Disney’s “Donald’s Better Self” (1938)
Today’s breakdown features a clash between right and wrong – with Donald Duck! Originally intended as a Silly Symphony, the idea evolved into a Duck cartoon, initially titled “Good and Evil”.
Hanna-Barbera’s “Charlotte’s Web” (1973) on Records
A deep dig into the soundtrack from a film that generates strong emotions (positive and negative) with a Sherman Brothers score controversial simply by its presence.
Chatting with Grace Godino and Betty Ann Guenther
Today’s interviews from the 1987 Golden Awards Banquet feature two more women from Disney’s Ink and Paint Department, Grace Bianca Godino and Betty Anne Guenther, who both began there in…
“Forgotten” OVAs #8 – “Love Position: The Legend of Halley”
Osamu Tezuka got a credit as Original Creator (it was based upon one of his manga), and it was produced by Tezuka Productions; their first OAV. But the character design wasn’t by Tezuka at all.
The Story Behind “Pete’s Dragon” (1977)
Walt Disney originally purchased the short story in 1957 as a possibility for his weekly television show. In it, a boy named Pete, who had trouble dealing with reality, would escape into a fantasy world.
Animation Anecdotes #251
In 1993, NBC commissioned seven artists to reinterpret their iconic logo. This included animator John Kricfalusi, who did a bit where the peacock has to dislodge a suction cup from his backside.
Revisiting ‘Cubby Bear’ – and the Blu-Ray Pre-Order
This week’s cartoon is – you guessed it – Cubby Bear! Croon Crazy seems to be the most ‘pre-code’ of the series, with many outlandish gags.
Robert McKimson’s “The Foghorn Leghorn” (1948)
The last installment of Foghorn February spotlights one of the rooster’s most bombastic cartoons!
The Very First Mary Poppins Non-Disney “Cover” Albums
Hundreds of recording artists created “cover” versions of the Mary Poppins score—and the first two featured “The Duke,” “Peter Pan” and some “Do-Re-Mi’s”.
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]
