Animation Sensation: All's Fair at the Fair, 1938

"All's Fair at the Fair" was released in 1938, and was a Color Classic produced by Max Fleischer and distributed by Paramount.

A review of the short written upon its release describes it thusly:

"A couple of sticks visit the Fair grounds, and find themselves participating in a series of adventures with the ultra-modern mechanism operated by robots. Finally, they reach the dance pavilion, and the wife and husband each are taken in hand by robots and whirled around the floor. Other mechanical gags give them a marvelous meal, beauty and barber treatments, and clinical attention to restore their youth. Very clever and novel. A Max Fleischer cartoon in Technicolor."

Fleischer intended then cartoon as a nod to the coming 1939 New York World's Fair.

Wednesday Weirdness: Gypped in Egypt, 1930

Today, I'm feeling a little animated.  So, let's all have some cartoon weirdness.  This particular nightmare comes to us from 1930 and features the, sadly, relatively unremembered “Waffles and Dan.” “Gypped in Egypt” follows the adventures of the mismatched duo as they freak themselves out in Egypt. It’s a Van Beuren Cartoon, so you know it will be odd. 


As with all cartoons of the 30s, expect lots of knee-bending and muttering.  Enjoy! 

Friday Fun: Emanuele Luzzati’s “Punch and the Magic Fish”

Previously, I've posted films animated by the painter, scenic designer and director, Emanuele Luzzati which depicted scenes from the daily life of Mr. Punch’s Italian cousin, “Pulcinella"--this one included.

Still, after a couple of years,  I can't help but repost this enchanting film by Luzzati and Giulio Gianini entitled, Pulcinella e il pesce magico (Punch and the Magic Fish).  Based on a tale by the Brothers Grimm and retold with Pulcinella as the lead, this adorable film was also translated into a picture book of the same name.  

Enjoy!  Again!

Friday Fun: Emanuele Luzzati’s “Pulcinella,” 1973

Regular readers will have seen this short film before.  I shared this with you in 2010, but I love it so much, I thought that, it was time to bring it out again, especially since this year marks the film's fortieth anniversary (and, at the end of this year, mine, too).

Emanuele Luzzati (1921-2007) was one of the foremost Italian animators of his time. A painter, production designer, and film director, Luzzati was inspired by classical theatrical works and music. His short animated film,Pulcinella, was nominated for an Academy Award in 1973. The film shows a scene of perennial trickster, Pulcinella (Mr. Punch’s Italian predecessor) as he struggles with his wife, gets into a little tangle with the law, and embarks on a wild, Punch-like, fantastical spree. The film is set to the music of Il Turco in Italia by Rossini.


This really is quite lovely and charming…