Day of the Painter (1960) User Reviews

I saw this wonderful and clever short early in the...

[SP-5 · 17 November 1998]

I saw this wonderful and clever short early in the 1960's, and have been retelling the whole story dozens of times ever since, in several different parts of the world, in fact. It's just as highly relevant to the arts today as it was back then. It's a great wordless and humorous commentary on how some of the "modern" artists appear to create their works, and how they manage to sell them once the artists' reputations are established.

"Day of the Painter" is ideally suited for television showings, either as a "filler" after a full-length show has ended with about ten minutes (or less) to spare; or as a superb entry for any festival or competition for "Best Humorous Short in Film History".

A delightful spoof on modern art, which turns out to be prophetic.

[artanjeri · 10/10 · 26 July 2001]

This is a delightful short subject from 1960. If memory serves me there is no dialogue, and there is some mystery to what the film is leading up to, but everything becomes abundantly clear by the surprise ending.

A nicely paced film. Excellent cinemaphotography using a very scenic area as background. I believe this film won an Oscar in 1960, which was well deserved.

If anyone knows how to get a copy of this film, preferably in a contemporary format, PLEASE let me know.

The pictures and story are both unique...special and one of a kind

[dhaylock · 10/10 · 2 March 2002]

42 years later the images from this extraordinary little film still remain clearly imbedded...wish i could find out how to get a copy.

i believe that this won an academy award.

arguably the best short film ever made.

SO-SO-GOOD

[ggorp · 1/10 · 5 August 2020]

I,too saw this short and never forgot it. II have been trying for years to find it on DVD. I wonder that it has not been copied for sale..

hilarious short film

[papa-6 · 26 February 1999]

in the 1960 s my wife and i and another couple were in san francisco for a weekend. we went to see one of the doctor in the house movies. the short was the day of the painter. the 4 of us laughed so much we were crying (no exaggeration).if you ever get a chance to see it, by all means do not miss it.

Smart and funny

[sheileee · 10/10 · 12 January 2024]

I worked at the Fine Arts theater in Beverly hills in 1960 where this "Short" premiered. I probably saw it a hundred times. Members of the Academy came to view it, including celebrities. It was well loved, and yes, it won the Academy Award for the best Short 1960. I would love to see it again, if anyone can find it.

The two other wonderful movies that had exclusive long term showing while I was there......"Never on Sunday" with Melina Mercouri. A romantic Greek comedy, with subititles It was up for awards. The theme song won.

The other movie was "Sons and Lovers", based on D. H,. Lawrences novel. Jack Cardiff recieved an Oscar nomination for Director.

I feel so lucky to be exposed to the high quality movies of this era as a teenager.