H97-1289.5. Dirkse, Ron.
Papers, 1932-1937. 1.50 linear ft.

Abstract

This collection consists of films from the 1930s. It includes cartoons, sports, and educational films. All media except the Hindenberg Disaster is 16mm film. The history of some of the contents of this collection is as follows:

Kiko the Kangaroo first appeared in 1936 and was finished by 1937. It was one of many cartoon characters invented by Terrytoons. A Hollywood Animation Studio, Terrytoons was run by Paul Terry from 1916-1968. It was generally considered to be at the bargain basement of cartoon manufacturing. It was low quality, low budget, mass-produced and always behind in new technologies for the sake of saving a penny. Yet, Terrytoon's frugality kept it in business while others came and went. Many characters and cartoons were poor and quickly forgotten but others including Mighty Mouse, Deputy Dawg, and Heckle and Jeckel became American icons. The rights to Terrytoons are now owned by the USA network.

Flip the Frog was MGM Studio's first sound cartoon character. He was created by Ub Iwerks, the creators of Mickey Mouse. There is some debate as to whether Flip should receive some credit for first time innovations in the cartoon industry usually given to Mickey Mouse. Originally more Frog-Like, Flip took on more generic, toned-down featured. Created in 1930, this series ended in 1933.

The 1932 Winter Olympics were held at Lake Placid, New York. Because of the international economic depression, only 17 teams managed to bring athletes. There were 5 total sports with 252 total athletes. The U.S. won the medal count with 12 (6 gold, 4 silver, and 2 bronze). President Hoover turned down an invitation to open the games, an honor which was done by then-Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt.

The Hindenberg disaster was the unfortunate explosion of a German airship (Zeppelin) in Lakehurst, New York on May 6th, 1937. at 7 P.M. Thirty-five deaths were later blamed on static electricity that built up a charge that sparked the floating, hydrogen-filled coffin. This event was made famous by the shock and emotion in the radio announcement of Herb Morrison.

Accession No.:H97-1289.5
Provenance:Ron Dirkse
Donor:Ron Dirkse
Processed by:Michael Douma, July 2003

History

The history of some of the contents of this collection is as follows:
Kiko the Kangaroo first appeared in 1936 and was finished by 1937. It was one of many cartoon characters invented by Terrytoons. A Hollywood Animation Studio, Terrytoons was run by Paul Terry from 1916-1968. It was generally considered to be at the bargain basement of cartoon manufacturing. It was low quality, low budget, mass-produced and always behind in new technologies for the sake of saving a penny. Yet, Terrytoon's frugality kept it in business while others came and went. Many characters and cartoons were poor and quickly forgotten but others including Mighty Mouse, Deputy Dawg, and Heckle and Jeckel became American icons. The rights to Terrytoons are now owned by the USA network.
Flip the Frog was MGM Studio's first sound cartoon character. He was created by Ub Iwerks, the creators of Mickey Mouse. There is some debate as to whether Flip should receive some credit for first time innovations in the cartoon industry usually given to Mickey Mouse. Originally more Frog-Like, Flip took on more generic, toned-down featured. Created in 1930, this series ended in 1933.
The 1932 Winter Olympics were held at Lake Placid, New York. Because of the international economic depression, only 17 teams managed to bring athletes. There were 5 total sports with 252 total athletes. The U.S. won the medal count with 12 (6 gold, 4 silver, and 2 bronze). President Hoover turned down an invitation to open the games, an honor which was done by then-Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt.
The Hindenberg disaster was the unfortunate explosion of a German airship (Zeppelin) in Lakehurst, New York, on May 6th, 1937, at 7 P.M. Thirty-five deaths were later blamed on static electricity that built up a charge that sparked the floating, hydrogen-filled coffin. This event was made famous by the shock and emotion in the radio announcement of Herb Morrison.

Scope and Content

This collection consists of films from the 1930s. It includes cartoons, sports, and educational films. Everything except the Hindenberg Disaster is recorded on 16mm film.

Container List

16mm Films
Alps/1932 Olympics, 1932
Castle Films
Kiko the Kangaroo, 1937
News Parade, Eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, n. d.
Sport Parade, n. d.
Charles Lamont, Educational Film (2 folders)
Comedy, Dog Days, n. d.
Official Films, Flip the Frog, 1932
Sports, Fishing, Motorcycles, Horses, Skiing, n. d.
Unidentified Cartoon, n. d.
Hindenberg Disaster, 1937

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