The End of the Silver Age of Animation
In 1973 the dearth of new offerings and the innovations in repackaging old ones for theaters set the tone for the remainder of the Bronze Age.
Reality Bytes: Celebrating “Tron”
Tron signaled the start of a new age, the computer age, of filmmaking – and was a flashpoint for all we see today.
Van Beuren’s “Jungle Jam” (1931)
While Jungle Jam is the usual sort of VB cannibal cartoon, there’s some fun and bizarre gags – and a great Rodemich score – despite its stereotypes.
Unpredictable As Weather (Part 1)
Our latest trail will focus on the weather – in all forms. Drought. Tornado. Blizzard. You name it – and a toon’s been through it.
Famous Studios Popeye 1945-48
A notable change in the 1940s was the replacement of musical director Sammy Timberg by Winston Sharples, who had a habit of dipping into the Famous Music reliquary.
Looney Tunes Collectors Choice Vol. 1
So many people have asked me to post here about this forthcoming blu-ray collection, but I’m not sure what more I can say.
Stupid Is As Stupid Does: The 30th Anniversary of MTV’s “Beavis and Butt-Head”
Thirty years later, it is interesting to look back on how huge a hit the show, the characters, and the catchphrases were.
Van Beuren’s “Pastrytown Wedding” (1934)
How many folks here remember seeing this cartoon when growing up on local television? I’d love to hear your memories of that.
We, Robots! (Part 23): Mr. DeMille, I’m Ready For My Shut-Down
A finale chapter of our survey of robots receiving star treatment in Hollywood and international animated features.
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]
