When’s Your Birthday?
Tuesday the 9th of June, as Disney fans know, is Donald Duck’s birthday. Right? Well… maybe.
The Bill Tytla Animated Pogo Special That Never Was
The story of how two former Disney animators, Walt Kelly and Bill Tytla, tried to produce a television special of Kelly’s Pogo comic strip – and why it never came to pass.
Thunderbean “Project Land” – and some Van Beuren Tom and Jerry print evaluations
I thought it might be interesting to see and hear some of the reasons to use one print over another.
Bugz Livez – Chapter Two: Fleaz (pt. 1)
June is associated with “June Bugs”. No, not that wascally wabbit, but the six-legged kind. A fresh look at a common cartoon insect: the flea.
Jay Ward’s Original “Rocky and His Friends” on Records
One of TV’s greatest cartoons became one of Golden Records’ best albums when June Foray, Paul Frees, Walter Tetley and Bill Scott brought their magical madness to vinyl.
Irv Spence’s “Rugged Rangers”
After animator Irv Spence finished his gangster spoof “Rats in Spats”, he embarked of a more elaborate color production, again using the animators at MGM for his cast.
The Carl Fallberg Book That Never Was
Veteran story man Carl Fallberg was planning a book about his career at Disney, but never lived to see it finished. Who knows whatever happened to all that raw research material?
Let’s Watch a Cal Dunn Commercial Reel
Here’s part of a reel of commercials that showed up today, produced by Cal Dunn studios. I’m guessing its from the late 50s and you can join me as I watch it for the first time. I hope its good!
Happy Henfruit Pt. 8: “Eggs-it Music”
After all these weeks, you probably can’t stand to look another fried egg in the face. But before your brains get poached, take heart – we’re finally reaching the end of the henfruit trail.
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]
