The Troubled Birth of Roger Rabbit
Disney purchased the rights to the book Who Censored Roger Rabbit in 1981 and put it into development. Here’s what happened before Steve Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis got involved.
“The Caveman” (1934) starring Willie Whopper
I thought it would be a nice thing to share this jaw dropping restoration of The Caveman with Willie Whopper, from the Willie Whopper Blu-ray project a few years back.
Audio Productions “Once Upon A Time” – Part 2
How were they able to release this cartoon in Technicolor when Disney had the exclusive rights to the process? Find out here.
Dr. Seuss “Horton Hatches the Egg” on Records
The best-selling book about the egg-sitting pachyderm is still in print, and so is one of two vintage recorded adaptations—both of which features the same distinguished narrator.
Hank Porter: Disney’s Go To Artist for Insignia Designs during WWII
One of the unsung heroes of Disney’s WWII efforts is artist Henry “Hank” Porter who was a one man designer of many emblems and insignias during World War II.
The Animated Phyllis Bounds
She was not a woman to be trifled with in any way. Her entire life was entwined with Disney and animation in some way through her four marriages.
Scrappy in “The Pet Shop” (1931)
The Pet Shop continues Scrappy’s tendency to own businesses that are clearly beyond his own capability. It’s a good thing there are no customers on this particular day.
An Unexpected Animated Icon: “Once Upon A Time” – Part 1
What if I were to tell you this oddball animated cartoon on driver safety is just as significant to animation history as Walt Disney’s Steamboat Willie or Three Little Pigs? Read this post and find out why!
Neverland… Ho!
Capitol issued two of the songs from the “Peter Pan” score sung by one of he biggest stars of stage, screen, radio and television – Jerry Lewis!
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]
