The Tune

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The Tune
Directed by Bill Plympton
Written by Bill Plympton
Maureen McElheron
P. C. Vey
Produced by Bill Plympton
StarringDaniel Neiden
Maureen McElheron
Marty Nelson
Emily Bindiger
Chris Hoffman
Jimmy Ceribello
Ned Reynolds
Jeffrey Knight
Jennifer Senko
CinematographyJohn Donnelly
Edited byMerril Stern
Music byMaureen McElheron
Distributed by October Films
Release dates
  • April 25, 1992 (1992-04-25)(Sundance)
  • September 4, 1992 (1992-09-04)(U.S.)
Running time
69 min.
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$175,000 [1]

The Tune is a 1992 independent animated musical-comedy film directed by Bill Plympton. [2] [3]

Contents

Plot summary

Del, a hard-working songwriter, is trying to write the perfect song for his slimeball boss, Mr. Mega, so he can keep his job and his girlfriend, Didi. As he rushes to work, he gets lost in a cloverleaf highway and ends up lost in a town called Flooby Nooby, where he meets the town's singing and swingin' mayor, an Elvis-impersonating dog, a noseless cab driver, and a psychotic bellhop as he tries to get to Mr. Mega's office to deliver the song.

Production

The Tune, was Bill Plympton's first feature-length film [1] and incorporates earlier shorts released by Plympton, including The Wiseman (1991), Dig My Do (1990), and Tango Schmango (1990). It was self-funded and took two years to make. [1] Its music was composed by Maureen McElheron, a longtime friend of Plympton's who has composed the music for most of his films.

Reception

The Tune premiered April 25, 1992 at the Sundance Film Festival. [1] It was also shown at the Cannes Film Festival [1] before being released in the United States on September 4, 1992.[ citation needed ] At least one critic observed that the incorporated shorts seemed out-of-place with the film's original material. [4] The Tune was nominated for a number of awards in 1992 and 1993.[ citation needed ] The film was preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2016. [5]

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Frook, John Evan (May 21, 1992). "October Wins 'Tune' Rights". Daily Variety . p. 2.
  2. Lenburg, Jeff (1999). The Encyclopedia of Animated Cartoons. Checkmark Books. p. 211. ISBN   0-8160-3831-7 . Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  3. Indie Animation King Bill Plympton|Animation Magazine
  4. "Animator Bill Plympton creates an enjoyable Tune - the Tech".
  5. "Preserved Projects". Academy Film Archive.