. May 18, 2011. Archived from the original on September 10, 2011. Retrieved June 4, 2011.
External links
- Official website
- Smurf Publishing
- Smurfs at Don Markstein's Toonopedia Archived from the original on June 5, 2017.