The Inkwell

Starring:Larenz Tate, Joe Morton, Suzzanne Douglass, Glynn Turman, Vanessa Bell Calloway, A.J. Johnson, Morris Chestnut, Jada Pinkett Smith, Duane Martin, Mary Alice, Phyllis Yvonne Stickney, Markus Redmond, Perry Moore, Akia Victor, Aaron Griffin, Reggie McFadden, Greg Leevy, Stacie Davis, Jade (III), Tonya Kelly
Director: Matty Rich
Studio: Walt Disney Video
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
This sophomore effort by Matty Rich seems surprisingly run-of-the-mill, considering his first film was the low-budget success story Straight Out of Brooklyn.

Set in Martha's Vineyard during the summer of '76, this feels very much like an updated, African American version of Summer of '42. Larenz Tate is the shy teen from New York who, along with his politically radical parents, vacations with wealthy Republican relatives. When not confiding in his wooden doll, he learns a little about life and even more about sex. Inkwell, by the way, is the name of the beach where the African American population of Martha's Vineyard owns homes.

Amazon.com

This sophomore effort by Matty Rich seems surprisingly run-of-the-mill, considering his first film was the low-budget success story Straight Out of Brooklyn.

Set in Martha's Vineyard during the summer of '76, this feels very much like an updated, African American version of Summer of '42. Larenz Tate is the shy teen from New York who, along with his politically radical parents, vacations with wealthy Republican relatives. When not confiding in his wooden doll, he learns a little about life and even more about sex. Inkwell, by the way, is the name of the beach where the African American population of Martha's Vineyard owns homes.

Clumsily written and executed, this is sweet enough on the surface, but too slick to feel genuine. Also released as No Ordinary Summer. --Rochelle O'Gorman

Description

At Inkwell Beach, summer's never been so much fun! It's a time and a place where cool clothes, hot music, and good friends turn a dull family trip into the summetime vacation of a lifetime! Critics everywhere praised THE INKWELL -- the hot, big-screen comedy treat that delivers outrageous summertime fun and good time entertainment, all set to an irresistible soundtrack! Spend some time down at the shore with the funniest folks you're ever going to meet -- summer fun doesn't get any better than this!

Customer Reviews:

Good Movie Sidelined by Stupidity.......2007-02-25

What could have been a wonderful coming-of-age film dealing with many issues (relationships, conflicts, growing boys, disappointment, psychology, etc.) was absolutely sidelined by the unsuccessful attempts at over-the-top humor. Never have I seen adolescent boys behave the way the group were portrayed. It was simply another Fat Albert-style farcical attempt to make the boys and feuding brothers-in-law appear utterly ridiculous. The director/producers didn't know whether to make an outrageous comedy or a drama with moments of good humor. Regrettably, they made neither.

Such a shame, because many moments in this film were truly enlightening and poignant. This could have been a tremendous drama! A remake done correctly would be wonderful!

afro- american must have.......2005-07-28

this movie should be a part of every afro-american dvd collection, and should be watched at least yearly as a motivator.

Good Movie.......2003-08-20

This is a good movie. I never even heard of Matty Rich, and was unaware of the movie altogether until stumbled across it this year. I was thoroughly impressed with the performances of Larenz Tate and Jada Pinkett Smith.

As an aspiring writer myself, I look forward to hearing a lot more from Mr. Rich in the nearing future. I thought the film was well developed, with a believable plot, and excellent development of character. I also enjoyed the fact that the character in which Mr. Tate was sheltered about a lot of things that in today's society is considered the norm for some minorities. I appreciated that because in a society of where today's youth are so bombarded with so many different things, and it is progressively getting worse as of this writing, it is good to have African Americans portrayed in roles that are less than the norm.

I applaud Mr.Rich for his creativity and for gleaning on events that somehow magnificently pulled this incredible movie together.

Summer of '76.......2003-04-06

The comparisions to "Summer of '42" are inevitable. But aside from the coming of age story of both films, they are completely different. The "Inkwell" is essentially a Shaggy Dog tale that flows nicely from beginning to end. Give credit for Matty Rich's abililty to create an authentic '70's atmoshphere with the use of very little of that era's well known music ("Dancing Machine" and "Let's Get It On" are the only two). ...

What Hostile Reviews!.......2003-01-31

How often dow we see movies about a teenage brother's coming of age that aren't violent or gang-related? Matty Rich(whatever he's doing now) did a superb job directing this film about an awkward teen vacationing with his parents in Martha's Vineyard visiting his well-to-do relatives.
He falls for the snot-nose Lauren who uses him to get back at her boyfriend who dropped her. Meanwhile he is also looking out for a married woman whose husband is cheating on her with other women.
It's a movie about growing up and what it means to be a person. Do all black movies have to be based on gang warfare and lewed sexual conduct?

