Gena and Cheburashka

One of my favorite stop-motion shorts, "Gena the Crocodile", or "Крокодил Гена" is sweet, simple, and beautiful.

Produced by Soyuzmultfilm in 1969, the film tells the story of a lonely crocodile, Gena, who wants to find more friends.  And don't we all?  Gena meets an itrepid girl--Galya, a puppy--Tobik, and an unidentified bundle of cuteness named Cheburashka.

"Gena the Crocodile" is the first of four Cheburashka shorts.  We are introduced to him as a stowaway in a fruit crate.

The motley crew of new friends seeks to build a place where people can go to find comrades.  Absolutely too cute.  I highly reccomend you see this.