Vera Linnecar
Directing
Biography
Vera joined Halas & Batchelor in 1940 fresh out of art school. Her talents and need to express them quickly moved her from tracing work – copying the pencil drawings of others onto clear cels in ink – to animating herself. She remained a key member of the company in its founding years, before leaving to join the Larkins Studio in the late 40s. Vera flourished at Larkins, working particularly well with Nancy Hanna who was already established there and the two were head-hunted to work in an animation department at Pearl & Dean under ex-UPA man Dave Hilberman in 1953 or 54. Hildenburg’s tenure at Pearl & Dean was unfortunately short-lived and Nancy and Vera were not treated well by the management thereafter. They both moved to join Bob Godfrey and Keith Learner at Biographic in 1957, and remained key a fixture of the British animation industry there until she retired in 1985. Post-retirement, Vera has left animation behind but continues to paint and exhibit her work.
Known For
A tourist travelling through Morocco discovers an ancient curse and must choose between light and dark.
The Hand of Night
No man is an island, but Charley represents his nation in this economical cartoon tale of Britain’s economics.
Robinson Charley
Ever seen a snake with a moustache? The Middle East was as much an ideological as a physical battleground in the Second World War. In the midst of the conflict Halas & Batchelor were commissioned by the British Government to make four cartoons featuring a young boy Abu and his mule. They were intended to demonstrate in simple visual terms that Britain was a stout friend and the Axis powers a pernicious evil.
Abu and the Poisoned Well
This cartoon propaganda short by Halas & Batchelor sweetens the pill of post-war coal prices by promising jam tomorrow.
Charley's Black Magic
The story of married animators, John Halas and Joy Batchelor. A Jewish emigre from Hungary and a working class woman from Watford, England, John and Joy fell in love, created cartoons that helped the allies to win the war, and produced the first feature-length animation in British cinema history, Animal Farm (1954).
The Animated World of Halas and Batchelor
Joy Batchelor directed, produced, wrote and designed this short film for Brook Bond Tea: two girls compete for the affections of a Teddy Bear.
Dolly, Put the Kettle On
A surreal mix of advertising tropes from the 1960s is very funny but has a neat anti-capitalist undertow.
The Plain Man's Guide to Advertising
A short animated War Office commissioned health education film, showing the fate of each of the 6 jungle soldiers.
6 Little Jungle Boys
Shows the improved services and other benefits that oil brings to the backward territories. The financial and technical resources of foreign lands have tapped the liquid wealth hidden below the surface of the earth. In return a new prosperity and improved standard of living is being brought to the peoples of those formerly barren lands.
Full Circle
A soon-to-be born baby learns about the kinds of schools he will attending in the years following his birth.
Charley Junior's Schooldays
The film is designed to encourage recycling - which was a key part of the war effort.
Dustbin Parade
Unbeknownst to the Spencer Davis Group, their manager is upper class, grew up in a haunted manor, and is called Algernon. When they visit his home, they find out that the family is broke, they don't have the money to pay the servants, and their home is going to ruin. Spencer suggests that they advertise the home (and the ghost) and charge admission.
The Ghost Goes Gear
Popular animated character Charley explains the National Insurance Act, which was legislation that made health insurance available to all British citizens.
Charley's March of Time
Meet Charley, your jovial cartoon guide to Britain’s changing towns and cities.
Charley in New Town
A mock promotional short cartoon film for the 'Do-It-Yourself Cartoon Kit'
The Do-It-Yourself Cartoon Kit
A BAFTA award nominated animation about the development and achievements in telecommunications by the Philips Company.
Pan-tele-tron
A BAFTA award nominated animated Industrial safety film featuring a clumsy fruit porter who learns the error of his ways, told as a mini-operetta.
Do Be Careful Boys
No description available.
The Trendsetter
No description available.
Abu's Dungeon
This World War II propaganda short encourages British people to "dig for victory," by planting vegetable gardens.