laugh4me
12-07-2001, 10:05 AM
From an article in the Seattle Times (http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis/web/vortex/display?slug=screen07&date=20011207) - there is an "film archivist" screening some politically incorrect Bugs and Dr Seuss cartoons this week. Here's the relevent stuff:
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Who knew Bugs Bunny and Dr. Seuss had a dark side? Film archivist Dennis Nyback does, and he's here in town this month at the Grand Illusion to introduce two collections of politically incorrect short films.
"Bad Bugs Bunny: The Dark Side of Warner Bros. Animation," showing through Saturday, is a collection of cartoons from the first half of the century featuring stereotypical images of African Americans, Jews, Native Americans, Arabs, Asians, women and a few other groups. "Dark Side of Dr. Seuss," showing Sunday through Thursday, is a collection of propaganda films written by Theodore Geisel, reflecting World War II-era attitudes that seem shocking today.
Although copyright holders have routinely suppressed these films in recent years, the Portland/New York-based Nyback, who's curated and shown these films all over the world, shrugs off any worries of lawsuits (although he's been threatened before). "I think the public ought to know how censorship works in a free society," he said in a recent phone interview.
As for audience discomfort with the films, "Things people don't want to see, maybe they should see," he notes. The movies are part of film history, and to suppress them is to erase that which is unpleasant.
Nyback will personally introduce every screening of both shows, providing historical context and commentary. Call the Grand Illusion for show times (206-523-3935; 1403 N.E. 50th St., Seattle).
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Who knew Bugs Bunny and Dr. Seuss had a dark side? Film archivist Dennis Nyback does, and he's here in town this month at the Grand Illusion to introduce two collections of politically incorrect short films.
"Bad Bugs Bunny: The Dark Side of Warner Bros. Animation," showing through Saturday, is a collection of cartoons from the first half of the century featuring stereotypical images of African Americans, Jews, Native Americans, Arabs, Asians, women and a few other groups. "Dark Side of Dr. Seuss," showing Sunday through Thursday, is a collection of propaganda films written by Theodore Geisel, reflecting World War II-era attitudes that seem shocking today.
Although copyright holders have routinely suppressed these films in recent years, the Portland/New York-based Nyback, who's curated and shown these films all over the world, shrugs off any worries of lawsuits (although he's been threatened before). "I think the public ought to know how censorship works in a free society," he said in a recent phone interview.
As for audience discomfort with the films, "Things people don't want to see, maybe they should see," he notes. The movies are part of film history, and to suppress them is to erase that which is unpleasant.
Nyback will personally introduce every screening of both shows, providing historical context and commentary. Call the Grand Illusion for show times (206-523-3935; 1403 N.E. 50th St., Seattle).
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