A marvelous introduction to the films of Jean Painlevé and his contemporaries, our opening program consists of a selection of films from the upcoming programs on July 25, August 1, and August 8.The Sea Horse (L'Hippocampe) (Jean Painlevé, France, 1934). One of the first films to use footage shot underwater. (15 mins, In French with English subtitles)First Images II (Premières Images II) (Etienne-Jules Marey, France, 1890). Painlevé had great respect for the pioneering work of physiologist Marey. (5 mins, Silent)The Separation of the Siamese Twins (La Séparation des s?s siamoises) (Dr. Doeyn, France, c. 1898). Dr. Doyen was among the first to document medical surgeries. (5 mins, Silent)Blue Beard (Barbe Blue) (René Bertrand, Jean Painlevé, France, 1938). Painlev!é, the sculptor Bertrand, and Bertrand's three small children spent three years painstakingly molding the clay figures for this remarkable example of early claymation. (13 mins, In French with writen English synopsis)The Vampire (Le Vampire) (Jean Painlevé, France, 1945). "When I finished the film, I noticed how the vampire bat extends its wing before going to sleep. I though it looked like the Nazi 'heil-Hitler' salute."-JP. Music by Duke Ellington. (9 mins, In French with English subtitles)Blood of the Beasts (Le Sang des bêtes) (Georges Franju, France, 1949). Painlevé helped launch Franju's film career by writing the narration for this graphic but clear-eyed documentary about the slaughter houses of Paris. (20 mins, In French with English subtitles, 16mm) Zoo (Bert Haanstra, The Netherlands, 1962). A hidden camera observes the visitors to the Amsterdam Zoo as seen from the animals' point of view. (12 mins).