Fifty Million Years Ago (1925)

A German animated film about dinosaurs that was repackaged in the United States during the Scopes Monkey Trial. The opening scenes depicting the formation of the earth, and early marine life, employ such simple means of simulating movement as a moving camera and sliding cels and overlays. One primal, insect-like creature is pictured by means of an elaborate jointed cutout, its legs and antennae manipulated frame by frame—a technique favored by some early animators. Most of the creatures in this film pose sedately before painted backdrops or simple settings; the effect is that of museum dioramas come to life.