Gerald McBoing Boing’s Symphony
(click on above image for larger version)
The term mise-en-scène was seemingly invented for director Bobe Cannon. Regardless of which designer he was working with, Cannon’s films are consistently excellent in the areas of background layout and character staging. GERALD MCBOING BOING’S SYMPHONY (1953) is no exception, and as beautiful as the stills are below, it’s even more impressive to watch the actual cartoon. Cannon continually surprises the viewer with the myriad interesting ways he moves the characters through these super-lean, nearly abstract environments. The film was designed by T. Hee, color styled by Jules Engel and Michi Kataoka, and animated by Bill Melendez and Frank Smith.
The short can be viewed online HERE, but beware there’s a major cut near the end of the video. The good news though is that the four original Gerald shorts — which includes this film — are being released onto DVD in January. Also exciting, Tee Bosustow is currently working on a film documentary about Bobe Cannon. I’ve seen some of the archival material he’s gathered for this project and it’s amazing. It’s going to be a great (and long overdue) tribute to Cannon.
it’s so exciting to hear that Gerald’s gonna be released this January on DVD. i aint gonna miss it!..and thnks for having this blog mr. amidi. it’s always a thrill visiting your site, as a fan of classic cartoons, especially of UPA and other 50s stylized cartoons and studios. it has been a major influence in my work since i make flash cartoons for educational purposes. More power to you and to your other endeavors that involve this style of animation!
Comment by lloyd — November 21, 2005 @ 4:47 am
Is little Gerald an inspiration for Alvin, of the Chipmunks? It sure looks like he is: Picture.
Hat, hair, weird tunic shirt/jacket.
Comment by Kevin — November 21, 2005 @ 5:22 am
Kevin - I’d never made that connection, but it may have been more than coincidental. The studio that produced The Alvin Show in 1961 was Format Films, and it was started by ex-UPA guys. Many of the artists working on the original Alvin cartoons had worked at UPA including Jules Engel, Osmond Evans, Leo Salkin, Rudy Larriva, Gil Turner, and Alan Zaslove. Knowing how successful Gerald had been for UPA, you have to wonder if they consciously decided to give Alvin Gerald-ish design traits and similar proportions.
Comment by Amid — November 21, 2005 @ 6:02 am
Probably old news, but there are three Gerald shorts on the “Hellboy” 2 disc special edition, of all places: Gerald McBoing Boing, Boing on the Planet Moo, and How Now Boing Boing.
These shorts are not advertised on the packaging and I am not sure if they are included on the director’s cut edition.
Comment by Adam — November 21, 2005 @ 6:52 am
Dear Amid:
I suppose you are aware that there are four UPA shorts in the “Hellboy”’s DVD. They are difficult to find but they are there…There are three Gerald Mc Boing Boings and “The Tale Tell Heart”
Comment by oscar grillo — November 21, 2005 @ 6:53 am
Amazing…Adam and I writing exactly the same with one minute of difference!
Comment by oscar grillo — November 21, 2005 @ 6:59 am
I wrote about the UPA shorts being on HELLBOY on my blog. Thanks for posting these images, Amid!
Comment by Ward — November 21, 2005 @ 7:13 am
The designs for this show are great: simple bold and beautiful.
Comment by 14a st john street — November 23, 2005 @ 5:40 pm
What was cut from the film that was posted on the web?
Comment by doug holverson — December 2, 2005 @ 8:20 am
Doug - Towards the end, after Gerald walks dejectedly out of the recording studio, scenes after that are missing.
Comment by Amid — December 2, 2005 @ 2:01 pm
WOW! I just stumbled on this site through the drawn website. I have been getting into 50’s animation/design and this is a goldmine. I will also get the book Cartoon Modern
Comment by mark mcdevitt — December 12, 2005 @ 12:57 pm