Jerry the Troublesome Tyke, a cartoon dog, was created by animator Sid Griffiths and photographer Bert Bilby, who both worked as projectionists at the Capitol Cinema in the Welsh capital Cardiff. The Jerry shorts were made between 1925 and 1927 and were shown all over the world as part of the Pathe Pictorial cinemagazine. They are recognised as the first animated series made in Wales. He Gets Fired brilliantly demonstrates one of the defining – and endearing – features of the series, which is the interaction between Sid Griffiths (animator) and Jerry (his creation). Jerry is characteristically mischievous, here halfdrawn and escaping from Griffiths’ insistent pen-nib. Ultimately, Griffiths takes extreme measures to keep Jerry in check, leaving the troublesome tyke bemused.

Mark Davies