Where Moving Pictures Took Off

This weekend marks the opening of "It All Started Here," a collaboration of the Westchester Arts Council, the Jacob Burns Film Center, and the Pelham Picture House. The project focuses on animated cartoons and movies made in the New York area since 1906. “It All Started Here” includes an exhibit at the Arts Exchange in White Plains and screenings at the Jacob Burns Film Center. On Thursday, the Burns will show a live reenactment of the stage show that accompanied the groundbreaking 1914 film Gertie the Dinosaur, as well as shorts featuring Koko the Clown, Felix the Cat, and Little Nemo–all with live piano accompaniment. On January 27 the Burns will feature animation by J. J. Sedelmaier Productions, from television shows like Saturday night Live and Beavis and Butt-Head. In February, features will include short films starring Popeye, Mighty Mouse, Tom Terrific, and Deputy Dawg. “It All Started Here” also includes screenings at the Pelham Picture House. For more background on the show and the creative forces behind it, check out the article in last Sunday's New York Times.
Westchester Arts Council, Jacob Burns Film Center
Image: Jacob Burns Film Center