Line #41 Trivia/TheSmurfs


1	!!For the franchise in general:
2	* CashCowFranchise: While the franchise was already popular in Western Europe beginning in the mid 1960s and early 1970s. The success of the 1976 feature film (and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQzfsHL65lk&t=620s multiple Smurf-related]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOfBhDNxmY8 albums by Vader Abraham]]) only increased their popularity to a much higher degree. But the franchise wouldn't became a huge moneymaker until Creator/HannaBarbera turned it into a Saturday Morning Cartoon series in 1981 that The Smurfs became globally popular outside of Europe (especially Belgium, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands).
3	* GeniusBonus: Gargamel's name comes from the 16th-century novel ''{{Literature/Gargantua}}'' (where Gargantua's giant mother is named Gargamelle, and the size difference between the giants and humans is about the same as between a human and a Smurf) and Azrael is one name for the Angel of Death.
4	* MagnumOpusDissonance: Peyo's favorite work, and actually his original main one was ''ComicBook/JohanAndPeewit'' (''Johan and Pirlouit'' in its original French title)... But, one day, in one of this series' albums, appeared a certain band of little blue creatures. They were intended to be one-shot characters, but quickly became {{Ensemble Darkhorse}}s... And from then, ''The Smurfs'' (''Les Schtroumpfs'') became the single most remembered work of Peyo.
5	* MilestoneCelebration: When the franchise turned 50 years old in 2008. [[http://bluebuddies.com/help/smurfs_50th_anniversary.htm Every region in Europe celebrated by scattering around hundreds of tiny white Smurf figurines hidden across various landmarks, stores, cities, etc]]. People who discovered the tiny smurf figurines would paint them in any color of their choice, while there was a special Smurfs contest that involved contestants painting a giant Smurf statue and seeing which painting Smurf is the best one. Belgium (the series native country) created a permanent exhibit at the "Belgian Comic Strip Center" showcasing the 1965 animated film ''Les Aventures de Schtroumpfs'' ([[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDBE_J3STVc&t=206s which combined 5 episodes of the first animated series]] that ran from 1961-1965) In addition, [[https://www.coin-database.com/images/Belgium/888-v.jpg a special 5 euro coin was created in honor of the franchise' 50th anniversary.]] While Italy had live performances from Music/CristinaDAvena ([[AlternativeForeignThemeSong singer of the show's Italian theme]]) [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNQ8bm_6bu8 singing various smurf songs from Italian exclusive albums.]] [[ComicBook/TheSmurfs A special comic]] was also published called [[https://smurfs.fandom.com/wiki/The_Flute_Smurfers "The Flute Smurfers"]] (''Les schtroumpfeurs de flûte'') which is a prequel to ''ComicBook/JohanAndPeewit'' story "The Smurfs and the Magic Flute" [[MorePopularSpinOff which is where the titular characters made their debut.]]
6	* WhatCouldHaveBeen: There was a Smurfs educational game called ''Smurf Play & Learn'' advertised by Coleco that would have been released for the Platform/ColecoVision, as well as ''Smurfette's Birthday'' and ''Papa Smurf's Treasure Hunt'', none of which were ever worked on.
7
8	!!For the [[ComicBook/TheSmurfs comic books]]:
9	* CreatorBacklash: Peyo was quite sorry that the Smurfs became so popular he couldn't concentrate as much on his other series.
10	* ExecutiveMeddling: When Papercutz translated 'The Black Smurfs' comic book into English, they changed the plague ridden Smurfs to purple based on the cartoon adaptation.
11	** Even earlier in a Random House publication of ''Smurfery'' in "Romeo And Smurfette," where the black paint Jokey uses to disguise himself as a Black Smurf to play a prank on somebody was changed to green (and now purple in the Papercutz reprint).
12	** And like the cartoon adaptation, Papercutz changed the Swoof's skin colors from orange to green of the original comic book story "The Astro Smurf," also for the same reasons.
13	* FollowTheLeader: The extreme popularity of the comics and the animated series led to many attempts at repeating this success. Examples include the Galaxians from ''ComicBook/TheScrameustache'' and ''WesternAnimation/TheSnorks'' (part of a few attempts by HB studios itself!).
14	* NoExportForYou: Papercutz has been starting to publish Smurfs comic books that haven't seen an English translation for years.
15	* OutlivedItsCreator: Peyo's son continues to write the stories, with other artists doing the cartoon work.
16
17	!!For the 1961 series:
18	* ActingForTwo: Nelly Beghin voices Brainy, Jokey, Azrael, and a few male Smurfs, while Jeannine Cherel voices Grouchy, Painter, Lazy, and Flying throughout the series.
