Why so much recycling of Enid's stories?

Discuss Blyton's magazines, short stories and poetry here.
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pete9012S
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Why so much recycling of Enid's stories?

Post by pete9012S »

I was doing a little research on the short story Snicker The Brownie and soon realised due to the help from the cave that this short story has appeared in numerous volumes over the years since its first appearance in Enid Blyton's Sunny Stories (Issue 23, June 1937)....

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Short Stories and Poems... [Back to Top]
Snicker the Brownie
from Enid Blyton's Jolly Story Book (Hodder & Stoughton 1944)
Snicker the Brownie
from Enid Blyton's Bedside Book - Number Six (World Distributors 1966)
Snickers the Brownie
from Enid Blyton's Playtime Story Book - Number Ten (World Distributors 1969)
Snickers the Brownie
from Enid Blyton's Playtime Story Book - Number Eighteen (World Distributors 1971)
Snicker the Brownie
from Snicker the Brownie (Hodder Causton 1974)
Snicker the Brownie
from Enid Blyton's Turquoise Storybook (Knight (Brockhampton Press) 1983)
Snicker the Brownie
from Snicker the Brownie and Other Stories (Award 1985)
Magazines... [Back to Top]
Snicker the Brownie - Enid Blyton's Sunny Stories (Issue 23, June 1937)
Snicker the Brownie
The Little Black Doll
Adventures of the Wishing Chair – Ch.23: Mr. Twisty
Feefo, Tuppeny and Jinks [89-92]
Fox Gloves
The Silly-Billy
A Fine Catch [1-4]
http://www.enidblytonsociety.co.uk/sear ... howstories" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Why are Enid's stories recycled so endlessly? And why does Snicker the Brownie become Snickers (plural) the Brownie in some editions? Have the editors been subconsciously influenced by the choco bar? Admittedly keeping abreast and up to date with all of Enid's vast output must be a marathon challenge for even the most organised and meticulous compiler.
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Re: Why so much recycling of Enid's stories?

Post by Poppy »

The only reason why I think the books are being published so often is that they must be so popular. No child's bookshelf is complete without a few Blytons there and I think both parents and publishers are beginning to realise this. I have seen Snicker the Brownie several times in different places over the last few days. I saw it in our local BOYES store, and elsewhere I cannot remember. In answer to your question about the change in title: perhaps the two brands of chocolate treats are clashing?! (Brownie/ Snicker) :wink:
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Re: Why so much recycling of Enid's stories?

Post by Daisy »

Poppy wrote:. In answer to your question about the change in title: perhaps the two brands of chocolate treats are clashing?! (Brownie/ Snicker) :wink:
pete9012S wrote:
......influenced by the choco bar? Admittedly keeping abreast and up to date with all of Enid's vast output must be a marathon challenge for even the most organised and meticulous compiler.
Was that intentional or subconscious, Pete?
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Re: Why so much recycling of Enid's stories?

Post by pete9012S »

Sorry Daisy,it was one of my usual weak attempts at humour... :oops:
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Re: Why so much recycling of Enid's stories?

Post by Daisy »

Don't apologise Pete - I appreciated it! :lol:
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Re: Why so much recycling of Enid's stories?

Post by floragord »

Maybe its like movies, Pete? No-one can think of anything new so they recycle/update old favourites, usually nothing like as good as the original, I'm thankful GONE WITH THE WIND was left alone - why change perfection :?: :?:
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Re: Why so much recycling of Enid's stories?

Post by Carlotta King »

I never like modern updated versions of old films. I love old movies from the 40s to the 60s and all the modern remakes are just nowhere near as good in my opinion. They just seem too 'modern' for want of a better word! I love the feel and atmosphere of movies made in the 50s and 60s, and even the look of the actual filming.
Two that spring to mind are The Day The Earth Stood Still and Clash Of The Titans. I adore the old versions of both these films and have watched them countless times. However the modern ones just looked awful. I didn't even watch the whole films, I just saw part of them and that was enough - too modern, too violent, just awful.
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Re: Why so much recycling of Enid's stories?

Post by floragord »

I love the (original) DR DOOLITTLE with Rex Harrison and THE PARENT TRAP with wonderful Hayley Mills, the remakes are seriously wince-worthy and as for the remake of THE NUTTY PROFESSOR with the sublime Jerry Lewis.....
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Re: Why so much recycling of Enid's stories?

Post by Rob Houghton »

I think the main reason why Enid's stories were recycled so frequently is that it enabled Enid to make more money! She was a business woman, after all, and much of the recycling was already taking place when she was still a fairly young writer. For example, much of the content of 'The Boys and Girls Story books' of the 1930's were featured in other story collections over the years, the Holiday Books featured stories often found elsewhere too. More recently, publishers seem to have discovered that a cheap and easy way of making money is to publish 'new' collections of Enid's stories, but many of them are recycled again and again in different formats - easy money, to be a bit cynical.
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Re: Why so much recycling of Enid's stories?

Post by Moonraker »

Agatha Christie also recycled plots and stories. Some short stories were tinkered with and became FLNs. As you say, Rob, it's a money spinner.
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Re: Why so much recycling of Enid's stories?

Post by Courtenay »

Well, as a good friend of mine says about things like this, "Why re-invent the wheel?" 8)
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