I first saw this presented in between movies on HBO, and it became an instant favorite. I am no aficionado of every piece of animation ever made, however I would rank this as one of the best short subjects I've seen. Whether you enjoy observing the play habits of children or not, COCKABOODY offers pure pleasure, and it's a film that can be enjoyed by parents and their own kids...my youngest daughter and I watch it every other month or so, and we often repeat dialogue on a regular basis.
The premise is so simple: the conversations & play of Emily & Georgia Hubley were recorded, and then animated by their parents. They talk, sing, argue, make up stories, and drink LOUDLY from the same cup ! No one knows how they really appeared while engaged in these activities ( except, maybe, their parents ), but the Hubley's present their actions with both realism & fantasy.
I purchased the Hubley collection volume 2, solely for this cartoon, and it is arguably the best short on the DVD. I've tried to watch the others, and while they are ambitious and well crafted, they don't come close to the joy I get from watching COCKABOODY. Animation fans and all others would be well rewarded to seek this out.
