Once a year at a landmark theater in Glendale California, a new compilation of the Greatest Cartoons Ever unspools on the big screen to the delight of animation lovers everywhere. The Alex Film Society created an annual film festival to show off the most-wonderful animated shorts from the Golden Age of Hollywood – presented as they were originally intended to be seen. It’s a cinematic trip back in time, when animated cartoons were more than just the opening act. They were the greatest part of going to the movies.

For the sixth year in a row, a panel of film buffs, animation experts and industry professionals have curated a unique program of cartoon classics directed by the likes of Chuck Jones, Friz Freleng, Dave Fleischer, Tex Avery and Shamus Culhane (among others) – including such well known characters as Tom & Jerry, Bugs Bunny, Mickey Mouse, Popeye, Betty Boop, Woody Woodpecker, Droopy, Daffy Duck – and more.

Animation historians Jerry Beck and Frank Gladstone (both of Asifa-Hollywood) introduce each film in person, with insights and tidbits about the cartoons and the filmmakers. The show is presented twice on Boxing Day – the day after Christmas – Monday December 26th at 2pm and 7pm. For more information, check the Alex Film Society website.

The films selected for this year include:

Buccaneer Bunny (1948, Friz Freleng)
Lonesome Ghosts (1937, Burt Gillett)
Me Musical Nephews (1942, Seymour Kneitel)
Fair Weather Fiends (1946, Shamus Culhane)
Bimbo’s Initiation (1931, Dave Fleischer)
The Scarlet Pumpernickel (1950, Chuck Jones)
Drag-Along Droopy (1954, Tex Avery)
The Truce Hurts (1948, Hanna-Barbera)
Beep Prepared (1961, Chuck Jones, Maurice Noble)
King-Size Canary (1947, Tex Avery)