Max Fleischer's Famous OUT of the Inkwell Vols. 1 & 2

Average customer rating:

A Treasure for Fans of Silent Shorts and Animation.
Max Fleischer's Landmark on DVD!
AN AMAZING PRODUCTION
AN AMAZING PRODUCTION

Max Fleischer's Famous OUT of the Inkwell Vols. 1 & 2
Starring: Koko the Clown Max Fleischer
Director: Ray Pointer
Manufacturer: Inkwlel Images
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( M ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

General | Animation | Genres | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Max Fleischer's Color Classics: Somewhere in Dreamland
The Golden Age of Cartoons: Cartoons for Victory!
Walt Disney Treasures - More Silly Symphonies (1929-1938)
Walt Disney Treasures - Disney Rarities - Celebrated Shorts, 1920s - 1960s
The Golden Age of Cartoons: Cultoons! Ads and Oddities

ASIN: B000096JHT
Release Date: 2004-10-01

Product Description

Factory-pressed DVDs of volumes 1 and 2. Total running time 90 minutes. Contains two themed programs with complete cartoons and documentary sequences. Volume 1 includes: "The Bray Years": "The Tantalizing Fly" (1919), "The Chinaman (1920), "The Ouija Board" (1920), "The CLown's Little Brother" (1920), "Perpetual Motion" (1920), and "The Automobile Ride" (1921). Volume 2 includes: "The Inkwell Studio": "Modeling" (1921), "Fishing" (1921), "Invisible Ink (1921), "Bubbles" (1922), "Flies" (1923), "Jumping Beans (1923), "Bedtime" (1923), and "Puzzle" (1923). Includes commentary from veteran animator, Berny Wolf. Includes complimentary music and sound effects to enhance viewing enjoyment.

Customer Reviews:

A Treasure for Fans of Silent Shorts and Animation........2005-04-26

I highly recommend this DVD set to all fans of the Fleischer studios and to fans of silent cinema. This DVD set contains Ko-Ko the Clowns earliest cartoons from a time before he was just a costar in Betty Boop's shorts. These shorts are also interesting because they are a mixture of live action and animation. The shorts have an excellent background score done by animation legend Winston Sharples. This DVD set also contains lots of info on the Fleischer Brothers and on the actual shorts themselves. The picture quality is also very good.

Max Fleischer's Landmark on DVD!.......2003-04-19

Reviewer: Jerry Beck
Excelent examples of Fleischers earliest films, with a well done background on Fleischer. The prints are superb(or at least the best we'll ever get),many are tinted. and come with the
"classic" Winston Sharples Ko-Ko music (added for TV release in the 1950s).

My only request is: more of this wonderful Fleischer collection.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

AN AMAZING PRODUCTION.......2003-04-19

Reviewer: bookhound99 (see more about me) from Beacon, NY USA
Ray Pointer has outdone himself! " Max Fleischer's Famous Out of the InkWell" Vols. 1 and 2 is a very inspired and wonderfully undertaken venture. Mr. Pointer has not only presented us with the animation stylings of Max Fleischer and the directorial talents of his brother Dave Fleischer, but has included some biographical information in the form of an introduction/narration about the history of the Fleischer brothers. Mr. Pointer has also included insights from Berny Wolf (an animator working for the Fleischers, and Max's nephew Bernard Fleischer.

As far as the visual and audio quality of this production, to quote Jerry Beck (Animation Authority/Historian) "The print quality is the best...and the transfers are excellent." Ray Pointer also makes the very best use of sound effects and music (by Winston Sharples, Fleischer cartoon music composer) which, to quote animation instructor Brian LeMay, "...didn't intrude on the original animation..." and gives each cartoon a wonderfully authentic period feel.

The fact that the original "Out of the InkWell" releases on VHS (which were the inspiration for the DVD for Volumes 1 and 2...go to [a website]...won the "GOLD AWARD in the Entertainment Category for the Houston International Film and Video Festival in 2001 and 2003" is only the icing on the cake.

Thank you Ray, for preserving this piece of history and for giving us an insight into the mind and talents of Max Fleischer!"

Richard Kish
Animation Enthusiast and Devotee

AN AMAZING PRODUCTION.......2003-04-19

Thank you Ray, for preserving this piece of history and for giving us an insight into the mind and talents of Max Fleischer!"

Richard Kish
Animation Enthusiast and Devotee

Average customer rating:

Another GEM by Ray Pointer!!!

