Felix Turns 85 (Classic Felix Page Updates 11/09/04)

[David Gerstein]

Happy 85th birthday, Felix! We've been hard at work planning for our favorite feline's big anniversary, and on this— the big day itself!— the results begin to appear at GAC's Classic Felix the Cat Page (http://felix.goldenagecartoons.com).

Today in particular we're updating the Classic Felix Filmography, where I've filled out the 1919-1921 Paramount Magazine release schedule for the first time. Rare corporate documents have given me full titles for all twenty-one shorts and synopses for the vast majority; whereas until now I had titles for just nine and synopses for only two. The Classic Felix Encyclopedia will be revised in the coming days to reflect the new discoveries, too.
This is an exciting turning point in my Felix research, and I'm glad Pietro and I can share it with all of you.

(P. S. Geezil... still looking for your aquaduct story! Haven't found it yet!)

[GeorgeC]

The shame of it is that none of the classic Felix is available in anything other than public domain DVDs of varying quality.

Sure, you can get the some of the newer Felix TV shows in half-decent DVDs, but none of the really great silent shorts are available in good collections that have more than 7 or 8 shorts. The latest Felix DVD out on the video shelves is yet another regurgitation of the 1950s-style Felix -- NOT the 1920s original.

Let's face it -- the TV series' Felix really isn't the same character Otto Mesmer created way back when. Too add insult to injury, half the surviving shorts prints don't look that good, either. We're talking not even 1/4 as good as the condition Steamboat Willie is in!

Yes, it's great Felix has lasted so long, but he's really become more of a recognizable GRAPHIC ICON than a character cartoon that brings up a memorable personality and identity.

Frankly, an institution that's lasted as long as he has deserves better than that.

Same goes for Popeye and all the other exiled greats. The CGI Popeye DVD just released this week will likely do nothing to help Popeye's current state of limbo any more than I suspect the upcoming new Felix animated films will enhance the character's reputation.

[David Gerstein]

None of the classic Felix is available in anything other than public domain DVDs of varying quality. [...] Let's face it -- the TV series' Felix really isn't the same character Otto Messmer created way back when.I'm hoping that the classic Felix DVD availability situation will change in the future. I'm not saying this from any concrete knowledge, but I notice that the Oriolo family— holders of the Felix license— have recently begun reprinting early Messmer comic strips and producing products featuring the Messmer version of Felix. It's not hard to imagine that some vintage videos might eventually be produced as well.
Next point: I of course agree that Messmer's Felix and the TV incarnations are really quite different; and it's no secret that the Messmer originals are my own favorites. We simply report on the TV versions of the character because that era has its fans, too, and many consider the 1950s series to be a classic in and of itself (in the Rocky and Bullwinkle mould). Besides, maybe fans of the TV Felix will come to our site looking for TV information, and discover Messmer's work in the process!

[Geezil]

(P. S. Geezil... still looking for your aquaduct story! Haven't found it yet!)
Thankyousir(TM) and a very happy 85th to Felix! Meanwhile, I've also started prowling the Internet for any sign of that issue or at least its cover, so one way or another, we shall see.

[David Gerstein]

The Classic Felix Encyclopedia will be revised in the coming days to reflect the new discoveries, too.I've now made the revisions I mentioned. So as of today, all the Classic Felix film documents on the site are up to date with the latest research.

[GeorgeC]

P.S. --


I've heard from a little birdie (actually the man, himself!) that Ray Pointer is doing a Felix the Cat DVD in the near-future.

If you've ever seen or read reviews of Pointer's earlier DVD collections, you know he does a good job on the DVDs!

I'm not his press secretary or advertiser, but you can take a gander at his DVDs at this site: http://www.inkwellimagesink.com/

I know there's at least 2 DVDs there I wouldn't mind getting my hands on now if I had the spare cash!

Of course, the Felix DVD he's doing will be a collection of original, silent Felix shorts. ;)

[Tom Stathes]

Happy *rowr* Birthday *ROWR* from Tom Stathes!!!




Hee-haw!
-Brayman:eek: :bosko: