Happy holidays, folks!
Originally, this was going to be the big event for me this weekend, until I was ‘adopted’ for Christmas by a neighbor. (For the uninitiated, I moved from the east to west coast this summer to pursue an animation career, leaving behind all my family and the few friends I had there.) Still, this was a big thing for me, I got to treat myself to some beloved old cartoons while knee-deep in small children and old people er, do some job research.
The films were being shown at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, CA, originally a vaudeville and motion picture palace, it is now volunteer-run and hosts vintage film screenings and various performance arts. Jerry Beck, the animation historian who runs Cartoon Brew, and Frank Gladstone, who is a producer and animator (among other talents), were the hosts for the day’s showing. I met both of them briefly while wandering the CTNeXpo, an animation convention (which I apologize for not posting about last month {it was freaking awesome, btw}).
Anyway, we watched 6 cartoons, one each from five somewhat prominent and recognizable studios of the late 30′s through 50′s – MGM, Terrytoons, UPA, Disney, Walter Lantz, Fleischer, and two Warner Bros. cartoons to start and finish. All supposedly played on original 33mm, all on the big screen – as they would have been seen in their heydays. Prior to the feature, they played an original theatre trailer for Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds – which will be screened at the Alex in April.
Here’s the line-up (each will open to it’s own Youtube page since my blog is loading too slowly to properly embed)
- Duck Amuck – Daffy Duck – Warner 1953
This film, where Daffy fights against an unseen animator, was the first of three Chuck Jones shorts inducted into the National Film Registry. - Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Mouse – Tom and Jerry – MGM 1947
This was directed by a familiar duo known as Hanna and Barbera, 20 years before the opening of their own studio and familiar limited animation style (which was, in part, to keep up with the demands of a TV cartoon production schedule)
- Mother Goose’s Birthday Party – Mighty Mouse – Terrytoons 1950
Prior to the showing of this ultra rare film (since MM is never shown on TV, and supposedly has no official release collection), Jerry and Frank showed a quick little video that broke-down and highlighted the somewhat absurd ‘straight ahead’ animation style of Jim Tyer. I think this went over a lot of people’s heads, but never the less was interesting to see how one person would achieve different effects and visual gags. - Popeye the sailor Meets Ali Baba’s Fourty Thieves – Fleischer 1937
Along with the break-down, there was also a quick behind-the-scenes type clip briefly explaining the process the Fleischer’s used to animate cel cartoons against 3-D backgrounds. The had a rig set up that would hold up a frame of animation over a table where the background had been constructed in miniature. A camera was also attached to the rig and for each frame of motion, the rig was moved slightly. While this method seems bulky and awkward, filming the background THEN overlaying cels of animation would probably have been more problematic and costly, requiring far more redraws or reshoots to correct errors. Their method also opened up the ability to have 3-D elements in the foreground for added depth. - Gerald McBoing Boing – UPA 1951
With a story by Dr. Seuss, UPA pioneered a bold, geometric art style, and also continued to buck the long-standing tradition of making cartoons about animals. You may be more familiar with their first human star – Mr. Magoo. - Lonesome Ghosts – Mickey, Donald, Goofy – Disney 1937
Our hosts said this might have been the inspiration for the movie Ghostbusters, and while in a round-about way it might be (though anyone who knows the original premise of the 80′s classic would disagree) I’d say it’s a little closer to the 70′s TV Show featuring Forrest Tucker, Larry Storch and the gorilla… Though it was the cartoon used in the DTV music video of Ghostbusters… ANYWAY…….. - The Cracked Nut (originally released sans title) – Woody Woodpecker – Walter Lantz 1941
The 1940′s was a real turning point in animation, which for the most part was driven by talking animals and more importantly classical music and fairytale themes. Woody, originally a side character in one Andy Panda cartoon, kicks the entire notion of class right in the dick. This film, originally just called Universal presents “Woody Woodpecker”, has absolutely no plot and it’s just complete weirdness for 6 minutes. - What’s Opera Doc? – Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd – Warner Bros. 1957
Considered Chuck Jones’ masterpiece, it is also one of the illustrious 3 films of his in the National Film Registry. This was also one of the last cartoons with Arthur Q. Bryan providing the voice of Elmer Fudd, before his death in 1959.
Aside from the sudden disturbance of a wailing child being removed from the theatre during Lonesome Ghosts the afternoon was great. At the suggestion of our hosts (as if I needed an excuse) I sang along with What’s Opera Doc? which I’ll have you know is one of my very favorites. I’m also not afraid to admit my eyes got a little moist at the end.
For more information about Alex Theatre, and the Alex Film Society, including how to become a member and/or donate, check out the websites below.