Three-dimensional stereoscopic images were invented in 1838, but it took 145 years for the first 3D animated feature to be made. Australian cartoonist Alexander Stitt is best known for creating the ‘Life. Be in It’ advertisements, along with characters from the ‘Slip-Slop-Slap’ ads, but in 1983 he made Abra Cadabra. This 3D cosmic fantasy stars John Farnham and Jacki Weaver in an adaptation of the Pied Piper story. It creates depth by using the Triangle 3D anaglyph system and special ‘AbraGoggles’ designed by Stitt. Unfortunately, the sale of Channel Nine meant the film wasn’t released, but it did screen on Nickelodeon in the 1980s and at film festivals.
Content notification
Our collection comprises over 40,000 moving image works, acquired and catalogued between the 1940s and early 2000s. As a result, some items may reflect outdated, offensive and possibly harmful views and opinions. ACMI is working to identify and redress such usages.
Learn more about our collection and our collection policy here. If you come across harmful content on our website that you would like to report, let us know.
Collection
Not in ACMI's collection
On display until
16 February 2031
ACMI: Gallery 1
Credits
Collection metadata
ACMI Identifier
181417
Curatorial sections
The Story of the Moving Image → Moving Pictures → MI-08. Immersive Innovations → MI-08-AV01A
The Story of the Moving Image → Moving Pictures → MI-08. Immersive Innovations → MI-08-C01
Object Types
Moving image file/Digital