Iwao Takamoto Practical Jokes
The famed artist and animator talks about his days at Disney – and the jokes animators played on each other.
Cubby Bear in “The Last Mail” (1933)
The third film in the Cubby series, Mannie Davis gets the sole credit on the film. My guess is that Davis, as director, was also the lead animator.
Flights of Fancy (Part 11): Above and Beyond the Call
During the war years – when leading cartoon stars were serving out substantial portions of their screen time in khaki.
It’s a Hap-Hap-Happy Birthday, Winston Sharples!
Celebrating the music legend behind almost one thousand cartoons – but surprisingly few soundtrack records.
Fangs for the Memories: The 55th Anniversary of Rankin/Bass’ “Mad Monster Party”
Told in the “Animagic” stop-motion animation style that Rankin/Bass does so well, this a beautifully detailed film.
Seven Secrets of the Seven Dwarfs
Proposed names included Thrifty, Shifty, Nifty, Hotsy, Jumpy, Blabby, Burpy, Weepy, and Snoopy. That’s but one of the many secrets revealed here.
Mighty Mouse in “Hansel and Gretel”
While Hansel and Gretel is pretty standard Terrytoons stuff, it does show off some of the best qualities of the studio: beautiful backgrounds and entertaining animation.
Flights of Fancy (Part 10): Pass the Ammunition
We progress further into 1942, the planes kept rolling out of the factories and into the air, inspiring animators and providing our continued focus for this series.
Max and Dave: Shiver Me Timbers!
Popeye was an immediate smash with both moviegoers and exhibitors, as the first official episode of the sailor’s own series came out only two months after his animated debut.
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]
