The Tell Tale Heart - 1953 narrated by James Mason

Edgar Allan Poe story

[@stopreadingmyusernamebroth9090]

This cartoon never stops being scary. It makes me appreciate the story more. Whoever designed this film must have been a genius

[@DrSpikeSpiegel]

No comments? Well, I'll start. This is one of the most spectacular pieces of animation of all time. Remarkably ahead of its time for 1953.

[@shylaja8051]

Hi.how r u doing now🤗

[@kazuto8726]

Wow, it is very impressive that Poe wrote such creepy stories. I mean it is very impressive when a story is creepy and gives you chills without there even being any blood or gore.

[@Nebuchadnezzar31]

True

[@Nebuchadnezzar31]

@xd SoulZ nah

[@AlexorPwnsAll]

Blood and gore can be scary but they’re cheap, only skin deep terror. The horror that really stays, lingers after you’ve closed the book or turned off the TV is psychological. The imagery and narration play off that beautifully, and when combined with Poe’s writing make for something truly special.

[@calvinlaw7790]

James Mason’s voice itself was Oscar-calibre.

[@ALLNEWSUX1]

One of the best versions of this Poe tale...the style influenced animators for decades to come!!!

[@Nebuchadnezzar31]

Agreed

[@sarasiens1563]

Like all of us who believed we were sane.

[@vinvass2674]

"Why will you say that I am Mad?"

[@martynparsons7625]

I'm sane

[@seferino]

I'm not mad, i swear..

[@bwmanhath3770]

yes, yes I agree we do Iam you make understand, wei're all fine and we all frends becose we like sane an that make us ok

[@SamuelBlack84]

The only way you can be certain you're sane is if others agree

[@BloodylocksBathory]

They really should have done more of these animated versions.

[@Nebuchadnezzar31]

Agreed

[@julieparmelee7319]

My Dad- gone on this date 54 years ago and his creativity lives still. love him and miss him

[@VladAcatin]

Eyy, your dad was the director on this? How did he find the work at UPA? And how did he start in the animation business, back in the golden age I presume?

[@mtperlow1207]

I hope he’s watching this along with the thousands of people online and is smiling and laughing at their horror and shock. And I hope he sees your comment about him and is simply smiling with pride.

[@davidosterman2919]

first saw this at the drive in as a very young child (it was the cartoon filler between two movies); can't remember what the movies were but have never, ever forgotten a minute of this

[@squidwardwithagun9739]

This is by far the best adaptation of this story I’ve ever seen. Maybe I’m just biased since this short used to TERRIFY me when I was little, but years later, it’s just as horrifying. In the book, I imagine the narrator of the story explaining the events in a very professional way. You know that he truly believes that he is completely sane even when admitting to such horrendous things and James Mason captures that character perfectly. I love how in the book you never learn the narrators name so, in animation, they take it a step further and never show his face. I love how the images are still, giving you more time to focus on just how terrifying they are. I love how it’s completely faithful to the book, yet still takes fair liberties like showing him in an asylum at the end. I love how it manages to perfectly capture the suspense of the heartbeat, both at the murder and when the police come. Everything about it, in my humble opinion, is just perfect. There have been other really good adaptations, but none come close to this in my eyes(no pun intended.) Though I haven’t read as much of them as I should’ve, this is easily my favorite story of Poe’s, and by gosh did they do it justice.

[@Kidicaruslover]

"Oh please! Make it stop! It's the hideous squeaking of the boots!"

[@TheSilverShaco]

LMAOOOOO

[@zachdaniels8484]

You know when I was a child and when I saw this episode I had no idea what this episode was referring to and now that I'm an adult and a very huge Edgar allan Poe fan I know exactly what they were referring to this story right here!.

[@geasciantuition7290]

Incredible performance, James Mason had such a versatile voice. The visuals and soundscape fit the subject matter perfectly - they don't make them like this anymore....probably because its seems dipped in trippy hallucinogens

[@AzzaBoi95]

I remember watching this in school. It totally freaked me out then and it sure as hell still freaks me out now xD

[@DaddyDorian09]

Today in my English class we had to read this and then my teacher found this animation and started playing it, but we didn’t get to finish it because the bell rang, so here I am deciding to finish it and watch it several times again because I enjoy it.

