Mickey Mouse in “The Karnival Kid” (1929)
With The Karnival Kid, Walt Disney determined to make his latest Mickey a “talking picture.”
Tim Burton’s Early Disney Days
Burton recalled, “I was like the weird relative that they’d let out occasionally and then lock back up in my room.”
What Christmas Specials Do You Wish Existed? Make One Up!
I call on you to alter animation history by bravely imagining what could (or should) have been!
Reign of the Supertoons (Part 10)
Old and new collide as we move into the new millennium with our study of would-be superheroes.
1946-48: Looney Tunes Stars Reach For The Stars
Some further musical highlights from a little over two seasons of Looney Tunes, featuring the Warner gang at their peak.
AVERY…. Vol. 2??? WELL, IMAGINE THAT!
Once again, I feel it important to put a spotlight on the various uncredited voice artists heard in the latest Tex Avery blu-ray release.
The Origin of Cap’n Crunch
Cap’n Crunch first appeared on a cereal box in September 1963 and went on to become one of the most beloved and long-running cereal spokesmen. Here’s his story.
A Print of “Barnyard Bunk” Gets One Last Go-Round
It isn’t as if Van Beuren’s staff thought that someone would be even watching this breezy little film nearly 90 years later. But we are!
Reign of the Supertoons (Part 9)
Several classic characters continue to appear in animated revivals between 1999 and 2004, taking their respective turn at being comical super-heroes.
Jerry Beck is a writer, animation producer, college professor and author of more than 15 books on animation history. He is a former studio exec with Nickelodeon Movies and Disney, and has written for The Hollywood Reporter and Variety. He has curated cartoons for DVD and Blu-ray compilations and has lent his expertise to dozens of bonus documentaries and audio commentaries on such. Beck is currently on the faculty of CalArts in Valencia, UCLA in Westwood and Woodbury University in Burbank – teaching animation history. More about Jerry Beck [Click Here]
