Oddball Films presents More Amazing Animal Antics!, a second helping of vintage films full of adorable, hilarious and anthropomorphic cats, dogs, chimps, horses and more! Decades before youtube, CGI, and the Buddies franchise, these furry film stars were doing tricks, having affairs, talking, singing and going wild in a sorority house! The evening's beastly brigade includes the heartwarming and hair-raising Hungarian film The Incredible Cat Tale (1960), featuring one incredible cat that will stop at nothing to be reunited with her kittens. In the hilarious "Speaking of Animals" short, In A Harem (1941), one dirty dog falls asleep and dreams of his own personal poochie harem. Have breakfast with big-screen primate sensation The Talking Tiffany Chimps, in the rare short Skimpy (1931). Over 100 years old and still as charming as ever, Wladyslaw Starewicz's The Cameraman's Revenge (1912) features Mr. and Mrs. Beetle and their marital unrest. And (a horse) of course, that chatty equine Mr. Ed will be here and trapped in the basement of a sorority house in a bizarre and racy episode of the original series. The range ain't no place for monkeying around, but one cow-chimp will have to make do in Chimp the Cowboy (1937). One brave kitty must make her way through the big city in The Perils of Priscilla (1969). Plus, Wonder Dogs in Action! and the kodachrome treasure Training You to Your Dog (1952) includes a doggy tea-party and useful hints to have a wonder-mutt of your own. With even more bizarre beasts for the early birds!
Date: Thursday, July 18th, 2013 at 8:00PM.
Venue: Oddball Films, 275 Capp Street, San Francisco
Admission: $10.00 RSVP Only to: 415-558-8117 or programming@oddballfilm.comFeaturing:
The Incredible Cat Tale (Color, c.1960)
This beautiful and heartwarming film from Hungary is the story of one incredible cat that will stop at nothing to be reunited with her kittens. A young boy and girl set off in their horse drawn cart unwittingly carrying her newborn kittens. It’s momma cat to the rescue! Rivers, cat-trapper/fur skinners, merry-go-rounds, vicious dogs and long distances are no match for this cat. I had no idea you could train a cat to do anything, let alone the amazing feats you will witness here.
In A Harem (B+W, 1941)An all-dog, “talking” short from Paramount’s “Speaking of Animals” series. A little pooch falls asleep and dreams he has his own exotic harem.
Skimpy (B+W, 1931)
Before Lance Link - Secret Chimp hit the idiot box, the Tiffany Talking Chimps ruled the silver screen ! Here’s a rare short featuring the Chimps at home around the breakfast table, off to school, then a crazy chimp band and tightrope walker.
The Perils of Priscilla (Color, 1969)
A poor, neglected pussy has to head out on her own when she is ignored and neglected by her family. This live action short directed by Carroll Ballard (who went on to direct The Black Stallion, Never Cry Wolf, and was 2nd Unit Director of the original Star Wars) features another amazing cat trying to make her way in a tough world. What will become of the adventurous, resilient Priscilla?
The Cameraman’s Revenge (Wladyslaw Starewicz, tinted B+W, 1912)
Meet Mr. and Mrs. Beetle! They live a quiet life of married bliss . . . or do they? This saucy tale of creepy crawlies and their adventures in the shadows of hanky panky is by turns tart and kooky, perfect for bugged out cinephiles of all ages.
Chimp the Cowboy (1937)
A mischievous chimp comedy featuring "Shorty", a trained chimp donning various costumes playing multiple “career” roles. In this western spoof, Shorty must fight off a group of bandits!
Training You to Train Your Dog (Color, 1952)
The narrator gleefully intones at the start of the film "Pay attention and practice what we preach and you'll end up as smart as your dog". Watch genuinely useful advice and examples in glorious (and now defunct) 1950s Kodachrome as we learn how to choose a pooch, train a poodle to fetch a purse, learn doggie do's and don'ts and watch dogs dressed up for a tea party- just like people! This 1952 film is based on the groundbreaking book of the same name by Blanche Saunders. Almost all dog training is based on the methods she discovered and developed.
Mister Ed - Sorority House (1961, B+W)
Alan Young dresses as a woman in order to recover Mister Ed, who is being held in the basement of a sorority house.
And for the Early Birds!
Unnatural History (1959, color)
Lo*ny Toons creators made this funny and strange animated piece! Professor Beest Lee is gives a lecture entitled “Are Animals Human or Vice Versa?” He compares various animals to one another and speaks of their respective levels of intelligence in comparison with human beings. Are dogs really loyal, he wonders? And, how can it be that elephants are frightened of small animals? Catch all the ridiculous examples in this show!