Bill and Coo
Encyclopedia
Bill and Coo is a 1948 color film directed by Dean Riesner
and conceived to showcase George Burton
's trained birds (Burton's Birds).
The 61-minute live action film stars many types of birds, including budgie
s (commonly known in the US as parakeet
s) and lovebird
s. It also features other trained animals, including cats, dogs and a crow. With the exception of three humans (producer Ken Murray
, bird trainer George Burton and Elizabeth Walters) in a short set-up segment before the opening credits, the film features an all-animal cast. It was shot on the world's second smallest film set; a miniature village built onto a 15' x 30' (4.57m X 9.14m) tabletop.
The film received an Honorary Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
(the "Oscars") "In which artistry and patience blended in a novel and entertaining use of the medium of motion pictures."
Dean Riesner
Dean Riesner was a prolific American film and television writer.Riesner's father was a silent film director, and Dean began acting in films at the age of five. His career at this young age ended because his mother wanted her son to have a real childhood...
and conceived to showcase George Burton
George Burton (actor)
George Burton was an American silent film actor.-Filmography:* Bill and Coo .... George Burton, in prologue* Men Without Souls .... Guard...
's trained birds (Burton's Birds).
The 61-minute live action film stars many types of birds, including budgie
Budgerigar
The Budgerigar , also known as Common Pet Parakeet or Shell Parakeet informally nicknamed the budgie, is a small, long-tailed, seed-eating parrot, and the only species in the Australian genus Melopsittacus...
s (commonly known in the US as parakeet
Parakeet
Parakeet is a term for any one of a large number of unrelated small to medium sized species of parrot, that generally have long tail feathers...
s) and lovebird
Lovebird
A Lovebird is one of nine species of the genus Agapornis . They are a social and affectionate small parrot. Eight species are native to the African continent, while the Grey-headed Lovebird is native to Madagascar...
s. It also features other trained animals, including cats, dogs and a crow. With the exception of three humans (producer Ken Murray
Ken Murray (entertainer)
Ken Murray was an American entertainer and author.-Vaudeville:Murray was born Kenneth Doncourt in New York City to a family of vaudeville performers. According to Murray's autobiography , he changed his name because he did not want to ride the coattails of his father's success; he wanted to make a...
, bird trainer George Burton and Elizabeth Walters) in a short set-up segment before the opening credits, the film features an all-animal cast. It was shot on the world's second smallest film set; a miniature village built onto a 15' x 30' (4.57m X 9.14m) tabletop.
The film received an Honorary Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is a professional honorary organization dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of motion pictures...
(the "Oscars") "In which artistry and patience blended in a novel and entertaining use of the medium of motion pictures."