Before walt Disney, there were others.

Before Walt
Starring: J. Stuart Blackton; Paul Terry; Walt Disney; Winsor McCay; Max Fleischer , Ray Pointer , Ray Pointer , and Walt Disney, Winsor McCay Max Fleischer
Director: J. Stuart Blackton; Paul Terry; Walt Disney; Winsor McCay; Max Fleischer , and Ray Pointer
Manufacturer: Inkwell Images
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Special Interests | Genres | DVD | Video
General | Educational | Genres | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

History of Animation - Origins of American Animation (1900-1921) (2-DVD Set)

Winsor McCay - The Master Edition

Walt Disney Treasures - More Silly Symphonies (1929-1938)

Alice in Cartoonland: The Original (2000)

The Golden Age of Cartoons: Cartoons for Victory!

ASIN: B00013A0H4
Release Date: 2006-05-10

Product Description

In commemoration of the Centennial of American Animation, BEFORE WALT covers the first 20 years of the development of the art, including the earliest concepts of moving images from cave paintings, leading up to the development of the motion picture medium. BEFORE WALT SYNOPSIS Without question, the three most important figures of American Animation are Winsor McCay, Max Fleischer, and most of all, Walt Disney. When Disney was just 19 years old, animated cartoons were an established novelty on the movie theater program. This was the result of centuries of worldwide development starting with Primitive Man. The desire to record life was evident in the various cave paintings of animals with multiple legs, which displayed the spirit of action. The ancient Egyptians understood the basic principle of the Persistence of Vision, which is the basis behind all motion pictures But it would be several millennium before the concept could be totally realized with the invention of motion pictures. The secrets to stop motion trick films had been discovered early in motion pictures, and the application of animation soon followed with the release of J. Stuart Blackton s HUMOROUS PHASES OF FUNNY FACES in 1906. In just eight years, animated cartoons were available to theater audiences on a weekly schedule. But this demand for product required a formalization of production which the pioneers all refined, each adapting from what the other had learned, laying the foundation for the achievements yet to be made by Disney. This one hour program will follow those developments, showing various examples that demonstrate the techniques and character designs that influenced the young Walt Disney. Included are HUMOROUS PHASES OF FUNNY FACES (Blackton 1906), FANTASAMAGORIE (Cohl 1907), LITTLE NEMO (McCay 1911), DUD LEAVE HOME (Carlson 1919), THE CIRCUS (Fleischer/Out of the Inkwell 1920), BARNYARD OLYMPICS (Terry/Aesop s Fables 1924), and the rare complete version of FELIX ALL P

Customer Reviews:

Another GEM by Ray Pointer!!!.......2006-08-07

BEFORE WALT covers the history of animation from its Stone Age birth with cave drawings that would "animate" by the flicker of a campfire, to the concept of "The Persistence of Vision" applied by the Egyptians in The Temple of Isis; and the invention of the projector in 1840--all taking place in the "Pre-photographic Days". The development of photography leads through the experiments of Eadweard Muybridge, to James Stuart Blackton and his work with Thomas Edison, then Windsor McCay, Max Fleischer, and Walt Disney, who were considered to be the most important figures in animation of the 20th Century. In addition to the chronological order of development, BEFORE WALT contains examples that clearly illustrate the early influences on Disney. Seeing this program, it becomes clear that Disney derived his boy and girl characters in PUSS IN BOOTS (1922) from the work of Wallace Carlson's DUD LEAVES HOME (1919). In addition, it appears that many of these cartoons have their original title art restored, which enhances their beauty and helps retain their "original quality."

The main program is about 60 minutes, but there are extras that add to a solid 105 minutes with all menus working with ease. And what DVD would be complete without the "extras"? There is a Poster Gallery that includes a nice assortment of promotional art for various silent cartoons. There is also a "Profiles" section, which gives us an biographical write up on the various "fathers of early animation" done in encyclopedia style, with complete examples of works by Paul Terry, Earl Hurd and John Randolph Bray. Two of these include audio commentary by Blackton and a clip from a 1967 interview with Terry. Lastly, there is a very nice promo for Ray's "Animation Anthologies", including OUT OF THE INKWELL, KRAZY KAT, MUTT AND JEFF, and ALICE IN CARTOONLAND, and seeing it, viewers will want to purchase the rest of this wonderful series.