19	* CrossdressingVoices: In the original French/Walloon version, a majority of The Smurfs were voiced by female voice actresses. Notably Nelly Beghin who voices Brainy, Jokey, and the other male smurfs.
20	* KeepCirculatingTheTapes: The 1961-1965 animated shorts never gained an official release on DVD or VHS, and was only viewed at the "Belgian Comic Strip Center" in Brussels, Belgium at an exhibit highlighting the franchise's history for 15 years. The only thing related to the 1960s series that got released to the public was a 1965 vinyl record called ''V'la Les Schtroumpfs!'' which contains [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIcf1IuPVAI the series' theme song]] and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUTeoc0sIv4 background music.]] It wasn't until October 28, 2023 that episodes from the 1960s show would get uploaded to the official French Youtube channel on a weekly basis starting with [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJp03a2mcU0&t=630s "The Smurfnapper"]] until November 23, 2023 [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJp03a2mcU0 with]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOJrfbMS_kU a total]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hhFVRUI9Ko of 5 episodes]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3otVSLADSeE fully remastered]]. However, "The Fake Smurf" and "The Flute Smurf" wasn't included and can only be viewed at the Belgian Comic Strip Center.
21	* NoExportForYou: Unlike the "Magic Flute" movie in the 70s, the series never received an English dub in any of the English-speaking countries (Canada, United States, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand).
22
23	!!For the [[WesternAnimation/TheSmurfsAndTheMagicFlute 1976 film "The Smurfs and the Magic Flute"]] by Belvision Studios:
24	* Go [[Trivia/TheSmurfsAndTheMagicFlute here]]
25
26	!!For the [[WesternAnimation/TheSmurfs1981 Hanna-Barbera cartoon]] animated series:
27	* Go [[Trivia/TheSmurfs1981 here]]
28
29	!!For the [[WesternAnimation/TheSmurfs2021 2021 CGI animated series]]:
30	* Go [[Trivia/TheSmurfs2021 here]]
31
32	!!For ''VideoGame/SmurfRescueInGargamelsCastle'':
33	* WhatCouldHaveBeen:
34	** An Intellivision version and a Platform/ColecoVision Super Game module version were announced, but were never worked on or released.
35	** The Platform/{{Intellivision}} version was actually being worked on by [=CollectorVision=], but due to legal reasons, it got converted into ''VideoGame/SydneyHunterAndTheShrinesOfPeril''.
36
37	!!For the [[VideoGame/TheSmurfs1994 1994 videogame]] released by Infogrames:
38	* NoExportForYou: Except for the Gameboy version, this game never saw a full American release.
39
40	!!For ''The Smurfs Travel The World'' video game:
41	* NoExportForYou: This game never saw a full American release.
42	* RecycledScript: It's basically a condensed version of Season 9 from ''WesternAnimation/TheSmurfs1981'' cartoon show, without the time travel.
43
44	!!For the [[Film/TheSmurfs Live Action/CGI 2011 film]] released by Sony Pictures:
45	* ActorAllusion:
46	** In one scene, Smurfette says "[[Music/KatyPerry I kissed a Smurf and I... liked it]]!" and the fact she sings the Smurfs' song.
47	** Gutsy's voice actor Creator/AlanCumming playing a blue skinned character in the form of [[Film/X2XMenUnited Nightcrawler]]. Plus he and John Kassir both appeared in [[Film/ReeferMadnessTheMusical a musical]] together.
48	** Another Smurf example is Chef Smurf being voiced by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck.
49	** Greedy's voice actor Kenan Thompson had previously played a [[Film/FatAlbert cartoon character made real]], though in this case, it's more like live action based on cartoon which in turn is based on comic.
50	** And Creator/JonathanWinters also time-traveled as a Smurf before.
51	** When Gargamel is first introduced, he's using a Papa Smurf and Smurfette marionette puppets, he provides different voices for each one. The guy who plays Gargamel is experienced voice actor Creator/HankAzaria.
52	*** The fact Gargamel has puppets could allude to his '80s cartoon self being voiced by ventriloquist Creator/PaulWinchell.
53	** Besides Azrael, Creator/FrankWelker voiced (or at least provided vocal effects) of other felines before. Most notable ones being [[WesternAnimation/MickeyMouseClubhouse Fig]][[WesternAnimation/HouseOfMouse aro]], [[WesternAnimation/TinyToonAdventures Furrball]], [[Franchise/{{Aladdin}} Rajah]], [[WesternAnimation/TomAndJerryKids Tom Cat]], [[WesternAnimation/GoofTroop Waffles]], [[WesternAnimation/TheGarfieldShow Garfield]], and [[WesternAnimation/CinderellaIIIATwistinTime Luci]][[WesternAnimation/CinderellaIIDreamsComeTrue fer]].
