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I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly

1963 5 min
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This short animation film is cartoon illustration of the eponymous nonsense song by Canadian folksinger Alan Mills. Sung by Burl Ives, the song is given an unbridled interpretation by the cartoonist, and by the end of the song, our old lady has swallowed much more than a fly.

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I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly

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This short animation film is cartoon illustration of the eponymous nonsense song by Canadian folksinger Alan Mills. Sung by Burl Ives, the song is given an unbridled interpretation by the cartoonist, and by the end of the song, our old lady has swallowed much more than a fly.

  • singer
    Burl Ives
  • direction
    Derek Lamb
  • story
    Derek Lamb
  • animation
    Kaj Pindal
  • words
    Rose Bonne
  • music
    Alan Mills
  • arrangements
    Eldon Rathburn
  • sound effects
    Karl Duplessis
  • camera
    James Wilson
  • re-recording
    Murray Fallen
    Ron Alexander
  • producer
    Colin Low
  • executive producer
    Tom Daly

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Education

Ages 6 to 12
Study Guide
School subjects

Use pantomime actions to re-enact different parts of the song. Organize the items the Old Lady swallowed from smallest to largest. What patterns are presented in this song? (e.g., repetition). Create an alternative ending to the song. Research Burl Ives and his contribution to music and Broadway.

I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly
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Home licence (worldwide); Classroom licence (Canada only)

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Institutional licence

The institutional price includes the rights to screen this film in institutional settings and in free public screenings.