Animation Anecdotes #156
Doesn’t Anyone Want Credit for Elmer Fudd? It is tough to research animation history but back when I first started it was even worse. Just take a look at articles…
Some Sneak Previews – and News on New Sets!
As the snow vanishes (and reappears here!). My ‘real’ job is as a professor at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, and as classes wind down each year I…
What’s New Mr. Magoo – and Felix The Cat
Without question, Felix the Cat is one of the all-time classic cartoon characters – and I’ll always be grateful to the 1959 TV series that brought him to my attention…
“Gulliver’s Travels” on Records
My, my… the Fleischer version of Gulliver’s Travels was a musical giant, resulting in popular hit parade tunes and several fascinating recordings that span over 50 years. GULLIVER’S TRAVELS The…
The Japanese Studios of Rankin/Bass
If there’s one thing that Rankin/Bass set the precedent for in the animation industry, it was their use of foreign labor. They were one of the first studios to use…
Fred’s Musings: Laika Studio and “Noah’s Ark”
The Laika Studio – and Their Trend Towards Horror I have recently seen Laika’s new trailer for The Boxtrolls, due in theaters on September 26, 2014. I enjoyed the stop-motion…
Playhouse Revisited
Once again we delve into the Playhouse Pictures files to bring you a selection of stupendous spots and stills, along with a very special surprise. The spots are from 1957…
Animation Anecdotes #155
The Spirit of Christmas. In 1994, Brian Graden was the head of Fox Broadcasting’s Foxlab television development program with such shows as “Cops”. He wanted a memorable Christmas card and…
The Cult of “Noveltoons”
There seems to be a special place in animation fan circles for Paramount’s Noveltoons cartoons, produced by Famous Studios. One of the things that always amazed me was how much…
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]
