Fred Ladd, The Godfather of “Astro Boy” (1927-2021)
Today we mark the passing of the man Osamu Tezuka, the God of Manga, dubbed “the Godfather of Astro Boy”!
In His Own Words: Walt Disney on Animation
Over the decades, I have collected many quotes by Walt Disney; here are a few that relate directly to animation that readers may not have heard.
Terrytoons “Foofle’s Train Ride” (1959)
I think Gene Deitch was really amazing to take Terrytoons in this creative direction at this particular studio.
Hit the Beach (Part 7)
Once again, Old Sol’s rays bear down upon Toontown, driving its late 40’s and early 50’s population to the coastline to beat the heat.
Max and Dave: 1931 – More Bouncing Balls
One of the things most attractive about old cartoons is their music. The orchestra heard on Fleischer shorts during this period features some of New York’s finest studio musicians
5 Things You Don’t Know About Imagineer Claude Coats
While researching for my latest book, I discovered some fascinating facts about Disney Legend Claude Coats.
In His Own Words: Jack Hannah on Walter Lantz
Here are some excerpts about the Lantz studio from one of my interviews with Jack Hannah.
Collective Continuum? The Driving Force That Keeps These Long Strips Of Plastic Relevant
I spent part of the afternoon today working on lining up elements from various Iwerks Comi-Color cartoons.
Hit the Beach (Part 6)
In the late 1940s, with sea lanes clearing, attention seems to shift in the animation industry to the leisure voyage, and to destinations of palm-fringed shores.
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]
