This is a short film I saw at the age of 8 on television one Saturday morning. It left me feeling sad, but very touched. I had had not since forgotten it.
Years later I remembered this story being so wonderful that I set out search for it asking films buffs and archivists. No such luck. Not until this morning. I typed in the key words: clown, boy, dog - and it came up under Academic Film Archive of North America with the option to download.
This film still touched me and makes me feel those emotions which keep my hearts alive. It is not just an ordinary story of a boy and his dog and loss and sadness. It is about growth, change and love.
If you do take the time to watch I think you will feel the same.
NOTES FROM AFANA:
Along with Larry Yust's 'Lottery', 'Clown' was probably the two best selling ed films ever made. On the surface, it's a cute kid & dog story. Underlying is a possible subtext that fascinates us every time we view the film, and makes for a satisfying, yet ultimately ambiguous ending. Gilou Pelletier is outstanding as the small boy, and the camera work by Guy Suzuki takes wonderful advantage of the terraces of Montmartre.
Producer: Richard Balducci
Sponsor: Scott Hammond
Audio/Visual: sound, color
Keywords: Paris; Montmartre; Dog; blind
A review from IMBd:
MDb NOW HAS A LISTING FOR THE BALDUCCI FILM (CLOWN) ABOUT A BOY AND HIS DOG PLEASE GO TO : http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1068803/
"Clown' (1969) 15m, dir. Richard Balducci. Along with Larry Yust's 'Lottery', 'Clown' was probably the two best selling ed films ever made. On the surface, it's a cute kid & dog story. Underlying is a possible subtext that fascinates us every time we view the film. Gilou Pelletier is outstanding as the small boy, and the camera work by Guy Suzuki takes wonderful advantage of the terraces of Montmartre." - Academic Film Archive of North America
I have come to the conclusion that this (Alfredo Marquerie film) is not the same "Clown" that most of us have come here to comment on. The version of Clown we are talking about was presented by the Learning Corporation of America in 1968 and was written/directed by Richard Balducci.
I have located a VHS, 'Clown,' with the author listed as 'Learning Corporation of America' and 'Fenwick, Elisabeth.' Worldcat lists the title under multiple OCLC numbers, including 11184601.
I submitted a request with this information to my library, and they were able to get me a copy via interlibrary loan.
Now that I've seen it again, I'm making some corrections to my old comment:
It's amazing that I saw this film over 20 years ago and can't forget it, even though it's less than 20 minutes long!
As I recall it, the story begins with a boy and his dog, Clown. The boy loves this dog and lives with him in the city. The boy visits a friend {mom?} who paints portraits. She paints a portrait of the boy and his dog. One day, the boy loses track of the dog. The boy roams the city (Paris/Montmartre) with Clown's portrait and asks if anyone has seen the dog. Just when he has lost hope there is an unexpected turn of events...
In the credits it says the film is written and directed by Richard Balducci.
If you enjoyed Red Balloon, you would love this film.
I think I know why this does not seem to be shown in schools anymore; when I showed it to my nephew, it made him sad. :(
This is indeed a very touching story Glenn,and a wonderful little movie.
ReplyDeleteThat it makes such an impression on you at the age of eight i understand.
Its great you have such wonderful memories and dont forget them,so we also can enjoy them.
This story and you like this so much and dont get it out of your mind after all these years.say so much of who you are as a person.
Its great to be your friend Loulou,and thanks for sharing this with us.
So sad :-( But at the end he found Clown. Unfortunately clown is leading a blind man around and the boy could not find the strength to take him back from the blind man, i guess it wouldn't be fair at that point.
ReplyDeleteI saw this around 30 plus years ago, when I was about nine. It really saddened me. I don't think it had crossed my mind more than once or twice over the past three decades, and even then they were just fleeting thoughts of something from long ago. Then yesterday, as I was web-surfing for childhood memories, I remembered this film and knew I just had to find it. I had to refine my google search a couple of times, but it didn't take me long to get here. So now let me say: Thank you so much, Glenn, for posting this film. I haven't the time to focus in on just what this website is or anything. I have merely created an account to thank you and to let you know that there is someone else who is as deeply moved by this film as you. I have tried to find the words to express just what this film means to me, but none are sufficient. I like how you say it is about "Growth, change and love", a perfect summation. To me the boy's innocence and kindness is the most beautiful thing in the world. It has no equal. It is beyond words.
ReplyDeleteLove this sweet film. Saw it in the 1970's when I was a little girl. I remember crying. Our teacher had to give us all a moment to get over our sadness. I remember loving that little boy. Thanks so,so much for this fantastic opportunity to see the film once again after all these years. I searched for this film so many times over decades without any luck and here I found it - thanks to you. This movie and the Red Balloon are fond child memories. I have shared the films with my children and they too loved them. I grew up in Toronto, Canada and Clown was shown to me a few times during my early school years. Another movie that many may be searching for, is the film about a witch and her crazy, magic pancakes. I finally found that one and it is called Winter of the Witch. It is not as good as Clown or the Red Ballon, however it is part of a special time - childhood. With much gratitude, Silvia.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for posting this film. It made such an impression on me as young boy in 70s. It's bittersweet to finally see it again as a man.
ReplyDeleteI saw this today, at age 51, and was moved to tears. This was terribly sweet. Nothing dearer than a boy and his dog and their bond. It was particularly moving to see this boy make a sacrifice at the end in his heart. He was overjoyed to have found his lost friend, and was resigned to letting him go when he saw an old blind man now had him. When he turned around for that last time towards his old friend, he smiled. It's as if he had learned an important lesson; someone else depended on his "Clown," perhaps more than himself. And, he smiled knowing this.
ReplyDeleteHey, Glenn, thanks for sharing this one. It was very touching. I had never seen it before tonight. It reminded me a bit of that old French classic "The Red Balloon." A favorite of mine since the age 5. Can't tell you how many times I revisited that one on YouTube. No dialog but it left an impression on the five-year old girl I used to be.
ReplyDeleteJean - You are so welccome :)
ReplyDelete: )
ReplyDeleteThe Little Wooden Horse 1966 Pt. 1 (Pt. 2 is on there as well)
ReplyDeleteWatched this one tonight on YouTube. Very same director (Richard Balducci) and same little actor (Gilou Pelletier) if I'm not mistaken. About 20 minutes in length. Sweet film. How did I ever miss this one, too? Have you seen it? If not, let us know what you think?
I will check it out - a bit busy with work (since I work from home) but it sounds great Jeanne - thank you :) It is so kind of you. I will let you know. Good energy to you. - Glenn
ReplyDeletehttp://youtu.be/iNZ93JwXwKQ
ReplyDeleteOops, Glenn, wrong link. I'll get back to you on this one.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULZQDTUvVT4
ReplyDeleteThere we go. I shouldn't be allowed on a computer keyboard until I've had at least two cups of French roast coffee!
Ha ha! :) That is funny, Jeanne - Have a fantastic day
ReplyDeleteI saw this movie around 1975, in Arkansas. I thought about from time to time. I posted on FB to all my schoolmates from that grade. Another movie that was the same way, kinda lost at the back of my mind. Bermuda Depths.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQmbhkOEuEI&feature=related