Wednesday, June 25, 2008

American Slapstick Vol. 2: BUY THIS!


Produced by David Kalat of ALL DAY ENTERTAINMENT, American Slapstick Volume 2 is the second entry in a series which celebrates and preserves the history of slapstick comedy in early film. The series features well-known favorites such as Charlie Chaplin, but the brilliant thing is that much more obscure films are proudly featured; a practice which has been rarely seen in collections of silent film.
As you'll know from poking around my blog, I am animation fan as well as a silent film fan. Most appropriately, this DVD collection features two Otto Messmer/Pat Sullivan cartoons depicting Charlie Chaplin, produced in the late 1910s. These are a real treat for both the silent comedy and animation fan.
Yours truly loaned both cartoons for this DVD project and I was more than happy to do so, as David Kalat and ALL DAY produce wonderfully professional DVD collections. Kudos, David!
You will find more information and can purchase the collection HERE
I'm hoping some of my blog readers will pursue this and if you do, I'd love to hear back about how you enjoyed the DVD... especially the cartoons!
All Day Entertainment

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Something you won't see on the Popeye DVDs...

If the big studios had ongoing efforts to search for things they need among collectors, that might not be the case!
Another treat from my vast collection is a 1940s print of CUSTOMERS WANTED, a very well-known Popeye cartoon. The vintage nature of this print preserves its originality in that it predates any sort of butchering done for TV reissue... that is, original titles are intact. As you'll see, this print is far from mint condition but I know you enthusiasts out there will appreciate the Paramount credits being intact.

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Remembering George Carlin


He will be sorely missed. Below I am posting a text that has been possibly mistakenly attributed to Carlin, and even if not in line with his philosophy, I still feel it's appropriate.

The Paradox of Our Time
by George Carlin(?)

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness. We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbour. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things. We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.

Remember, spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever. Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side. Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent. Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all, mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you. Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again. Give time to love, give time to speak, and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Archive Cleaning Blues... not!

I know, I know... I've been *slightly* shying away from my main interest of silent animation but just for a short while. Tonight, Tom brings you a genuine rarity of the sound era. Granted, the cartoon itself is not rare at all, but the version certainly is!
Lo and behold, a set of main titles UM&M and NTA did not want you to see! (Sorry folks, the ending is abrupt...but enjoy)

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Felix the Inventor!

Another gem from my 16mm collection is an Astra TV print of FELIX TURNS THE TIDE (1922), so appropriately (yet confusingly) titled The Inventor. If you've seen the Radio & Television Packagers redrawn cartoons of the 1970s, you may notice that the colorized version of this Felix cartoon is also titled The Inventor. As I've suggested elsewhere (and maybe here on the blog, though I forget), most of the sources for that batch of redrawns were the Astra TV prints. I'm currently trying to research the connection between the two.
Enjoy!

Monday, June 2, 2008

Paul Terry, Suicidal Thoughts, and Black-Market Television...

...a winning combination! What's cuter in a 1930s cartoon than hearing an adorable but lamenting rabbit sing "I think I'll end it all"? Pudgy, later Oswald Rabbit and others wouldn't have anything on the "scared rabbit".
What more could make this cartoon great? Well ladies and gentleman, this happens to be a glorious BOOTLEG print straight from my 16mm library. Transferred on my new machine is the spectacular "Scared Rabbit" (originally a 1937 Terrytoon titled THE TIMID RABBIT) from my favorite distributor, Astra TV. Crank up the sound folks, this isn't Hollywood lab work...oh, and enjoy the original leader and tail from the film print (you'll noticed "Scared Rabbit" scratched into the negative as it strolls by on both ends) left intact for all you film purists.