When the staff at GnomeTownUSA.com first heard that Disney was producing Gnomeo and Juliet, we thought it was fantastic that these pointy-hat lawn ornaments were finally getting some much deserved recognition beyond a few print ads and the occasional TV commercial!  This animated take on the old Will Shakespeare tale of forbidden love captures the struggles of two gnomes who happen to be from rival gnome clans. The blue gnomes and the red gnomes are deeply caught up in a long time feud that of course, no one can remember why. They spend all their energy competing and sabotaging one another to prove who has the better garden. Gnomeo and Juliet meet and fall in love, then strive to find a way to make their lives work amidst this constant chaos.

According to folklore, gnomes are peaceful creatures so to see warring gnomes seemed out of character and a bit bothersome. But, hey, gnomes are mythical figures, so filmmakers are free to exercise their poetic license when it comes to making a movie. One thing that the writers did get right was how gnomes do not let themselves be known to humans. While in the presence of humans they perform their garden decoration duties, but when humans aren’t around they tend to their gardens and in this case their ongoing feud. In one scene, Gnomeo and a rival gnome are in mid air armed with weapons and ready to strike when they notice a human shadow at the window. They immediately drop their weapons and strike a statue-like pose with Gnomeo playing the part of a wheelbarrow.

If you’re a gnome fan, you’ll appreciate the artistic achievements of this movie. Much to our delight and to others who are true gnome enthusiasts, there were certain details that were amusing as well as endearing. For an animated movie, you wouldn’t expect certain details to be embraced. For example, garden gnomes are usually made of a resin substance. It was a pleasant surprise to hear the clinking of their clay-like bodies as they walked or bumped into something. Their faces and bodies wore the slight imperfections, marks, and weathered coloring that you would normally find in actual gnome statuary. Then there were the two gnomes that are paired together in the same base who try to split up and then fall over because they are forever a twosome.

There were many supporting characters that helped give this movie some entertaining value.  Our favorite was Nannette the frog who looks after Juliet. Nannette has a water hose for a tongue and as she talks a few droplets fly out of her mouth. She has some great lines and flirts shamelessly with a mushroom and a gnome with Elton John glasses. Watch for the humorous scenes with the gnome with the yellow daisy petals surrounding his face and a spray can strapped to his back, the pink Flamingo, and the gnome wearing a Borat-like red thong swim suit.

We found that a few Gnomes found on our web site bear a resemblance to Juliet’s father.  Their faces, beards, and clothing all have some similarities. Over the years, we’ve watched gnomes make split-second cameo appearances in movies, so it was fun to finally witness their starring roles.  Whether you’re a gnome enthusiast or just fond of these curious humanoids, keep your eyes open, you never know where our little friends are going to pop up on the big screen!

Click here to view the embedded video.

This would also explain why small children who have sighted Santa describe similar descriptions. Santa is small, but to children he is big. Now you know.

Santa Clause Garden Gnome

Since gnomes have become more popular in recent years thanks to the Travelocity ads engaging them in different life experiences, garden gnomes from GnomeTownUSA.com have made their mark in print ads, television, and on the big screen. Suddenly, the garden gnome has become part of today’s young Hollywood crowd, showing up at awards shows, nightclubs, and elite parties and events. As such, they have also become somewhat of a divo (a male version of the diva), demanding their own trailers, expensive bling, and fashion stylists.

However, we feel in the interest of artistic expression, the garden gnomes are well worth all the fuss. We wish to commend Mr. Eastwood for creating another fantastic movie (and funnier than expected) and wish him continued success. Clint has said that this is the last time he’s going to be in front of the lens. We at GnomeTownUSA.com can only hope that he reconsiders and also that the gnomes are given roles with more substance in his next movie (and higher pay, of course).

Please be aware that “Gran Torino” is an “R” rated movie for language throughout, and some violence.

Our Garden Gnome reporter has just informed us of another gnome sighting. He just returned from viewing the new movie, “House Bunny” in which several garden gnomes were sighted.

