Kid Stuff

You can have your cake and eat it too this summer when the MFAH presents a series of children’s films that adults will enjoy also. You’re going to feel like your sacroiliac has been reborn because these adult/kid friendly flicks are not the latest Pixar diversions but classics from the golden era of cinema. (Technically the golden era of movies would be from 1895 through 1904 but let’s pretend we’re talking about flicks that actually came out when some of us were alive.)

“All screenings take place on Wednesday mornings at 11 am. and are free with Museum admission. MFAH Film Buffs members also receive free admission,” states the museum press release. Great way to start off the day, then dash upstairs to revisit the James Turrell exhibit. And how many years has it been since you’ve had a chance to see the skeleton sword fight sequence from Jason and the Argonauts on the big screen? Or Creature From the Black Lagoon in 3D as it was originally released? The Thief of Bagdad is the 1941 Michael Powell version, and don’t forget The 5000 Fingers of Dr. T, a total cinematic original, was a perennial favorite back when the River Oaks Three was a repertory theater.

The schedule is as follows:

Jason and the Argonauts
Wednesday, July 3, 11 am.

The Thief of Bagdad
Wednesday, July 10, 11 am.

A Cat in Paris
Wednesday, July 17, 11 am.

Creature From the Black Lagoon in 3D
Wednesday, July 24, 11 am.

The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T
Wednesday, July 31, 11 am.

Best of the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival
Wednesday, August 7, 11 am.

Also for the kids, Asia Society Texas will present a couple of weekends of films culled from the Children’s Film Festival Seattle. Per the AST website: “Now in its eighth year, the Festival has become one of the largest and most respected film festivals dedicated to children and their families. This year, curator Elizabeth Shepherd and her colleagues have created feasts for the eyes that take us from China to Colombia, Mozambique to Mongolia.”

Here’s the schedule for July:

Saturday, July 13, 2024, 11:30 am | Short & Sweet

This gentle lineup of animated films is a perfect introduction to big screen wonders for your little one. Meet a dancing bear, play with a mischievous hen, get to know pixies and encounter other lovely, lovable creatures.

Ages 2 to 6. Three films, in Mandarin and Portuguese, with English subtitles, but dialogue is not needed for understanding. Running time: 46 minutes.

Feel like taking a trip around the world? Then hop aboard a celluloid magic carpet to take a trip all the way from the Arctic to Mozambique, with stops along the way to see animated sights in Istanbul, Germany, France, Argentina, Germany and India!

For all ages. A few scenes depicting danger in a couple of films, but there are always happy endings. One film has subtitles (German). Running time: 67 minutes.


This program of beautiful animation is designed to delight kids who love critters both large and small. Enjoy the antics of elephants, birds, foxes, mice, pigs, hedgehogs, dogs and cats, and meet a seriously hardworking ant!

Ages 4 and up. Three films, in Dutch and German, with English subtitles, but dialogue is not needed for understanding. Running time: 56 minutes.

Thrill to the artistry, imagination and deep love of Chinese culture on display in animator Joe Chang’s China Fantasia. This sumptuously told tale blends popular Chinese folk music with Chang’s masterful use of traditional Chinese painting techniques, cut-paper and glorious swirling color.

All ages. Running time: 48 minutes.

The silver screen goes green for this collection of live-action and animated shorts about our ever-changing planet. These humorous and thought-provoking films are designed to make kids think, ask questions and come up with new ways to honor Mother Earth.

The film Damned is about beavers! Ages 8 and up. Running time: 60 minutes.

A film by Hu Keming and Liu Shen


Husile and his white horse named Chagan are inseparable. In the prairie where they live, there is a legend about an obo (shrine) protected by the avatar horse. One day, Husile met three wise men that came from afar in search of the avatar horse. They are convinced that Chagan is the one they are looking for, and made the promise that a year later they will return to perform the reincarnation ceremony. Upon learning about this, Husile’s father dismisses the story as just a child’s tale. With the set date for the ceremony, Husile’s father decides to move the family into the city and sell Chagan. In order to keep him, Husile and his friends begin a most ingenious—and adventurous—rescue operation.

Ages 7 and up. In Mandarin with English subtitles. Running time: 84 minutes.

The girls and boys in these films are full a determination to live life to the fullest — despite obstacles and challenges that sometimes seem daunting. You’ll be amazed by their ingenuity, strength and sense of adventure. See the world and feed your mind with this collection of live action shorts.

Ages 7 and up. A few films depict scenes of emotional difficulty, with happy endings. Two films with subtitles (Spanish and Portuguese). Running time: 67 minutes.

Take a live action and animated journey to beaches, back roads, jungles and bustling cities throughout Latin America. Get ready to encounter exuberant kids, luminous magic, lively music and surprise endings.

Ages 8 and up. Four films, in Portuguese and Spanish, with English subtitles. Suitable for younger children, depending on reading skills or language comprehension. Running time: 70 minutes.

Thrill to the artistry, imagination and deep love of Chinese culture on display in animator Joe Chang’s China Fantasia. This sumptuously told tale blends popular Chinese folk music with Chang’s masterful use of traditional Chinese painting techniques, cut-paper and glorious swirling color.

All ages. Running time: 48 minutes.

Krish a monkey, Trish a cat, and Baltiboy a donkey are 3 minstrels who take you on an exotic journey to the land of Indian Folk tales and folk music. These endearing characters take you to three different region of India — Rajasthan, Kerala, and Punjab.

Ages 7 and up. In Hindi with English subtitles. Running time: 80 minutes.

Sunday, July 28, 2024, 11:30 am | Short & Sweet

This gentle line-up of animated films is a perfect introduction to big-screen wonders for your little one. Meet a dancing bear, play with a mischievous hen, get to know pixies and encounter other lovely, lovable creatures.

Ages 2 to 6. Three films, in Mandarin and Portuguese, with English subtitles, but dialogue is not needed for understanding. Running time: 46 minutes.

A film by Hu Keming and Liu Shen

Also playing July 20.

Ages 7 and up. In Mandarin with English subtitles. Running time: 84 minutes.

— Michael Bergeron

by Michael Bergeron