Disney and Early Technicolor
In 1932, Walt Disney had moved from Columbia (where he was very dissatisfied with the way they were handling his animated short cartoons) to United Artists where he had a…
Animation Anecdotes #206
Paul Terry on Animation. Paul Terry, who first came to attention with his series of Aesop Fables cartoons in the silent film era that even inspired Walt Disney, told Harry…
An Update on “Willie Whopper”
A mini-update from the front lines on the boy with a big imagination. I promised an update on the Willie Whopper project, so here it is, but first a quick…
“Birth Of A Notion” (1947)
Now here’s a bona-fide laugh riot from the McKimson unit! Birth of a Notion was one of the last cartoons Bob Clampett was slated to direct in early 1945 before…
Rankin/Bass’ “The First Easter Rabbit” (1976) on Records
A look at a springtime cartoon soundtrack album filled with rich, creamy storylines and a sweet bunny at its center, generously coated with superb voice work. Rankin/Bass Present THE FIRST…
Paramount Sales News #44: Famous Studios Begins
July-October 1942 We have a slight gap here, with no panels for the month of August. Maybe the change in the studio’s name, which finally took effect in the screen…
Animation From Where!?
Usually the animation that I write about in my columns is by well-known studios. Sometimes it’s by a brand-new studio, or a foreign studio that I’ve never heard of; though…
Three Books To Recommend
I interrupt my website to actually write a post myself – and to take a moment to thank our regular contributors past and present for keeping this space lively, informative…
Animation Anecdotes #205
The Rocket Robin Hood Caper. Producer Steve Krantz had some huge problems with Trillium Productions, part of Al Guest Productions, who Krantz had contracted with to do the animated television…
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]
