Unser Sandmännchen ("Our Little Sandman"), Das Sandmännchen ("The Little Sandman"), Der Abendgruß ("The Evening-Greeting"), Abendgruß ("Evening-Greeting"), Der Sandmann ("The Sandman"), Sandmann ("Sandman"), Sandmännchen ("Little Sandman") is a German children's bedtime television programme using stop motion animation. The puppet was based on the Ole Lukøje character by Hans Christian Andersen. Two versions of Sandmännchen were created: one in East Germany (Unser Sandmännchen), and one in West Germany (Das Sandmännchen). The series is the longest running animated television series in history. Background The original idea came from of West Berlin TV and radio station Sender Freies Berlin (SFB), who, with the help of author Johanna Schüppel, developed a working version in 1958. The Little Sandman himself first appeared on screen in West Berlin in Sandmännchens Gruß für Kinder (Sandmännchen's Greeting to Children) on 1 December 1959, and other episodes were soon made. However, on 22 November 1959 (only three weeks after the production had started), East German television Deutscher Fernsehfunk (DFF) began broadcasting its own Unser Sandmännchen, complete with its own "good night, children" character, also called Sandmännchen. Created by the puppetmaster and director Gerhard Behrendt, the East German show represented everyday life, travel, and fantastic adventures. The character often showcased socialist technological achievements, such as the use of awe-inspiring vehicles like futuristic cars and flying devices. It was very popular with GDR citizens to the point that after the wall fell, former citizens lamented the appropriation of the beloved cartoon by corporate West German television. The production of the West German version of Sandmännchen ceased in 1991, following the unification of Germany. The East German version was ultimately more popular, and repeats of episodes are still broadcast today. A full-length feature film, The Sandman and the Lost Sand of Dreams (German: Das Sandmännchen – Abenteuer im Traumland, literally "The Little Sandman – Adventure[s] in Dreamland"), was released in 2010. Theme tune Wolfgang Richter composed the theme to the East German programme in just three hours one evening. Wolfgang Krumbach wrote the text. It was sung by the Rundfunk-Kinderchor Berlin. Opening verse (on the Sandman's arrival): "Sandmann, lieber Sandmann, es ist noch nicht so weit! Wir sehen erst den Abendgruß, ehe jedes Kind ins Bettchen muß, du hast gewiß noch Zeit." Translation: Sandman, dear Sandman, it's not yet time! First we'll watch the "Evening Greeting" before every child must go to bed. Surely you have time for that. There was a second