“House Bunny” is a movie about a playboy bunny who is thrown out of the Playboy mansion and ends up becoming a house mother at the Zeta sorority house. This playboy bunny turned house mother helps the sorority sisters, who have the least popular sorority on campus, find ways to boost membership in hopes of saving their charter. Our Garden Gnome reporter spotted several scenes of this comedy where gnomes were part of the setting. So if you go to see this movie, look for the gnomes!

McCain’s attack ad says that Obama is the biggest celebrity in the world implying that he is right up there with Paris Hilton and Britney Spears. Actually, McCain could have used one more example, the garden gnome. For centuries garden gnomes tried to lead a quiet life among humans and shunned any sort of attention. Now they are appearing everywhere. We see them in print and television ads and in movies. Recently, Uluru, a high end clothing manufacturer used one of our garden gnomes on the front cover of their printed “Holiday Resort 2008″ catalog.

Their popularity and their celebrity status are growing just like Obama’s. If Obama is the biggest celebrity in the world, then garden gnomes must not be too far behind him. If fact, we wouldn’t be at all surprised if we get a call from the White House some day asking us to ship some to Mr. Obama. After all, being a celebrity has its perks.

I recently went to a party and wore my Garden Gnome T-shirt. I was surprised when a woman asked me where Gnome Town USA was. She actually thought the town was somewhere in the USA.

Being mischievous, I decided to take advantage of the situation. I immediately started to explain that Gnome Town USA did exist and was a place where all garden gnomes go to live. I explained that Gnome Town USA could be anywhere and was all around us.

At this point the lady was completely bewildered and I decided to give her a straight answer. I explained that it was a place in cyber space, the internet. At that point she started laughing so hard I thought she was going to fall off her chair. Afterwards I told her more about the web site. She replied that she was going to look at it and then email her friends to look at our garden gnome web site.

I was privileged to taste the restaurant’s Christmas tea, a blend of herbal tea, cinnamon, and apple that the teahouse was offering that day as the “tea of the day” special. I wondered if the Gnomes had experienced such a wonderful tea. Then as it happened I glanced out the window to take a look at the quiet farmlands put to rest for the winter season when I spotted a Gnome by the back porch. I recognized instantly that it was Gus. He was sitting on a tree stump sipping a cup of tea. I’m sure he had no idea that anyone was aware of his presence. I tempted to sit with Gus to share a cup of tea and some conversation, but before I could act, he was gone. Perhaps we’d meet another day?

Pine Island Park is situated on the gulf coast of Florida and although the park is small, it is the perfect location for relaxing or exploring the many wonders of the marshy area. I was anxiously awaiting the arrival of the local alligators and even wandered down by the waters where alligator warning signs were posted to see other visitors crabbing for their night’s dinner. As my eyes gazed out over the horizon, one palm tree in particular caught my eye. I noticed something stirring among the swaying leaves and approached to get a better look. I couldn’t believe it. A very precarious Gnome had spotted me. Gnomes are known to be visible only to those who are friendly and believe in them and we soon were engaged in conversation. He explained to me that his mission was to protect the tropical greenery as the area had been affected by weather and other elements in recent years. It also didn’t hurt to get a suntan. I suspected that his true mission was a much needed vacation, but who am I to argue with a Gnome? Hope he knows about the lightening storms.

http://www.gnometownusa.com/real-size-thomas-with-basket.html

We were at a loss for an explanation. We recalled that all the Gnomes had been moved to the stock room. Yet Thomas had moved. How could this have happened?

Could the Thomas with Basket figurine have taken a life of its own and gone back to the room in search of something to add to his basket? Perhaps a real Gnome, unbeknownst to us, moved the figurine? In any event, it is well known that Gnomes bring good luck. Perhaps, this is an indication of bigger and better things to come for you and us.

You be the judge.

More importantly, Dupree wears a T-shirt during the movie with a drawing of a Gnome and the inscription, “Say hello to my little friend.”

There you go, Gnomes have definitely migrated to the USA!