The Tales of Hoffman is based of the Offenbach opera of the short stories of the romantic poet E T A Hoffman; it was adapted for the screen by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger and released in 1951. Robert Helpmann (1909-1986) was an Australian dancer and choreographer, and one time partner of the ballerina Margot Fonteyn. He later turned to acting, appearing as the child Catcher in Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang.