In an attempt to jazz up the last few weeks of this continuing column – I’ll include a lobby card or publicity image or two that relates to the output of the Warner cartoon studio for this period. For example, Here’s the lobby card for Friz Freleng’s Mouse and Garden. While not mentioned in the columns below, it was released in July 1960 – and subsequently nominated for an Academy Award.
JULY 1960
Two names added to the staff that I never heard of before: Joseph Finck and Robert Kirk join as assistant animators.
AUGUST 1960
SEPTEMBER 1960
Robert McKimson’s THE DIXIE FRYER was released in September 1960 – and is mentioned in this column.
OCTOBER 1960
These columns are dated one month ahead of their appearance – thus this October column heralds the September premiere of The Bugs Bunny Show on ABC prime time. The beginning of one of longest running cartoon TV shows of all time.
NOVEMBER 1960
DECEMBER 1960
Chuck Jones’ HIGH NOTE was one of the highlights off the year – it was released on December 3rd.
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 [
Finck was an assistant animator at MGM when the studio closed.
As for Bob Kirk, he was an animator for MGM, DePatie-Freleng and Hanna-Barbera.
Thanks, Dave. I see on the Shenkman caricatures of the 1956 MGM cartoon staff on the TAG blog, he’s labelled as “Bill” Kirk.
From Legacy.com ….
Robert R. Kirk
October 8, 1923 – August 13, 2013
Robert R. Kirk, son of the late Ray and Gladys Kirk of Olmstead Falls Ohio, passed away on Tuesday August 13, 2013, in San Diego County California. He died peacefully after a sudden and brief illness.
Robert is survived by his loving wife, Terry, and her children. His sons, Cameron and Kenneth, preceded him in death. Robert, a veteran of WWII, took part in the 1944 Invasion at the Beaches of Normandy and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. A memorial will be held on September 25th at 11:00 AM at the Miramar National Military Cemetery.
Robert, known professionally as Bob Kirk, had a long career as an Animator, working at Walt Disney Studios, DePatie Freleng, MGM, Filmations, Marvel Productions, Hanna Barbera, and Warner Bros. His achievements include an “Emmy” Award Statue plus two Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Certificates for Animation Director of Jim Henson’s Muppet Babies for CBS.
Published in the Los Angeles Times on Sept. 5, 2013
I always liked “HIGH NOTE” and, as I read again that Warner Brothers is producing some all new cartoons, I wonder if there will be one shot titles like this. If the animators are ever going to put their own stamp on new cartoons and start a whole new era of LOONEY TUNES and MERRIE MELODIES, one shot cartoons are a terrific way to insert their own brand of humor or spectacle…and perhaps to start new trends in animated story-telling.
Glad to hear WB is back to releasing new theatrical LT cartoons, since I’ve recently come up with story ideas for new Pepe Le Pew cartoons that I hope to one day share with the staff at WAG.
I have also long believed that any new LT/MM toons should be limited to one-shots reflecting today’s world–while keeping the trademark humor intact.