Started on: 03/27/2000 Updated on: 05/09/2004
One of my favorite literary characters is Peter Pan, the Boy Who Never Grew Up. He lived in a place called "Never-Neverland" (or, just "Neverland") with the Lost Boys, Indians, Mermaids, Faries, Pirates, and other characters. He had adventures almost every minute of his life, barely stopping long enough to eat or sleep.
There has been many books, movies, recordings, and merchandise of all kinds featuring Peter Pan. The wonderful thing about purchacing anything with the Peter Pan name on it is that the story is owned by the Ormond Street Children's Hospital, in London, England, and all procedes from Peter Pan products go to the Children's Hospital. A simple, easy way to contribute something to a charity. ^_^
About the discription of the Peter Pan Character:
"He was a lovely boy, clad in skeleton leaves and the juices that ooze out of trees but the most entrancing thing about him was that he had all his first teeth."-- quoted from the Chapter 1: Peter Breaks Through of Peter and Wendy. I notice that there is no race, nationality, skin color, hair color, or eye color mentioned for Peter Pan. No ethnic background or even relegious beliefs. I think Peter was to represent youth as a whole, not just one race or social class. I little lesson in tolerence from an enternal youth.
I have the following Peter Pan videos in my collection:
Walt Disney's Masterpiece Peter Pan. This is probibly the version that started me on the character. Fully Restored 45th Anniversary Limited Edition with a gold front cover, featuring Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Wendy, John, and Michael Darling flying over Neverland and Captain Hook in a little rowboat, fending off the Crocadile, with the pirate ship behind them. Has the rare, "The Making of Peter Pan" Bonus Programming after the movie. This is the second time Peter Pan has been realeased on video. It was also releaced a few years prior to the 45th Anniversary edition. The front cover of this first edition has Peter, Tink, and the kids flying over London. The back cover appears to be a promotion picture as it is a pic of Peter fighting Hook, with a bond Wendy watching hopefully from on deck. Wendy was never on deck during Peter's battle with Hook; she was in the Crow's Nest. This first edition can still be found in video rental stores, but be prepared to pay very high prices for them. The second edition is much easier found, plus it has the "Making of..." bonus. I have the first edition, and it is now part of my keepsakes. I now have the DVD of the third edition. The picture on the front is a night scene. In the background, floating on the water, is the Jolly Roger --unnamed in this first movie-- with Captain Hook posing on the front of the ship, his sword raised high. In the foreground is Peter and Tinker Bell. Peter's face is lit only by the glow that Tink gives off. On the back is Peter, Tink, Wendy, John, and Micheal flying over Neverland. Below is a small inset ith John, Micheal, and the Lost Boys in the song, "Following the Leader". Another inset describes the extras in the DVD.
Peter Pan in: Return to Neverland: In this sequil to Walt Disney's first Peter Pan film, Wendy has grown up and now has children of her own: A girl named Jane, and a boy named Danny. It is durning World War II, and while Danny eagerly believes in Peter Pan and Neverland, Jane does not. She did once, before the war, but now focuses on taking care of her mother and brother, and has no time for play. Captain Hook kidnaps Jane, thinking that she's Wendy, to set a trap for Peter. Peter rescuses her (and gets socked on the jaw for his effort) and finds out that the girl is Wendy's daughter. He takes her to meet the Lost Boys. When she tells them that she doesn't believe in fairies, Tinkerbell's light starts to go out. Peter and the boys must teach Jane to beleive again, and make her the first Lost Girl ever. The voices are well-choosen and actually sound like the voice cast in the orginal film. The art is amazing! Something to look for: When the pirates kidnap Jane, the use a "wormhole" to get back to Neverland. Anyone familuer with the old Walt Disney TV shows of the 60's and 70's will recognize the "wormhole" as the kalidascope effect from Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color! The front of the video jacket has a portait of Hook, Tink, Smee, Jane, and Peter. Peter sit cross-legged in the air on Jane's left (your right), and Jane has her arms crossed in a skeptical pose, Hook's sword under an arm. On the back is Jane holding on to Peter, and riding on his back, while Tink leads the way. Gold coins show pictures of Hook with the octopuss, and Jane with the Lost Boys. The DVD has the same pictures front and back. The only difference is that on the back, the coin with Jane and the Lost Boys is missing, and there is a scroll in the upper left-hand corner that lists the DVD extras.
