Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH is a 1971 children's science fiction/fantasy book by Robert C. O'Brien, with illustrations by Zena Bernstein. The novel was published by the New York City publishing house Atheneum Books.
This book was the winner of numerous awards including the 1972 Newbery Medal. Ten years following its publication, the story was adapted for film as The Secret of NIMH (1982).
The novel centres around a colony of escaped lab rats–the rats of NIMH–who live in a technologically sophisticated and literate society mimicking that of humans. They come to the aid of Mrs. Frisby, a widowed field mouse who seeks to protect her children and home from destruction by a farmer’s plow.
The rats of NIMH were inspired by the research of John B. Calhoun on mouse and rat population dynamics at the National Institute of Mental Health from the 1940s to the 1960s.
After O’Brien’s death in 1973, his daughter Jane Leslie Conly wrote two sequels to Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH.
The Secret of NIMH is a 1982 American animated fantasy adventure film directed by Don Bluth in his directorial debut and based on Robert C. O'Brien's 1971 children's novel, Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH. The film features the voices of Elizabeth Hartman, Peter Strauss, Arthur Malet, Dom DeLuise, John Carradine, Derek Jacobi, Hermione Baddeley, and Paul Shenar. It was produced by Bluth's production company Don Bluth Productions in association with Aurora Productions.
The Secret of NIMH was released in the United States on July 2, 1982, by MGM/UA Entertainment Co. under the United Artists label. It was praised by critics for its elegant and painstakingly detailed animation, compelling characters, and deep and mature plot, and won a Saturn Award for Best Animated Film of 1982. Though only a moderate success at the box office, it turned a solid profit through home video and overseas releases. It was followed in 1998 by a direct-to-video sequel, The Secret of NIMH 2: Timmy to the Rescue, which was made without Bluth's involvement or input and met with poor reception. In 2015, a live-action/computer-animated remake was reported to be in the works. A television series adaptation is also in development by the Fox Corporation.
Opening Credits; Introduction (1.21); Background History (4.50); Mrs Frisby and the Rats of NIMH Plot Synopsis (6.15); Book Thoughts (11.37); Let's Rate (42.18); Introducing a Film (44.01); Secret of NIMH (1982) Film Trailer (46.00); Lights, Camera, Action (48.33); How Many Stars (1:33.30); End Credits (1.35.41); Closing Credits (1:37.18)
Opening Credits– Epidemic Sound – Copyright . All rights reserved
Closing Credits: Flying Dreams (from The Secret of NIMH) by Kenny Loggins featuring Olivia Newton-John. Taken from the album More Songs from Pooh’s Corner. Copyright 2000 Sony Records.
Original Music copyrighted 2020 Dan Hughes Music and the Literary License Podcast.
All rights reserved. Used by Kind Permission.
All songs available through Amazon Music.
Season 5: Episode 228 - KINGS OF HORROR: Odd Thomas (Dean Kootnz)/Odd Thomas (2013)
Season 5: Episode 227 - DARK SHADOWS: Episodes 766 - 809
Season 5: Episode 226 - THE 80s: Shock Treatment (1981)/Streets of Fire (1985)
Season 5: Episode 225 - BEWITCHED: Season 2 Episode 38/Season 3 Episodes 1-7
Season 5: Episode 224 - KINGS OF HORROR: Green Thoughts (J Collier)/Little Shop of Horrors (1960 & 1986)
Season 5: Episode 223 - DARK SHADOWS: Episodes 723 - 765
Season 5: Episode 222 - THE INTERVIEW: The Don Briscoe Tribute
Season 5: Episode 221 - THE INTERVIEW: The Sam Irvin Interview
Season 5: Episode 220 - THE 80‘s: The Changeling (1980)/The Fog (1980)
Season 5: Episode 219 - BEWITCHED: Season 2: Episodes 29 - 37
Season 5: Episode 218 - KINGS OF HORROR: Ghost Story by Peter Straub/Ghost Story (1981)
Season 5: Episode 217 - SOAP: Episodes 34- 49
Season 5: Episode 216 - KINGS OF HORROR: The Stephen Langford Interview
Season 5: Episode 215 - DARK SHADOWS: Episodes 681 - 721
Season 5: Episode 214 - The 80‘s: Killer Party (1986) / Night of the Demons (1988)
Season 5: Episode 213 - DARK SHADOWS: Interview with Stacey Poulos, Niece of Alex Stevens (The Dark Shadows Werewolf)
Season 2: Episode 212 - BEWITCHED: Season 2: Episodes 21 - 28
Season 5: Episode 211 - KINGS OF HORROR: Cabal by Clive Barker/Nightbreed (1990)
Season 5: Episode 210 - DARK SHADOWS: Episodes 636 - 680
Season 5: Episode 209 - THE 80‘s: Scanners (1981) / Videodrome (1983)
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