Jack Teagarden and his Walter Lantz Cartunes
When trombonist Jack Teagarden became available to do two cartoon soundtracks, Darrell Calker and Walter Lantz leapt at the chance to get him.
Forgotten Anime #50: “Battle Royal High School”
No, not the R-rated live-action Battle Royale that was the notorious precursor to The Hunger Games. This OVA “Battle Royal High School” is based on a manga by Shinichi Kuruma.
The March of the Cards in “Alice in Wonderland” (1951)
As we leave the mad tea party of 2016 and go tumbling Through the Looking Glass towards 2017, my final post of the year deals the cards in Disney’s Alice.
Animation Anecdotes #294
“Bugs Bunny was a counter revolutionary – not a revolutionary”, said Chuck Jones. “You know, this means war!’ – that was a line of Groucho’s I could not refrain from stealing.”
A ‘Fleischer Rarities’ Pre-Order – and A Terrytoons Sappy New Year
On the Thunderbean front, a short, It’s the Cats, starring Koko the Clown has been taking up my time this week, and it might be the only existing 35mm nitrate print.
Comics By Marty Taras – Part 2
Part two of my survey of comic book art by animator Marty Taras – the creator of Baby Huey – who’s specialty of hilariously violent slapstick action made him a perfect artist for Harvey comics of the 1950s.
“Snoopy the Musical” on Records
It was a stage musical and a TV special, but how does the second “Peanuts” musical comedy also connect to David Bowie, Disneyland, Roger Rabbit and The Muppets?
Paul Whiteman Take-Offs
Paul Whiteman was such a well-known personality that cartoons – topical creatures that they were – would waste no opportunity to have a little fun with him.
Forgotten Anime #49: “Tokyo Revelation” (1995)
First off, Merry Christmas and Seasons Greetings to all. What better way to spend the holiday than to recount the pseudo-sequel to Digital Devil Story?
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]