Peter Pan, Starring Mary Martin. There has been a tradition in the theatrical performance of Peter Pan, that the role of Peter be played by a young woman. The child-labor laws of 1904 prohibited children from working past 7:00 PM, so a small, young woman was choosen for the part of Peter. Many actresses has fullfilled the role, including Mia Farrow, Sandy Duncan, and Cathy Rigsby. And, of course, the first TV Peter Pan, Mary Martin. The video I own is the 30th Anniversary Collector's Edition. It has Peter in the forground, being followed by Wendy, John, and Michael. Tinkerbelle (the correct spelling, I think) is represented by a flickering flashlight. To the left of Peter is Tiger Lily (a blond?!?) and the Indians, while on the right is Captain Hook and the Crocadile. Behind them is the pirate ship, The Jolly Roger (which wasn't named in Disney's version, by-the-way...). The video was released by Goodtimes Home Video: Platinum Series, and was sponsored by Nestlie's Raisnets.
Hook. The newest version of the story (and probibly the only version named for the villian...) tells what might have happened if Peter Pan (Robin Willians) grew up. He marries Wendy's (Maggie Smith) granddaughter. Hook (Dustin Hoffman) kidnaps Peter's kids and Peter (with the last name of Banning) must rescue them. With the help of Tinkerbelle (Julia Roberts) and an army of Lost Boys, Peter wages the final war for Neverland. Also stars Bob Hoskins as Smee, and a special appearence by Phil Collins of the group, Genasis. (He plays the police inspecter, called in to investigate the disappearence of the Banning children.). Produced by Steven Spielberg and filmed in the very same sound stage as the Wizard of Oz was. Video released by Columbia/Tristar Home Video.
Peter Pan. This version, released by United Amercian Video, is an Austraian production. The orginal cover had a rendering of Disney's Peter and Wendy flying over London. The new cover has Peter and Tinkerbell standing in the nursery window, with Wendy, John, and Michael looking on. A well-made short-version cartoon. The DVD front is different. Under the title --which is in yellow lettering, and in a blue, scroll-- is Peter, Tink, Wendy, John and Micheal flying over London, in a frontal view (they look like they are coming right at you.). There an ad for the interactive quiz game on the DVD, but it's past the expiration date for the prize. Go ahead and take the quiz, anyway, just for fun. On the back is Peter and Hook dueling on a ledge, the Croc coming up behind Hook. The Jolly Roger is in the background below them and to the left. In an inset is Tinkerbell flying over an inkwell. (Both these scenes probibly inspired by the Disney Peter Pan, as the scene with Tink and the inkwell does not appear on the DVD.
The High Flying Adventures of Peter Pan. Extremely wacky version of the story, with off-beat artwork and animation, and lots of modern refrences. Wendy, John, and Michael discover that they are cartoons. The narriator sounds bored, which makes the cartoon funnier. Released by Saban Video.
Fox's Peter Pan and the Pirates: Ghost Ship. The Fox Network had a Peter Pan cartoon series. In the series, Peter wore brown instead of green, and was closer to the orginal story than any other version, thus far. This is the episode that was titled, "The Rake" on TV. It features the return of the ghost of Captain Patch, Captain Hook's brother. Peter must outwit both Hook brothers to save Neverland from a fate as the ghost crew of Patch's ship, the Rake. Captain Hook is voiced by Tim Curry. The video was released by Fox Video, and is presented as, "A new and independent series inspired by J.M. Barrie's orginal novel, 'Peter and Wendy'."
Peter Pan: The Motion Picture Event: I got both the DVD and the video! Now this is a Peter Pan movie! ^_^ The front of the video has the title on a scroll in green letters. The "P" in "Peter" looks like a dagger with a knuckleguard. Underneath is a picture of Peter's head. To the left is Captain Hook, his hook (which is flat) upraised, and Hook is looking particularly sinister. Below him is several of his pirates. To the right of Peter is Wendy, looking off into the distance. Below her is the Jolly Roger, with a skull and crossed swords on one of the sails. Underneath that, just across from the pirates is some of the Lost Boys. Tinkerbell flys between Wendy and the pirate ship, heading toward Peter, and leaving a fairy dust trail starting from Captain Hook and circling the Jolly Roger. On the back is a scroll with a blurb for the movie, and four insets with pictures: Peter and Tink; Hook fighting Peter on the deck of the pirate ship; Nana; and Wendy and Micheal flying over London. The DVD has the same thing, but the scroll lists the DVD extras. The blurb from the video has been moved to the spot above the scroll. Peter Pan (Jeremy Sumpter) actually wears leaves in this version, with his dagger on one hip, his panpipes at the other, and --I think-- a small, golden spyglass in a sheath on his back. Jeremy plays Peter like he's suppose to be played: Cocky, conceited, but good at heart. Fun-loving, but loyal to his friends. Courageous to a fault, and all the wonder and charm Peter Pan has always had. Jason Isaacs is a remarkable Hook, playing the fearsome pirate captain with much integraty and even a little sympathy. Jason also gives Mr. Darling a wonderful humanity, proud and humble at the same time. Rachel Hurd-Wood is refreshing as Wendy, giving Peter's girl a more realistic personality. Ludivine Sagnier gives us a funny --and warm-- Tinkerbell. And there are so many more wonderful performers in this movie. I wish I could list them all. Together, they have given us an amazing new image of Peter Pan and his friends --and foes. Look for these and other fabulous moments: Peter interacting with his --very bratty-- shadow. They seem like brothers!; The flying lesson, where Peter blows fairy dust from his hand onto Wendy; The children on the clouds, spying on the pirates; The Lost Boys see Wendy for the first time (and thinks she's a "Wendy Bird"); the home under the ground; the battle at the Black Castle; the Indians; the mermaids; Wendy meets Captain Hook; The Fairy Dance; "Hook or me, this time!"; and much more.
