Between the late 1910s and the 1920s, American animated cartoons experienced their first real golden age. In this programme, the exhilarating rhythm and surreal inventions of the animations combine with the musical influence of French romanticism, creating an unprecedented meeting of film history and music. Live accompaniment will be provided by Gabriele Dal Santo, the silent film pianist at the Palazzetto Bru Zane in Venice since 2016. Col. Heeza Liar, Detective, a significant example of the mixed animation techniques of 100+ years ago, marks the debut of one of the first protagonists to star in serialised American cartoons. With Koko’s Earth Control, the Fleischer brothers gave birth to a spectacular whirlwind of catastrophes, transformations, and comic anarchy. It is interesting to contrast Charley at the Circus, a unique animated reinterpretation of the Little Tramp, and Feline Follies, the first appearance of Felix the Cat, whose humour also owes much to that of Chaplin.

Marco Bellano

Col. Heeza Liar, Detective (USA/1923) R.: Vernon Stallings. D.: 9’
Koko’s Earth Control (USA/1928) R.: Dave Fleischer. D.: 8’
Charley at the Circus (USA/1919) R.: Otto Messmer. D.: 8’
Feline Follies (USA/1919) R.: Otto Messmer. D.: 5’
Alice’s Mysterious Mystery! (USA/1926) R.: Walt Disney. D.: 7’
Felix Revolts (USA/1923) R.: Otto Messmer. D.: 7’

Piano accompaniment by Gabriele Dal Santo
Introduced by Marco Bellano (Università degli studi Padova)
In collaboration with Palazzetto Bru Zane – Centre de musique romantique française
From 6 years