[@Mrk00k00dud3]

for a 1953 film, this scare the shit out of me...

[@Kidicaruslover]

To me this is way more creepy than the black and white film

[@gerardorodriguez7500]

Faith Simpson that's the idea it's a tale of terror

[@Kidicaruslover]

@@gerardorodriguez7500 I know that’s the idea…I’m saying one version is better than the other.

[@bradyjc103]

Wow, such brilliant animation. UPA did such great stylistic work on all their films. Absolutely wonderful.

[@Xineohp37]

Wow... Amazing how you can just look this stuff up now. The last time I saw this was in middle school reading class 20 years ago... Timeless art.

[@e.j.406]

Oh...my...God. I get it. When he gets startled, drops the cup, and says "what did you say sir? yes yes of course the hot water," the cop must have asked for the hot water and he must have thought he said "YOU'RE IN hot water." Haha.

[@unused2275]

Just watched this in english today, so creepy

[@angelataylor2883]

Oh I absolutely agree with you and you're absolutely right that it isn't an excuse, but remember that this story is being told through the insight of someone who by all intents and purposes is mentally ill. He he wasn't thinking about right and wrong..He's no different than people who have committed crimes as a result of hearing voices...He reminds me of someone who is diagnosed with Paranoid Schizophrenia.

[@yummygh0st]

I remember a teacher showing us this video in class when I was in middle school and it freaked me out... something about how uncanny it felt stuck with me for weeks, and I just now remembered to look it up

[@sophiesmith7625]

I had to learn about this in my English class, when I was 11

[@safiahosny8678]

that's what I'm doing now lol

[@tiffsaver]

Love James Mason, love animation, what's not to like? Amazing, though, how that this was done in 1953, long before most people reading this were ever born, yet it still holds up in the 21st century as though it was produced only yesterday. This is the timelessness of art, and Poe.

[@emmahallbacka206]

This cartoon was the single largest trauma of my childhood. Was 5 when we accidentally recorded it after another cartoon. Still scared of staring eyes at age 31...

[@Nebuchadnezzar31]

This story sounds familiar :)

[@gerardorodriguez7500]

This poem story is scary

[@cullumcorner]

Shut the fuck up edgar Allan poe

[@duhimj5536]

Get Back In Your Closet Edgar

[@rustcohle3803]

Cuz you wrote it you dumbass

[@zachdaniels8484]

Edgar Allan Poe cuz you're the one who wrote this story dude.

[@tiffsaver]

I've read this Poe classic many times, but only after watching this version did it hit me... I THINK THIS MAY HAVE BEEN THE INSPIRATION FOR THE ALFRED HITCHCOCK MOVIE, "PSYCHO"!! First, it starts with a doddering old senior citizen, just as in Psycho, but with a man instead of a woman. The main character in the story is a single, lonely young man, who cares for the man. Then, from events beyond his control, his paranoid delusions slowly take control and in a fit of rage, he murders the old man, sealing his fate. Finally, at the end when he is apprehended by the police and sitting alone in a locked cell, he says to himself that he isn't crazy at all, in fact that "he wouldn't hurt a fly." Does anyone think I'm on the right track with this, or am I just going MAD??

[@FabulousFolklore]

+tiffsaver Psycho was based on a novella by Robert Bloch, who was in turn inspired by the real life story of Ed Gein. Still, it'd be interesting to know if Bloch had been subsconsciously inspired by Poe!

[@tiffsaver]

+Icy Sedgwick WHO KNOWS how many great stories were based upon the original writings of Poe!

[@vinvass2674]

Bloch never said he was directly inspired by Poe, though there is no doubt he would have read Poe's works, and maybe influenced, considering the genre he chose to write in.

[@vinvass2674]

Ed Gein seems to have inspired Norman Bates and Hannibal Lector, and was referenced by Patrick Bateman (not the Matre D).

[@Eman577]

why don't they keep making animations like this?

[@yonskii]

Time and money. Even back then, this kind of animation was very expensive and could take up to a year to make. Nowadays, a full 22 minute episode of an animated sitcom takes the same amount of time and money.

