The 31 May 1965 NYT announced the upcoming production, based on “the dream-adventures of young Hans Christian Andersen and his search for the Garden of Paradise.” The project would include live action and “Animagic,” Videocraft International Productions’ propriety stop-motion animation process, which employed puppets constructed with ball joints. An article in the 10 Apr 1966 LAT noted that each of the approximately eight-inch puppets was assigned its own costumer, makeup artist, and technician. The process had already been demonstrated in the 1964 television special, Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer (NBC). Writer-producer Arthur Rankin, Jr., traveled to Denmark to research Andersen’s life and the inspiration for his stories. Other countries contributing to the two-year project included Canada, England, France, and Japan. According to the 1 Jun 1965 DV, comedian Edgar Bergen was originally cast as “Papa Andersen,” but he relinquished the role to Jack Gilford after more live action sequences were required. The soundtrack had already been completed. A production chart in the 1 Sep 1965 Var stated that principal photography in New York City began 14 Jul 1965. The 23 Jun 1965 DV estimated the budget at $800,000. Various sources credited cartoonist Al Hirschfeld with caricature drawings of the cast in opening credits.
       A news item in the 29 Jun 1966 Var noted that a trade screening was held the previous day in New York City. The picture opened one month later in Los Angeles, CA, to positive reviews.
       The 3 Jun 1965 DV reported that Chesnick Music Company had recently acquired rights to the songs and musical score. The soundtrack album was released on Columbia Records.
       According to the 3 Jul 1965 LAT, the picture marked the screen reunion of actors Ray Bolger and Margaret Hamilton, who previously appeared together in The Wizard of Oz (1939, see entry).