I’m happy to announce that the Flip the Frog Blu-ray is finished and shipping!
This two-disc set features all 38 cartoons produced in the Flip the Frog series, plus lots of bonus features. I’m incredibly happy it’s now a reality.
The progress of this particular project has been incredible well documented here, over many years. I’m grateful for all the help we’ve had getting through it. This is my favorite part of the whole process of producing – now we get to sit back and know people are enjoying these films in the best presentation we could could give them. Ub and the many artists, writers, designers and musicians at the Iwerks Studio produced some wonderful work – shining in this collection.
The process of getting the set to this point was a heavy lift. I would never have guessed it would be so hard to gather the materials and there would be so many hurdles along the way. The pandemic was one of the major ones, bringing Thunderbean down to almost running on air at times as well struggled to keep working on getting the last materials needed for the set. Having technology improve during the production was a wonderful things, and having access to better software and faster machines made the journey especially gratifying near the end. In the end, it’s not perfect and there’s variance in materials- but I think it’s looking really good! I’m hoping all the work we’ve done is in good service to these wonderful old films and their creators.
Since I’ve written so much about the project here over these years, I thought rather than rehashing the various ups and downs it would be a time to thank the folks that made it a reality.
First, my good friend and partner on the set, David Gerstein. It literally wouldn’t have happened without all of his help in nearly every aspect of producing the set, especially in designing the graphics for all the menus and bonus materials, along with our own Devon Baxter- who also did a great job cleaning up some key films as well as helping fix tons of little technical issues, especially near the end of putting it together. Dave’s love of Flip the Frog is only matched by Mark Kausler, who also has been one of the most valuable contributors to the set, not only in helping with rare materials, but also with wonderful commentaries that are a joy to listen to.
David Shepard of Film Preservation Associates, who trusted that we would do a good job with the material, and Serge Bromberg for allowing us to continue though these years, helping us along the way with many aspects of getting the best materials as well as scanning sound on their specially designed equipment at Blackhawk and Lobster Films in France. Next, to Greg Ford, who layed the groundwork for us with his excellent Cartoons That Time Forgot releases. In addition, David Butler of Bosko Video helped with his VHS releases of the Flips in the early 90s-the first time I had seen some of these films. Tommy Stathes also provided some key material that no one else had.
Leslie Iwerks was wonderful in her support, especially in being kind enough to do an introduction for the set. Thad Komorowski and David Grauman worked on film restoration on more of the Flips than anyone except myself, with Becca Smith and Ciara Waggoner also heavily contributing. Alex Kirwan did a wonderful job with the package art as well as contributing a commentary for Spooks (1932). J.B. Kaufman did wonderful liner notes for every film on the set as well as a lovely commentary on Fiddlesticks (1930).
Lastly, I want to thank all of you that have helped through these years in all sorts of ways, especially in moral support as this project has evolved and languished as well as moved ahead. You all helped more than I could ever say. Oh, and thank you Jerry Beck and Asifa-Hollywood. Thank you all so much.
Pre-orders start going out this week and into next. It’s now available on Amazon and at Thunderbeanshop.com.
Here are a few frame grabs the whet your appetite (click each to enlarge):
Next, here is the booklet cover, and a sample spread of the inside text (click the spread to enlarge):
And best yet, here’s a little sneak preview of the set, featuring a short clip from every cartoon on the set (and two from Spooks).
Have a good week everyone!
Steve Stanchfield is an animator, educator and film archivist. He runs Thunderbean Animation, an animation studio in Ann Arbor, Michigan and has compiled over a dozen archival animation DVD collections devoted to such subjects at Private Snafu, The Little King and the infamous Cubby Bear. Steve is also a professor at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit.
Congratulations! You’ve made animation history! I can’t imagine the toil this must’ve been to produce, but it looks like it was worth every second of film!
Some people say that Fiddle sticks (1930) is not the first colour toon
I saw a cartoon named “King of Jazz” starring Oswald the Lucky Rabbit that was coloured (two color technicolour) was older than Fiddle sticks
It is a difference of months Fiddlesticks came on August 16 1930 but King of Jazz in April 22 1930 so search King of Jazz
Damn! That’s a fine-looking preview. Congratulations to everyone who participated in this vital endeavour. Let’s all support it to ensure that these cartoons will never again be forgotten by time.
