Valentine's Day Cartoon # 3

And remember to tune in Saturday night at 8:00 (EST) for the 2nd Annual Kitty Awards!

Valentine's Day Cartoon # 2

Valentine's Day Countdown

Who doesn't love Valentine's Day? (OK, some of us may be related to people who aren't believers in big demonstrative expressions of affection. We'll deal with them later!)  I'll be posting a V Day cartoon a day from now until the 14th. Also, exciting news. It is almost time for the "Kitty" Awards. Watch this space!

Post That Would Have Appeared on the Six Chix Blog

I am not a techie. Let me repeat that. Multiple times. I have tried to figure out how to post this little drawing exercise on the Chix blog but even with several friends trying to help me with screen captures of this blog site...what they were showing me wasn't what I was seeing. So here is what I would have posted there if I could have!
I always tell the kids at the Cartoon Club I run at the library to use their imagination. Here is an example of "imagination-ing" I did today:

Sketching on Sunday



Stan Freberg's United States of America : a Tribute!

Stan Freberg was/is a genius who in the 50's and 60's and 70's brought a visionary, creative, satirical sensibility to radio, TV and print ads  (like "Who puts 8 great tomatoes in that little bitty can?") and "novelty" records like "St.George and the Dragonet" and wrote the best unproduced Broadway musical ever: "Stan Freberg's United States of America" a satire of the founding of America. Back in the 60's the LP of this musical was released and became a huge favorite of anyone who ever heard it. It was brilliant, and way ahead of its time. It  had an amazing cast besides Mr. Freberg and included Paul Frees, Jesse White and June Foray. The songs were catchy and witty and lines from it have been adapted in homage by groups like Firesign Theater (What's that? French horns). Evil Broadway impresario David Merrick wanted to produce it for the stage but instead tied up the rights for years!!! We're lucky we have the album and a few years back a second volume was released. Also good, but Volume l is one of my all time favorites. If you haven't heard this album before, here are some things I found on Youtube to give you a taste of what you are in for when you buy the CD or download the mp3. One of them was an animated version of the Sale of Manhatten by revolutionary graphic designer Saul Bass, famous for iconic movie posters like "Vertigo". I never saw this before:

Then, someone filmed the record player playing the beginning of the LP, with the wonderfully clever and catchy "It's a Round, Round World"

I never get tired of hearing that. Be sure to check out the whole thing!

Movies That Speak to You

And I don't mean like hearing voices or  like when the actors on the screen turn and say "What do YOU think, Stephanie" like they do in Truffaut's "Fahrenheit 451"!
Everyone has their favorite movies, the ones they can watch over and over. I've talked about "Sliding Doors", "Duets" , "Love Actually", "Ginger and Cinnamon" and "Southbounders" which are 5 of my all time favorites. Below, is one more of my favorites complete with trailer through the ever miraculous miracle of YOUtube embedding!
This is a movie I first saw in the theater then bought a copy and even got a copy for the library. "I'm Not Scared" is an Italian movie exquisitely filmed and with a fabulous score and a terrific cast led by Giueseppe Cristiano as Michele, a good hearted 9 year old boy who lives an ordinary life with his little sister and attractive parents in the countryside. Until one day...something happens to change his perceptions of everyone and everything around him. I'm not giving anything away. The trailer may give away a bit too much. You want to see this film and be surprised. And, maybe, jump out of  your seat.

Check it out, sometime, via netflix or wherever you see movies.
I'll post some more of my favorites when I have more time.