Peter Pan Stuff:
Peter Pan Room: Exclusive to the Peter Pan Room: The Peter Pan Room EzBoard Forum! I'll be either Petra Pan or Draka Dracula, depending on which account I use. Most of the Peter Pan fics that I write will be on the messageboard.
Fanfics Library. Go here for Peter Pan fanfics. Will mostly be either of Disney's Peter Pan, or Fox's Peter Pan and the Pirates.
Fairy Falls: Where fairies dwell. Under re-construction.
Sakura_Faerie's Room: My character for the Pixel Faeries messageboard role-playing game. (Update: Pixel Faeries has closed. I have removed Sakura_Faerie's Room.)
Other Links:
The Little White Bird: By Sir James Matthew Barrie. Around Chapter 14 begains the origin of Peter Pan.
Fireblade Coffeehouse: J.M. Barrie: Great sourse of info on Peter Pan author, Sir James Matthew Barrie. Read the orginal story online! ^_^
Completely Unauthoritative J. M. Barrie Homepage: Find out more about the author.
Friends' sites:
Petra Pan1's Cave: Petra Pan's home page for The Lost Peeple, for the PeterPanFan.Com group.
Fox's Peter Pan & the Pirates
Jukesette's Cabin: A relatively NEW site.
The Jolly Rodger
The Pirate's Cove: Also home to The Pirate's Cove Messageboard, which I frequent as Petra Pan.
My profile on FanFiction.Net I have several Peter Pan fics up.
Tink's Nook: A wonderful site dedicated to Tinker Bell --mostly Disney's, but others, too-- and Peter Pan.
Peter Pan No Boken: The Adventures of Peter Pan. This site is dedicated to the Anime Peter Pan.
Forbeck.Com: The Official Website of Matt Forbeck. Go here for a copy of Neverland: The Imagination Game. Yep! A Peter Pan RPG! ^_^. Availiable in PDF or RTF. (RTF = Rich Text Format. Most Word processers can read it. The RTF was done in Mircosoft WordPad.)
PeterPanFan.Com: A great site for all things Peter Pan. Get Peter Pan news before anyone else.
PeterPanFan.Com Forums: Join us in the forum and talk about the movie, the book, the play, the animated versions, or just about anything.
Peter Pan's Home Page: A nice guy that dresses up as Peter for charity.
Gryphon's Peter Pan Site: A great site about the 2003 Peter Pan movie.
Peter Pan Images:
Disney:
Fox's Peter Pan & the Pirates:
Petra and Wendy as Sailor Scouts, and Peter as Tuxedo Mask:
Angel Peter Pan inspired by my friend, TilyWendy, on The Pirate's Cove EzBoard. Here is her Angel Pan picture.
Web Dolls
Ice Peter Pan is from the episode, "The Coldest Cut of All".
Clipart:
I got the pirate flag on a free clipart site. I forgot which one, though. I got the Neverland Clipart from Tink's Nook.
Peter Pan Sprites
Toon Queen created Peter Pan, Wendy, The Twins, Billy Jukes, and Captain Hook. Click on one of them to take you to Toon Queen's Sprite Page.
I created Petra Pan, Peter's twin sister, from the Peter Pan sprite. I also created the sprite of Tinkerbell, from a sprite from the Legend of Zelda section of the Mario Paint Players' Guide for the Super Nintendo.
Leads to Aero's Neverland website.
Please sign/veiw my DreamBook!
