Some of my favorite "short" films
There's just not enough love or appreciation for short films. I love 'em, especially the old Disney/Merrie Melodies. I can sometimes get more enjoyment from a 4-6 min short than I can from feature films.
I've seen thousands, but here are some of my favorites.
I have capped the running time @ 50 mins., with the exception of one "ABC Stage 67" Episode: 'A Christmas Memory' (51 mins.).
I've seen thousands, but here are some of my favorites.
I have capped the running time @ 50 mins., with the exception of one "ABC Stage 67" Episode: 'A Christmas Memory' (51 mins.).
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- DirectorChuck JonesStarsBea BenaderetBilly BletcherStan FrebergIt's Father's Day, and Junyer and Ma have a bunch of big surprises in store for good ol' Pa, including a pipe filled with gunpowder. To top it off, there's a gala Father's Day pageant, and Pa sits cringing through Junyer's recitation and aghast at Ma's tap-dancing rendition of "I'm Just Wild About Father."
- DirectorBill MelendezStarsAnn AltieriChris DoranSally DryerDepressed at the commercialism he sees around him, Charlie Brown tries to find a deeper meaning to Christmas.
- DirectorFrank PerryStarsGeraldine PageDonnie MelvinLavinia CasselsIts the last Christmas together in Depression era Alabama of a sensitive boy and his elderly cousin who was his closest friend. The two raise enough money to buy the ingredients for 30 fruit cakes, sent mostly to strangers like FDR. They spend Christmas day flying the kites the made for each while Capote's voice over explains their separation, followed by their dog's passing, and a few years later her's.I don't know if this counts as a short-film or not, because technically it is an episode of "ABC Stage 67". But it is based on a Truman Capote short story, so I'll include it.
- DirectorCharles ChaplinStarsCharles ChaplinEdna PurvianceDave AndersonThe Little Tramp and his dog companion struggle to survive in the inner city.
- DirectorDave FleischerSeymour KneitelStarsWilliam CostelloLou FleischerWilliam PennellPopeye and Bluto each wants to save Olive as she sleepwalks onto a construction site. But most of their efforts go into preventing each other from being the hero.
- DirectorJane CampionStarsGabrielle ShorneggGeraldine HaywoodMarian KnightThe awkwardness and confusion of burgeoning sexuality in teenage girls in a twisted and repressed suburban culture.
- DirectorMike LeighStarsJim BroadbentStephen BillBelinda BradleyThe 23rd Earl of Leete shares brief moments of his life, the truth behind his family estate and his particular glorious moment when he murdered his wife and his brother.
- DirectorChuck JonesMaurice NobleStarsMel BlancRalph Wolf and Sam Sheepdog punch into work, with Sam guarding a flock of sheep against Ralph's attempts to snatch some mutton for dinner. Ralph uses a lull-a-bye record to put Sam to sleep and steals one of the sheep, but the lamb unzips itself to reveal someone very unexpected beneath!
- DirectorGeorges MélièsStarsGeorges MélièsVictor AndréBleuette BernonA group of astronomers go on an expedition to the Moon.
- DirectorAbe LevitowStarsMel BlancJune ForayShakespeare is all ears as Bugs battles Witch Hazel in Macbeth's castle.
- DirectorRobert EnricoStarsRoger JacquetAnne CornalyAnker-Spang LarsenIn 1862, during the American Civil War, a Southern civilian is about to be hanged for attempting to sabotage a railway bridge. When the execution takes place from the bridge, the rope breaks and he begins his escape toward home.
- DirectorChristoph LauensteinWolfgang LauensteinA group of fishermen on a precariously balanced platform fight over a trunk.
- DirectorFriz FrelengStarsMel BlancBea BenaderetFrank GrahamBugs plays every defensive position against the Gashouse Gorillas.
- DirectorChuck JonesStarsPaul JulianThe Coyote chases the Road Runner through a maze of mine shafts, with their positions made visible only by the lamps on their helmets.
- DirectorDave FleischerWillard BowskyStarsJack MercerBilly MurrayMae QuestelWhile Bimbo and Koko admire Betty, their experiment becomes a monster.
- DirectorDave FleischerRoland CrandallStarsBonnie PoeThe White Rabbit materializes from a jigsaw puzzle and leads Betty Boop through the looking glass into Wonderland.
- DirectorChuck JonesStarsMel BlancBea BenaderetDisguised as a truant officer, Bugs attempts to rescue Hansel and Gretel from Witch Hazel, who plans to cook him for her dinner.
