Horst in Translation ([email protected]) And apparently, back in the 1960s, that was enough for an Oscar win. For John Hubley, it was his second of 3 triumphs. At least this time, we do not have to listen to the rambling of the Hubley kids, but of two grown men, voiced by a musician and an actor. I guess this was so appreciated back then because of what the two are talking about. I know the charm should come from how it is a conversation we could have ourselves or listen at every corner, but in the end it is just random rambling. Nothing more. The animation is not to my liking either, even if it is admittedly better than some other Hubley stuff I have seen in the past. Overall, a very forgettable short film, certainly not worthy of winning an Oscar, but the 1960s weren't exactly a great decade for animation. I do not recommend "The Hole". Thumbs down.

Lee Eisenberg John and Faith Hubley's Oscar-winning cartoon "The Hole" features a pair of construction workers (voiced by George Mathews and Dizzy Gillespie) talking about accidents. They start by discussing the things that could happen in a construction site but then branch out into the possibility of a nuclear holocaust. One of them always imagines a worst-case scenario (which we see depicted).At once a funny cartoon and a "Dr. Strangelove"-style warning about nuclear proliferation, this is a clever cartoon. The unpolished animation helps emphasize the working-class nature of the characters. It just goes to show that cartoons don't have to be "cute". After all, animation is simply another type of filmmaking, and it's one of the best ways to point out society's faults. I recommend "The Hole".

Ron Oliver Two construction workers - one Black, one White - engage in a wide-ranging discussion during their shift in THE HOLE of a New York City building project.John & Faith Hubley (creators of MOONBIRD) strike pay dirt once more with this very engaging and thought provoking little film which makes astute observations about nuclear proliferation. The limited animation format is the perfect medium to illustrate the unscripted remarks of the two characters, voiced by Dizzy Gillespie & George Mathews.Winner of the 1962 Oscar for Best Animated Short.

Robert Reynolds This cartoon won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short in 1962. It deserved the award and is still well worth watching almost 40 years later. It's a very simple cartoon in its execution and in the devices used to carry the action forward, but conveys its subject matter-the nature of accidents and nuclear arms-in a most compelling and engaging manner. The cartoon is fascinating and the ending will stay with most viewers a good long while. Deserves as wide an audience as possible.