MovieChat Forums > Mystery! (1980) Discussion > Animation at Beginning

Animation at Beginning

posted 19 years ago by Talia_Elspeth
19 replies | jump to latest

Does anyone else think the animation sequence at the beginning of this show is great? I love the suspenseful music, and how the animation integrates a bunch of mystery cliches, like the mysterious dark stranger, the woman giving a signal, even the rain outside. Plus I think the lady wailing and then fainting at the end is funny. Whenever "Mystery!" is on my local PBS station I try to catch the beginning at least, so I can enjoy the animation again.
Anyone agree? Anyone? *crickets chirping*

~"Preciouss, Precious, O my Preciouss!"

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] ksacksteder 18 years ago

If you like the animation, you should look at more of Edward Gorey's work -- his illustrations and the stories that accompany them are dark and brilliant.

[–] Mondo-Mordo 17 years ago

I, too, have always found Edward Gorey's sequence for the opening of the series to be excellent as is most of the content.

[–] deckard39 17 years ago

do u know if that song is available anywhere? im a big fan of mystery! too and i cant seem to find that song anywhere

[–] trey_padgett 17 years ago

The theme song is on Television's Greatest Hits Volume 6.

[–] myvarinka 17 years ago

My favorite part of the animation is the reclining/swooning woman whose feet are bound but her hands are free. why doesn't she just untie her feet - very funny!

[–] Mind_Bullets 17 years ago

Anyone know where I can see it online?

[–] nativegirl1389 17 years ago

it's up on youtube, and they also have to old version of it.

[–] ii_armitage_ii 17 years ago

Edward St. John Gorey, interestingly enough, is frequently mistaken to be British, but was a US citizen who had never traveled to the home of the Edwardian and Victorian elegance/menace.

Check out his entry on Wikipedia here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Gorey

[–] Miketevee 17 years ago

I love this show. I thinkt he animation totally sets the tone. I do miss seeing a host though.

For golden age mystery fans:

http://jdcarr.com/forum/

[–] bijoux91 17 years ago

Check out The Gashlycrumb Tinies, which he both authored and illustrated. Also look out for The Twelve Terrors of Christmas, illustrated by Gorey and authored by John Updike. Another essential is Dracula: A Toy Theatre.

Sorry I'm such a nerd--just a huge Edward Gorey fan! I definitely look forward to his animation every time Mystery! comes on.

"The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love, and be loved in return!"

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] you-are-skrewed 16 years ago

i'll try to find the animation on youtube. that was the only reason why i liked mystery! when i was a kid, i thought the whole thing was gonna be animated like that.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] you-are-skrewed 16 years ago

that'd be great if you could find those on youtube. i found openers, bumpers and closers.

[–] lemner 13 years ago

I keep wishing for a short animated feature of a murder mystery illustrated by Gorey.

Semper Contendere Propter Amoram et Formam

[–] 13 years ago

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