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CFA Crashers This Tuesday: Cartoons, Commercials & More

By Joel Wicklund in Arts & Entertainment on Nov 10, 2014 4:00PM

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Christen Carter (photo from Chicago Film Archives website)

As film preservation becomes ever more vital in an era of digital dominance, Chicago Film Archives' mission of protecting and exhibiting 16mm treasures and curios (most with a regional connection) is also increasing in importance. Thankfully, this organization knows collections only live when they are shown, and they know how to have fun with some of the more offbeat offerings in their vault.

CFA Crashers is a monthly series where a guest curator is invited to choose films from the CFA collection for a public screening at The Hideout. Criteria for selection is completely up to the presenter, making each program unique.

This month's curator is Busy Beaver Button Company. Founder Christen Carter and her selections lean toward the playful and the promotional. Vintage animation buffs will love the 1934 animated short, Goldielocks and the Three Bears, co-directed by Woody Woodpecker creator Walter Lantz. Anyone who has followed the changes in the local radio landscape will enjoy seeing a promotional film on WLS-AM, which was the city's top 40 giant for years. And a Craftmaster toys promotional will show what the artsy-craftsy kids were being sold back in the early '70s.

Nine 16mm rarities will roll in all on Tuesday night from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., and tickets are only $5. Keep tabs on future CFA Crashers nights and other archive events here.