Classic Short Films

February 28, 1997 (Friday) at 7:30 p.m.

BARON MUNCHAUSEN'S DREAM
(French, 1911, 15 minutes, black & white, 16 mm)
Directed by Georges Melies

Typical of Melies's fanciful and exotic film work, this short presents the tall tales of the famous 18th Century adventurer.

KID AUTO RACES AT VENICE
(American, 1914, 12 minutes, black & white, 16 mm)
Directed by Henry Lehrman

Charlie Chaplin makes his first appearance as his renowned character the Tramp in this film which marks a turning point in cinematic history.

COPS
(American, 1922, 13 minutes, silent, black & white, 16 mm)
Directed by Buster Keaton

In this careful assembly of perfectly timed gags, Keaton disrupts a parade and is pursued by a horde of policemen.

ST. LOUIS BLUES
(American, 1930, 20 minutes, black & white, 16 mm)
Directed by Dudley Murphy

Probably the only appearance by legendary blues singer Bessie Smith on film, this short might be considered a prototype of the music video, with a very slim story line presented around Smith's singing.

IN THE STREET
(American, 1952, 15 minutes, black & white, 16 mm)
Directed by James Agee

One of only two films made by writer and film critic James Agee, this short focuses on the children of Harlem, and presents the spirit of the oppressed.

TWO MEN AND A WARDROBE
(Poland, 1959, 20 minutes, silent, black & white, 16 mm)
Directed by Roman Polanski

Polanski's first film shows his Beckett-like sense of humanity as two men aimlessly try to move a large piece of furniture.

FRANK FILM
(American, 1973, 9 minutes, black & white, 16 mm)
Directed by Frank Morris

In this famous Academy Award-winning short, Morris shows us all of western art--well most of it--in a quick-paced, quick-cut whirl of film.