As usual, the cover art and back jacket "biography" are insightful, relevant, and eye-catching. There is a four-page insert that comes with the DVD, that is a variation on Ray's posted article on "The Centennial of American Animation" complete with pictures. The DVD itself was replicated on the new scratch-resistant TDK Armor disc. The presentation is what would be called a "docutainment movie", as Ray has mixed documentary narration and historical film clips with full-length cartoons. The transfers and mastering of the vintage films is superior, yet challenging since he was cursed with an amount of deteriorated source material in some cases. He has once again taken silent cartoons and created authentic period-sounding tracks with music and sound effects that enhance the cartoons to the degree that they seem as if they had been a part of the original.

Ray Pointer has delivered a full-bodied look at the history of early animation, and has done it in an entertaining way that pays a respectful tribute to the 100th birthday of American Animation. This DVD is a must buy, not just for the animation enthusiast, but, for teachers, students, and those who are merely curious about the roots of animation. There is so much time and effort that goes into a Ray Pointer DVD, and it shows, as this DVD may possibly be his best yet.

Richard Kish
Beacon, New York

Before walt Disney, there were others........2005-10-25

Editorial Reviews
Jerry Beck, Animation Authority/Historian
"The print quality is the best...and the transfers are excellent."

Brian Lemay, Animation Instructor
"Excellent quality and I liked the music and sound effects which did not intrude on the original animation, nice job!"

Without question, the three most important figures in the development of 20th century American animation are Winsor McCay, Max Fleischer, and Walt Disney. Although most histories credit Paul Terry's AESOP'S FABLES as Disney's inspiration, little mention is made of the influence of Max Fleischer. As early as 1919, Fleischer was combining animation with live action in his OUT OF THE INKWELL films. When Disney started his ALICE COMEDIES, he reversed the format by placing the live-action girl in a cartoon environment, and used many of the conventions and techniques developed by those who came before him.

When Walt Disney was just 19 years old, animated cartoons were an established novelty on the movie theater program. And while working at The United Film Service Company in Kansas City, he began experimenting with animation, as seen in NEWMAN'S LAUGH-O-GRAMS (1920) and PUSS AND BOOTS (1922). Examples from OUT OF THE INKWELL, AEASOP'S FABLES and FELIX THE CAT are among the examples of Disney's formative years seen in this program.

George Herriman's KINOMATIC KRAZY KAT KARTOON KLASSICS

Average customer rating:

A long overdue tribute and a fascinating documentary...
KRAZY KAT FOR KHRISTMAS!

George Herriman's KINOMATIC KRAZY KAT KARTOON KLASSICS
Starring: Lenard Robinson (Narrator) , and Gene Deitch (commentary)
Director: Ray Pointer
Manufacturer: Inkwell Images
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Educational | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Animation | Genres | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

The Krazy Kat Kartoon Kollection
Max Fleischer's Famous OUT of the Inkwell Vols. 1 & 2
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Aesop's Fables from the Van Beuren Studio, Volume 1
Ko-ko Song Car-tunes

ASIN: B0006VMS5S
Release Date: 2004-12-03

Product Description

Krazy Kat was one of the great comic strips in history, and, was also one of the first comic strip characters to appear in animated an animated series starting in 1916. , Krazy Kat appeared in four theatrical series over 24 years. But most of all, KRAZY KAT is important because its creator was a pioneer in a profession considered inaccessible for others of his kind because George Herriman was the first Black American cartoonist. The name Krazy Kat continues to live through recent reprints, which allow new generations to discover and cherish this icon of American culture. Yet the original animated versions are the most rare, and until recently were only notes in books on Animation History. This hour format documentary showcase focuses on the career of George Herriman, and features some of the last surviving examples of these rare animated classics of early cinema. Includes: Krazy Kat Goes A-Wooing (1916), The Buggologis (1916), Krazy Kat-Invalid (1916), Krazy Kat and Ignatz Mouse in A Tail That Is Knot (1916), The Great Cheese Robbery (1920), The Best Mouse Looses (1920), The Awful Spook (1920) and more. Includes an exclusive interview with Gene Deitch discussing his work on the 1960s KRAZY KAT television series.

Customer Reviews:

A long overdue tribute and a fascinating documentary..........2005-08-09

George Herriman's Krazy Kat remains one of the greatest comics strips ever produced. Though never a rousing commercial success (especially in its later years), it expanded the medium to new heights through Herriman's unique personal vision and artistry. Thanks to Rudolph Hearst himself the comic survived (much to the chagrin of editors who "didn't get it" but were ordered by "the old man" to keep the strip running; they continued to try to cut the strip whenever possibilities arose).

