Animation Anecdotes #174
Hidden Initials. Matt Groening hid his initials in the hair (M) over Homer Simpson’s ear and the center of the ear (G). Extinct Jurassic Park. Artist Bill Stout was the…
What’s in a “Top 10” list anyway… and why bother?
Another terrifically busy week here at Thunderbean- but heck, why do I need to tell you folks that? You’re all busy with your stuff too! I’m happy to report that…
Gene Deitch’s Lost “Small World” Comic Strip
Editor’s Note: Academy Award winning animator Gene Deitch celebrates his 90th birthday on Friday August 8th. To commemorate this event Gene has decided to give us all a present –…
Hercules and Thor: Super Heroes on Not-Exactly-Super Records
A look at the vinyl disc debuts of two mighty defenders of justice – Thor and Hercules – who weren’t as powerful as the budget restraints of children’s records in…
Fleischer Promo Art #10: “Betty Boop – Always At Your Service!”
The most historical occasion of the September-October 1935 Fleischer output went by without so much as a whisper in the advertisements. The relationship between Bill Costello (“Red Pepper Sam”) and…
Exotic Animals for Animation
Which are more popular in animation — cats or dogs? Yes, I have been asked this question. But the more that I think about it, the more meaningless it seems….
Animated Titles for Live-Action TV Shows
What a fun thing it was. Once upon a time it was pretty common for live-action TV shows to have animated openings. Some of them were more like filmed still…
Animation Anecdotes #173
Don’t Ask. Don’t Tell. In the first Pepe LePew cartoon, “Odor-able Kitty” (1945), the amorous French skunk chases a MALE tomcat who has disguised himself as a skunk to avoid…
Technicolor Dreams and Black and White Nightmares
I’m happy to announce that the long-in-progress Blu-ray/DVD combo, Technicolor Dreams and Black and White Nightmares, is finally finished and available on Amazon as of today! The pre-orders will start…
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]
