Animation Book Reviews for October
I’m grateful in this internet age that physical printed books still exist. So here’s a new batch of reviews – all of them have value for those of us who love animation and study cartoons.
Animation Anecdotes #285
“Animation, of course, has a brilliant future depending on how it’s handled,” said artist and animator Doug Wildey in 1973, reflecting upon his time on Hanna Barbera’s Jonny Quest.
Thunderbean Report and Chris Buchman on ‘Grotesqueries’
It’s no longer a secret. Our revised and expanded special edition of Grotesqueries is in progress with an expected unveiling late August or early September 2017.
Animators In Funny Animal Comics: Jim Tyer – Part 1
In the 1940s, arguably the most prominent animator from Famous Studios to freelance on funny animal comics was Jim Tyer, at the time serving as head animator/de-facto director on Popeye cartoons.
Walt Disney’s “So Dear to My Heart” (1948) on Records
Perhaps Walt Disney’s most personal feature film found itself performed on records during two different decades and labels—resulting in two very different productions.
Needle Drop Soundtracks In Iwerks Cartoons
Ub Iwerks seems to have had a regular working relationship with RCA Victor. As we will see, Victor records seem to permeate Iwerks’ scoring – – at least for a while.
Forgotten Anime #39: “Demon Hunter Makaryūdo” (1989)
Was this ever released in America? Demon Hunter Makaryūdo does indeed exist and it turns out to be horribly made, with too little animation – much of it consisting of slow pans over held cels.
Woody and the Moon Missiles
After World War II, Woody Woodpecker planted his flag and flew on a rocket to help activate American enthusiasm for the Space Race.
Animation Anecdotes #284
Edna Phillips who was the principal harpist in Fantasia recalled, “I was banished to the pit beneath the stage so that the rustle of my skirt against the harp couldn’t be heard by the microphones.”
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]