In Krazy Kat's more popular early years, Hearst supported the idea of animating his newpaper's most popular comic strips for marketing purposes. So Krazy Kat began a rather uncomfortable translation to the screen around 1916. Herriman remained a still cartoonist, and did not contribute to the animations (though his name appears in the titles). Thus, the cartoons lack the spirit of the strip and the Herriman essence wasn't really captured in animated form. Still, many of the cartoons remain entertaining, especially the ones made by Bray Studios (who arguably came closest to the spirit of the comic). Strangely, Krazy Kat remained animated longer than the strip's actual newspaper run. The cartoons took on a life of thier own while continuing to use the main character's name. Krazy became a Felix the Cat clone under the watch of Winkler Studios in the 1920s. And subsequent cartoon series diverged further from Herriman's style. The last Krazy Kat cartoon series ran in the 1960s (in a bizarre technicolor style that resembles the Pink Panther cartoons of the same era). Herriman had died some twenty years earlier. The strip went with him.

This 45-minute documentary serves as a great introduction to Herriman, Krazy Kat, and early animation. It begins with a short history of early animation (mostly discussing Winsor McCay's contributions; though whether or not he "invented" animation remains controversial; he definitely popularized it). The question of Herriman's ethnicity gets discussed. Was Herriman America's first black cartoonist? If so, then his accomplishment seems even more miraculous due to the extremely stringent color barriers of the early twentieth century. There follows a progression of Herriman's career leading up to Krazy Kat. And then the animations themselves take over for almost the rest of the program (the producers, Inkwell Images, add their own rousing music to these originally silent black and white cartoons). The great Bray Studios pieces from 1920, "The Great Cheese Robbery", "The Best Mouse Loses", and "A Family Affair", are worth the admission price alone. But intertwining them with a long overdue documentary tribute to Herriman makes this DVD a must see for any fan of Krazy Kat.

KRAZY KAT FOR KHRISTMAS!.......2004-12-12

Ray Pointer is not a man to be taken lightly. He is the Ernest and Julio Gallo of his profession, since he will "sell no product, before its time". George Herriman's KINOMATIC KRAZY KAT KARTOON KLASSICS is a subject whose time has come, not only because it centers on one of the earliest adaptations of a comic strip character to animation, but because it also focuses on the little-known and controversial fact that Herriman was the first Black American cartoonist 100 years ago. And by addressing this controversy, Mr. Pointer has raised his series to another level, which further solidifies his position as one of the world's prime documentary producers of animation history.

Just as he has done with past productions, Mr. Pointer has his skills uniting the cartoons with historical commentary, with the wonderfully resonant tones of narrator, Lenord Robinson. And the addition of original music by Michael Gonzales, Alan Oldfield, and Ray Pointer establishes a true sense of the period and atmosphere of the subject. This presentation of films that are nearly 90 years old, not only makes for an informative look at the life of Herriman, but offers an entertaining and insightful look at the comics and cartoons of the early 20th Century.

In the history of cartooning, George Herriman is compared to Winsor McCay in his originality and talent, but was much less of a public figure by his own choosing. We start off with a history of Herriman and his "mixed race" ancestry, proven by the display of his actual birth certificate. We learn that Herriman felt forced to hide his ethnicity, in order to enter a field that was then closed to nonwhite artists.

After producing a number of strips involving "human" subjects, he began penning "The Dingbat Family," which had a secondary storyline featuring a cat and mouse. They soon became the center of attention and were eventually given their own strip. This was the birth of Krazy Kat; a "surrealistic" look at an androgynous cat named Krazy who was enamored with a brick toting mouse named Ignatz. Krazy Kat's twisted logic and naive surface showed an inner wisdom that helped to make him/her/it a most popular character with the likes of Pablo Piccaso, Charlie Chaplin, Gertrude Stein, and F. Scott Fitzgerald. Herriman was only involved with the Krazy Kat comic strip, and had no connection with the animation of his characters. All the same, the animated KRAZY KAT was one of the first of the comic strips to be adapted for animation.

We are then treated to Krazy Kat cartoons released by three different studios. The first series being produced by the Hearst International Film Service from 1916-1917.

Titles included are "Krazy Kat Goes A-Wooing", "Krazy Kat-Bugologist", "Krazy Kat Invalid", and "Krazy Kat And Ignatz Mouse In A Tale That Is Knot".

The second studio to release Krazy Kat shorts was the Bray Pictures Corp.

Titles included are "Krazy Kat In The Great Cheese Robbery," "Krazy Kat In The Best Mouse Loses," Krazy Kat In A Family Affair," and "Krazy Kat In The Awful Spook."

Charles Mintz, who was married to Margaret Winkler, produced the third set of "classic" Krazy
Kat cartoons. These are the rarest of all to see since by 1949, Margaret Winkler-Mintz was no longer able to pay for the negative storage, and being highly flammable nitrate films, she ordered destroyed. As a result only old prints from private archives exist. Mr. Pointer has taken as much of the usable footage from decomposing prints to make these rare gems available once more. Titles included are "Krazy Kat In Bokays And Brick Bats" and "Krazy Kat In Making Good."

