Search

From the Treasure Trove: Gertie the Dinosaur

  • treasure-trove
  • animation
  • history

Gertie the Dinosaur is a 1914 animated short film by American cartoonist and animator Winsor McCay. It is the earliest animated film to feature a dinosaur. McCay first used the film before live audiences as an interactive part.

As the film started Gertie poked her head out of a cave, and McCay encouraged her to come forward. He reinforced the illusion with tricks such as tossing a cardboard apple at the screen, at which point he turned his back to the audience and pocketed the apple as it appeared in the film for Gertie to eat.

Wikipedia
Winsor McCay sketching at a dinner party in a still from the film Gertie the Dinosaur (1914)
Winsor McCay sketching at a dinner party in a still from the film Gertie the Dinosaur (1914)