50 Years Ago: When the Animated “Archies” Ruled TV & Pop Music
Even The Beatles couldn’t beat “Sugar, Sugar” for the number one hit of 1969, when the Archies enjoyed a highly unique success – much imitated but never equaled.
MORE Silent Era Aesops Fables
Once again Mark Kausler has pulled out a set of early silent Paul Terry Aesop Fables cartoons from his massive collection.
Who Was Harry Holt?
Holt was a Disney animator and sculptor who officially retired from the company in 1982. Here is his story.
Walter Lantz “House Of Magic” (1937)
It’s understandable the Meany, Miny and Moe cartoons were the least of the series that Walter Lantz produced in the 1930s. Here’s an example why.
Bugz’ Livez: Antz (pt. 3)
The trail is ended. The last ant is descending into the anthill. And I still managed to keep one sandwich in my pocket untouched!
Clowning Around at the Cartoon Carnival
For my final Cartoon Carnival 16mm film screening of the summer, we will honor clowns and circus life with the likes of Felix the Cat and Koko the Clown.
Gus Wicke, An Appreciation
Wicke only voiced the villainous Bluto for a few years, from approximately 1935 to 1938, but to highly memorable effect, especially in Popeye the Sailor Meets Sindbad.
In His Own Words: Bill Scott on UnSold Jay Ward Pilots
I got a chance to do a lengthy interview with Bill Scott in 1982 where I asked him about a variety of things – including about some of those unsold pilots the Jay Ward studio produced.
Scrappy in “The Gold Getters” (1935)
The Gold Getters is far from a highlight of the Scrappy series, and its a really good example of how sometimes the Columbia cartoons are not quite cohesive.
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]
