Everybody Rides the Carousel

Marred only by a creaky scaffolding that suggests this feature length animation was originally shown on tv with commercial breaks, this is otherwise an entertaining and edifying explication of key psychological concepts. It provides a visually and mentally stimulating (as well as amusing) exploration of the eight stages of life as outlined by Erik Erikson. Following the common Hubley studio practice of working from live sound improvisations or captured dialogue, the drawing is varied and arresting, ranging from cartoonish to pictorial, from primitive to abstract. Lovely to look at, the film is also intellectual comedy and commentary of an unusually high order. (1975, dvd, n.) *7*