Writing about the original version of “The Electric Company” reminded me of one of my all-time favorite short films by John and Faith Hubley, who later went on to work on the “Letterman” segments of that show. It is the story of two little girls playing and it is called “Windy Day.”
When the Hubleys began making films, animation was very structured and scripted. Their great innovation was the use of improvised dialogue and impressionistic images and the result was fresh, natural, innovative, and remarkably touching. In “Windy Day,” the dialogue is the private conversation of the Hubley daughters as they were playing. I first saw and loved it when I was just past the ages of those girls myself, and I thought of it often as I listened in on my own children at play.
The Hubleys created many more wonderful films, including “Everybody Rides the Carousel,” based on the work of Erik Erikson about the psychological stages of development, and “The Hat” about two border guards (played by Dudley Moore and Dizzy Gillespie) who argue over what they should do when one’s hat blows into the other’s territory.
posted January 31, 2009 at 6:51 pm
Nell, I haven’t thought of that film for years. I recall reviewing it for Booklist magazine when I was a staff reviewer there. The film is certainly a delight. Try to find a copy and see it.
posted January 31, 2009 at 9:17 pm
Thanks so much, Beth! I am so happy you remember this wonderful film and I was thrilled to find it online so I could watch it and share it here.
posted February 21, 2009 at 11:44 am
Thanks for sharing Nell. Similar to a show on tv now called Charlie and Lola. My daughter is 19 but we sometimes sit together to watch it – I love to hear their voices!