Bob Clampett’s “John Carter of Mars”
In 1936, Bob Clampett met author Edgar Rice Burroughs and tried to convince him he could sell a series of cartoons based on his John Carter of Mars stories.
“The Enchanted Square” (1947) gets an upgrade!
Seeing this film in Technicolor is a revelation, especially the almost neon-bright contrasting color palettes in Shane Miller’s backgrounds.
Go To Hades – Part 1
An attempt to chronicle animation’s departures to a higher (or often lower) plane, exploring themes of reward or retribution to the animated mind.
Here Comes That Shield Again!
The beginning of a new series of columns, devoted to taking a closer look – and listen – to the songs used in Warner Bros. cartoons.
Hugh Harman Rareties
Once again we are back in Mark Kausler’s film closet – digging through decades of accumulated film prints acquired through a lifetime of collecting. Today some Hugh Harman rarities.
The Unknown “Prep & Landing” Comic Book Story
One thing that animation fans may have missed was an eight-page comic book story of Wayne and Lanny preparing The Avengers mansion – Prep & Landing – Mansion: Impossible!
The Usual TB rant and Terrytoons “It’s a Living” (1957)
I run this short in my animation history class every year; Jerry runs it in his class at Cal Arts as well. One of the most unusual of the Gene Deitch Terrytoons – a time period of unusual Terrytoons.
Toons Abhor a Vacuum – Part 2
The history of the cartoon vacuum cleaner, into the 1940’s and on to features – plus some inside information about an unknown Chilly Willy short that never came to full fruition.
The Disneyland Castle (1955) & “The Sand Castle” (1961) on Records
Sleeping Beauty Castle is the gateway to a Disney musical treasury, plus a renowned composer’s score to a film featuring surreal animation, both spinning on the Columbia label.
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]
