Pre-Code Cartoons (For Kids, Too!) with Jerry Beck

Special Features: Presented by animation historian Jerry Beck

Join us for a wild ride through the forgotten corners of early 1930s animation! Before the Hays Code cleaned up Hollywood, cartoons were just as wild, surreal and outrageous as live-action films — sometimes even more so. Animation historian Jerry Beck, a professor at CalArts and author of more than15 books on classic cartoons, presents a handpicked lineup of his favorite pre-Code animated shorts, with an emphasis on the weird, the rare and the wonderful. Expect jazz-fueled antics and flapper-era flair from obscure studios you have likely never heard of. Jerry’s lively introductions will dive into the hidden history of these long-lost gems, how they reflected the Depression-era zeitgeist and the feature films they accompanied in theaters. Whether you are an animation aficionado or just grew up loving Saturday morning cartoons, this program offers a rare chance to experience these boundary-pushing classics as they were meant to be seen: on the big screen!

The full lineup of short films will be announced at a later date.

Run Time: 60 Minutes

Opening Date: Saturday, November 08, 2025

Genre: Shorts program

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