The Figurehead

A poem of unrequited love: the studio's first puppet production. Based on a poem by Cosbie Garstin, the film tells the story of a carved wooden saint who is painted to look like a soldier and used as a figurehead on a sailing ship. The ship sinks and the figurehead is saved by a beautiful mermaid who falls in love with him. Her love is not returned because despite his dashing looks he has the wooden heart of a saint.

Cast

Robert Beatty

Allan Crick

Digby Turpin

Crew

John Halas

Producer

Matyas Seiber

Music

Allan Crick

Animation

Bob Privett

Animation

Digby Turpin

Animation

Roy Turk

Cinematography

Joy Batchelor

Writer

Crosbie Garstin

Poem

William Traylor

Cinematography

Allan Crick

Director

Clips & Videos

Clip of the Week - clip from The Figurehead (1953) by the Halas & Batchelor Animation Studio