Plymptoons: The Complete Early Works of Bill Plympton

1989

Animator Bill Plympton first received widespread public attention when his outré "Your Face" (1987) was nominated for an Academy Award for Animated Short. This collection of short films—some as brief as 15 seconds—made between 1985 and 1991, showcase his unique talent much more effectively than his ponderous feature films. But in off-the-wall shorts like "Your Face", "25 Ways to Quit Smoking", and the 15-second shorts made for MTV, he emerges as an entertaining and highly original filmmaker.

Production

Seasons

23 Episodes • Premiered 1989

1. Self Portrait

Excerpted from the collective short "Animated Self-Portraits" (1989), this 13-second clip is as the title describes: a self-portrait of Bill Plympton, animated circa 1988.

2. The Great Turn On

Bill Plympton's first animated short for his college's 1968 yearbook promotion.

3. Lucas, The Ear of Corn

An incomplete short by Bill Plympton.

4. Boomtown

The Android Sisters sing about the alarming increase in U.S. defense spending during the cold war and its effect on various aspects of the domestic economy.

5. Drawing Lesson #2

While giving an art lesson, the Magic Line is distracted by thoughts of his true love and former model, Vera, with whom he'd had a wild and passionate affair.

6. Your Face

A tenor, in suit and tie, with a receding hairline, sings an original ballad to his love, “Your Face is Like a Song”, to simple piano accompaniment.

7. Love in the Fast Lane

A distracted businessman buys an anniversary gift for his wife, but gets much more than he bargained for.

8. One of Those Days

A day in the life of the world's unluckiest guy.

9. How to Kiss

As a brave couple demonstrates, the narrator uses quotes, examples and advice to help us all reach the highest heights in the art of kissing.

10. 25 Ways to Quit Smoking

The perilous road to kicking the habit is explored in twenty-six vignettes that include various professionals and contraptions.

11. 245 Days

The music video for Peter Himmelman's song "245 Days", featuring original animations by Bill Plympton.

12. Noodle Ear

A 13-second channel bumper for MTV, animated by Bill Plympton circa 1989.

13. Excerpt from Universal Declaration of Human Rights

A 30-second excerpt from Amnesty International's 20-minute Universal Declaration of Human Rights animation video special from 1989.

14. Acid Rain

An environmental awareness PSA from MTV, animated by Bill Plympton circa 1989.

15. Trivial Pursuit TV commercial #1

A 1990 TV advertisement for the board game Trivial Pursuit, animated by Bill Plympton.

16. Trivial Pursuit TV commercial #2

A 1990 TV advertisement for the board game Trivial Pursuit, animated by Bill Plympton.

17. Sugar Delight TV commercial #1

A 1991 TV advertisement for artificial sweetener Sugar Delight, animated by Bill Plympton, featuring the voice of Emo Philips.

18. Sugar Delight TV commercial #2

A 1991 TV advertisement for artificial sweetener Sugar Delight, animated by Bill Plympton, featuring the voice of Emo Philips.

19. Previous Lives #1: Rod Stewart

An excerpt from MTV's 10th Anniversary Special, animated by Bill Plympton.

20. Previous Lives #2: Eddie Van Halen

An excerpt from MTV's 10th Anniversary Special, animated by Bill Plympton.

21. Plymptoons

A collection of comedic vignettes and sight gags, animated by Bill Plympton.

22. At the Zoo

A student film animated by Bill Plympton, when he was a student at The School of Visual Arts, New York City.

23. America: Upper and Lower Case

Another student film animated by Bill Plympton during his time as a student at The School of Visual Arts, New York City, humorously speaking to class divisions in America.

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