- DirectorDave FleischerGrim NatwickStarsMargie HinesBilly MurrayWilliam PennellBimbo the dog is initiated into a secret society in a sadistic 'fun house'; then Betty Boop (with dog's ears) takes a hand.
- DirectorChuck JonesStarsDick BealsMel BlancDaws ButlerScolded by his mother for breaking a window, young Ralph Phillips waits in his bedroom and lets his imagination run amok as he pictures himself as a famous explorer, a space force pilot, and a prisoner before his dad comes home.
- DirectorOsamu TezukaA cowboy is hampered by the imperfections in the film print showcasing his story.
- DirectorFrank TashlinStarsMel BlancBea BenaderetRobert C. BruceA "Rosie the Riveter" type is in need of a baby-sitter for her awful child. The only person available is a clueless Porky Pig. His only instructions are to use a book of child psychology. After fruitless attempts to control the brat, his mother returns to show Porky how to use the book - as a paddle on his little behind.
- DirectorDavid HandStarsPinto ColvigWalt DisneyMarcellite GarnerMickey Mouse operates a steam shovel; Pegleg Pete is his foreman; Minnie Mouse sells box lunches. Mickey must save the day when Pete makes advances to Minnie.
- DirectorChuck JonesStarsMel BlancTired of selling gag novelties on the street, Daffy tries for the million-dollar reward offered by J.P. Cubish for the first person to make him laugh. But he first has to get past the rich man's haughty butler, and in the process subjects the servant to a Bogart-like grilling.
- DirectorTeddy NewtonStarsMuneer LyatiWayne DyerDay encounters Night, a stranger of distinctly darker moods. But their suspicions soon turn to curiosity, and they are delighted to find the joys of their budding friendship.
- DirectorJoseph BarberaWilliam HannaStarsJune ForayTom designs a better mousetrap that would have made Rube Goldberg jealous. While he sleeps, the mouse that Tom drew wakes Jerry and they get chased by the cat Tom drew. As Tom awakes, they make a strategic alteration to the design.
- DirectorDave FleischerGrim NatwickStarsAnn LittleBilly MurrayBetty Boop goes to Grandma's through the woods despite wolf warnings; but Bimbo follows and gives the old story a new twist.
- DirectorChuck JonesStarsMel BlancRalph Wolf wants to steal sheep; Sam Sheepdog wants to stop him. Ralph's tricks include digging a tunnel, walking a tightrope, launching a guided missile, dressing as Little Bo Peep, shooting a cannon and growing Sam's hair.
- DirectorRobert ClampettFriz FrelengStarsMel BlancRobert ClampettPorky ventures into Darkest Africa in search of the last Do-Do bird, and winds up in Wackyland, a surreal place where the sun comes up atop a human pyramid, the Warner Brothers shield comes zooming from the sky, and populated by creatures such as a three-headed Larry Moe and Curly beast. The Do-Do finally appears, to great fanfare, and eludes Porky by pulling out a pencil and drawing himself a door.
- DirectorChuck JonesStarsMel BlancThe short-tempered Daffy Duck must improvise madly as the backgrounds, his costumes, the soundtrack, even his physical form, shifts and changes at the whim of the animator.
- DirectorChuck JonesStarsMel BlancDuck Dodgers and Marvin Martian wage war over Planet X.
- DirectorChuck JonesStarsMel BlancArthur Q. BryanThe final installment of the "Hunting Trilogy" once again has Elmer out hunting, while Bugs and Daffy try to con him into shooting the other.
- DirectorMichael Dudok de WitStarsJames LauferA father says goodbye to his young daughter. Time passes and the daughter moves through life age by age, but within her there is always a deep longing for her father.
- DirectorChuck JonesStarsBea BenaderetMel BlancA bulldog, charmed by a kitten, tries to keep her hidden from his human guardian.
- DirectorWei TeA short film about a young girl who cares for a wise old scholar in exchange for guqin lessons.
- DirectorChuck JonesStarsMel BlancRobert C. BruceCute kitten Pussyfoot is the victim of smug Claude Cat's jealous abuse, which enrages the little cat's protector, Marc Anthony the bulldog. Claude convinces their master that Marc Anthony is the aggressor, getting the dog kicked out of the house and leaving Pussyfoot at Claude's mercy.
- DirectorJoseph BarberaWilliam HannaTom Cat is a concert pianist who plays beautifully until he is interrupted by Jerry Mouse.
