Tuesday, February 20, 2007

"Peace on Earth" 1939 Cartoon

While surfing youtube (one of my favorite passtimes) today I came across this wonderful 1939 cartoon, "Peace on Earth" done by Hugh Harmon of MGM studios. It is the only cartoon to have ever been nominated for a Nobel Prize. In it's thought provoking portrayal, it shows how the animals have to pick up the pieces after man has destroyed himself through war. At this time, Harman created his masterwork, Peace on Earth. Released during the holiday season of 1939 (immediately after the outbreak of World War II in Europe), Peace on Earth was a serious work which dealt with the idea of what a post-apocalyptic world would be like. Peace on Earth was nominated for the 1939 Academy Award for Short Subjects (Cartoons), as well as for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Now almost 70 years later, this cartoon is even more relevent as man owns the means by which to destroy en masse, as the politicians rattle their sabers at eachother threatening war. I hope this cartoon from many years ago makes everyone think about the consequences of this behavior.




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