When sound films had become the norm, Krazy Kat had taken on a look similar to Mickey Mouse, in the films released by Columbia Pictures. The very last popular attempt at an animated Krazy Kat was by Al Brodax of POPEYE and YELLOW SUBMARINE fame. This is the 1960's version which I, and others of my generation remember from television. Although considered by most to not really reflect the Herriman characters, it was still popular. Gene Deitch himself is seen telling us about his association with Brodax in these productions.

I cannot recommend this DVD enough, because it is much more than a cartoon compilation. It is an original statement that combines a well researched, and well paced commentary that offers an understanding of the subtext and culture behind Herriman's work, that to a lesser degree was reflected in the early animated versions. This is a very important production, not just for both the preservation of the cartoons, but for Mr. Pointer and his coming forth with this untold story of one of the most important cartoon artists of America. You will not be disappointed!

Richard Kish
Beacon, New York

Alice in Cartoonland: The Original (2000)

Average customer rating:

Inkwell Images is superb
The foundation of The Disney Studio

Alice in Cartoonland: The Original (2000)
Starring: Virgina Davis. , Dawn O'Day (Paris)--a.k.a. Ann Shirley , Margie Gay , and Lois Hardwick
Director: Ray Pointer (Program Director) , and Walt Disney
Manufacturer: Inkwell Images
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Alice in Cartoonland - 35mm Collection
Before Walt
Ko-ko Song Car-tunes
The Golden Age of Cartoons: Cultoons! Ads and Oddities
Aesop's Fables from the Van Beuren Studio, Volume 1

ASIN: B00013A0HE
Release Date: 2003-11-21

Description

Re-mastered and restored frame-by-frame!

When Walt Disney was 20 years old he began producing a series of modernized fairy tales in Kansas City. But his distributor fell into receivership, which forced him into bankruptcy. As a final effort he produced a pilot film, ALICE'S WONDERLAND, and left for Hollywood seeking work as a live action film director. He was later contacted by Margaret J. Winkler, who had seen the pilot, and ordered this series of films, which led to Disney's founding of the first animation studio in Los Angeles.

The original ALICE concept was a miniature version of "America's Sweetheart," Mary Pickford, played by Virginia Davis (1924-1925). The second Alice was Dawn O-Day (Paris), a.k.a. Anne Shirley (1925). The third Alice was a junior Louise Brooks type played by Margie Gaye (1925-1926), and finally by Lois Hardwick (1927).

It has been said that the Disney Studio began with a mouse. But it was really born of these innovative shorts inspired by Margaret Winkler, who discovered Walt Disney in 1923 and gave him his first real opportunity to become a producer. This program focuses on the develoment of the series, and the role of Miss Winkler which has never been fully explored.

This program includes:

ALICE IN THE JUNGLE (1925)--uncensored ALICE'S EGG PLANT (1925)--uncensored ALICE SOLVES THE PUZZLE (1925) ALICE WINS THE DERBY (1925) ALICE GETS STAGE STRUCK (1925) ALICE RATTLED BY RATS (1925) ALICE'S ORPHAN (1926)--restored sequence ALICE THE WHALER (1927)--complete

Bonus Cartoons: ALICE THE TOREDOR (1924) ALICE ON THE FARM (1925)

Also a colorful Poster Gallery with printout features.

Running Time Approx. 80 minutes Color/Black and White Not Rated

Customer Reviews:

Inkwell Images is superb.......2007-05-18

Inkwell Images has a reputation for putting out high-quality restorations from superb prints. They take their time and their effort shows. The quality isn't disappointing. I have been buying any VHS or DVD that has the Alice in Wonderland film shorts for years so I can state if you're going to buy two or three DVDs instead of 17, this is one of them you can buy with high expectations.

I personally get to meet Virginia Davis at the Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Convention in Aberdeen, Maryland in September since she's a guest so I not only get to ask her a few questions, I get her autograph too!
Buy this DVD and add it to your collection. It's worth the admission price.

The foundation of The Disney Studio .......2005-10-14

Another entertaining and informative program from Inkwell Images! It is fun and revealing to see these rare Disney primatives, which are displayed in many of the history books as stills or poster reproductions. These early works seem to have a more genuine cartoon feel to them, and the viewer can see the evolution of Disney's later characters OSWALD THE RABBIT and MICKEY MOUSE coming from these ALICE COMEDIES. In fact, ALICE THE WHALER has a sequence with a mouse working as a gally slave that was used again in STEAMBOAT WILLIE.

