I have been waiting exactly 40 years to see this film, and now thanks to this interface, it's a dream come true!!!! It's better than I imagined. Ever since I read about this film and Eli in an animation book in 1975, I've been DYING to see it!!!! THANK YOU ELI for posting this. Now I'm on a quest to see the rest of your films. Impressive work.
I was so fortunate to have discovered this film in the late 60s when I started teaching animation to young people. Kids responded immediately to it's physicality and humor. A treasure for all time.
I remember watching this in sixth grade circa 1972. We actually watched it two days in a row, probably because the teacher wanted us to focus on the creativity of the movie rather than the jazz, which we all *LOVED* (in fact, I found this video because I remembered Sammy Saltonstall's name from way-back-when). THANK YOU for posting this classic!!
Sammy Saltonstall was my high school German teacher in the mid-70's and even though I never could sprechen zie Deutsch to save my life, I stuck it out for two years because Mr. Saltonstall was such a GREAT guy. I remember him bringing his trombone to class once and he nailed "Take Five" for me (probably amazed that a 14-year-old kid from the 'burbs even knew who Brubeck was). Anyway, I did a search online and discovered this. Love the claymation and the music is too cool (do I hear a hint of Jack Teagarden, Herr S?). Great short, greater memories. Thanks so much for posting this!
This played for many years at the Ontario Science Center in Toronto, great memories and I've been looking for this video for almost 30 years, big thx and amazing work!!!
Like some other folks, I used this film (along with a brilliant French-Canadian animated short called "Evolution") in the science classes I taught for academically talented 7th and 8th graders in the 70's and 80's. I was often persuaded to show them both a second time - great stuff! I love the music in "Clay", as well. In the right hands, the big ideas in science can stimulate creativity and even humor. THANKS for posting it, Mr. Noyes!
I'm glad to have met Aardman's co-founder Peter Lord, who told me on his talk session in Lisbon that this short movie was the stroke of inspiration that made him create his character Morph. We all have to thank Eliot Noyes for turning Aardman into the great animation studio that it is today.
Mr. Noyes, I remember seeing this film _many_ times at the Ontario Science Centre in Toronto in the '70s. It was one of my favorites there as a child and even after 30-odd years, seeing it again here, the memories flood back and I remember every detail from the cool jazz to the little guy about to be eaten who suddenly grows and eats the predator! Absolutely brilliant, memorable work -- thanks so much!
My Mother was the "A.V." lady at our school and we would "borrow" a 16mm projector and have this, and "Glass" for movie nights with everyone we could find in our "50s" suburban home.
Mr. Noyes, my third grade teacher played this for us in the 1970s once and it inspired me to go home and immediately set up a Super-8 camera in the living room and discover how to animate! I haven't seen this film for 30 years, but have always thought of it as the film that set me on the track to work in video production.
During my (very productive) quarantine I've been having a ball going through (and sometimes even weeding) all of my various paper files and was pleased to encounter a few college-era tear-sheets from a (Pyramid?) film rental catalog. I was reminded of "Closed Mondays" (watched it here and still love it) and "Help! My Snowman's Burning Down" (watched it and...it is a bit dated). Then I landed here and still greatly enjoy "Clay" (and still love the soundtrack too). By the way, in that catalog the film rented for $10.00 and could be bought for $100. Happily RU-vid was created in my lifetime and so now I sort of owe you the hundred dollars! Thank you Mr. Noyes for creating this (it must have been tons of work) and thank you for posting it!
Was there ever a version in color? I have a very early childhood memory of something like this, but a strong impression of grey clay in front of a blue background. Although I guess it may have been the wall or movie screen.
Is there any chance you could upload your 1976 short Peanut Butter and Jelly? I remember seeing this on HBO in the 80's and have been desperately trying to find it for years. Several people remember it fondly. Thanks!
Terrific film! "CLAY.h264,mov" is just as interesting a title as "Origin Of Species." But of course, if you named it that when you made the film back in 1964 - the title would have made no sense at all!
Was that the original soundtrack? I've seen version with this jazzy soundtrack but another with a more dramatic soundtrack and wasn't sure which one, but thanks for posting!
