Animating the Space Race
This month my focus is on theatrical cartoons that made reference to the competition between the US and the Soviet Union to land on the Moon first.
Animation Anecdotes #320
Jamie Mitchell, of Disney’s television version of The Little Mermaid said “I think it’s good that we’re addressing the girl audience because they’ve been underrepresented for such a long time.”
Emery Hawkins Greedy animation from “Raggedy Ann and Andy”
The Greedy sequence was largely the work of genius animator Emery Hawkins, and its a marvel of interesting timing, funny visual ideas and funny drawing.
MOONLIGHTING ANIMATORS IN COMICS: Harvey Eisenberg
This weeks animator in comics is Harvey Eisenberg, who drew comics with Disney, MGM and Hanna-Barbera characters!
A Tribute to Bill Dana’s Hanna-Barbera Cartoon Records
In addition to classic comedy writing and performing, Bill Dana also left a legacy of cartoon magic with two albums he recorded for Hanna-Barberas short-lived label.
Cartoons Considered For An Academy Award – 1958
What does Richard Williams have in common with Paul J. Smith, Robert McKimson, Isadore Sparber, Alex Lovy and Hanna-Barbera? All were “snubbed” by Oscar in 1958.
Cab Calloway Cartoons – Part 3
Disney is not usually associated with celebrity-caricature cartoons. But one of their Silly Symphonies included a Cab Calloway spoof with the same white suit …and the same degree of energy.
David Gerstein on Cartoon Pop Music
The buried history that cartoon music contains: vintage sheet music, rare original recordings, bizarre facts and weird old-time cliches. Lots of weird old-time cliches.
Animation Anecdotes #319
Actress Liz Taylor supplied the voice for Maggie Simpson’s first word in The Simpsons episode “Lisa’s First Word” in December 1992.
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]
