“Forgotten” OAVs #15: “Urban Square” (1986)
Urban Square was almost immediately forgotten because it violated one of the cardinal rules of animation: don’t bother making an animated movie that you can make just as well in live-action.
A Letter From Jack Zander
This month’s posting is about Jack Zander, who had plenty to say about the African American characters he animated. He responded to my questions about his opinions of Bosko and the Tom & Jerry maid.
Animation Anecdotes #259
“Walt, Ub Iwerks and Les Clark get themselves a few laughs over the 1929 antics of Mickey Mouse in a lively short called The Karnival Kid, wherein Mickey enjoys an amusement park.”
Donald Duck proudly presents “Family Planning” (1967)
Produced by Walt Disney Productions for the Population Council, this educational short is perhaps the second oddest of the films that the studio produced for the non-theatrical market.
Dick Lundy’s “Kiddie Concert” (1948)
Today’s breakdown features a Musical Miniature, with conductor Wally Walrus – one of the few cartoons where he appears without his nemesis Woody Woodpecker.
Disney’s Huey, Louie, Dewey & Ranger Woodlore on Records
An Earth Day visit with Donald’s nephews and a rare appearance of the patient but persnickety ranger and a Wonderful World of Color TV soundtrack on vinyl.
A Chat with Willis Pyle
To say that Willis Pyle, who celebrated his 100th birthday in 2014, has had a long and productive career in animation and art is something of an understatement.
“Forgotten” OAVs #14: “Crystal Triangle” (1987)
This OAV, a co-production of Animate Film and MOVIC, came out about six years after Raiders of the Lost Ark – and was dismissed as an exaggerated imitation of it.
Dauntless Dan Smells a Rat? 1939
The villainous Rudolf Ratbone was outdone by the heroine Nellie in this short-lived Lantz Cartune series that spoofed 1890s melodramas.
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]
