The Absent-Minded Waiter (1977)/The Big Story (1994)/The Fly (1980)

Buck Henry takes his date Teri Garr to a high class restaurant with the express intent of sitting at a table attended by The Absent-Minded Professor, played by Steve Martin. An enjoyable short with a surprising punchline pay-off, it is also well acted by all three of the actors playing especially on Martin’s strengths.

The Big Story is gratefully a very short bit that has three animated characters each representing Kirk Douglas at different parts of his career. The characters are really well done, but the short doesn’t add anything beyond that concept.

The Fly finds himself stuck inside a house to disastrous consequences. It’s a very simple, monochromatic animation that really conveys the frenetic energy and apparent bewilderedness of a fly’s existence.

Oscar Win: Best Short Film, Animated (The Fly)

Oscar Nomination: Best Short Film, Live Action (The Absent-Minded Waiter); Best Short Film, Animated (The Big Story)