Watch History of Animation - Origins of American Animation

1969
1 Season

History of Animation - Origins of American Animation from A2ZCDS is a fascinating look at the early days of animation in America. From hand-drawn cartoons to the first experiments with sound, this program explores the roots of a medium that would go on to become one of the most popular forms of entertainment in the world.

The program starts by examining the earliest cartoon characters, such as Felix the Cat and Krazy Kat, and their impact on the public. It then delves into the work of legendary animators such as Winsor McCay and Max Fleischer, whose innovations in the field of animation paved the way for future generations of animators to come.

One of the highlights of the program is its exploration of the birth of sound in animation. Viewers are treated to examples of early sound cartoons, including Disney's Steamboat Willie, which introduced the world to Mickey Mouse. The segment also touches on the impact of the Hays Code, which forced animators to tone down the more risquÃ© aspects of their cartoons in order to maintain a family-friendly image.

The program also explores the role of animation in propaganda during World War II. Viewers will see examples of cartoons designed to rally public support for the war effort, as well as those that highlighted the sacrifices made by soldiers and their families.

Throughout the program, viewers are treated to a wide range of archival footage and interviews with experts in the field of animation. From historians to animators themselves, the program provides a wealth of insight and information about the early days of animation in America.

Overall, History of Animation - Origins of American Animation from A2ZCDS is a must-see for anyone interested in the history of animation. With its engaging blend of storytelling and expert analysis, the program offers a fascinating look at an art form that has captured the hearts and imaginations of audiences around the world. Whether you're a fan of classic cartoons or simply interested in the origins of this unique medium, this program is sure to entertain and enlighten.

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Seasons

27. Gertie on Tour [Fragment]

Gertie is a dinosaur who lives in present times. She encounters a train and dreams of being the life of the party in her time. Sponsor: Rialto Productions. Producer: Rialto Productions. Year: 1921. Length: 00:01:24. Audio: Silent. Color: Black &White

26. The First Circus - Part 2

During the stone-age the Stonehenge Circus entertained cavemen and women. The circus had a dinosaur that doubled as a trampoline and tightrope for the acrobats. Sponsor: Herbert M. Dawley. Producer: Herbert M. Dawley. Year: 1921. Length: 00:03:30. Audio: Silent. Color: Black &White

25. The First Circus - Part 1

24. The Centaurs [Fragment]

A half human-half horse boy and girl meet and fall in love. They have a baby and go home to their parents for a happy reunion. Sponsor: Herbert M. Dawley. Producer: Herbert M. Dawley. Year: 1921. Length: 00:02:29. Audio: Silent. Color: Black &White

23. Dud Leaves Home

Dud wants to buy his girlfriend Maime an ice cream cone so he breaks open his mother's bank, and splits their last dime in half in the process. His mother punishes him so he runs away. Dud is scared by imaginary ghosts in the dark, so he runs back home where he gets a spanking from his mother.

22. AWOL - All Wrong Old Laddiebuck - Part 2

Concerns American soldiers in Europe after the armstice [sic]. One goes AWOL with "Joy" (Miss AWOL) and after a series of mishaps with her, he is thrown in a guard house while his fellow soldiers go home. Sponsor: American Motion Picture Co. Producer: American Motion Picture Co. Year: 1919. Length: 00:02:37. Audio: Silent. Color: Black &White

21. AWOL - All Wrong Old Laddiebuck - Part 1

20. W.S.S. Thriftettes

A promotion for war savings stamps, reputed here to help confine Germany's Kaiser to a circus cage. Sponsor: Thomas A. Edison Inc. Producer: Thomas A Edison Inc. Year: 1918. Length: 00:00:36. Audio: Silent. Color: Black &White

19. Policy and Pie - Part 2

The Captain gets a life insurance policy and gives it to his wife. In gratitude she makes him a pie. The Katzenjammer Kids play a trick on the Captain and sneak toads into his pie so that he would think his wife is trying to poison him. Sponsor: International Film Service Inc. Producer: International Film Service Inc. Year: 1918. Length: 00:03:31. Audio: Silent. Color: Black &White

18. Policy and Pie - Part 1

17. The Dinosaur and the Missing Link - A Prehistoric Tragedy - Part 2

When the Missing Link goes to the lake to get some water, where the dinosaur is, the dinosaur kills the Missing Link and goes away. Then the "Hero" finds the Missing Link and takes the credit for killing Wild Willie. Sponsor and Producer: Thomas A Edison Inc. Year: 1917. Length: 00:02:53. Audio: Silent. Color: Black &White

16. The Dinosaur and the Missing Link - A Prehistoric Tragedy - Part 1

starts with a caveman going to give some flowers to a cavegirl. He fails when he hits a tree. However, he keeps going. However, the "Self Appointed Hero" of the story steals the girl's heart. Meanwhile, an evil Gorilla-like creature called "Wild Willie" the Missing Link is watching them. Sponsor and Producer: Thomas A Edison Inc. Year: 1917. Length: 00:03:29. Audio: Silent. Color: Black &White

15. Mary and Gretel - Part 2

Mary & Gretel explore the forest and come across Rip Van Winkle, drunken woodsmen, and a bunny. They pluck magic flowers and a fairy appears and sends them home. Sponsor: Toyland Films. Producer: Toyland Films. Year: 1917. Length: 00:02:54. Audio: Silent. Color: Black &White.

