Metrograph

Saturday Afternoon Cartoons is New York City’s prime theatrical showcase of early and classic animated cartoons, shown in vintage 16mm film prints from the personal archives of historian Tommy José Stathes. Beginning more than 25 years ago as a casual effort to find and see early cartoons that were unavailable on home video, Stathes’s collection has grown to become one of the largest of its kind. It includes many titles and “orphan films” that are difficult to access or view elsewhere.

Stathes joins Metrograph in late May with Watch Us Move, a selection of vintage animated shorts that focus on animation production itself and film exhibition itself. Come enjoy a bunch of funny animals animating a “dramatic” farce; a pair of human chums astounded by a magical pencil; an industrious farmer getting into the animation business with his feline companion’s artistic help; a famous cartoon pig seeking work in the world of live action film, and more. Spanning the 1930s through the ’50s, this assortment showcases classic characters such as Farmer Al Falfa, Porky Pig, the original human Tom & Jerry, Daffy Duck, and others.

Intro and Q&A with archivist and early animated film historian Tommy J. Stathes on Saturday, May 31st.