November 2, 1950
(renewed in 1978)
Gerald McBoing-Boing is an animated short film about a little boy who speaks through sound effects instead of spoken words. It was produced by United Productions of America (UPA) and given wide release by Columbia Pictures on November 2, 1950. It was adapted by Phil Eastman and Bill Scott from a story by Dr. Seuss, directed by Robert Cannon, and produced by John Hubley.
Gerald McBoing-Boing won the 1950 Oscar for Best Animated Short. In 1994, it was voted #9 of The 50 Greatest Cartoons of all time by members of the animation field, making it the highest ranked UPA cartoon on the list. In 1995, it was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".
Summary[]
At age two, Gerald McLoy should be at the age where he says his first words. But when the first "words" that come out of his mouth sound more like a broken spring - "boing boing" - his nervous father is worried that Gerald will never speak properly and keep on making these unusual sounds. After his father calls in medical help, Gerald continues to keep making these and other unusual sounds as the doctor doesn't know what to do. And later, when Gerald's father sends him to school hoping that being around other children speaking and having teachers who can teach him will make him speak properly, Gerald still can only make these sounds. Is there any hope for Gerald or his exasperated parents?
Also See[]
- Gerald McBoing Boing (2005)
- Gerald McBoing Boing's Symphony (1953)
- Gerald McBoing Boing in How Now Boing Boing (1954)
- Gerald McBoing! Boing! on Planet Moo (1956)