- DirectorDaniel GreavesMatt Phlatt, along with his pet cat Geoff and his fish, Chips live in a world where everyone is "flat" character in a 3D world of paper and cardboard. A freak electrical accident releases a 30's gangster from his TV film into Matt's world and causes chaos as Matt is mistaken for the criminal after a bank robbery.
- DirectorChuck JonesStarsMel BlancDick BealsBea BenaderetIn his first of two Warner Bros. cartoons, schoolboy Ralph Phillips daydreams in class, the lessons inspiring his fantasy heroics, such as being a pony-express rider, a deep-sea diver, a boxing champion and even General Douglas MacArthur.
- DirectorChuck JonesStarsMel BlancDaws ButlerA kitten is adopted by a maternal eagle, who teaches the young cat to fly- by using his tail as a spinning propeller. Upon reaching the age to venture into the world on his own, the flying cat uses his extraordinary ability to save an attractive girl cat from a bulldog. These two cats mate and beget a family of flying felines, all of whom fly south with their father each winter and return north in the spring to rejoin their mother.
- DirectorChuck JonesStarsMel BlancA sneaker-wearing, hairy monster chases Bugs through a castle belonging to an evil scientist.
- DirectorYuri NorsteinStarsVyacheslav NevinnyyMariya VinogradovaAleksey BatalovA little hedgehog, on the way to visit his friend the bear, gets lost in thick fog, where horses, dogs and even falling leaves take on a terrifying new aspect.
- DirectorFriz FrelengTo the tune of The Nutcracker, a number of elves do all the work in a shoe shop.
- DirectorChuck JonesBen WashamStarsBoris KarloffJune ForayDal McKennonA grumpy hermit hatches a plan to steal Christmas from the Whos of Whoville.
- DirectorCraig WelchStarsLouise LerouxBlack and white drawings blended with photographic images depict an old man, with various tiny gadgets, trying to find the anatomy of the wings of an angel.
- DirectorBill MelendezStarsPeter RobbinsChristopher SheaSally DryerThe Peanuts gang celebrates Halloween while Linus waits for the Great Pumpkin.
- DirectorFriz FrelengStarsMel BlancBugs fights the legendary giant. In the historical context of World War II much fun is made of the giant's claimed superiority over the more clever and fun-loving rabbit.
- DirectorJoseph BarberaWilliam HannaStarsPaul FreesWilliam HannaWhen Tom's harassment gets out of hand, Jerry writes to his Cousin Muscles, a tough inner city mouse, and asks for his help.
- DirectorChuck JonesStarsMel BlancPorky and Sylvester's desert campground is sliced away and towed into outer space by a green, bird-like Jupiterian searching for earthly animal life. But Porky remains blissfully unaware, leaving Sylvester to be terrorized by the alien.
- DirectorChuck JonesStarsMel BlancBea BenaderetHorrified when he hears his master is threatening to get rid of Pussyfoot unless the kitten starts catching mice, Marc Anthony the bulldog tries to tutor his little charge in proper feline behavior.
- DirectorDony PermediStarsPierre CoffinThe story of a Kiwi who spends his whole life working towards achieving his dream.
- DirectorJohn LasseterA snow globe snowman wants to join the other travel souvenirs in a hot party, but the glass dome that surrounds him gets in his way, despite all his efforts.
- DirectorDave FleischerKoko the Clown and his dog Fitz walk into a building where levers that control various aspects of the Earth are located. After Fitz presses a particular lever, the world goes topsy-turvy and out-of-control.
- DirectorChris MarkerStarsÉtienne BeckerJean NégroniHélène ChatelainThe story of a man forced to explore his memories in the wake of World War III's devastation, told through still images.
- DirectorJean EpsteinIn a village in Brittany, a young maid and an old woman are spinning while the wind blows threateningly outdoors. In spite of the bad omen, the young maid's boyfriend decides to sail away. Worried, the young maid ask for help to a mysterious old man and his magical crystal ball in order to calm down the rough seas.
- DirectorLeo McCareyStarsStan LaurelOliver HardyTom KennedyWith the police hot on their trail, Stan and Ollie attempt to change clothes in their getaway car, only to find themselves struggling to balance atop the girders of an unfinished skyscraper. Will they return to ground level in one piece?
- DirectorLawrence Gordon ClarkStarsSimon Gipps-KentJoseph O'ConorJames MellorA young orphan, Stephen, is sent to go and live with his strange, much older cousin at his remote country house. Once there, Stephen experiences terrible dreams in which he sees a young girl and boy who are missing their hearts.
