75th Anniversary of D-DAY
Since today is the 75th Anniversary of D-Day, I was reminded of the role animation played in the second World War.
Walt Disney’s “The Robber Kitten” (1935)
We’re back to animator breakdowns this month! This week, we follow little Ambrose in the Disney Silly Symphony, The Robber Kitten, one of the best – and most overlooked.
A First Attempt at a Disney Music Compilation
By 1942, Walt Disney had compiled quite a catalog of songs – and in that year, somebody at Decca Records thought it would be a good idea to release an “album” of Disney songs.
The Voice Above The Apron: Lillian Randolph
Ever since the 1930s African American vocal artist Lillian Randolph sang when performing for animated cartoons as a domestic servant.
Who Was Count Cutelli?
Count Cutelli is not mentioned in any other source, other than that short self-promoting newspaper interview, as ever doing Mickey Mouse’s voice. So what are the facts?
Cubby’s Picnic!
While Cubby’s Picnic is an overall uneven cartoon, it does accomplish what it was probably trying to do: make an enjoyable seven minutes of cartoon entertainment.
The Song Begins…It’s Magic!
For once, a shorter trail this week – and a rare opportunity to see a head-to-head battle of creativity between John Hubley and king of the gags, Tex Avery.
Mel Blanc Presents Listening and Learning with Bugs & Friends
Since Thursday is the 111th birthday of “The Man of a Thousand Voices,” let’s look at some of the later Looney Tunes recordings that Mel Blanc made especially for children.
Cartoon Carnival 10th Anniversary
This is the first of a few new posts where I will share updates and announcements about current and future projects in the Cartoons On Film pipeline.
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]