Oh, this is wonderful news! I am so glad that the set is ready and finished and that progress has been found! Thank you, thank you all who are connected with actually physically creating this physical media! I cannot wait to get my copy!
Excelsior!
I just received a notification this morning. I honestly had forgotten if I’d ordered this set. I’m glad I did. Considering Ub Iwerks’ connection to the studio, it’s appropriate that this set would release in the same year as Disney’s 100th anniversary.
Arguably the cartoon Blu ray of 2023.
Almost brings a tear to my eye. Congratulations on this monumental release!
Can’t wait for mine to get shipped out. I’ve been waiting for so long. ITS A GLORIOUS DAY!
I’m thrilled to see this long-awaited set! Now I have to figure out if I actually ordered it long ago.
Many years in the works, and it’s finally complete!! Congratulations to everyone who lent a hand on the project – Steve, David, Devon, Thad, Tommy, Alex…you deserve the highest praise and kudos for your contributions!!
I’ve been waiting for so long for this day to come. So excited to be finally getting my set soon!!
I am so excited for these! I’ve seen most of them in public domain quality prints, and they’re great. But I’m sure they’ll be even better in the cleaned up versions.
Just received notification message of upcoming shipment of Flip the Frog cartoons, just pre-ordered “Looney Tunes Collector’s Choice Vol.2,” and supported Thad Komorowski’s Cartoon Logic Kickstarter campaign for the “Aesop’s Fables Cartoons Vol. 1” on Blu-Ray. Huzzah!
(Note to Thad: Those Aesop’s Fables cartoons with Farmer Al had better have mice in them, or… !)
Steve:
While I enjoy The Rainbow Parades, Willie Whopper, Cubby Bear, and others, I consider Flip the Frog to be THE THUNDERBEAN collection. I have waited 7 years for this, and now we’re finally getting this set.
Can’t wait to see Fiddlesticks, Techno-Cracked, Soda Squirt and others in PRISTINE condition!
Thanks again Steve, you and Arnold (Leibowits) have worked wonders.
I’ve been waiting for this for eight year! Does all the episodes of FLIP THE FROG including the MGM Jackie the Lion roaring logo?
Wow, this is such a long-awaited pleasure! Congratulations to all involved!
Yabba dabba doobers!!! Best cartoon news of the year!!!
Thank you all so much for the hard work over the years
to see this set to fruition.
This may be Thunderbean’s crowning achievement. Congrats on completing the set. I was probably among the very first to preorder it years ago, and am very excited to get my hands on the disc. Between Flip, Puppetoon 3, and the new Looney Tunes discs, this is the best year in ages for classic shorts on disc.
Congrats on finishing the set! I feel like this is a beginning of a new chapter at Thunderbean.
Lookin’ forward to this, Steve!
If Warner Bros. is smart and they recall the recent Fleischer-Famous SUPERMAN cartoon Blu-Ray set, maybe you and your staff can teach “them peoples” how to restore films properly – NOT overdo the digital “scrubbing,” make sure all the original dialogue soundtrack elements are there, time the color properly – you know, LITTLE things like THAT!
Flip is what led me to Thunderbean.
Two years ago I had just finished watching all the Iwerks Oswalds, then the other early Iwerks at Disney, so next would obviously be Flip the Frog. But wait! It’s all going to be on blu-ray soon. Of course I’ll wait and see it looking great on first viewing; so much more fun to appreciate early animation when it looks its best.
And now my self-imposed pause has paid off! I’ve only seen Spooks in its entirety, though I was sorely tempted to seek out the others. In the meantime I’ve become an all-out Thunderbean fan. Thanks for making all these films shine!
About croakin’ time! 🙂
No kidding. I wonder when the first announcement, years ago, was made for this set?
I like that the cover is the “awkward Iwerks” pose.
Wonderful news!
Mine arrived the other day and I am incredibly excited to start watching! Today, “Soda Squirt” contains one of the most known and analyzed (and arguably the most recognizable from the period) pre-Code coded characters. I’ve seen the short used countless times as an example for LGBT+ representation, and even referenced in other animated shorts. It’s fantastic to have this work, and the rest of Flip’s shorts beautifully restored.