Australian
Screen

an NFSA website

Titles tagged with ‘anthropomorphism’

15 titles - sorted alphabetically or by year

1910s

Cartoons of the Moment – The War Zoo newsreel – c1915

Cartoonist Harry Julius used animals to represent the various countries involved in the First World War, creating easily identifiable – and satirical – character stereotypes.

Cartoons of the Moment – Today the German Monster Threatens the World newsreel – c1916

This powerful piece of anti-German propaganda was a recruitment tool to persuade Australian men of fighting age that their help was urgently needed in the war effort.

1930s

King Billy’s First Car advertisement – 1939

This 1930s animated advertisement contains a disturbing subtext about Indigenous Australians.

1950s

Kindergarten Playtime television program – 1959

In 1959, two years after the Soviet Union’s Sputnik satellite is launched, Australia’s first pre-school television show tackles space travel.

1960s

Mr Squiggle and Friends – Episode 148 television program – c1960

Mr Squiggle is one of the most recognised children’s television characters. Although no longer on air, he continues to appear at exhibitions and science fiction conventions.

Skippy – Be Our Guest television program – 1968

Clancy wants to make a good impression on her visiting mother. Instead, she gets lost in the bush where she is rescued by a group of Aboriginal men (played by visiting members of the Aboriginal Theatre from Yirrkala, Arnhem Land).

Skippy – Long Way Home television program – 1968

Dastardly Dr Stark kidnaps ‘no ordinary kangaroo’ Skippy for his own private zoo, but Skippy has other plans.

1970s

Hot to Trot short film – 1977

A cartoon adventure featuring Captain Goodvibes, the pig of steel, and his sidekick Astro.

1990s

Mr Squiggle and Friends – Cheer Up television program – 1990

A 1990s episode of iconic children’s series Mr Squiggle and Friends created and performed by Norman Hetherington, written by Margaret Hetherington and co-presented by their daughter Rebecca Hetherington.

The Ferals – An Explosion of Talent television program – 1994

This irreverent puppet-live action series about a mangy group of animals pushes the boundaries of children’s television.

Love Song short film – 1998

In this animated short film, a singing punk rat tries his luck in the game of love.

Serving Suggestion short film – 1998

In this animated short, little Kevin’s rampage at the supermarket goes too far.

Bananas in Pyjamas – Banana Breakfast television program – 1999

The combination of visually appealing characters with the 'Bananas in Pyjamas’ song created a highly popular and commercially successful preschool series.

2000s

Love Tricycle short film – 2003

Love Tricycle is like Grease with bicycles instead of people, complete with a high school, a love affair and a showdown between rivals on the racetrack.

Elephant Tales feature film – 2006

Elephant Tales tells the story of two orphaned elephant brothers Zef and Tutu and their search for a new future.