Search and Rescue
Jan 10, 2013
Search and Rescue returns in the new year for another evening of archival exploration. With a choice selection of 16mm films from our own on-site film vault, you can expect nothing less than the closeted gems of moving image history. Amidst Oscar-winning features and accolade-grabbing animated shorts thrive the underdogs of celluloid with titles such as “How To Use A Calculator” and “I Am My Own Groin.” You’d be crackers to miss out on the opportunity to experience the reels of yesteryear, hand-picked by a Limey we let loose in the vault.
Total Running Time: 76 Minutes
order not yet final
Program notes by Gem Seddon
American Time Capsule
(3 min., 16mm, 1968, dir. Chuck Braverman)
Originally shown on the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour on CBS in 1968, Chuck Braverman created a montage history of the United States by recycling 1300 images and animated sequences. Braverman later went on to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short in 2000.
21-87
(10 min., 16mm, 1963, dir. Arthur Lipsett)
During his time as an animator at the National Film Board of Canada, Arthur Lipsett collected a variety of discarded footage and spliced it with his own material to create 21-87. The resulting collage film was highly influential, as the style would be mimicked and revered by George Lucas in his debut THX 1138.
Closed Mondays
(8 min., 35mm, 1974, dir. Will Vinton & Bob Gardiner)
The winner of the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film in 1974, Closed Mondays makes use of Claymation to depict the tale of an elderly gentleman as he takes a trip around a museum at nighttime. If you too were once petrified by the Claymation in Moonwalker then hold onto your butts – here comes more of the same.
Timber Tramps Theatrical Trailer
(1 min., 16mm., 1977, dir. Tay Garnett)
The trailer for Timber Tramps is hilarious as a stand-alone film. Filmed in Alaska, the story follows a couple of “timber tramps” who get up to all sorts of tomfoolery when they agree to work at a logging camp that is being plagued by tyrannical sawmill owners. Oh the hilarity.
It’s About Time
(10 min., 16mm, Trident.)
Who knew commercials for wiper blades could be sexist? Me neither! To be honest, if you ignore the blatant misogyny in this advert, it’s rather a skilful threading of commerce and sex. And by skilful, I mean not in the slightest but with all the obviousness of a frying pan to the face.
Treat Her With Care
(10 min., 16mm., Ethyl Corporation)
Not content with ONE sexist commercial we thought we’d keep the atmosphere grittier than a Ken Loach film by screening two. Oh how we all love a gentle nudge in the ribs especially when it concerns women drivers! Luckily here’s a 1960s infomercial to sate those cravings! “Whoever figured out women?” Here, here!
An Unprecedented Royal Visit To A Movie Set
(2 min., 16mm.)
Unprecedented is right. Who’d have thought the Spanish royal family would pop to visit Gregory Peck on the set of The Guns of Navarone? And then have a sandwich with him? Has to be seen to be believed.
Kodak Motion Picture Film Commercial: Billy
(2 mins., 16mm.)
A poignant reminder of the changes in cinema with the advent of DCP. This short Kodak commercial from back when motion picture film was just peeking over the horizon is a sign of the times.
Refiner’s Fire
(6 mins., 16mm, 1968, Entropy Film.)
The official synopsis for this animated short reads: “Squares and circles take on human characteristics as they portray the conflict that arises between an established society and its idealistic members who discover and preach a new truth. Demonstrates the tragic fate of the pioneers of social change.”
Our synopsis: “A load of shapes having a fight.” Brilliant.
Everybody Rides The Carousel: pt. 3
(24 mins, 16mm, 1976, dir. John Hubley)
For those of you present at the first Search and Rescue, this stellar psychological human journey represented by animator John Hubley will be familiar. This time the third and final segment of the narrative