Jim Henson’s 1961 Paper Animation

“Drums West” cut-paper animation from Jim Henson. This newly rediscovered short was created in Jim’s home studio in Bethesda, MD around 1961. It is one of several experimental shorts inspired by the music of jazz great Chico Hamilton. At the end, in footage probably shot by Jerry Juhl, Jim demonstrates his working method.

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First:

The more I go back, back

See the first makers

When it was all new

Before rules

Before white men

Had their books

The more I go back, back

I see exploration

And boys and hearts

Before me

And now I

have their books

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And now some still images from this paper animation: