Do You Remember the Shorts HBO Ran to Fill Time?

[Wee67]

Back in the late '70s and early '80s, HBO used to only start movies at the top and bottom of the hour. That meant when a movie ran short, which it almost always did, HBO would run promos and short films to fill until the half hour, usually animated shorts. We somehow had HBO for one year in 1979. I'm not sure how as we really couldn't afford cable back then. Anyway, I used to look in the HBO guide for movie run times. When I saw there'd be 10 or 15 minutes to fill, I'd tune in at movie's end to watch the shorts.

Does anyone know if there is somewhere a list of those shorts? I've tried googling it to no avail. I know they ran 'Hardware Wars', but I'd like to try and track down those shorts.

[cjefferys]

Oh yeah, I remember those. Now on the rare occasion that I watch HBO live instead of on demand, they seem to just show a crapload of promos between shows and movies. Sorry, I don't know if there's a list of them somewhere, but wouldn't be surprised if they aren't listed somewhere.

[Wee67]

Now that HBO will start movies at any time, they don't need to fill for so long. I remember being sometimes rather dark or even adult.

I have been able to track a few down, if I can find out their specific names, like 'Arcade Attack' -

[mike69]

I remember those!!!

[toyhunter1970]

oh yeah this one one still sticks with me to this day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Vvi_Da5bKA&t=302s

A Sunday Dinner

[Werewolf]

Hardware Wars?

[Wee67]

Hardware Wars?

[Wee67]

I've been able to find several by searching for HBO Short Takes, but I know there are tons out there that I don't remember the title of. I wish there was a list somewhere.

I had a soft spot for the animated ones-

[knight errant00]

Back in the late '70s and early '80s, HBO used to only start movies at the top and bottom of the hour. That meant when a movie ran short, which it almost always did, HBO would run promos and short films to fill until the half hour, usually animated shorts. We somehow had HBO for one year in 1979. I'm not sure how as we really couldn't afford cable back then. Anyway, I used to look in the HBO guide for movie run times. When I saw there'd be 10 or 15 minutes to fill, I'd tune in at movie's end to watch the shorts.

Does anyone know if there is somewhere a list of those shorts? I've tried googling it to no avail. I know they ran 'Hardware Wars', but I'd like to try and track down those shorts.

Now that HBO will start movies at any time, they don't need to fill for so long. I remember being sometimes rather dark or even adult.

I have been able to track a few down, if I can find out their specific names, like 'Arcade Attack'

Arcade Attack was the best! I remember it had a documentary doppelganger, with a title something like Silverball Heroes vs. Video Invaders.

I also remember one called Super Sam and Spot, about a superhero and his cat sidekick. As I recall, most of the story revolved around the two of them on stakeout and drinking coffee a lot.

One I remember only a few details of was an animated short about a French-Canadian kid who loved playing hockey and is mortified when his mother orders him his hockey sweater for the winter and they ship the wrong team design, but his mother won't return it and makes him wear it out with his friends. Anyone have any details on that one?

[Wee67]

One I remember only a few details of was an animated short about a French-Canadian kid who loved playing hockey and is mortified when his mother orders him his hockey sweater for the winter and they ship the wrong team design, but his mother won't return it and makes him wear it out with his friends. Anyone have any details on that one?

It was called Le Chandail (The Sweater), based on a popular children's story written in '79. Thanks for bringing this one up. The artwork was exactly in the style I remember from that period. Something about it is so appealing to me. And, although not Canadian, I can absolutely relate to getting the wrong sweater. I was a Dallas Cowboys fan growing up in rough Philadelphia Eagles country. The infamous Philly fans gave me more than a razzing on several occasions. Someone actually remade this short, but this time the idolized hero is Sydney Crosby of the Penguins.

[Wee67]

I think a lot of these came from the Canadian Film Board, who must've still supplied grant money for short film.

[knight errant00]

It was called Le Chandail (The Sweater), based on a popular children's story written in '79. Thanks for bringing this one up. The artwork was exactly in the style I remember from that period. Something about it is so appealing to me. And, although not Canadian, I can absolutely relate to getting the wrong sweater. I was a Dallas Cowboys fan growing up in rough Philadelphia Eagles country. The infamous Philly fans gave me more than a razzing on several occasions. Someone actually remade this short, but this time the idolized hero is Sydney Crosby of the Penguins.

Dude, that's it! Thank you! Yes, although neither Canadian or a big hockey fan (I mean, I'm in St. Louis so it's part of the fabric here), I agree, I could completely relate to getting the wrong thing and befuddled parent not getting what the problem is.

[cjefferys]

I think a lot of these came from the Canadian Film Board, who must've still supplied grant money for short film.

I'm pretty sure they still do, the Canadian government still actively supports the arts.

[Werewolf]

Another Canadian one I remember.

[jwyblejr]

Didn't some of these wind up on Cartoon Network? I think they were the one that had that segment called "Oh. Canada." Or was it Nick?