Category Archives: Animation Trails

Back to School (Part 6)
Animation Trails
October 27, 2021 posted by Charles Gardner

Back to School (Part 6)

This week, a mix of musical styles, celebrity impersonations and cameos, considerably more palatable than Paul Terry’s “Aesop’s sugar coated pills of wisdom”.

Back to School (Part 5)
Animation Trails
October 20, 2021 posted by Charles Gardner

Back to School (Part 5)

In the spirit of exploration, higher learning gets turned on its ear with a round of experimental concepts, with unusual and sometimes daring visual modes, bordering on the surreal.

Back to School (Part 4)
Animation Trails
October 13, 2021 posted by Charles Gardner

Back to School (Part 4)

The later Thirties bring a few new twists into our cartoon curriculum to the point where, at least for the animated world, “Swing” was added to the class list for any self-respecting toon.

Back to School (Part 3)
Animation Trails
October 6, 2021 posted by Charles Gardner

Back to School (Part 3)

Wipe that haze out of your eyes, grab your books, and skedaddle to class, as today’s lecture covers a good cross-section of studios, and some education for several animated superstars.

Back to School (Part 2)
Animation Trails
September 29, 2021 posted by Charles Gardner

Back to School (Part 2)

Welcome back to lecture number two in our introductory-level course on ‘30’s Toon Education 101′. Last week got us past orientation, and this week we knuckle down for more serious study,

Back to School (Part 1)
Animation Trails
September 22, 2021 posted by Charles Gardner

Back to School (Part 1)

Like it or not, the nation faces a return, after a long hiatus, to a tradition as old as the hills – face to face, classroom education.

Hit the Beach (Part 12)
Animation Trails
September 15, 2021 posted by Charles Gardner

Hit the Beach (Part 12)

The season for the beach bug migration is rapidly coming to a close, despite several remaining beach cartoons yet to be discussed.

Hit the Beach (Part 11)
Animation Trails
September 8, 2021 posted by Charles Gardner

Hit the Beach (Part 11)

This week’s installment starts with a rundown of TV Popeye and Mister Magoo, then we move on to Hanna-Barbera – and a brief theatrical renaissance from Walt Disney.

Hit the Beach (Part 10)
Animation Trails
September 1, 2021 posted by Charles Gardner

Hit the Beach (Part 10)

As usual, Hanna Barbera takes the lead in producing beach-related episodes, while a handful of surviving theatrical studios provide occasional output on a similar theme.

Hit the Beach (Part 9)
Animation Trails
August 25, 2021 posted by Charles Gardner

Hit the Beach (Part 9)

Today we follow animation’s sun-worshipers into the later 1950’s. Pass the bottle of Coppertone QT, if you please.