framptonhollis This is a somewhat experimental animated short film that is quite reminiscent of the opening sequence of "Fantasia" in which abstract visuals sync with instrumental background music. This film can be described as somewhat more dull than "Fantasia" in nature, particularly in the middle, but it is still a whole lot of fun to watch (for the most part) nonetheless. Similarly to Stan Brakhage, the great Canadian animator/avant garde filmmaker Norman McLaren (the man behind the brilliant classic short film "Neighbors", which is, in m opinion, one of the greatest works ever put to celluloid) directly painted on film in order to craft the fine, stunningly colorful visuals expressed in this brief musical trip. If this doesn't sound too abstract to you, I would recommend it highly; after all, it's only seven minutes of your time!

Horst in Translation ([email protected]) "Begone Dull Care" is an 8-minute short film by Scottish animation filmmaker Norman McLaren. He made this one shortly before his Academy Award win for "Neighbors", also his most known work probably. McLaren was in his mid-30s here back in 1949. So this is an over 65-year-old film and it's an experimental piece. It certainly has a touch of Stan Brakhage to it, but I have to say it was not really a success for me in terms of the visual side. The audio was better, some nice music and obviously it was closely connected with the animation being on par with what we heard in this short film. However, the whole thing just stayed underwhelming for me and given the fact that the pretty talented Evelyn Lambart also worked on this one, I hoped for more. Not recommended.

Squrpleboy A masterpiece of hand-drawn & experimental cinema! McLaren & Lambert pulled out all the stops for the wonderful viewing experience that would become BEGONE DULL CARE, a film made directly by hand through painting, etching, drawing, and pattern- rolling onto clear 35 mm film stock. The phantasmagoria of colours, patterns, images and surreal optical trickery of perceived depth of field are blended together PERFECTLY with the rollicking Jazz soundtrack provided by Canadian Jazz-pianist extraordinaire, Oscar Peterson, and his band. Although this style of animation has been attempted many times, by countless others, both before and since, NONE have come close to Norman McLaren & Evelyn Lambert's stunning accomplishment: BEGONE DULL CARE!10/10. A resounding visual triumph.........and just so much fun to watch!

msl521 This film is one of the better works of abstract animation. McLaren succeeds at precisely timing his drawn-on-film animation to Peterson's music. Also, McLaren's mastery of depth in his painting is wonderful.