�There was one group in America that was feeling somewhat overlooked,� Hahn said in introducing Food Will Win the War (1942). This was America�s farmers. This short detailed the important role farming played in America�s war effort. Hahn and Bossert were amused, however, at many of the examples cited. The Axis was crushed by a titanic ear of corn, cows and pigs marched in formation, and a well fed little girl symbolically blocked the sun over Berlin. Hahn and Bossert also cautioned that, as a reflection of the times, caricatures of foreign leaders were used. �Those of you who are offended by unflattering caricatures of Hitler, please go out and get some popcorn,� they offered.

America�s farmers were featured in Food Will Win the War

For the next short subject, the hosts jumped ahead forty years. Fun with Mr. Future (1982) featured the work of several recent CalArts graduates, including Tim Burton, Brad Bird and John Lasseter. Possibly begun as a piece to entertain guests waiting in line at Epcot Center, it was repurposed and given a brief theatrical release. The somewhat quirky short included both animation and live action, and was hosted by �Mr. Future,� the audio-animatronic, stripped down, disembodied head of Mr. Lincoln. (Wearing a red and white striped bow tie, no less.) �It�s a rarity, to be sure,� Hahn said, and as the audience chuckled, he continued, �It will shock and disturb some of you.�

The 'star' of Fun with Mr. Future, in a 1963 photograph

Also from the same year was a piece from one of CalArts most famous graduates, Tim Burton. Vincent (1982) is a stop-motion homage to some of Burton�s obsessions, not the least of which was veteran horror film star Vincent Price. Hahn pointed out that Burton was now busy at the Disney Studio, creating his version of Alice in Wonderland. Hahn also mentioned that he was producing a feature version of another of Burton�s short subjects, Frankenweenie.

Tim Burton�s stop-motion short Vincent