Neighbours (1952)
0h 9m | PG-13
In this Oscar-winning short film, Norman McLaren employs the principles normally used to put drawings or puppets into motion to animate live actors. The story is a parable about two people who come to blows over the possession of a flower.
Director: Norman McLaren
Studio: ONF | NFB
Genre: Animation, Comedy
Video: 720p
Cast
Grant Munro
as Neighbour on the Right
Jean Paul Ladouceur
as Neighbour on the Left
Reviews
Two neighbours emerge from their homes to sit on deck-chairs reading the same newspaper - with polar opposite headlines, before they become captivated by a dandelion that appears on their shared lawn. Curious, they investigate then both engage in some energetic and slightly surreal acrobatics around their garden followed by a slight "discussion" as to the ownership of the flower. Their peaceful co-existence is now threatened by a picket-fence! Is it the end of a beautiful friendship? Well only a fence-post duel and some fisticuffs might decide - assuming, of course, the watching plant decides to stick around or even survives for long enough! There's no dialogue but a quirky and lively, synthesised, soundtrack helps this daft, slightly slapstick, caper along entertainingly to a rather brutal and destructive denouement that did raise a smile. The moral? Well, love thy neighbour of course!