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Monkey Tale

1952 8m Short film
  • Documentary

In the anthropomorphic (and non-PC) tradition of the chimpanzee tea party and PG Tips ads comes this contribution from the National Film Unit. Here chimpanzees provide safe cycling lessons for children. Chaplin-esque scenes ensue as Charlie the Chimp disregards road-rules: "if that young monkey gets to school in one piece he'll be lucky ... he'll get killed sure as eggs". Directed by pioneering woman filmmaker Kathleen O'Brien — who got the idea after seeing them in a visiting variety act — the film contrasts vividly with the brutality of contemporary road safety promos.

Key Cast & Crew

BC
Briton Chadwick
Narrator
Profile picture of Marquis the Chimpanzee
Marquis the Chimpanzee
As: Charlie

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Monkey Tale | NZ On Screen