Partly Cloudy (2009)
Directed by Peter Sohn (Pixar)
Beautifully-rendered short about the storks who deliver babies and the clouds who make them, and one put-upon stork in particular who delivers the pricklier animals.
This film is being considered for an Oscar nomination.
The Cat Piano (2009)
Directed by Eddie White & Ari Gibson (The People’s Republic of Animation)
Amazing film about a cat writer telling the story of a horrific cat piano. Nick Cave narrates this little horror story, told in shade of blue with a jazzy score.
This film is being considered for an Oscar nomination.
Me Musical Nephews (1942)
Directed by Seymour Kneitel (Famous Studios)
A simple, hilarious, gag-oriented cartoon with one of the most common and surprisingly fertile cartoon set-ups: someone can’t get to sleep because of noise. In this case, it’s Popeye, whose nephews aren’t at all sleepy and would rather play raucous music. Like I said, simple, but the gags and pacing are fast and hysterical.
The Legend of Rockabye Point (1955)
Directed by Tex Avery (Walter Lantz)
It’s hard to believe this is the only time Avery and veteran storyman Mike Maltese ever worked together. It’s also hard to believe that Avery only directed four cartoons for Walter Lantz—this was the second to last, and thus the second to last animated short Avery ever directed. As is evident in this short—which stars Chilly Willy and Maxie the Polar Bear, who are both trying to get some fish away from a guard dog on a fishing boat—Avery was as sharp as ever. This cartoon was even nominated for an Oscar. You probably won’t see a faster, funnier cartoon all day.
Downhearted Duckling (1954)
Directed by William Hanna & Joseph Barbera (MGM)
Depending on your point of view, this Tom and Jerry cartoon is either off-putting or very, very funny. I say funny. But I always think Quackers, the downhearted duckling of the title, is hilarious. In this segment, he’s become suicidally depressed over the tale of the Ugly Duckling, and walks around trying to get Tom to kill him while Jerry works hard to save him. Though Quackers sounds like Donald Duck, his voice is provided by Red Coffee, not Clarence Nash as is often reported.
Steamboat Willie (1928)
Directed by Walt Disney & Ub Iwerks (Walt Disney)
This cartoon made its premiere today in 1928. It was actually the second time the cartoon was released; it was released in July as a silent film, then re-released on 18 November with synchronized sound and music. Not only that, but it was actually Mickey’s second cartoon (the first, Plane Crazy, had been released in March). But it’s still credited as the introduction of Mickey Mouse to the world that soon made him a major star. Happy Birthday, Mickey Mouse!
Koko’s Earth Control (1928)
Directed by Dave Fleischer (Fleischer Studios)
Koko was the Fleischers’ first cartoon star, lasting mainly throughout the silent era. Though he continued to play a supporting role in Betty Boop’s cartoons (and he made some great appearances there), he’s often seen as a relic of the early days of cartoons. That’s a bit unfair, since his cartoons are among the most inventive and energetic of the Fleischers’ high volume of films. This is probably my favorite. What I always notice about Fleischer cartoons is the way so much energy is on display, and almost none of it is to further any story or set up any gags. It’s just for the mad invention of it all.
House (1970)
Directed by Carmen D’Avino (Children’s Television Workshop)
A short-short experimental piece created for The Electric Company. The animation looks very much like laid out construction paper with paint, fitting in perfectly to the show’s afterschool theme. I wish they still showed this kind of experimental animation on kids’ programs.
The Dot and the Line: A Romance in Lower Mathematics (1965)
Directed by Chuck Jones (MGM)
One of Jones’ many masterpieces, this film (done with his usual collaborator Maurice Noble and some incredible animators like Ken Harris and Don Townsley) is based on Norton Juster’s seminal book detailing the romance between a dot and a line. At first the line thinks he isn’t flashy like a squiggle, but soon finds out he can be anything he sets his mind to. Both as an argument for personal strength and a lauding of artistic and mathematical possibilities, this cartoon is one of the best ever made.
Today’s animation was suggested by Becca of No Smoking in the Skullcave and Fuck Yeah Disney Rocks. Thanks, Becca!
Drink (2001)
Directed by Patrick Smith (Blend Films, Inc.)
Patrick Smith is a very talented animator who deserves much more attention. This short is characteristic of his work: beautifully animated, energetic, sudden, occasionally violent, and very imaginative. And it all comes from a very uncomplicated concept: the twisted possibilities inside each of us, as revealed by a special drink.
