JMBarrie
JMBarrie => Peter Pan => Topic started by: mikey2573 on October 30, 2009, 09:57:21 PM
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Did Michael Darling always have a Teddy bear? I don't seem to see any reference to it in Barrie's novel and I am wondering if it is a Disney invention. The reason I am asking is there is a line in Nunn's/Caird's PETER PAN adaption where the Storyteller makes a reference to Michael doing "idiotic things with his Teddy Bear". Since the Teddy Bear was named after Teddy Roosevelt, an AMERICAN President, I am thinking that this is an anachronism in their script. I am thinking the line should be changed to "stuffed bear".
The Teddy Bear came about in November of 1902 when Roosevelt killed a bear to end its suffering. A candy store owner began making stuffed bears and calling them Teddy Bears after getting permission from the President. But I don't think the term "Teddy Bear" would have traveled to England in such a short time (1904) and the toys did not become real popular until 1906, two years after the premiere of PETER PAN.
I am thinking that, for historical accuracy the line should be changed to stuffed bear. But I am wondering when it became traditional for Michael Darling to have a stuffed bear.
Anyone?
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Did Michael Darling always have a Teddy bear? I don't seem to see any reference to it in Barrie's novel and I am wondering if it is a Disney invention. The reason I am asking is there is a line in Nunn's/Caird's PETER PAN adaption where the Storyteller makes a reference to Michael doing "idiotic things with his Teddy Bear". Since the Teddy Bear was named after Teddy Roosevelt, an AMERICAN President, I am thinking that this is an anachronism in their script. I am thinking the line should be changed to "stuffed bear".
The Teddy Bear came about in November of 1902 when Roosevelt killed a bear to end its suffering. A candy store owner began making stuffed bears and calling them Teddy Bears after getting permission from the President. But I don't think the term "Teddy Bear" would have traveled to England in such a short time (1904) and the toys did not become real popular until 1906, two years after the premiere of PETER PAN.
I am thinking that, for historical accuracy the line should be changed to stuffed bear. But I am wondering when it became traditional for Michael Darling to have a stuffed bear.
Anyone?
I recall the teddy bear being mentioned in the play, at least in Act 1, although I don't recall any particulars about it coming to the Never Land with him.... And yes, Barrie did say he was doing "idiotic things" with it. Of course, the play was published in 1928, after the British had heard of Winnie-the-Pooh, in other words.... So I don't really know....
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Guess it really depends on what year the play was set. For that matter, when did boys get into pajamas and out of nightgowns? http://www.steiffusa.com/AboutSteiff/Foundation.aspx
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Guess it really depends on what year the play was set. For that matter, when did boys get into pajamas and out of nightgowns? http://www.steiffusa.com/AboutSteiff/Foundation.aspx
That's what I'd like to know myself....
Anyway I just checked the early draft of the play available on this site and neither "teddy" nor "bear" shows up anywhere.