The Cameraman’s Revenge (film #1 on The Cameraman’s Revenge and Other Fantastic Tales (Film Preservation Associates, 1993). Also, film #53 on UBUWeb). [Category: Early Film & TV]

This delightful piece of early puppet animation features an all-insect cast in a tale of marital infidelity. Mr. Beetle secretly goes out to a nightclub to see a dragonfly dancer that he is enamored with. Eventually, an affair develops, requiring Mr. Beetle to brush off the dragonfly’s grasshopper boyfriend. Unfortunately, Mr. Beetle doesn’t realize that the grasshopper is a film cameraman, and that film can be used to expose marital infidelity. This is all delightfully animated, with very cleverly-written title cards that add to the humor of the proceedings. This is definitely recommended to fans of animation as a great early example of the form. A 1912 Russian film.

Ratings: Camp/Humor Value: ****. Weirdness: ****. Historical Interest: *****. Overall Rating: ****.