A while ago I wrote in the AMICA local newsletter about the book,
"The Invention of Hugo Cabret," and urged all to read it.  It is
a wonderful book, and the drawings are just spectacular.  It should
be in the library of anyone who loves mechanical music.

I had no idea at the time that it was about to be made into a movie:
"Hugo".  We went to see it last night in 3D, and really urge you all
to see it.  The movie will appeal to anyone who loves automata,
clocks, toys, trains, early movies, and just a great story.  Parts
of the story revolve around a real person, Georges Melies.

I would suggest you hurry, though, since it has been out for a while
and will probably disappear soon.  I also suggest seeing it in 3D if
possible.  It's really made for this format.

The book and movie just may really stimulate interest in the hobby.
Ralph Schack was kind enough to send a note about the piece on CBS
"Sunday Morning" about automata:

  http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7396770n 

See this before you see the movie.

Enjoy!

Shirley Nix
Woodland Hills, Calif.

 [ At http://www.fi.edu/learn/sci-tech/automaton/automaton.php :
 [
 [ "When the repairs were completed and the driving motors were set in
 [ motion, the automaton came to life.  It lowered its head, positioned
 [ its pen, and began to produce elaborate sketches.  Four drawings
 [ and three poems later, in the border surrounding the final poem,
 [ the automaton clearly wrote, "Ecrit par L'Automate de Maillardet."
 [ This translates to "Written by the Automaton of Maillardet."
 [ Amazingly, the first clue of the true history and identity of the
 [ machine had come from its own mechanical memory!"
 [
 [ -- Robbie