John Canemaker: Marching to a Different Toon

While "Mr. Animation" might seem a little high on the accolade scale, I know of no other working animator more knowledgeable and dedicated to the art than John Canemaker, whose animated sequences have graced projects as varied as The World According to Garp and Pee-Wee's Playhouse; whose books on animation have ranged from general works to specific titles on Tex Avery, Winsor McCay, and the Disney artists; and whose commentary can be found on recent releases such as the Dumbo DVD and the documentary Walt: The Man Behind the Myth. This hour-long compilation features five full-length Canemaker animated shorts created from 1978-1998: the companion interviews-interpreted-through-animation pieces Confessions of a Stardreamer and Confessions of a Stand-Up; the beautiful, impressionistic color romp through the seasons Bridgehampton; the acclaimed Bottom's Dream (inspired by Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream); and The Wizard's Son, a charming bit about a wizard's son who, like Canemaker himself, marches to a different drum. As a bonus, the video also includes a handful of PSAs and excerpts from longer works, ranging from early TV spots for Gay Men's Health Crisis, to the powerful sequences in Break the Silence: Kids Against Child Abuse. Definitely recommended. Aud: C, P. (R. Pitman)