Kinex “Hindu Magic” (1929)
The Kinex shorts were clearly meant to be fun little entertainment distractions for the home screen – and they really work well as that.
Flights of Fancy (Part 21): More “Fly-by” Nights
A lot of shorter aviation gags are featured today, with only one film chiefly devoted to the subject, as we wing our way through the mid-1950’s.
Max and Dave: Betty Boop 1934-35
Exposed garters were out. Long dresses were the order of the day. And “hotcha” numbers gave way to preachy songs about tolerance and other life lessons.
A “Note” of Comedy: The 75th Anniversary of “The Cat Concerto”
The over-the-top cartoon violence of Tom and Jerry and classical music shouldn’t make for a perfect pair, but that’s precisely what they are in this Oscar winning classic.
The Series Disney Doesn’t Want You To See – Fox’s “Peter Pan and the Pirates”
Disney took immediate legal action to stop this series, claiming it infringed on their classic 1953 animated feature.
Tom & Jerry in “Hook and Ladder Hokum” (1932)
A notable thing about this cartoon is the director credit going to the team of George Stallings and Tish Tash. The latter is, of course, Frank Tashlin.
Flights of Fancy (Part 20): Flying Blind
As the 50’s continued, visions of aviation in animation remained relatively peaceful – until a passenger named Magoo purchased a ticket.
George Pal’s “The Brothers Grimm” and “The Time Machine” on Records
The journeys of two great Pal-taculars (both with stop motion) to vinyl and disc were like adventures in themselves.
Toy Story: The 45th Anniversary of “Raggedy Ann & Andy: A Musical Adventure”
Bizarre, strange…and fascinating to watch. That’s the 1977’s animated feature, directed Richard Williams.
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 Cal Arts in Valencia, UCLA in Westwood and Woodbury University in Burbank – teaching animation history. More about Jerry Beck [Click Here]
