Mystery title animations, Edward Gorey and Derek Lamb, 1980 +more!

Everyone remembers the wonderful intros for WGBH Boston's series Mystery Gorey himself did the drawings, and Derek Lamb (of Sesame Street and The National Film Board of Canada) directed the animation. In an article for Animation World magazine, Lamb recounts the experience of meeting Gorey.




Gorey has captured the imaginations of many. A few people have taken it upon themselves to make animated versions of his stories.

The Tuning Fork, Sara Hasz, 2006
A very nicely done student project.



The Gashlycrumb Tinies, Matt Duplessie, 2007
The artwork of Edward Gorey, put through the stop motion treatment. The animation and sound is reminiscient Terry Gilliam.

Vincent, Tim Burton, 1982

Remember when Tim Burton used to be kind of cool?

Narrated by Vincent Price, who was always cool.

Swing You Sinners, Max Fleischer, 1930

This one is dark and bizarre, even for Fleischer, which is saying a lot.

Time Out, Pritt Pärn, 1987

Concerning the adventures of a stripedy critter with an impressive tail.

Forest Tales, Elena Petkevitch , 1997

Sand animation from Belarus.

Part one:

Part two:

My First Crush, Julia Pott, 2007

This charming final student film from Julia Pott is narrated by regular people talking about their first crushes. Those people are represented in the film by adorable animals.

Introduction, Rinat Gazizov, 1992

More strangeness and excellence from Russia's Pilot studios.

Sun Flight, Gerald McDermott, 1966

Lovely, stylized version of the tale of Icarus.

Note that Joseph Campbell was an adviser on this film.

T-R-I-P, Cliff Roberts, 1970s

An alligator pours various Erlenmeyer flasks into a machine so he can go on a "T-R-I-P."

This was produced for the Electric Company. I'm trying not to read too much into this, cause it's for a kids' show, but dammit, you people are making it hard for me.

(I'm pretty sure this segment was directed by Cliff Roberts. If anyone out there in cartoonland knows differently, let me know.)

I Would Die (For a Piece of Your Pie) John and Faith Hubley, 1970s

Well, pie is pretty delicious.

From John and Faith Hubley's Storyboard films, for The Electric Company

Round and Round, Jam Handy Organization , 1939

A rather incomplete primer in economics, from the old days of the widget factory. Back when they used cotton and wood in the widgets, instead of polyester fiber and PVC, and before the Widget factory moved to Cambodia. They suffered a major PR disaster when they got busted using child labor in 1994, but bounced back after aggressive rebranding.

Ta Ta Tosy TiT, Yoshihiro Haku and Sachiko Hiraoka, 2009

Influenced by Stan Vanderbeek and Harry Smith, powered by METAL!

Collage animation from Japan.

Frank Film, Frank Mouris, 1973

Winner of the 1974 Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film.

When the Day Breaks, Wendy Tilby and Amanda Forbis, 1999

Gallopin' Gals, William Hannah and Joseph Barbara, 1940

MGM presents this cartoon, featuring a herd of racing fillies as a klatch of vain, gossiping biddies. And just in case you were missing it among all the quaint sexism of yore, there's a little racism thrown in for good measure at 5:46.

Babalok, Bretislav Pojar, 1972

The Moschops, Jim Trainor, 2000

A dire life story, told from the point of view of a long extinct creature.

Gravitáció, Fernec Rofusz, 1984

Not far from the tree indeed.

Nowy Janko Musykant, Jan Lenica, 1960

AKA New Janko the Musician.

Malice in Wonderland, Vince Collins, 1982

Here's some totally normal animation from Vince Collins, who clearly doesn't have issues of any sort.

Might be NSFW.

The Mysterious Explorations of Jasper Morello, Anthony Lucas, 2004

Oscar nominated, multi-award winning steampunky featurette (26 minutes and change) showcasing a unique style of silhouette animation.

The Sunshine Makers,Ted Eshbaugh,1935

Strange and wonderful short from Van Bueren Studios featuring the little beardy mens that make sunshine and the pointy nosed grumps who oppose this sunshine business.

Originally commissioned by Borden's as a theatrical advertisement for milk.

Jot, Ruth Byers, 1965

Strange, stylish Christian cartoon, in which a dot lies and is tormented by his conscience in a gnarly psychedelic fashion.

"JOT was produced by the Southern Baptist Radio and Television Commission (RATC) as a Baptist version of Davey and Goliath.
...
JOT's name may be a reference to Matthew 5:18, "For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." Wiki

Betty Boop, MD, Max Fleischer, 1932

More complete and utter insanity from Fleischer Studios.

My Name is Potato, Guido Manuli, 1977

A mix of live action and animation, featuring Rita Pavone declaring that her name is Potato. Whatever you say, lady.



Via Metafilter

Blood and Sunflowers, Christiane Cegavske, 1992

Christiane Cegavske's first stop motion animated short.

She went on to spend thirteen years crafting the absolutely wonderful Blood Tea and Red String, which you simply must have this very instant.

Hitchhiker's Choice, Kristofer Ström, 2006

Videos on Youtube become popular for many reasons. Sometimes it is because they kick ass.

Kristofer Ström's very popular short whiteboard animation, made for Minilogue. There is a longer version available on the 2008 DVD Animals.

Robotic Mutation, Cyriak Harris, 1998

I've featured Cyriak's computer animation previously. Here's a stop motion student film.

Who Am I, Faith Hubley, 1988

Commissioned for the Children's Museum of Manhattan.

Le Lion Devenu Vieux, Ladislaw Starewicz, 1932

Lovely film by puppetmaster Starewicz.

Renaissance, Walerian Borowczyk, 1963