Product Description

Volume 2 includes Seers and Clowns (1994), Sky Dance (1979), Cockaboody (1973), Hello (1984), Step by Step (1978), Rainbows of Hawai'i (1995), The Big Bang and Other Creation Myths (1981), Zuckerkandl (1968), Whither Weather (1977), Her Grandmother's Gift (1995).

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #89715 in DVD
• Released on: 1999-10-12
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 99 minutes

Amazon.com
The second volume in this three-disc set exploration of the work of the Hubley Studio showcases the films of two generations of animators. Based on a book by former Chicago University president Robert Maynard Hutchins (who also serves as the film's narrator), the relatively little known "Zuckerandl!" (1968) satirizes the pomposity of academic presentations. The imaginary philosopher Alexander Zuckerandl propounds the theory that the aim of all life is to get through it without sensation and therefore without pain. Words and images combine to satirize the folly of a life not only unexamined but unlived. "Cockaboody" (1973) offers some charming animation of the stylized figures of two little sisters as they play and argue through their bedroom and bathroom. When the younger sister throws a temper tantrum, it appears as a cloudy, threatening monster. In "Hello" (1984), three semi-abstract extraterrestrial musicians embark on a mission to Earth, sending bubbles containing messages of peace to the planet's inhabitants. "Her Grandmother's Gift" (1995) examines the changing ways in which women present information to their daughters about their bodies and the emotional resonance found in an increased honesty. --Charles Solomon

Customer Reviews

Hubley Collection Volume 2
Cockaboody is, in my opinion, one of the greatest pieces of animation ever created. Its use of improvised dialogue from the Hubley's two girls is amazing in its representation of a child's mind and imagination. The other short that John Hubley helped animate, Zuckerkandl!, is funny, if a little tedious. The rest--Faith (and Emily) shorts--range from wonderful and playful to tedious and way too out-there. Buy it for Cockaboody, but for a better representation of Faith AND John's work, Art and Jazz in Animation has four hours worth of what is apparently some of the couple's best short (and long) animation.

charming
The person below who gave this DVD just 1 star obviously has an ax to grind. John Hubley and Faith Hubley worked on the cartoons he enjoys, not just John alone. And I find Faith's solo art charming.

Faith Hubley should be relegated to her own DVDs
John Hubley was a genius and the sole reason the words "Hubley Studio" have resonance today. Unfortunately he passed away long ago, and Faith has continued to work under the "Hubley Studio" banner. Her work, which lards these DVDs, is egregious. She cannot draw, but we are to believe that's really no problem, as she claims to be influenced by "primitive art". Actually, the association is an intolerable slur on primitive art. Her animating strategy, displayed in tedious short after tedious short, seems to be "draw a squiggle and make it wriggle".

And I cannot believe my eyes and ears: occasionally, this tripe is interrupted, with no rhyme or reason, by direct swipes from the classic Hubley toons.

Don't even get me started on their daughter, Emily Hubley.

John's work, of course, is some of the most awe-inspiring, utterly original, and downright funny stuff you will ever see. The use of improvised, seemingly overheard dialogue tracks is but one of his masterstrokes. It would have been possible to create a half-dozen DVDs of John-supervised shorts. When I ponder why that wasn't done, my heart sinks.