Many thanks to Professor Karl Cohen, the famous animation archivist and scholar. The Coastside Film Society asked for his help building a night of vintage animation. He provided them with original film for a dozen of his favorite cartoons from the 1920's, 30's, 40's, and 50's.
Karl's picks from the 20's and 30's, in the days of black and white, include Felix the Cat playing with shadows in the twilight. Tom and Jerry (still in human form) save a beautiful singing mummy. Betty Boop has become a human character, but still pals around with her old boyfriend Bimbo the dog and his sidekick Koko the clown. Little roundheaded Oopy is kidnapped -- bratty brother Scrappy to the rescue. Flip The Frog battles a creepy magician.
The characters from the 40's and 50's are in color and retain an edge that was lost in later years. Porky the Pig and Daffy Duck mix up baby deliveries to animal families. James Mason narrates a creepy version of the "Tell Tale Heart". Daffy Duck is tormented by a sadistic off-screen animator. Bugs Bunny outwits a mad scientist and his furry orange monster.
Karl Cohen will attend the screening to introduce the films and lead a discussion.