- DirectorDimitri KirsanoffStarsNadia SibirskaïaYolande BeaulieuGuy BelmontA couple is brutally murdered in the working-class district of Paris. Later on, the narrative follows the lives of their two daughters, both in love with a Parisian thug and leading them to separate ways.
- DirectorAleksandr PetrovStarsEvgeniya SmolyaninovaAn elderly monk, while training the young novice who will succeed him, recalls the mysterious lost love of his past - just as his young successor appears to be encountering her himself.
- DirectorMaya DerenAlexander HammidStarsMaya DerenAlexander HammidA woman returning home falls asleep and has vivid dreams that may or may not be happening in reality. Through repetitive images and complete mismatching of the objective view of time and space, her dark inner desires play out on-screen.
- DirectorBurt GillettStarsPinto ColvigWalt DisneyMarcellite GarnerOn Christmas Eve, Mickey is forced to sell Pluto to a bratty rich kid in order to give some orphans presents.
- DirectorDave FleischerShamus CulhaneStarsBilly MurrayMae QuestelBimbo's minding his baby brother, but neighbor Betty Boop (with dog's ears) wants him to come over and play.
- DirectorDave FleischerWillard BowskyStarsCab Calloway and His Cotton Club OrchestraCab CallowayBilly MurrayBetty Boop and Bimbo run away from home, but that night they are scared by a chorus of ghosts singing the title song.
- DirectorMark OsborneA worker in a factory learns a lesson about life. When is enough?
- DirectorAleksandr PetrovStarsAleksandr PalamishevAleksandra ZhivovaEvgeniya KryukovaIn nineteenth-century Russia, a teenage boy in search of love is drawn to two very different women.
- DirectorJacques DrouinBretislav Pojar
- DirectorTex AveryStarsBill ThompsonTex AveryFrank GrahamA wolf convict makes his escape, but is pursued by a diminutive Mountie who seems to be everywhere.
- DirectorJulien BocabeilleFrançois-Xavier ChaniouxOlivier DelabarreTwo Octopi fight for their lives with a stubborn restaurant cook in a comical escape through the streets of a small Greek village.
- DirectorHayao MiyazakiSet in the future: Two men learn that a mysterious winged girl has been taken prisoner, and then decide that they must free her at any cost.
- DirectorChuck JonesStarsWilliam RobertsA man futilely struggles to make his fortune with a frog that sings and dances, but only when it is alone with the owner.
- DirectorMark AndrewsAndrew JimenezTwo buskers engage in a petty feud over a child's donation.
- DirectorTex AveryStarsBill ThompsonTex AveryDaws ButlerDroopy is an unlikely fox-hound, but the highly civilised (and resourceful) English upper-class fox makes even more unlikely prey...
- DirectorIshu PatelIn this short animation film, a magnificent bird performs for the Emperor inside a glittering palace. Its plumage is a blaze of colour. A blackbird, watching enviously, strives to acquire what he so desperately covets, only to discover that a golden cage can't compete with the open skies.
- DirectorLotte ReinigerFilm shows the story of Papageno (the one from Mozart's opera "The Magic Flute"), who wants a mate, yet has difficulties getting one.
- DirectorJean RenoirStarsSylvia BatailleJane MarkenGeorges D'ArnouxThe family of a Parisian shop-owner spends a day in the country. The daughter falls in love with a man at the inn, where they spend the day.
- DirectorHugh HarmanStarsMel BlancJeanne DunneThe Hollywood Choir BoysTwo baby squirrels ask grandpa to explain what "men" are when they hear everyone singing of "peace on earth, goodwill to men". Grandpa tells the story of man's last war.
- DirectorSuzie TempletonAn animated retelling set to Prokofiev's suite.
- DirectorDave FleischerSeymour KneitelStarsWilliam CostelloWilliam PennellBonnie PoePopeye begins his movie career by singing his theme song, demonstrating his strength at a carnival, dancing the hula with Betty Boop, pummeling Bluto, eating his spinach, and saving Olive Oyl from certain doom on the railroad tracks.
- DirectorDave FleischerDave TendlarStarsMargie HinesJack MercerCarl MeyerWorking in the story department of Surprise Pictures, Olive Oyl writes a script based on the story of Aladdin, casting Popeye as the thief and herself as the Princess.
- DirectorDave FleischerWillard BowskyStarsJack MercerMae QuestelLou FleischerThe legendary sailors Popeye and Sindbad do battle to see which one is the greatest.
- DirectorDave FleischerWillard BowskyStarsJack MercerMae QuestelLou FleischerPopeye the Sailor, accompanied by Olive Oyl and Wimpy, is dispatched to stop the dreaded bandit Abu Hassan and his force of forty thieves.
