Directing

Grant Munro

Born April 25, 1923 · Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Died December 9, 2017 · aged 94

Grant Munro was a Canadian animator, filmmaker, and actor, celebrated for his innovative contributions to animation and documentary filmmaking. He joined the NFB in 1945 and co-starred in Norman McLaren's Oscar-winning short Neighbours (1952). Munro's film Christmas Cracker (1963) was nominated for an Academy Award. His versatility in various filmmaking roles and his pioneering work in animation…

Known For

One Little IndianOne Little Indian · 1954
One Little Indian
7.01954
MovieAnimation
This short puppet animation from the fifties tells the story of Magic Bow, a First Nations boy endowed with magic gifts. Magic Bow is in the big city for the first time, thrilling audiences with his tricks at the Wild West Rodeo. Outside the arena, cars, trucks and buses zip by at dizzying speeds. With the help of some savvy city dwellers, Magic Bow learns a few important traffic rules to help him navigate the streets safely.
PinscreenPinscreen · 1973
Pinscreen
6.21973
MovieDocumentaryAnimation
Pinscreen animation makes use of a screen filled with movable pins, which can be moved in or out by pressing an object onto the screen. The screen is lit from the side so that the pins cast shadows.
ToysToys · 1966
Toys
7.81966
MovieWarAnimation
Window shopping children watch as toy soldiers come to life and fight a war with all its unvarnished ferocity and horror.
CanonCanon · 1964
Canon
6.21964
MovieAnimationMusic
Perhaps the only film whose content is totally based on the musical form known as canon. The first sequence is a simple demonstration of the canon "Frere Jacques" where four cubes dance and combine with one another on a checkerboard. The second sequence show four little human-like figures dancing in space. The third and most elaborate sequence shows a human going through several strange gesticulations. Through multiple printing we realize that the man, as in the previous sequences, is part of a visual canon and is making the gestures to himself. As we hear variations on the canonic theme so too do we witness visual variations: a woman and cat enters the canon. To show the musical technique of inversion, the image of the man is printed upside down.
NeighboursNeighbours · 1952
Neighbours
7.61952
MovieComedyAnimation
In this Oscar-winning short film, Norman McLaren employs the principles normally used to put drawings or puppets into motion to animate live actors. The story is a parable about two people who come to blows over the possession of a flower.
Boo HooBoo Hoo · 1975
Boo Hoo
9.01975
MovieDocumentary
A cemetery in St. John, New Brunswick, Canada is seen through the eyes of its former superintendent.
The Animal MovieThe Animal Movie · 1966
The Animal Movie
6.21966
MovieAnimation
An animated cartoon to help children explore why and how animals move as they do. A little boy discovers that he cannot compete with a monkey, a snake or a horse by imitating the way they move. He can only outdistance them when he climbs into a vehicle that can travel in any environment, demonstrating that while other animals are trapped by their environment, humans, the inventors, aren't.
Ashes of DoomAshes of Doom · 1970
Ashes of Doom
5.11970
MovieHorrorComedy
A chain-smoking woman has an encounter with a vampire.

Filmography

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CanonCanon · 1964
Canon
6.21964
MovieAnimationMusic
Perhaps the only film whose content is totally based on the musical form known as canon. The first sequence is a simple demonstration of the canon "Frere Jacques" where four cubes dance and combine with one another on a checkerboard. The second sequence show four little human-like figures dancing in space. The third and most elaborate sequence shows a human going through several strange gesticulations. Through multiple printing we realize that the man, as in the previous sequences, is part of a visual canon and is making the gestures to himself. As we hear variations on the canonic theme so too do we witness visual variations: a woman and cat enters the canon. To show the musical technique of inversion, the image of the man is printed upside down.

Director