Mick Jagger in “The Nightingale”

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An episode of Shelley Duvall's Faerie Tale Theatre, “The Nightingale” is based on Hans Christian Andersen's The Emperor and the Nightingale.  Released in 1982, Faerie Tale Theatre features popular actors in a myriad of faerie tales, from “The Tale of the Frog Prince” to “The Dancing Princesses.”

In this particular episode, Mick Jagger plays a Chinese emperor. The setting moves between the emperor's luxurious palace filled with servants and entertainers, a garden with wise attendants, and a dark but magical forest. Between the rockstar's costuming and the episode's set design, this is a clear representation of “The Orient,” a stereotyped western representation of Asia that exoticizes and commodifies the culture.

The opening credits and title also make use of a chop suey font, attempting to mimic the brush strokes of Chinese calligraphy while writing in the English alphabet. This choice is often made to legitimize a western interpretation of Asian culture. 

Screen captures from Shelley Duvall's "The Nightingale," featuring Mick Jagger.
Source: archive.org
Screen captures from Shelley Duvall's "The Nightingale," featuring Mick Jagger.
Mick Jagger in “The Nightingale” 2
Source: archive.org
Mick Jagger in “The Nightingale” 3
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Mick Jagger in “The Nightingale” 4
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Mick Jagger in “The Nightingale” 5
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Mick Jagger in “The Nightingale” 6
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Mick Jagger in “The Nightingale” 7
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Mick Jagger in “The Nightingale” 8
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Mick Jagger in “The Nightingale” 9
Source: archive.org