It's a dogs life - but not for Jerry
You know there is something wrong with our life when a cartoon dog has more stamps on his passport than you do! Having already sampled the life in the Big Apple, appearing at the Museum of Modern Art's Festival of Restoration in New York last year- Welsh animated cartoon dog, Jerry the Tyke is currently taking a Eurotrip. Not only has Jerry last week sampled the Mediterranean sunshine in Sacile, Italy, appearing in the worlds largest silent film festival - but this week Jerry will be screened in the Third Animation Cinema event at the famous Cinémathèque Francaise, enjoying the chic city that is Paris. So while we're at the mercy of some typical Welsh winter weather, Jerry will be living the life of Riley - up the Eiffel Tower and down the Champs-Elysées. Jealous? Don't worry, so are we.Jerry starred in over 40 silent Pathé Pictorial's during 1925 and 1927, the creation of Cardiff projectionist Sid Griffiths, the founding father of Welsh animation that has borne such animation classics as Superted and Sam Tân. Having previously been ignored by historians, Jerry the Tyke, one of the hidden film treasures restored by Pathé and The National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales, is experiencing a revival. His many travels are a testament to his ever-growing popularity and importance to the twentieth century animation movement.
Jerry stands out from his cartoon character contemporaries, his cheeky sometimes bad humoured nature contrasting with the meek nature of the others around him. The cartoons in themselves are before their time, with Griffiths showing technical ingenuity in interplaying the animation with live action sequences. The National Screen and Sound Archive of Wales' Researcher, Dave Berry, explains: "Jerry is strange and fascinating. He's far from the usual cute cartoon creature of the 20's. He's very funny but also impatient... he wants everything NOW!" Jerry may be a creation of the silent film era but remains internationally popular.
Yet, despite his travels, for Jerry there is no place like home. Jerry the Tyke is popular as ever with children and adults alike. As such a screening of the cartoon will take place at the DRWM, National Library of Wales on Wednesday 27th October 1pm to coincide with the school half term. The event is FREE - tickets to the screening are available on 01970 632 548.
Notes:
Hidden Film Treasures (U)
- Wednesday 27th October 1.00pm
- Free Entry. Box Office: 01970 632 548