Le bourreau

I also saw this short as a child. Probably in about the 5th grade. It left an indelible impression on me and I continue to use this poem as an example for people when groups allow other groups to be ganged up on and have their rights taken away.

Even more remarkable is that while attending college at Cal Poly, I would take summer classes at the local community college to get credits and save money. Took 2nd Semester Freshman lit and guess who my teacher was...yes, Mr. Ogden himself. He is a remarkable man and I have total respect for the man.

He is still teaching I believe in Costa Mesa at the Coast Community College.

Just watched on the Trailers From Hell site this unusual horror short based on the poem of the same name by Maurice Ogden and directed by Les Goldman and Paul Julian who was also involved in the haunting UPA animated short The Tell Tale Heart which was based on an Edgar Allan Poe composition. Unusual because the painted images are mostly still while the narrator Herschel Bernardi talks and musician conductor Serge Hovey plays on the soundtrack. Only occasionally do some images appear to be moving and that's because of some dissolves involving a gallows contraption. The chilling message comes through loud and clear by the end and makes you think about what kind of society you're willing to tolerate to what means. So for that reason, I highly recommend The Hangman.

Herschel Bernardi recites Maurie Ogden's poem about a hangman. He sets up his gallows in the courthouse square, and begins to hang citizens of the town. As the narrator watches, more and more people are hanged. Will there be an end to it?

It's a powerful poem on the theme that those who do not demand justice for others will not receive it themselves. I would very much like to give this a higher rating. The words are good, the voice performance by Bernardi are good, and the illustrations by Paul Julian's team of graphic artists are good. However, I cannot award it a higher score, because this is not animation, but what is called "illustrated radio".