[@queenashantee8432]

i done this college. such a an interesting story - fascinating and curious even how we give ourselves away, even when there is nothing to be seen....the guilty mind is so open. I loved the animations in this video. well done. ;-)

[@user-dr2yz8um3d]

First saw this years ago I was scared out of my mind The dead silence, heavy use of shadows, and the creepy artwork

[@rajivprasad7955]

This is actually really creepy

[@washfish6483]

HELLO TO MY FELLOW CLASSMATES

[@sarahlutaaya5540]

Hey

[@B0oSe0six]

This story never gets old

[@devinbell4816]

This is such a more interesting experience when you imagine James Mason reading this in his Lolita role.

[@vinvass2674]

Similar kind of madman if you think about it, telling the tale from the cell wondering why he was there and wondering why they were saying he was Mad. Humbert was insane and had no idea he was, a pedophile, a rapist and a murderer. James Mason captures this kind of character in a way few other actors could, that seductive, creepy voice and manner.

[@silentassassin2000]

Fantastic stylised animation. Love it.

[@siennalindsay7550]

I have watched this over 10 times! XD

[@shinobidaughter5116]

My favorite video.

[@sandyr5999]

Amazing preHalloweenish story! Bravo!!

[@TheSonOfTheDragon]

Finally found it. Did anyone else see this on the Hellboy DVD?

[@ladynight3790]

God, even after so many years, I still remember seeing this during 8th Grade for English and Social Studies. This still scares me to be quite honest. But, it's better to face than not to, you know. It's better that way.

[@user-dr2yz8um3d]

That’s why it works Still invokes fear

[@catmlprandom6134]

This was always my favorite of the jolly frolics.

[@muddledmuppet]

fantastic re-telling, great work!

[@alfredagain]

Many thanks. I just read this story yet again, this time in "The Mammoth Book of Body Horror" and I remember this film always being advertised in the old "Famous Monsters of Filmland" magazines.

[@Armorhunterash]

It's as scary as an episode of Night gallery, quite ahead of it's time

[@robertknuckles6813]

This little short makes me wish even more that James Mason were alive and well today, narrating audiobooks

[@cindydo8781]

I remember reading this when i was 10 years old

[@ravensghost2008]

I feel like it might have been “disturbing” back in its release but imagine if it had dropped now… I’m sure a lot of people would’ve loved it if they knew it existed.

[@robertcreighton4635]

Mr Mason and poe together it doesn't get better than this

[@dustbunny6381]

Somehow I saw this as a pretty young kid and I had no idea what was happening or what the original story was. Took me awhile to track this down.

[@Tilberian]

Whoa this is awesome i luv tell tall heart a

[@squidwardwithagun9739]

I remember when we read this in 7th grade, I tried so hard to get my teacher to play this short. She never did. Still mad.

[@alexandercornejo744]

Just watched this in my english class for the first time i love this

[@naomi1472]

I loved the story, never read at Edgar Allan Poe, but it really has very good stories😌

[@Olle1234Mr]

fan att jag lyssnar på detta looool

[@jashugan007]

What a wonderful hidden gem!!!

[@claudiamartinez1698]

i love this!

[@delbertgrady5492]

Love these

[@Curiousbear33]

This was great!

[@BeeAreWhyAyeEn]

Thanks for uploading this. I desperately needed it to finish school work.

[@MarkComerfordArt]

Totally love this, thanks for uploading.

[@schizoidboy]

I like the surreal artwork in this cartoon, it reminds me of a Salvador Dali piece.

[@DJKCP]

This is far creepier than a lot of modern horror.

[@Sj2i829lsns]

How I love James Mason's voice

[@josemanuelballesterosperalta]

¡Extraordinario dibujo animado de 1953, de la UPA! Mi generación durante su infancia, tuvo oportunidad de verlo, en el bloque de Mister Magoo que Panamericana Televisión de esos años (definitivamente, otros tiempos) mostró en la década de 1960 y 1970... Mi agradecimiento a Robert Jukes por colgar este video.

[@victorhernandez8723]

Why didn't he just ask the old man to put an eyepatch on his eye. It would save a lot of trouble and wouldn't end in murder.

