With the 94th Academy Awards coming out this weekend, it's time to look back on the shortest animated short film that ever won the Oscar. Made by late UPA animator Ted Petok, The Crunch Bird remains the most brief short film in history at the Academy Awards.
Made in Detroit, Michigan and based on a crude joke, not even Petok himself could've predicted this brisk cartoon would have been awarded with so much prestige. In fact, based on Petok's background in commercials, the short was made as a gag to be put on the end of a car dealership commercial. However, this gag short about a woman trying to find a birthday present for her husband became a hit at small theaters to the point of boosting Petok's company and even spawning a sequel four years later. It really shows you how one small seed could end up being the biggest seed of all.
While not seemingly possible today with what's to be expected from the more "elite" award ceremonies, this brief segment alone is worth so much attention. After over 50 years in the spotlight, it remains a historical artifact for different reasons than ever intended. After all, two minutes can often say more than two hours.