It regurgitates a lot of stuff you all probably are familiar with but it is an interesting summary of the smurfs history and popcultural significance to mark the anniversary.
http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,881 ... 03,00.html
...these white-capped, blue dwarfs are getting set for the silver screen: Paramount Pictures is currently developing a CGI 3D Smurf feature through its Nickelodeon Films unit that would bring the mischievous creatures to a whole new generation (the currently untitled movie is tentatively scheduled for a 2010 release). In parallel, IMPS (International Merchandising, Promotion & Services) which runs the Smurf empire, is working on its own new cutting-edge animation that could revive the dormant television series once again.
In recent years, Smurfs have had to endure online accusations that they were closet Communists, as they share everything in their idyllic village, wear the same uniform, and sing the same catchy song. And there is even a theory that their sworn enemies — evil wizard Gargamel, along with his mangy cat, Azrael — represent international capitalism. Peyo's family fiercely denies this and insists the stories are apolitical. But Peyo did use the Smurfs to satirize Belgium's endless language wars between French and Dutch speakers: in one album, he divides the village into two halves that fight over whether the term "smurf" should be used as a verb or as a noun.
The cartoons sparked a merchandise bonanza, and about 3,000 products and services have used the Smurf brand image, from McDonald's to VW, Coca-Cola and Kellogg's. Candy maker Haribo has sold more than 6.5 billion of its jellied Smurf sweets over the past two decades, while over 10 million Smurf CDs have been sold in the last three years alone. There was also a traveling ice show, a France theme park called Big Bang Schtroumpf (as well as Smurf attractions cropping up in five U.S. and Canadian theme parks), and the smash hit The Smurf Song by Dutch singer Father Abraham reached No. 1 in 16 countries back in 1977.
