The Signal
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A charming short film featuring puppetry and stop motion animation by Norma and Rhodes Patterson. The film is based on the short story Le Signe, or The Signal, written by Guy de Massupant, published in 1886.
Credits
Rhodes Patterson (filmmaker); Rhodes Patterson (cinematographer); Norma Patterson (animator); Norma Patterson (writer); Patrice Philippe Bowen (narrator)
Complete catalog record
Date: circa 1966
Cfa collection: Rhodes Patterson Collection
Notes: The film tells the story of a woman who decides to copy a gesture she has seen a neighboring prostitute make at men walking in the street, secretly signaling them to her home. Much to her surprise, a young man responds favorably to her offer, which leaves her guilt ridden and distraught. While overt references to prostitution are kept oblique in the film - noted, instead, as the "window business" - the repercussions faced by the housewife are made clear straight away.; The Signal is a trial print; it is unclear if the film was ever released.
Subjects: Women; Animation (Cinematography); History
Language: English
Cfa elements: Print, 345 feet
Cfa records: https://collections.chicagofilmarchives.org/Detail/objects/5427
Cfa collection: Rhodes Patterson Collection
Notes: The film tells the story of a woman who decides to copy a gesture she has seen a neighboring prostitute make at men walking in the street, secretly signaling them to her home. Much to her surprise, a young man responds favorably to her offer, which leaves her guilt ridden and distraught. While overt references to prostitution are kept oblique in the film - noted, instead, as the "window business" - the repercussions faced by the housewife are made clear straight away.; The Signal is a trial print; it is unclear if the film was ever released.
Subjects: Women; Animation (Cinematography); History
Language: English
Cfa elements: Print, 345 feet
Cfa records: https://collections.chicagofilmarchives.org/Detail/objects/5427
Sources
- Chicago Film Archives · record ↗ — title, year, creator, length, format, color, sound, genre, description, credits, catalog record, video
Record added 2026-11-08 21:25:10