Hansel and Gretel: An Opera Fantasy Hansel and Gretel: An Opera Fantasy Hansel and Gretel is a 1954 stop motion animated theatrical feature film released by RKO. The film is based on Engelbert Humperdinck's opera "Hänsel und Gretel", and incorporates music and songs from the opera. It was the first American feature-length animated film not made by Disney since 1941's "Mr. Bug Goes to Town" and the first American feature-length animated film not made with traditional animation. It was released on October 10, 1954 in New York City without a distributor. Producer Michael Myerberg released the film himself. Based on the positive reviews and box office
Hansel and Gretel (opera) him stiff and slow of movement. She tells Gretel to be reasonable, and then the witch goes inside to fetch raisins and almonds with which to fatten Hansel. Hansel whispers to Gretel to pretend to obey the witch. The witch returns, and waving her wand, says, "Hocus pocus, holderbush! Loosen, rigid muscles, hush!" Using the wand, the witch forces Gretel to dance, then tells her to go into the house and set the table. Hansel pretends to be asleep, and the witch, overcome with excitement, describes how she plans to cook and eat Gretel. The witch wakes up Hansel and