- DirectorRobert ClampettStarsMel BlancBilly BletcherRobert ClampettPorky Pig goes on a hunt to catch the surreally elusive last Do-Do bird.
- DirectorDoug SweetlandA stage magician's rabbit gets into a magical onstage brawl against his neglectful guardian with two magic hats.
- DirectorChuck JonesStarsMel BlancArthur Q. BryanBugs argues with the cartoonist who creates him over how he should be drawn.
- DirectorMasami HataStarsHitoshi TakagiMinori MatsushimaAkira KamiyaAn innocent lamb learns about life and death when he seeks revenge upon the wolf who slaughtered his mother.Ringing Bell
- DirectorTex AveryStarsTex AverySara BernerDaws ButlerSpike gets a job running the house for a hibernating bear. Only problem is that same bear is VERY noise-sensitive, and Spike's got a rival that wants his job.
- DirectorChuck JonesStarsMel BlancIn a futuristic city, Detectives Monday and Tuesday pursue a wanted criminal.
- DirectorLarry RoemerStarsBillie Mae RichardsBurl IvesLarry D. MannA young reindeer Rudolph lives at the North Pole. His father is one of Santa's reindeer and it is expected that Rudolph will eventually be one too. However, he has a feature which is a setback and causes him to be ostracized: his red nose.
- DirectorRobert ClampettStarsMel BlancBea BenaderetRobert C. BruceAs Adolf Hitler personally flies a bomber on a mission to the Soviet Union, the gremlins from the Kremlin set about to stop him.
- DirectorTex AveryStarsBill ThompsonLina RomayTex AveryA bullfight contest between Droopy and The Wolf, staged in the Chili Bowl.
- DirectorChuck JonesStarsMel BlancAfter punching in for work, Sam Sheepdog deals with Ralph Wolf's attempts to steal the flock, which this time make use of a balloon, a fake Acme-brand rock and a bicycle-propelled submarine.
- DirectorBuster KeatonStarsBuster KeatonKathryn McGuireJoe KeatonA film projectionist longs to be a detective, and puts his meagre skills to work when he is framed by a rival for stealing his girlfriend's father's pocketwatch.
- DirectorJoseph BarberaWilliam HannaStarsFrank GrahamBilly BletcherWilliam HannaTom's love song (Is You Is, or Is You Ain't My Baby) to his girlfriend Toots wakes up Jerry, so he unties Spike (Tom had tied him up).
- DirectorDave FleischerSeymour KneitelStarsMae QuestelGus WickeIn their dreams, two poor and hungry tots enter a fantasy kingdom where there are more sweets than they can eat. But when they wake...
- DirectorYusaku SakamotoEiichi YamamotoIn a small and colourful town, a little girl, a tiny grey mouse, a plentiful sycamore tree, a troublesome moth and a vivid community of posters coexist in a forgotten street corner.
- DirectorStephen QuayTimothy QuayStarsFeliks StawinskiInside a box full of curio, a puppet who is recently freed from his strings explores a dusty and forlorn commercial area. The explorer becomes ensnared into miniature tailor shop by baby-faced dolls.
- DirectorYuri NorsteinStarsAleksandr KalyaginDistant, well-worn memories of childhood are inhabited by a little gray wolf. Through astonishing imagery, the memory of all of Russia is depicted.
- DirectorClarence G. BadgerStarsBobby VernonGloria SwansonWallace BeeryGloria Dawn lives down the hall from her sweetheart, Bobbie Knight. The dishonest Henry Black is Gloria's guardian, and he is also in charge of Bobbie's inheritance. The scheming guardian and his sister have been spending Bobbie's money, and they hope to have the sister marry Bobbie so that they can keep control over his money.
- DirectorÉric RohmerStarsBarbet SchroederClaudine SoubrierMichèle GirardonA law student regularly visits a Paris bakery to flirt with a brunette employee.
- DirectorWilfred JacksonStarsPinto ColvigClarence NashMickey is a frustrated bandleader dealing with obnoxious peanut vendor and flute player Donald, who tries to persuade the band to play "Turkey in the Straw," and a cyclone hits before his concert of "William Tell Overture" is completed.
- DirectorTex AveryStarsGeneva HallTex AveryJoe DoughertyPorky figures out that by picking up people's stuff he can get enough change to buy ice-cream sodas. A bomber leaves a time-bomb in and Porky goes at lengths to return it to him without knowing its a bomb.