Songs From The 1932 Merrie Melodies
By 1932, the Merrie Melodies shorts were carrying their weight. But in some cases, they weren’t necessarily plugging the songs that were to be featured.
Bob & Ray, Bert & Harry… and Grim Natwick
The Piels Beer commercials put us the UPA/NY studio on the map. Along with the clever voice acting of Bob & Ray, it was Grim Natwick’s animation that gave life and charm to those characters.
The Tinker Bell Cocktail
So what do Disney’s version of Tinker Bell and alcohol have in common? A very special cocktail created in Tokyo and a little-known story about it involving a legendary Disney animator.
Ottawa Animation Festival – and “Grampy’s Indoor Outing” (1936)
This one reads more like a journal entry than post this week, but it ends with Betty Boop, and that can’t be all bad!
The INVISIBLE Article (Part 1)
Invisibility is a subject which has instant appeal to an animator. Imagine the “line mileage” saved when you don’t even have to draw your featured character!
Happy Birthday, Mister Magoo!
Quincy Magoo turns 70 this Sunday, so today we present his debut LP starring Jim Backus, Daws Butler and the composer of many UPA and Jay Ward themes.
For The Love of Cartoon Animation #1
Beginning this week – a life-size, on-going personal Gene Deitch data-base, which we think you’ll find interesting and useful.
Marvel’s “Sub Mariner” in Animation
An look at one of the most popular Marvel Comics’ characters to not yet make an appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Prince Namor, the Sub-Mariner.
Some Stop Motion Outtakes from “Bury the Axis” (1943)
I thought I’d share one of the rarities from my forthcoming Lou Bunin set: reels of outtakes from the wartime propaganda short Bury the Axis.
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 – teaching animation history. More about Jerry Beck [Click Here]