54	** One of the ads clearly seen in Times Square is ''Series/{{Community}}''. Vanity Smurf's voice actor John Oliver appeared as a recurring role of faculty member Dr. Ian Duncan.
55	** The apartment Patrick and Grace live in is called [=McKinley=], name of the high school in ''Series/{{Glee}}'', where both Creator/NeilPatrickHarris and Creator/JaymaMays appeared in, the former in a minor role and the latter is a major character.
56	** One of the models advertising Patrick's product at the beginning of the movie is Madison [=McKinley=], who began her career as a fashion model at age seventeen.
57	** Victor Pagan played a bum, or homeless person as he's credited, in ''Malachance''.
58	** Joe Urban, the Riker's Island inmate lifting weights closest to Gargamel, played an inmate twice before in ''Michael & Michael Have Issues'' and ''Aurthur''.
59	* CastingGag: American-Austrian celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck as Chef Smurf.
60	* CelebrityVoiceActor: Creator/JonathanWinters, Creator/AlanCumming, Music/KatyPerry, Fred Armisen, George Lopez, Creator/AntonYelchin, Kenan Thompson, Creator/JeffFoxworthy, John Oliver, Wolfgang Puck, Gary Basarabi, Creator/PaulReubens, B.J. Novak, John Kassir and Joel [=McCrary=].
61	* TheDanza: Patrick is the middle name of Patrick Winslow's actor, Neil Harris.
62	* ExecutiveMeddling: This brought Gutsy Smurf into the film, apparently because Hefty Smurf wasn't sufficiently macho (or Scottish) to be TheBigGuy.
63	* MissingTrailerScene: In the original trailer, Grouchy is heard saying "I think I just smurfed, in my mouth" while giving the audience an annoyed glance. This scene is never used in the actual movie.
64	* RoleReprise:
65	** '''Inverted''' with Creator/JonathanWinters and Creator/FrankWelker, who both voiced Grandpa and Hefty/Poet/Wild/Clockwork (among others) in the animated series.
66	** In the Italian dub, Clumsy, Brainy, Smurfette, and Gargamel have all the original voice actors of the animated series back in their respective roles.
67	** In the European French dub, Creator/GerardHernandez reprised his role as Papa Smurf from the original cartoon[[note]]although he didn't reprise his role as Grouchy Smurf either[[/note]], being one of the few major voice actors who worked on that dub to be either still alive or not yet retired. However, Creator/CelineMonsarrat (the original French voice of Smurfette and the only other voice actor from that cartoon to still be active) [[AvertedTrope didn't reprise the role]], instead being replaced by [[CelebrityVoiceActor famous Quebecer singer Béatrice Martin AKA Coeur de pirate]][[note]]who would later be replaced by Creator/MarieEugenieMarechal (another professional voice actress) for the sequel[[/note]].
68	* WhatCouldHaveBeen: One of the original proposals to the plot of the 2011 movie was that the Smurfs were toys that came to life through the tears of a sad little girl.
69	** Baker was supposedly going to be one of the main Smurfs.
70	** Panicky Smurf was set to appear with Adam Wylie providing his voice and being sold in merchandise at UsefulNotes/McDonalds but instead is only mentioned.
71	** The film was initially set up at [[Creator/{{Paramount}} Paramount Pictures]] and [[Creator/{{Nickelodeon}} Nickelodeon Movies]], where it was planned as a fully animated film, which would have been the first of a trilogy. The project switched to Creator/ColumbiaPictures and Creator/SonyPicturesAnimation in June 2008.
72	** Creator/AlysonHannigan was considered for the part of Grace, Creator/JohnLithgow and Creator/WallaceShawn were considered to play Gargamel, and Creator/QuentinTarantino was approached to voice Brainy.
73	** Creator/BenAffleck, Creator/SallyField, Creator/LucyLiu, Creator/JuliaSweeney, Creator/MarisaTomei, and Creator/BenStiller were all considered for parts.
74	!!For animated feature ''WesternAnimation/TheSmurfsAChristmasCarol''
75	* Go [[Trivia/TheSmurfsAChristmasCarol here]].
76	!!For the [[Film/TheSmurfs2 Live Action/CGI 2013 sequel]] released by Sony Pictures:
77	* Go [[Trivia/TheSmurfs2 here]].
78	!! For ''WesternAnimation/TheSmurfsTheLegendOfSmurfyHollow'':
79	* Go [[Trivia/TheSmurfsTheLegendOfSmurfyHollow here]].
80	!! For ''WesternAnimation/SmurfsTheLostVillage'':
81	* Go [[Trivia/SmurfsTheLostVillage here]].

Context Trivia / TheSmurfs