We figured it out. Thanks to some slick detective work by Brew reader Brian Nelson, we have identified the mystery photo of “Norm“. It’s Norman Z. McLeod, famed Hollywood director of the 1930s and 40s (Horsefeathers, Monkey Business, It’s A Gift, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, etc.). McLeod got his start illustrating silent movie intertitles with his stick figure cartoons. This article explains how McLeod directed his feature films (in this case Topper) using stick figures to illustrate the action. Case closed!

I don’t usually plug non-animation artists here on Brew, but the work of Kevin Dart and Chris Turnham really appeals to me. They have just teamed up to sell their cool artwork on a new website, Fleet Street Scandal, where you can buy prints of their latest work.

Just a quick note to let European folks know that I’ll be at the Annecy Animation Festival next week from June 5-10th. If you want to get in touch with me while I’m there, I can be reached at amid (at) animationblast (dot) com. Also, stay tuned to the Brew for coverage from the festival.