Animation Anecdotes #229
Jim Korkis quotes Joe Dante on Looney Tunes; Gary Goldman on The Land Before Time; Jack Bradbury on working at Disney with Walt Kelly; and much much more.
In His Own Words: Chuck Jones on Warner Bros.
I interviewed Chuck several times over the years and I later realized that Chuck, like many others, had “canned/pre-prepared” answers and anecdotes that he would repeat. This particular interview took place in 1976.
Fleischer’s “Bring Himself Back Alive” (1940)
This week, we look at a Fleischer “Animated Antic” – Bring Himself Back Alive is an oddball “one-off” entry, featuring an unlikeable fur trapper named Hyde Skinner and a boastful lion, voiced by Pinto Colvig.
Hanna-Barbera’s “Cattanooga Cats” & “The Impossibles”
Of these well-remembered pop-themed Hanna Barbera Saturday Morning cartoons, only one resulted in a commercially released soundtrack album. Which one, and why?
Famous Studios Paramount Animation 1956-57
On October 1st 1956, Paramount Pictures took full control of Famous Studios and major changes were taking place behind the scenes. On screen, the 1956-57 cartoons began to sport a new look inspired by UPA.
Argentine Animated Features. Part 3: 1981-1995
Continuing my chronologic survey of Argentine animated feature films, today with films by Carlos Marquez and Manuel García Ferré.
Alberta Siegel Sets a Rubber Knife, 1955
No one who worked on Walter Lantz’ “Ace in the Hole” could possibly have anticipated what it would unleash when the cartoon became part of a controlled experiment to gauge children’s behavior.
Animation Anecdotes #228
The first animated series broadcast in prime time was probably UPA’s “Gerald McBoing-Boing Show” on CBS in 1956. CBS was so excited about the show that they took out a seven year option on the series – but it only lasted three months. So what happened?
Pooch the Pup in “The Lumber Champ” (1933)
This week’s film, “The Lumber Champ” starring Pooch the Pup, has a really great series of bizarre and outlandish gags. The mid-30s Lantz shorts are beautifully animated, but I really miss the zaniness of these earlier films.
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]