[@mariic2]

Because he's crazy, that's why.

[@spcdetroitemergencyresponse]

True

[@paulfogarty7724]

The intro to the Roger Corman movie " The Terror " was also animated by UPA in this same style - for anyone who wants to see more like this.

[@colehamill7414]

imagine having to watch over his cell and just hearing that all day.

[@maunze336]

Perfect!

[@Bluzo]

why does the end where he talks about the floorboards remind me of the spongebob episode where Mr. Krabs hides the squeaky boots?

[@mariic2]

I think that was referencing this.

[@victorhernandez8723]

That shows that even after his death, Edgar Allen Poe can still scare the pants off of people.

[@geraldmartin7703]

Even more effective in the original 3D.

[@johnwalbeck5068]

I actually watched this the first time when I was 6. I don’t even know how I found it 😂😂😂😂😂.

[@skullmalice5287]

so inspiring🌙

[@wildpie22]

The narrator's voice sounds like Evan Peters as James Patrick March in AHS Hotel! I like it :3

[@Blorp52]

I think he sounds like Vincent Price

[@Zzzk23]

Transatlantic accent

[@VladAcatin]

Kinda reminds me of Malcolm Mcdowell

[@ashleyschultz3217]

It is James Mason, a great actor from the 1940's-1970's. You may know him from "Disney's 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea" or "A Star Is Born" with Judy Garland.

[@Halkpelt]

damn this is gorgeous

[@Meercatfilms]

Powerful

[@scripsi]

When I was a kid (late 70s early 80s) they used to run this on Nickelodeon. To this day, I don't think I've seen many creepier things. What were they thinking?

[@mariacompean510]

I read the story at my 5 grade

[@chrislewis7002]

Loooooove it!

[@cicerodiello1]

James Mason. The voice of God.

[@josephbrown9699]

Very dark and creepy for a 1953 animation. I love it.

[@thekinglav1925]

And same with a 1961 MIMICA CARTOON THE NEXT VICTIM

[@chachachaudhary391]

so surreal

[@chachachaudhary391]

as in surrealist art.

[@teos.3580]

the intro is like tom and jerry themed music

[@Eman577]

Who else first saw this on the Hellboy 2nd disc bonus features?

[@dazedandsublime]

haha thanks, needed this for school. i read it first but i like different interpretations of things. if you haven't you should really read this, it's pretty short and really good, normally i dont like reading shit for school but this was a pretty dank story

[@jbailor13]

Best cartoon ever.

[@flaatheaad7544]

This is in the boots episode of spongebob alright to Edgar to making it into cartoons

[@tulayamalavenapi4028]

"in the hour of the slowest clock"....

[@PoisonOkie911]

How... have I never seen this?

[@PeteSanctions]

Im puzzled that each of the Police Officers have a different accent

[@angelataylor2883]

The killer wasn't thinking logically. All he could see was the eye and for some reason, it tormented him to the point of insanity.

[@sebas8225]

The Killer fell into madness.

[@poep85]

James Mason's "it is the beating of his hideous heart!" was used in some intro or mashed up sound clips from a podcast, or a music show or something... I just can't remember where it's been used!🙇 Does anyone know?!

[@weirdtiktoks666]

Who else got send that by his teacher

[@poorqualitymeat6207]

CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@justjulesjustjules]

For the same reason the Eagles didn't fly Frodo and Sam to Mordor to destroy the Ring.

[@thekinglav1925]

As seen on mid century modern animation volume 4 contains Anoscar for mr rossi 1960 Gerald mcboing boings symphony 1953 The tell tale heart 1953 The great fear veliki strah 1958 Stop driving crazy 1959 Robin hoodlum 1948 Miners daughter 1950

[@tulayamalavenapi4028]

"a watches' hand moved more quickly than mine"...

[@Navygrl58]

I love James Mason, but do yourself a favor and listen to the rendition by Vincent Price. The man was a master at everything he did! Thank you for posting this video I really enjoyed it!

[@ronc5825]

Corridor Crew FTW.

[@tutlishonlinetutorialservi6144]

There's a really good review of this short story here: tutlish.com/the-telltale-heart/