Gertie the Dinosaur

Gertie the Dinosaur is a groundbreaking animated film created by American cartoonist and animator Winsor McCay. Released in 1914, it is celebrated as one of the earliest examples of character animation and remains a milestone in the history of cinema. The film features Gertie, a playful and lovable dinosaur, performing tricks and interacting with McCay himself, blending animation and live-action elements in an innovative and entertaining way.

Overview

Creator: Winsor McCay
Release Year: 1914
Length: Approximately 12 minutes
Technique: Hand-drawn animation
Format: Originally designed as a part of McCay's vaudeville act, later adapted for theatrical release.

The film was revolutionary for its time, showcasing fluid motion, expressive character design, and a coherent personality for its animated star.

Storyline

The plot of Gertie the Dinosaur is simple but charming. It features Gertie as she:

Performs Tricks: Under McCay’s command, Gertie performs a series of actions, such as bowing, drinking water, and dancing.
Shows Personality: Gertie occasionally disobeys instructions, playfully asserting her independence.
Interacts with McCay: In the film’s live-action finale, McCay "steps into" the animation and rides on Gertie’s back, merging fantasy with reality.

This blending of live-action and animation was highly innovative for its time, enhancing the film’s appeal.

Production

Technical Process

Winsor McCay used a painstaking, labor-intensive process to create Gertie the Dinosaur:

Hand-Drawing: Each frame was individually drawn by McCay on rice paper, using over 10,000 drawings for the film.
Background Repetition: McCay used a static background and repeated it across multiple frames, saving time and maintaining consistency.
Frame-by-Frame Photography: Each drawing was photographed in sequence to create the illusion of motion.

Innovative Techniques

McCay employed techniques that were ahead of his time, including:

Character Animation: Gertie was one of the first animated characters to have a distinct personality, making her relatable and entertaining.
Anticipation and Follow-Through: Gertie's movements were lifelike, with smooth transitions that suggested weight and momentum.

Historical Context

At the time of Gertie the Dinosaur’s creation, animation was still in its infancy. Earlier animated works, like J. Stuart Blackton’s Humorous Phases of Funny Faces (1906) and Émile Cohl’s Fantasmagorie (1908), focused on abstract or simplistic visual storytelling. McCay’s work stood out by:

Emphasizing Character: Gertie was a fully realized figure, not just a prop or gimmick.
Exploring Emotion: The animation conveyed Gertie’s playful, curious, and mischievous nature, resonating with audiences.

Vaudeville and Theatrical Release

Vaudeville Act

Gertie the Dinosaur was originally created as part of McCay’s live vaudeville performances.

McCay stood on stage and interacted with the animated Gertie, giving her commands and engaging the audience.
The illusion of real-time interaction showcased McCay’s ingenuity and drew crowds.

Theatrical Film

In 1914, McCay adapted Gertie the Dinosaur into a standalone film. A live-action prologue and epilogue were added, depicting McCay making a bet with his colleagues that he could animate a dinosaur.

Significance

Technical Innovations

McCay’s use of detailed character animation set a new standard for the medium.
His depiction of Gertie’s movements—such as her breathing, tail swaying, and expressions—gave a sense of life and realism unseen in earlier works.

Animation as Entertainment

Gertie the Dinosaur demonstrated that animation could be more than a novelty; it could entertain and evoke emotions. This helped establish animation as a legitimate art form and a commercially viable medium.

Inspiration for Future Animators

McCay’s work inspired early animators like Walt Disney, who later expanded on his techniques to create full-length animated films.
Gertie’s personality-driven animation influenced the development of iconic characters like Mickey Mouse and Bugs Bunny.

Gallery

Legacy

Cultural Impact

Gertie became an enduring symbol of early animation and is often cited as the first animated character with a distinct personality.
The film is preserved in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for its cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance.

Influence on Animation

McCay’s techniques and storytelling approach set the foundation for the animation industry, inspiring generations of animators to push the boundaries of the medium.

Academic Recognition

Today, Gertie the Dinosaur is studied in film and animation courses worldwide as a pioneering work that bridged art, entertainment, and innovation.

Gertie the Dinosaur remains a landmark achievement, celebrating the early days of animation and highlighting the visionary talent of Winsor McCay. Over a century later, it continues to inspire and captivate audiences with its charm and ingenuity.