Streamline Pictures – Part 15: “Vampire Hunter D”
In this installment, we look at U.S. critical reaction to the Streamline release of Toyoo Ashida’s 1985 Vampire Hunter D. Based on the novels by Hideyuki Kikuchi, illustrated by Yoshitaka…
Walter Lantz Plays it Lucky, 1928
Walt Disney liked to say that it all started with a Mouse, but there exists a Bizarro universe where the story goes differently. Here is the flip-side of that Mickey origin tale, where Walter Lantz is the guy at the table left holding all the chips.
Animation Anecdotes #222
Here Comes H.E.R.B.I.E.! “The New Fantastic Four” was an animated series produced by DePatie-Freleng in 1978 based on the Marvel comic book created by writer Stan Lee and artist Jack…
Cartoon Carnival Summer Shows
The summer season here in New York City promises to be an exciting one for archival animation screenings, especially as far as early animation is concerned. Here’s information on my next two public shows.
The Future of Animation Film Restoration
Musings on mastering and some thoughts on the future of animated film restoration. And a visit with Scrappy and Bimbo.
Dick Lundy’s “Bathing Buddies” (1946)
Today, we’ll look into director Dick Lundy’s first Woody Woodpecker cartoon – with animation by Emery Hawkins, Paul Smith, Bernard Garbutt and Sidney Pillet.
Walt Disney’s “Cinderella” on Records
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo! The landmark RCA Little Nipper vinyl version of the Disney animated classic – plus two new releases make dreams come true on this week’s Spin.
Famous Studios 1950-51 “Casper” Begins
In some ways, the 1950-51 season was the zenith of Famous Studios existence. Perhaps not creatively, but in their role as Paramount’s in-house cartoon studio they had certainly established a…
Streamline Pictures – Part 14: “Twilight Of The Cockroaches”
Today’s post looks at one specific film, Twlight Of The Cockroaches, Streamline’s second theatrical release (after Laputa: Castle In The Sky) in 1989. It was also Streamline’s first subtitled release.
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 Cal Arts in Valencia, UCLA in Westwood and Woodbury University in Burbank – teaching animation history. More about Jerry Beck [Click Here]
