The Mail-Journal, Volume 6, Number 43, Milford, Kosciusko County, 26 November 1969 — Page 20

THE MAIL-JOURNAL —Wed., Nov. 26, 1969

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Animated Mouse Solves Yule Problem

Once upon a time in Bloomington, Ind., there lived a small mouse who was a very woeful character, barred from his mouse house by a rock that rolled down a hill and blocked the front door on Christmas Eve. Peter was the mouse’s name, given him by a -16-year-old film-maker named Gerald D. Reynolds, who wrote and produced “Peter’s Christmas.” The Plot Thickens Since it was the day before Christmas (in the film) and Peter had to be in bed if he was to receive any presents from Santa, Peter tried everything to move the rock. Finally, his thoughts of Santa inspired him. He slid down the chimney just in time to have a merrv Christmas after all.

For "Peter’s Christmas,” Gerald Reynolds won a special award for cartoon animation. The film included more than 800 drawings — half on paper and half on celluloid — and 25 backgrounds. From the judges he got high praise — “remarkably well-done,” "good job of animation,” “displays considerable technical and creative ability.” Gerald was one of hundreds of young film-makers in the competition that Kodak sponsors annually in cooperation with the University Film Foundation on behalf of the University Film Association, whose members serve as judges, and the Council for International Nontheatrical Events, which chooses films from among the winners for showing at foreign film festivals. Communicating Ideas Most of all he is a member of today’s young film generation, a group to which the camera is almost as familiar as the pencil for communicating ideas. Young people all over the country are making films today. Students at Drake High School in San Anselmo, Calif., produced “The Idaho Test,”

MfcWrTwHM WMMMSraB * :. * \ A MOUSE AND HIS CHRISTMAS PROBLEM is the subject of an animated cartoon, called “Peter’s Christmas.” The story begins happily on December 23rd, when Peter’s mother sends him to the store for some groceries. The delectable teen-age mouse is his sister, Ellen.

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“PETER’S CHRISTMAS” tells the story of a mouse barred from his mouse house on Christmas Eve. a satire on standardized testing. A group of Long Island students produced “For Whom The Torch Burns,” a 90-minute thriller spoofing a plot to kidnap the Statue of Liberty. And teen-agers in Richmond, Calif., made “The Dream Blowers — A Story of Sand, Sound and Soul,” a 16mm dream fantasy, for SIOO. In addition to the high school crowd, movie-making appeals to innercity groups. It’s especially booming on

’ I I PROBLEMS START POPPING UP WHEN Peter returns from the store with a big bag of cheese. He finds that a huge rock has rolled off a passing truck and is barring the entrance to the Mouse House. He tries pushing, shoving and leverage with a big stick, but to no avail.

PETER TRIES ALL OF DECEMBER 23rd and 24th, but still the rock bars the doorway. Knowing that Santa won’t leave him any presents unless he is in bed, he falls to the ground crying. But then he gets a brilliant idea. If Santa can slide down the chimney, so can Peter!

the college campus where an estimated 2,500 courses in film production and appreciation are currently offered in the United States. For Fun or Career Most of these young people make movies for the sheer joy of it, but for some, moviemaking is pointing the way to career opportunities. “I would like to have a small animation studio or work for one,” says Gerald Reynolds, who also is interested in television writing. For Gerald, “Peter’s Christmas” gave a chance to tell the story as he envisioned it. And for all the movie generation, encouraged by new easy-to-use cameras and dedicated to seriousness of purpose, the movie route appears the most natural, creative way in the world to make a statement.

KEEP DECORATIONS SIMPLE When it comes to decorating at home, why not keep it simple. It’s surprising what just a few wellplaced lights and ornaments can do. Pace yourself, try to be calm. The Christmas holidays were meant to be enjoyed. If you plan your schedule, organize your family, and conserve your energy, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t have a merry holiday season. FOR PETS Pets like receiving gifts, too. Toys, grooming aids, a bed, food, and even doggy and kitty clothing are just some of the possibilities.

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gs I I PETER FINDS THE GOING A BIT ROUGH about half way down, since he is new at chimney-sliding compared to Santa. But our hero does manage it and snuggles down into bed just before Santa arrives with his presents. And so Peter has a very Merry Christmas after all.

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