14. Mary and Gretel - Part 1

A fairy brings two dolls to life, part of a short lived stop-motion puppet series by animator Howard S. Moss, adapted from a series of books entitled Motoys in Life. Sponsor: Toyland Films. Producer: Toyland Films. Year: 1917. Length: 00:04:07. Audio: Silent. Color: Black &White

13. Bobby Bumps Starts a Lodge

Bobby Bumps plays a trick on his friend who wants to be initiated into his lodge. When his friend outsmarts him and saves his life, they both agree to be initiated into the lodge together. Sponsor: Bray Studios Inc. Producer: Bray Studios Inc. Year: 1916. Length: 00:05:18. Audio: Silent. Color: Black &White

12. Krazy Kat and Ignatz Mouse - At the Circus

An animated cartoon about the adventures of Krazy Kat and Ignatz Mouse at the circus, where they demonstrate their courage to each other by attempting to scare a woman. Sponsor: International Film Service Inc. Producer: International Film Service Inc. Year: 1916. Length: 00:03:02. Audio: Silent. Color: Black &White

11. Krazy Kat Goes A-Wooing

Krazy Kat's serenade outside the window of Ignatz Mouse meets with a barrage of bricks. Based on George Herriman's comic strip Krazy Kat. The digital file includes a piano score composed and performed by Philip Carli. Sponsor: International Film Service Inc. Producer: International Film Service Inc. Year: 1916. Length: 00:02:18. Audio: Silent. Color: Black &White

10. NEVER AGAIN! The Story of a Speeder Cop

An animated cartoon about an ineffectual policeman (Officer Heeler) who quits the force after a losing battle against speeders. Sponsor: International Film Service Inc. Producer: International Film Service Inc. Year: 1916. Length: 00:02:04. Audio: Mono. Color: Black &White

9. Mr. Nobody Holme - He Buys a Jitney

This is yet another rib-tickling animated cartoon about Mr. Nobody Holme, who warms up his sluggish automobile with the assistance of a stick of dynamite. Sponsor: International Film Service Inc. Producer: International Film Service Inc. Year: 1916. Length: 00:01:23. Audio: Mono. Color: Black &White

8. The Phable of the Phat Woman

This is a hilarious animated cartoon about a fat lady who attempts unsuccessfully to lose weight. Sponsor: International Film Service Inc. Producer: International Film Service Inc. Year: 1916. Length: 00:02:10. Audio: Mono. Color: Black &White

7. The Phable of a Busted Romance

6. He Resolves not to Smoke

This funny animated clip shows how a bad dream helps a little fellow decide that smoking wasn't good for him. Sponsor: Essanay Film Manufacturing Co. Producer: Wallace Carlson. Year: 1915. Length: 00:05:06. Audio: Mono. Color: Black &White

5. Men's styles

This hilarious clip shows Pa Mormand's obsession with hats. Like the previous animated short, this one takes a dig at high society and consumer fashion. Created by the Mutual Film Corp in 1915, the film carries a lively musical score. Sponsor: Gaumont Company. Producer: Gaumont Company. Year: 1915. Length: 00:03:37. Audio: Mono. Color: Black &White

4. Women's Styles

This is a humorous comment on women's fashions in 1915. It depicts women in various designs of dresses and captures the effect of this on the husband who cannot comprehend the absurdity of his wife wanting to keep up with the Joneses. This short is based on the newspaper comic strip by "Pop" Mormand, and includes a piano score.

3. Humorous Phases of Funny Faces

An artists draws a series of funny faces which then amazingly come life and go through the motions of smiling, frowning and even smoking. The drawings include a line drawing of two faces, a man with an umbrella, a line drawing of two faces in profile, a clown, faces of "Coon and Cohen," the profile of a seated man, and a bottle of Medic.

2. Fun in a Bakery Shop

This humorous short depicts a baker who discovers a mouse in the bakery. The irate baker proceeds to throw the dough at the mouse and then pummels the dough and manipulates it into several funny masks - all with mouse still trapped inside. His artistic endeavor is brought to an abrupt end when his colleagues unceremoniously dump him head first into a flour barrel.

1. The Enchanted Drawing

Created and published in the United States by the, Edison Manufacturing Co., 1900, this humorous short depicts artist Stuart Blackton drawing a caricature on a large sheet. The artist then proceeds to sketch a goblet and a bottle of wine, which he actually removes from the paper on which they were drawn and pours actual wine out of the bottle into a real glass.

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