Lincoln Center I Love to SingaNew York, New York, USAAugust 19-September 4, 2005
The Film Society of Lincoln Center is presenting I Love to Singa: Cartoon Musicals, a 12-program series of music-themed animated shorts and features. The series, assembled by animation historian Greg Ford, include standbys like Chuck Jones ONE FROGGY EVENING and WHATS OPERA DOC plus Walt Disneys FANTASIA, as well as lesser- or rarely-seen SILLY SYMPHONIES, Ub Iwerks cartoons and a program of Columbia Pictures shorts.
The synchronization of music and image is what the show is all about, said Ford, whose cartoon credits include writing and directing the later-day Looney Tunes THE DUXORCIST, BOX OFFICE BUNNY and (BLOOPER) BUNNY. Ford sees music as fundamental to the development of the medium. The personality animation that Disney developed and principles like squash and stretch, timing and facial expressions all came out of working with music
Ford and the Film Societys Kent Jones reached out to studios and distributors and were able to assemble the series in little over two weeks time. The pair split the curating duties, with Ford selecting the short cartoons and Jones the features. The shorts programs include two shows devoted to Disney: one consisting of the early SILLY SYMPHONIES and excerpts from compilation features ranging from THE THREE CABALLEROS to FANTASIA 2000, and a second of Mickey Mouse and friends musical efforts (including his first color cartoon, THE BAND CONCERT). The Warner Bros. shorts are split into separate shows of their classical and pop-themed efforts, while other programs follow the work of Ub Iwerks, MGM and Columbia Studios.
In addition to FANTASIA, Kent Jones choices for features include Bill Plymptons THE TUNE, Bruno Bozzettos 1977 Fantasia spoof ALLEGRO NON TROPPO, Sylvain Chomets recent, attention-getting TRIPLETS OF BELLEVILLE, and Ralph Bakshis AMERICAN POP.
The current series runs through September 4. Ford promises a follow-up series of musical cartoons at years end, with programs devoted to BETTY BOOP jazz cartoons, and Walter Lantzs musical efforts for Universal Studios. One show will be comprised of independent shorts including Fords own ITS THE CAT, a retro-styled cartoon produced last year with Mark Kausler and animated to a vintage Gus Kahn track.
Each selection repeats on various days and times throughout the run of I Love to Singa: Cartoon Musicals, so check with the theater or go: www.filmlinc.com/wrt/programs/8-2005/cartoonmusicals.htm.
