In the Beginning: Animation's Famous Firsts!

Special Features: Presented by animation historian Jerry Beck

The iconic characters of classic cartoons are stars in their own right — and part of our shared cultural memory. With hundreds of cartoons released every year in the 1930s and 1940s, some of these favorites appeared on screen fully formed, while others took time to evolve into the characters we know and love today. Yet these animated icons have stayed relevant for 90 years and counting. Join animation historian Jerry Beck — a professor at CalArts, UCLA and USC, and author of more than 15 books on classic cartoons — as he presents a program of cartoon milestones, tracing the first appearances of classic characters and the debuts of memorable series. Don't miss this unique opportunity to see these cartoons the way they were meant to be seen: on the big screen!

Run Time: 60 Minutes

Opening Date: Friday, November 13, 2026

Genre: Shorts program

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