Apparantly, most of these cartoons were reissued with sound recorded by Brunswick in the late 20s. Most do not use sound very imaginatively. However, three of the cartoons, ALICE THE TOREODOR, ALICE'S EGG PLANT, and ALICE THE WHALER have delightful uses of music and sound effects that enhance the viewing experience and compliment the comic effects. It is also interesting to see some of the social/political issues reflected in films such as ALICE'S ORPHAN, which hints at the social stigma of a kitten's illegitimate birth, or organized labor inspired by communist influences as in ALICE'S EGG PLANT. Altough crude, these cartoons still seem to have a purity about them that makes me want to see more from this landmark Disney series.

Average customer rating:

A WONDERFUL RESTORATION

Ko-ko Song Car-tunes
Starring: Ko-ko the Clown , The "Famous Bouncing Ball". , Richard P. Huemer (Commentary) , and Bernard Fleischer (Commentary)
Director: Ray Pointer ( Program Producer) , and Dick Huemer Dave Fleischer
Manufacturer: Inkwell Images
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Special Interests | Genres | DVD | Video

( K ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Alice in Cartoonland: The Original (2000)
Before Walt
Winsor McCay - The Master Edition
Max Fleischer's Color Classics: Somewhere in Dreamland
The Complete Adventures of Cubby Bear

ASIN: B00013A0HO
Release Date: 2003-11-21

Product Description

The familiar phrase, "Follow the Bouncing Ball," is part of the American culture. The mere mention of these words cues everyon to join in on a heart-warming commlunicty sing. originally conceived in 1924, Max Fleischer's KO-KO SONG CAR-TUNES were the first audience participation films, offering an improvement over the static hand-painted glass slide sing-alongs of the nickelodeon days. This program represents a previously lost chapter of motion picture history, which clearly establishes the "Bouncing Ball" Sing-Along as the first animation with sound, and the grandfather of today's Music Videos and Karaoke. Program includes: HAS ANYBODY HERE SEEN KELLY?, COMIN' THRO' THE RYE, WHEN THE MIDNIGHT CHOO-CHOO LEAVES FOR ALABAM', MY OLD KENTUCKY HOME, TRAMP-TRAM-TRAMP THE BOYS ARE MARCHING, BY THE LIGHT OF THE SILVERY MOON. Winner of the Plantium Award for Best Short Subject Documentary, Houston Film and Video Festival 2003

Customer Reviews:

A WONDERFUL RESTORATION.......2004-05-23

Ray Pointer has done it again! After the success of his "Out of the Inkwell" series with Ko-Ko the Clown (a phenominal restoration), he has struck gold again with another Fleischer animation classic featuring our friend the "Bouncing Ball".

These are the very first sound cartoons (pre-dating Disney's "Steamboat Willie") and making use of the "sound on film" process created by Dr. Lee deForest. These are wonderful sing-along pieces with very imaginative animation done by Max Fleischer.

This is a MUST for any fan and follower of animation history. You will not be disappointed!!!

Amazon.com

This sophomore effort by Matty Rich seems surprisingly run-of-the-mill, considering his first film was the low-budget success story Straight Out of Brooklyn.

Clumsily written and executed, this is sweet enough on the surface, but too slick to feel genuine. Also released as No Ordinary Summer. --Rochelle O'Gorman

Customer Reviews:

Good Movie Sidelined by Stupidity.......2007-02-25

afro- american must have.......2005-07-28

this movie should be a part of every afro-american dvd collection, and should be watched at least yearly as a motivator.

Good Movie.......2003-08-20

I applaud Mr.Rich for his creativity and for gleaning on events that somehow magnificently pulled this incredible movie together.

Summer of '76.......2003-04-06

What Hostile Reviews!.......2003-01-31

Average customer rating:

Excellent Choice for a Purchase

Out of the Inkwell Bonus Edition
Starring: Koko the Clown Max Fleischer
Director: Dave Fleischer Max Fleischer , Dick Huemer , and Ray Pointer (Program Producer)
Manufacturer: Inkwell Images
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Special Interests | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Animation | Genres | DVD | Video

( O ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Kids & Family | Independently Distributed | Stores | DVD | Video

Special Interests | Independently Distributed | Stores | DVD | Video

Independently Distributed | Indie & Art House | Stores | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

History of Animation - Origins of American Animation (1900-1921) (2-DVD Set)
The Golden Age of Cartoons: Attack of the 30's Characters
Popeye: Original Classics from the Fleischer Studio
Before Walt
Winsor McCay - The Master Edition

ASIN: B00013A0GU
Release Date: 2003-09-29

Description

Two DVD disc set containing four separate programs.

