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Bill and Coo
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bill and Coo is a 1948 film in color directed by Dean Reisner and conceived to showcase George Burton's trained birds (Burton's Birds). The 61 minute live action film stars many types of birds including Budgerigars (commonly known in the US as parakeets) and lovebirds. In addition to these there are other trained animals including cats, dogs and a crow. With the exception of three humans (producer Ken Murray, bird trainer George Burton, and Elizabeth Walters as part of the crew) in a short "set up" segment before the opening credits, the film features an all-bird cast.
The plot of the film is that the birds live in a fictional peaceful town named Chirpendale until a crow arrives known as the The Black Menace. Like his name would suggest, The Black Menace terrorizes the town. The story follows the adventures of the hero Bill while he tries to save Coo and the rest of the town from certain destruction.
- The film was shot on the world's smallest film set; a miniature village built onto a 15' x 30' (4.57m X 9.14m) tabletop.
- The film received an Honorary Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (the "Oscars") "In which artistry and patience blended in a novel and entertaining use of the medium of motion pictures".