If you ever needed proof that even at the Academy Award-nominated level, even when the official category was called cartoons; that animation isn’t just for kids’ stories. This is proof. Sure, it was unlikely to be selected over The Two Mouseketeers (Tom & Jerry) and Lambert the Sheepish Lion (Disney), but its nomination is noteworthy. As is the musical treatment and minimalist animation style, and usage of color.
Fatty Arbuckle had his career derailed by scandal, but he did have comeback attempts. This one a talkie, which is rather enjoyable and funny.
There are many natural wonders that are great fodder for nature docs and a Earth Day-themed post. However, it’s not right to be overly-rosy about the state of the climate at all times. Recognizing this fact and making people more cognizant of the environment lead to the creation of the day.
This is a historic recording in Greenland of a large ice calving. It is breathtaking on many levels and more reason to be mindful of what we do on this and every day. If interested in further pursuit follow the link above or the one cited at the end of the video.
This is a film I found by chance on the Internet Archive. It’s classic collision course comedy with silent slapstick styling thrown in. Enjoy!
Watch the film at the link below:
I have been, for quite some time, been sifting through a Little Rascals box set. It claims to be complete in terms of talkies. It just may be. However, it includes bonus silent films (about 4 and ingores the rest). Here’s one of the ignored one. It’s a bit of a different game in silents and I rather like this one.
I happened upon this film by chance. I had yet to see a film by Jiří Trnka. Having seen many of Švankmajer’s works I always wanted to. The clay-animation herein is quite excellent and the subject matter appropriately surreal. Enjoy!
OK, so this one is a little different. I have discussed in posts past how amusement parks can and are pushing audiovisual boundaries. This film isn’t exactly a boundary-pusher, however, owing to the fact that the Norway pavilion in Epcot is being revamped and conquered by Frozen; this is a relic. Norway’s film was without question the shortest and oldest country-dedicated short in Epcot. Add to that the fact that it was played after Maelstrom, the former main attraction in the Norway section, and many people talked and/or walked right through it and on to the next ride, and you can see why it needs attention drawn to it. It was always my favorite, and even if going on the ride multiple times I still watched it. Now that it’s closed it’s good to find there are some captures online. This one is particularly quiet and fairly good. Enjoy, because you can’t see it in person anymore!
Yes, if you can believe it this is a Walt Disney production. It is one of the more fascinating of Disney productions in many regards. Firstly, because although Disney did make educational and didactic films on occasion they were rarely on such a frank subject. The forthrightness of it in such a prudish day an age made this a rarely seen title for many years. Anyone who has had health since it became a virtually mandated class will not be stunned but taking the context of this being made in 1946 adds some surprise to the proceedings.
This is great contemporary newsreel look at how Disney creates its animated films. This was made in light of the release of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. One interesting factoid is the budget cited as $1.5 million dollars. Adjusted for inflation that’s $25 million today; I am unsure how much unionization would have ballooned that but just on raw numbers it’s an interesting tidbit. Despite its dated tone its a more entertaining explanation of the traditional animation process than I would give.
Is the second Adventures in Music short produced by Disney and the first animated film ever presented in Cinemascope. It is a funny and didactic tour through the evolution of the sections of orchestration from pre-history through modern times. Enjoy!
