Gerald McBoing Boing tells the story of a small boy who when he first tries to talk
can only utter sound
effects like 'Boing! Boing! His parents are shocked and call in a doctor who says he has
no cure for the noises.
Gerald soon goes to school but is sent home because he goes 'Cuckoo! He is rejected by
the other kids because
of the sounds and his parents are annoyed so runs away from home in despair.
He then comes across the head of the 'Bong! Bong! Bong! radio
station who hires Gerald as
his entire sound effects department. Gerald parents are now proud of him, and he becomes
rich and famous
because he dosen't speak words, he goes 'Boing! Boing! instead.
Gerald McBoing Boing won the Academy Award as best animated short subject for 1950. The
competition was an MGM Tom & Jerry cartoon Jerry's Cousin, and another UPA entry
Trouble Idemnity
with Mr. Magoo. It was a major triumph for UPA--formal recognition of their groundbreaking
efforts.
This film--one of the finest ever made--had an impact that was both immeadiate and
long-lasting.
The concept came from Dr. Suess, who as Theodore Geisel, had worked with some of the UPA
staff
on army films during WWII.
His story, and rhyming dialogue, was adapted for animation by
Phil Eastman and Bill
Scott. Director Bobe Cannon and designer Bill Hurtz's concept was--less is more--how few
lines could they use.
The action was charted, then the music written to that action before
it was animated by Bill Melendez, Rudy Larriva, Pat Mathews, Willis Pyle, and Frank Smith. 
Next Jules Engel and Herb Klynn added the bright, flat colors in the background, broken only by the
sparest of "props." Different colors were used to convey different moods thoughout the film.