1952 - Neighbours, Norman McLaren

Decades later, this powerful statement on the futility of war still packs its original pixilation punch. It’s humourous, dramatic, shocking…and in the end- deeply sobering. Arguably McLaren’s finest short film, it won an Oscar that year, and serves as a great introduction to the remarkable animation work done at the National Film Board of Canada (NFB).

1953 - The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms, Ray Harryhausen

This film marks the legend’s first serious feature film effects work for Hollywood. It also represents the first time Harryhausen’s Dynamation technique would be used. The process essentially allowed for stop motion animation to be “sandwiched” between a live action background and foreground, thereby solidifying the realism of the final scene. It was a method of effects work that would serve Harryhausen very well over coming decades of  remarkable work. 

1956 - The Moon Trip, Art Clokey

It’s a trip all right, in this first televised adventure of the charming green…thing. In this short, Gumby sets off for the moon, and soon finds himself chased by weird little pyramids. It marks the beginning of one the most famous and long-lasting clay characters in motion picture history. Like the best stop motion work, Clokey created a truly distinctive world with Gumby, one that feels real and unreal, all at the same time. Gumby is a gentle soul, and he continues to represent something truly childlike and innocent. Perhaps that’s the secret to his long life. 

1958 - The Fabulous World of Jules Verne, Karel Zeman

This Czech legend isn’t nearly as well known as he should be, and this film in particular is worth checking out. It mashes up a selection of Jules Verne stories, and uses live action, cut-outs, and stop motion to create a very distinctive “engraving” look. It’s remarkably exciting to look at even by today’s standards, and you’ll find strong links to Méliès here. You’ll also see where Terry Gilliam, Edward Gorey, and Tim Burton all acquired aspects of their styles.