Volume 1
The Bray Years (1919-1921)
Includes:
The Tantalizing Fly, The Chinaman, The Ouija Board, The Clown's Little Brother, Perpetual Motion, and The Automobile Ride

Volume 2
The Inkwell Studio (1921-1922)
Includes:
Modeling, Fishing, Invisible Ink, Bubbles, Flies, Jumping Beans, Bedtime, and The Puzzle.

Volume 3
The Birth of Ko-Ko (1923-1925)
Includes:
Koko In 1999, Ko-Ko The Barber, Big Chief Ko-Ko,Ko-Ko Nuts, Ko-Ko Baffles The Bulls, Ko-Ko Trains 'Em, and Ko-Ko Back Tracks.

Volume 4
Ko-Ko's Showtime (1923-1927)
Includes:
It's the Cats, False Alarm, Trip to Mars, Mother Goose Land, Cartoon Factory, Ko-Ko the Convict, Ko-Ko Needles the Boss, and Vaudeville.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Choice for a Purchase.......2007-02-11

Koko the Clown was always funny and 100 years later, he is still funny. I purchased the DVD for myself as I was introduced to Koko in the 1980's and lost the VHS. However, the DVD has been used countless times since to entertain nieces, nephews, church school classes and now Koko has made his foray onto college campuses at RIT and SUNY Brockport where he has become a Saturday night staple and somewhat of a cult figure. Go boldly into the 21st century Koko!!!!!!

Mutt and Jeff: The Original Animated Odd Couple

Average customer rating:

Before Felix and Oscar, there was Mutt and Jeff!

Mutt and Jeff: The Original Animated Odd Couple
Director: Ray Pointer
Manufacturer: Inkwell Images
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Special Interests | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Animation | Genres | DVD | Video

( M ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Comedy | Independently Distributed | Stores | DVD | Video

Special Interests | Independently Distributed | Stores | DVD | Video

Independently Distributed | Indie & Art House | Stores | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

The Golden Age of Cartoons: Cultoons! Ads and Oddities
Walt Disney Treasures - More Silly Symphonies (1929-1938)
Before Walt
The Complete Animated Adventures of the Little King
Alice in Cartoonland: The Original (2000)

ASIN: B000BK7XGS
Release Date: 2005-06-23

Customer Reviews:

Before Felix and Oscar, there was Mutt and Jeff!.......2005-10-15

I have to say I enjoyed this DVD production...mostly based on the qualities of the films themselves. Mutt and Jeff had a well established comic strip charisma that seems to have carried over to the motion picture genre much more easily.

To my knowledge, this is the first home video presentation to feature Bud Fishers' "Mutt and Jeff" cartoon films in one definitive collection. Once again Ray Pointer and Inkwell Images is to be commended for spotlighting these largely forgotten early cartoon films and presenting them is such an informative and insightful light. I have to express my gratitude to Ray for his efforts in making available these silent era classic cartoons to the masses. Thanks, Mr. Pointer, please keep `em coming !!!

Del Walker
DVDToons
July 22, 2005

Average customer rating:

The foundation-historical and hysterical!

The Legendary Laugh-O-Grams Fairy Tales
Starring: Walt Disney
Director: Ray Pointer
Manufacturer: Inkwell Images
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Animation | Genres | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000QRID2Y
Release Date: 2006-11-10

Customer Reviews:

The foundation-historical and hysterical!.......2007-06-13

Although I'm a big animation fan, I've never been fond of most silent cartoons. Most of them are simply not that funny although Disney's ALICE cartoons were usually a mile ahead of the pack.

This set, containing Uncle Walt's earliest cartoons, is a revelation. Aside from historical interest, these are fall-down on the floor hysterical. Gags and good story pacing abound. Note the dance in CINDERELLA on "Tuesday, Friday the 13th" and the film in PUSS IN BOOTS advertising "Rudolf Vaselino in Throwing the Bull."

These are full of good characterization and storytelling. The cartoon fairy tales are updated to 1920s standards, but are still mostly funny today. THE FOUR MUSICIANS is not quite as funny as the rest, but features some really skillful underwater animation. You'll howl at the Charleston dance in CINDERELLA and just about everything in PUSS IN BOOTS and LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD.

Tommy Tucker's Tooth, an educational film, has its amusing moments and the original Newman Laugh O grams are likely to bring smiles instead of belly-laughs, but overall, this set testifies to the fact that Uncle Walt was skillful at what he was doing from day one and was already miles ahead of his competition. Buy it, learn, and laugh

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