Remember these guys?
Animator Darrell Van Citters, who put together the must-have Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol book, has been spending the last few years tracking down the rarest of the rare production artwork, model sheets, publicity materials and animation drawings for a new hard-cover homage to Jay Ward Productions.
The Art of Jay Ward Productions will be 352 pages, with over 975 illustrations and photos in color. It’s a knockout in its 12 x 9 inch format; the limited edition self-published book will make its debut at CTN-X in Burbank, on Nov. 15, 2013. Written by Van Citters, with a foreword by June Foray, the book is organized both chronologically and by show (each series comes as it was broadcast) – with one early chapter about the key artists and the last chapter about many unsold series – and lots of never-before-seen art.
There’s chapters about Rocky and Bullwinkle (the longest one), as well as Fractured Fairy Tales, Peabody and Sherman, Aesop & Son, Dudley Do-right, Fractured Flickers/The Nut House, Hoppity Hooper, Commercials (both General Mills and Quaker Oats), George of the Jungle, Super Chicken, Tom Slick and Unsold Series.
The list price is $49.95. I’ll have an update in October with details on how to order via mail or online. In the meantime, here’s the cover…
…and a few pages to tantalize (click thumbnails to enlarge):
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 [
This sounds fantasic..A bit out of my price range at the moment. (Not a complaint at all, i’m sure it’s well worth it).. Darrell was kind enough to let me review his Magoo book in it’s first edition..At 352 pages, The Jay Ward book should be extremely detailed, and an enjoyable read, if the Magoo book is any indication, Darrell should have another winner here..
Have enjoyed Daryl’s “Magoo” book – looking forward to this one!
That looks like an excellent book! Sure wish I could afford it though. I don’t have any extra cash.
This looks fantastic! Thanks for the lead!
will there be a special signed edition like there was with the mr. magoo book?
Seems like a reasonable price to me for a book of this quality. Animation fans have needed a good Jay Ward book for a long time. ones I have seen in used book stores over the years have always been a bit childish or have been filled with less than impressive art. Looks like another home run. Thanks Darrell for all your hard work
I can’t wait to get the Jay Ward book! Thanks for adding the Wheat Hearts clip! Loved that stuff when I was a kid…
Darrell,
I read your ROCKY AND BULLWINKLE book. It is outstanding. I would like you to consider writing a book called THE ART OF HANNA-BARBERA. It would follow the same format as your BULLWINKLE book. I would like to see a section about the Australian Unit responsible for THE FUNKY PHANTOM.
I would also like you to do a documentary on Hanna-Barbera Productions.