Exploring the intersection of animation and moral lessons, this book examines how short international animated films convey themes of vice and virtue. Terry Lindvall highlights the contributions of a diverse group of animators, analyzing how their works illustrate the seven deadly sins. Through this unique lens, the book reveals the power of cartoons to engage audiences in profound ethical discussions.
Set against the backdrop of early 20th-century America, the narrative follows a clergyman's daughter who ventures into the film industry, discovering a liberating moral landscape. Rubert Hughes, a notable figure of his time, uses satire to critique both the Bible belt and Hollywood's conservative values in his 1922 work. The novel captures the transition to the Jazz Age and reflects the tensions between traditional beliefs and the burgeoning cinematic culture, supported by notable Hollywood figures like Eric von Stroheim and Charlie Chaplin.