Object Lesson
Jolly Little Elves
OBJECT LESSON
Christopher Young, US 1941
Print Source: Anthology Film Archives
Running time: 10 minutes
About the print: Given to Anthology Film Archives in the late 1970s by the Young family, the print exhibits very little scratching or damage. Shrinkage: 0.6%
About the film: Described by its director as “America’s first surrealist film,” this is a wonderful representation of black-and-white cinematography, with striking juxtapositions exploring nature and humankind’s effect upon it.
CENT ANS DE CHEMINS DE FER SUISSES
Julius Pinschewer, Switzerland 1946
Print Source: Cinémathèque suisse
Running time: 5 minutes
About the print: A deposit from the SBB Historic (The Foundation for Historical Heritage of the Swiss National Railway), this print arrived at the Swiss Film Archive in 1996. The archive has several prints of this film, but this represents the best in both condition and color. Shrinkage: 0.8%
About the film: An animated celebration of one hundred years of the Swiss railway system.
JOLLY LITTLE ELVES
Manuel Moreno, US 1934
Print Source: Museum of Modern Art
Running time: 9 minutes
About the print: Part of the Anthony Comanda Collection, this vintage 1934 two-strip Technicolor release print has seen enough use to show some scratches, but otherwise looks great. Shrinkage: 0.9%
About the film: Animated elves help a poor shoemaker become prosperous, and they share donuts and coffee.
TWENTY YEARS OF ACADEMY AWARDS
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, US 1948
Print Source: Academy Film Archive
Running time: 19 minutes
About the print: This 1948 print is exhibited by special arrangement with the Academy. It was created from dupe negs of popular Hollywood films; the difference in image quality is noticeable between the duped and original sections. This film was not released publicly and has very little wear. Shrinkage: 0.7%
About the film: First screened as part of the “Academy Family Film Album” during the twentieth awards show in 1948, the print was later amended with awards from that ceremony.
THE ART DIRECTOR
Otto Lang, US 1947
Print Source: Academy Film Archive
Running time: 8 minutes
About the print: Deposited at the Academy by Twentieth Century-Fox in 2000, the print is in very good shape with very little scratching. Shrinkage: 0.65%
About the film: One in a series of films highlighting different roles in the production of a Hollywood motion picture.
THE GOLDEN STATE
Seymour Kneitel, US 1948
Print Source: Academy Film Archive
Running time: 7 minutes
About the print: A 2006 donation by Marshall Larsen, this print shows some scratching, but the Technicolor dyes retain their marvelous hues. Shrinkage: 0.9%
About the film: An animated history and travelogue of California, it includes a sing-along version of “California Here I Come.”