Happy 100th birthday, Gertie

[Mike Gebert]

As Trav S.D. points out, today is the birth of Gertie the Dinosaur (released 100 years ago today) and, by extension, the entire field of animation-- which existed before, but Gertie is kind of the original star character.

[wich2]

Smart conceit, sharply executed - a classic deserving of its rep.

Happy happy, Gert ol' girl!

-Craig

[boblipton]

Nitratevillains Ben Model and Steve Massa show Gertie with a reenactment of McKay's vaudeville act. Hope you can catch it some time.

Bob

[Wm. Charles Morrow]

Nitratevillains Ben Model and Steve Massa show Gertie with a reenactment of McKay's vaudeville act. Hope you can catch it some time.

Bob

Serge Bromberg has also reenacted McKay's original routine, alongside the cartoon. It really makes a difference, seeing it that way, because Gertie was designed to respond to McKay's commands and questions. Without the interaction, the short doesn't make much sense. With the interaction, it's adorable and funny.

[Rollo Treadway]

And many happy returns!

The vaudeville act was nicely recreated in the Disneyland special "The Story of the Animated Drawing" (1955), featuring Disney animator Dick Huemer as McCay.



Buster Keaton paid tribute in Three Ages:

[Decotodd]

Next month, TCM is devoting a whole day to early animation, including Windsor McKay

[Wm. Charles Morrow]

The vaudeville act was nicely recreated in the Disneyland special "The Story of the Animated Drawing" (1955), featuring Disney animator Dick Huemer as McCay.

Many thanks for posting this, Rollo! I never missed the Disney show when I was a kid, but somehow I never saw this episode, and it's fascinating.

[s.w.a.c.]

Next month, TCM is devoting a whole day to early animation, including Windsor McKay

And Bray and Van Beuren! I'd read on Facebook recently that a previously lost Bobby Bumps cartoon by Bray had also resurfaced (it's not part of this airing though). I'll definitely be saving copies of this broadcast,