New York City without a distributor; producer Michael Myerberg released the film himself. Based on the positive reviews and box office performance, RKO Radio Pictures acquired the film for wide release for the Christmas season. The film was sold to television four years after it was released, where it became a Christmas-season tradition on several stations. The film was rereleased theatrically in 1965 through New Trends Associates, and in March 1973 through Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The film has been released on VHS, CED videodisc and DVD. The VHS and CED videodiscs contain the original title. The DVD was released on October 30, 2001 with the modified title of Hansel and Gretel: An Opera Fantasy. An LP of the film's soundtrack was released in 1955 under the label "X" RCA, in 1959 under the label RCA Victor and in 1960 under the label RCA Camden. In 1959, it was nominated for a Grammy award in the category of Best Recording for Children. Awards and nominations 1954 Parents' Magazine Medal for Movie of the Month (October) 1959 Grammy Award nominee for Best Recording for Children (conductor Franz Aller) 1995 Dove Foundation Family Approved Seal Merchandise RKO heavily promoted the film in time for the 1954 Christmas season, including $10 million worth of products such as candy, clothing, figurines and toys. A comic book adaptation was published by Dell Comics as issue #590 of its Four Color anthology series. References External links Blog with history of the film and pictures The Art of Evalds Dajevskis 1954 animated films 1954 films 1950s American animated films 1954 musical films 1950s children's animated films American musical films 1950s stop-motion animated films Films based on adaptations Films based on Hansel and Gretel Films based on operas Films about witchcraft RKO Pictures films 1950s English-language films