“Extraordinary Ataro” (1969)
Moretsu Ataro (Extraordinary Ataro) is yet another one of Fujio Akatsuka’s creations, one of his big three “gag manga” after Tensai Bakabon and Osomatsu-kun. It’s famous enough to be associated…
Waking “Sleeping Beauty” Records
A Broadway legend makes magic and a Mouseketeer inspires mystery in recordings based on Walt Disney’s Sleeping Beauty. SONGS FROM WALT DISNEY’S SLEEPING BEAUTY Camarata Orchestra and Chorus with Solos…
In His Own Words: Bill Justice Remembers Early Days at Disney
Bill Justice joined The Walt Disney Studios in 1937 where he quickly rose from in-betweening to full animation. Perhaps the characters he is most closely associated with are the mischievous…
The Tezuka Pro TV Specials, 1978-1989 #1 – Bander’s Book
1. The background and Bander’s Book. A note (or warning): I have previously described how, when Dr. Tezuka showed Bander Book at the C/FO meeting in December 1978, I told…
Celebrity Voices Impersonated
Ever since the advent of sound film, celebrity vocal impersonations have been a staple of animation. Some of cartoondom’s brightest stars (Gandy Goose and Sourpuss anyone?) have been patterned after…
Animation Anecdotes #162
The Universal Animation Studio Tour That Never Was. In 1966, Grantray-Lawrence studios produced 195 six minute shorts featuring the Marvel superheroes Iron Man, Hulk, Sub-Mariner, Captain America and Thor. (Previously…
What are Your Favorite Cartoons with “Lesser-known” Characters?
These have continued to be busy weeks! The new Blu-ray as well as a new DVD title will both be back in the coming weeks from mastering, finally. New projects…
Which Is The Ugliest MGM Cartoon Poster? (NSFW)
Man, these posters are ugly! MGM made some of the best short cartoons ever, with brilliant directors like Tex Avery, Bill Hanna and Joseph Barbera – and perhaps the…
Flintstone Bedtime Stories
The entire TV cast of The Flintstones made just a few Hanna-Barbera Cartoon Series albums together, but each was top of the line—superbly written, edited and voiced. THE FLINTSTONES: FLIP…
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]
