Opening Speech
In this short film, Norman McLaren is literally caught by his own film tricks. As he attempts to welcome an audience, he is frustrated by an animated microphone with a will of its own.
Mister Frog Went-A-Courting
In this short film by animator Evelyn Lambart, a handsome frog courts and wins a mouse for his bride. The colourful animation does full justice to the events that take place during and after the wedding breakfast. Sung by Derek Lamb to lute accompaniment.
At Home with Mrs Hen
This animated short is a comical tale that pokes fun at motherhood. It depicts the temper tantrums of a child and the efforts a mother makes to set her son on the right path. You don’t need to be a chicken to relate.
Sunday
In keeping with their Sunday tradition, after mass a family flocks to grandma and grandpa’s house, where the chaotic discussion soon begins to resemble a raucous gathering of crows on power lines. Out of sheer boredom, a young boy drops a coin on some nearby train tracks. After a train has run over it, he discovers to his astonishment that an amazing transformation has taken place.
Runaway
What would happen if the world were a driverless train thundering recklessly over bumpy tracks? Happy passengers are having a great time on a crowded train, oblivious to the unknown fate that awaits them. When the effects of the shortage that ensues begin to be felt, the result is a class struggle that is as amusing as it is merciless. Naturally there are victims, but in the end everyone is equal.
The Tender Tale of Cinderella Penguin
A zany version of the classic fairy tale, with the leading role played by a mistreated, romantic penguin, with hilarious results. Cinderella Penguin loses her magic flipper as she runs to meet her midnight deadline, but all ends well when Prince Charming finds the right webbed foot and the nasty step-family is brought to heel. A 1981 Oscar® nominee.
Sleeping Betty
In this animated short, Sleeping Betty is stuck in bed, victim to a strange bout of narcolepsy. The King calls on his subjects to rescue her and they all respond to the call: Uncle Henry VIII, Aunt Victoria, an oddly emotional alien, a funky witch and a handsome prince. But will a kiss really be enough to wake the sleeping princess?