Caprice en couleurs

This is a somewhat experimental animated short film that is quite reminiscent of the opening sequence of "Fantasia" in which abstract visuals sync with instrumental background music. This film can be described as somewhat more dull than "Fantasia" in nature, particularly in the middle, but it is still a whole lot of fun to watch (for the most part) nonetheless. Similarly to Stan Brakhage, the great Canadian animator/avant garde filmmaker Norman McLaren (the man behind the brilliant classic short film "Neighbors", which is, in m opinion, one of the greatest works ever put to celluloid) directly painted on film in order to craft the fine, stunningly colorful visuals expressed in this brief musical trip. If this doesn't sound too abstract to you, I would recommend it highly; after all, it's only seven minutes of your time!

With the recent death of jazz great Oscar Peterson, Amid at Cartoon Brew showed his tribute by linking from YouTube two animated shorts scored by him. One was directed by John Hubley. This one, Begone Dull Care, was done by Norman McLaren and Evelyn Lambart with the abstract paint done directly on film. Peterson provides three jazz pieces with the second one just played to white lines on black background and the other two mixed with that and various other colors, mostly red. Wonderful Jackson Pollock-like images that might have inspired many a trip during the '60s! What a great tribute to a recently departed music genius from Canada.

Backed by a lively score from the Oscar Peterson trio, Evelyn Lambert and Norman McLaren draw a series of random images directly on to the film. Some of these images look recognisable - I'm sure I saw a shovel, castle and an amoeba in there. Others appear more like your are unsuccessfully trying to tune in your television set. Whilst mostly haphazard sequence, there are some symmetries to be seen, too. The piece is split into three sections, each scored to a different tempo and illustrated accordingly at the same pace. There's less going on in the middle one, but the third is an inspired marriage of syncopation and artistry. Definitely one of their better offerings.

These abstractions are tuned to the piano work of Oscar Peterson. While they really have no intrinsic connection, they jump and jive with the music. The colors are vivid and enticing. One should not be too critical of this work because efforts to classify the art just don't go anywhere. Just experience it and enjoy.

This film is one of the better works of abstract animation. McLaren succeeds at precisely timing his drawn-on-film animation to Peterson's music. Also, McLaren's mastery of depth in his painting is wonderful.