Mr. Koumal Carries the Torch [3 Cartoons]

Duration:

Year Published: 1968

Creator: Gene Deitch

Complete Record: Part of a series of Czech animations featuring the bulbous-nosed Mr. Koumal. Three separate short cartoons illustrating a variety of human accomplishments in parable form. 1) Mr Koumal Carries the Torch: First, Mr Koumal invents fire (”carries the torch”). He tries to protect his torch from a variety of natural and human hazards. Comedy ensues. 2) Mr Koumal Invents a Robot. Mr Koumal has a hard time polishing his shoes, so invents a machine to do it, then a robot that will do it instead. He ends up polishing the robot’s shoes instead. 3) Mr Koumal Flies Like a Bird. While climbing a mountain, Mr Koumal sees an eagle flying even higher and tries to fly off the mountain. He steals the eagle’s feathers as well as feathers from a thousand chickens, but he still can’t fly. He ends up selling the feathers as indian headdresses. Mr. Koumal valiantly attempts to carry the torch to the finish line against many obstacles. The torch is snatched from his grasp at the last minute and another man claims the victory.