Progenitorivox is a fake pill – not a placebo – but a fiction devised as part of a campaign by Consumers Union, the non-profit publishers of Consumer Reports, to pass legislation requiring drug makers to disclose the side effects of their products.Regardless of politics, this funny animated music video was produced by The Animation Farm out of Austin Texas, and is well worth a look.(Thanks, John Hudgens)
Storyman and layout artist VANCE GERRY, a Disney veteran of fifty years, died March 4 of cancer at the age of seventy-five.
THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER gives ROBOTS a luke-warm review.
Coming in June will be the publication of Richard Fleischer’s new book, OUT OF THE INKWELL, Max Fleischer and the Animation Revolution (University Press of Kentucky, $27.50).This is the story of Max Fleischer from the p.o.v. of Max’s son. It follows the highs and lows of Fleischer Studio and attempts to explain how the family lost control of their studio to Paramount Pictures. It contains much biographical information on both Max and Richard, and extensively follows Max’s life in the years following World War II. How he regained control over Betty Boop and Koko, and his involvement with those later the Hal Seegar Out Of The Inkwell TV cartoons, are of particular interest.I saw an early draft of the book last year and can tell you its a great read – and it may start a few new controversies. I’m looking forward to the finished version. Amazon.com has it for $18.15 – and it’s a hardcover! Needless to say, this will be one of the year’s most important animation books.
Here’s a great time-waster: Crazy Rabbit
As a follow-up to my previous post, Brew reader Dave Oney found this website picturing hundreds of World War Two Armed Forces insignia and patches for sale.
Isn’t this a beauty?We know that the major cartoon studios designed insignia for the troops during World War 2, but outside of Disney, how many surviving pieces have you seen from Lantz and Schlesinger’s studios?Brew reader Michael Brown sent this in:
I am seeking assistance with an identification of a World War II Army Air Force unit insignia that was designed by Leon Schlesinger. I would appreciate any assistance that you can provide.
Has anyone done the research on these? How many were there? For what units?
I don’t know about you – but this is big news to me. Stephen Biro of Unearthed Films has announced the release of Nelvana’s cult classic animated feature Rock & Rule.The film will be released two ways – one, a 1 disc Special Edition, and the other, a 2 disc Collectors Set – both on June 7th 2005. Specs are below:
Rock and Rule Special Edition
New fully restored High Definition Anamorphic transfer in 1:85:1
An enhanced 5.1 Dolby track and cleaned up 2.0 Dolby track
The Making of Rock and Rule Featurette
Commentary with Director Clive Smith.
Intensive sketch gallery
Deluxe animated menu’s
Restoration comparisons
Liner NotesRock and Rule 2 Disc Collectors Set – Disc 1
New fully restored High Definition Anamorphic transfer in 1:85:1
An enhanced 5.1 Dolby track and cleaned up 2.0 Dolby track
The Making of Rock and Rule Featurette
Commentary with Director Clive Smith.
Intensive sketch gallery
Deluxe animated menu’s
Restoration comparisonsDisc 2
CBC; Original version of Rock and Rule
The Devil and Daniel Mouse
The Making of The Devil and Daniel Mouse Featurette
PDF File of the script
Massive sketch gallery
Alternate Title Sequence
15 Minute workprint ending of Drats
Collectors Booklet
These guys draw funny and animate good…FATKAT ANIMATION headquartered in New Brunswick, Canada, of all places!Now they have a blog, so we can keep up with their day to day activities.
Jot these dates down in your calendar book.The Art of Dr. Suess – a touring exhibit is now showing in Orange County, at the Sarah Bain Gallery in Brea, through March 13.Ralph Bakshi, in person hosting a film retrospective at the American Cinematheque April 29th through May 1st. More details to come.Animation Movie Posters – an exhibit of over 150 classic Hollywood cartoon one sheet posters on display at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences starting May 13th. More details to come.
Cartoon Network, Lucasfilm, and ASIFA-Hollywood are teaming up March 18 – 19, 2005 to present ANIMATION A-GO-GO! TWO NIGHTS WITH GENNDY TARTAKOVSKY at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood. This two-night mini-tribute will feature everything from student films to sneak peeks at future projects, as well as a hearty helping of classic cartoons by some of Genndy’s animation heroes. Animation writer Jon M. Gibson will discuss these works with Genndy in an extended discussion each night.
Friday, March 18 – 7:30 PM
Genndy Tartakovsky Tribute – Program #1
Encompassing many of his early, short works – including rarely seen, unreleased ditties from his days at Cal Arts, like “Changes,” the basis for “Dexter’s Laboratory” – this first night chronicles Tartakovsky’s evolution as a filmmaker. Then, samplings of the first season of “Star Wars: Clone Wars” – as well as the ground-breaking two-part “Samurai Jack” episode, “Birth of Evil” – will be washed down by a few of Tartakovsky’s favorite classic cartoons from legends like Tex Avery (shown in 35mm glory). A few surprises are promised – some never-before-aired.Saturday, March 19 – 5:00 PM
Genndy Tartakovsky Tribute – Program #2
The World Premiere of the entire second season of “Star Wars: Clone Wars,” which Tartakovsky will have completed mere days before its debut. Also interstitials he created for Cartoon Network based on vintage Hanna Barbara characters, as well as more inspirational offerings from the masters of animation. Genndy Tartakovsky will appear for an extended discussion after the program, moderated by animation writer Jon M. Gibson.Saturday, March 19 – 8:00PM
Genndy Tartakovsky Tribute – Program #3
CONAN THE BARBARIAN, 1982, Universal, 129 min. John Milius’ epic was a huge inspiration on Genndy’s career, especially in the more recent “Samurai Jack” years. He cites the first 20 minutes of the Schwarzenegger-starrer as “flawless filmmaking”. The feature will be followed by hand-picked “Samurai Jack” episodes that Tartakovsky feels were influenced most heavily by sword & socerey epic.
This is sorta funny. SUPERFRIENDS footage redubbed with dialogue from Mike Judge’s Office Space. Idiotwork.com
Alternative cartoonist Ivan Brunetti has posted his collection of oddball cartoon memorabilia which includes a few nice pieces of vintage bootleg foreign merchandise – with bizzarre off-model drawings and unusual character match ups, combining characters from competing studios in ways that would never happen on officially licensed merchandise.
Brunetti’s website, in addition to being a fine portfolio of his work, offers an incredible selection of female movie star portraits, vintage photography, cats and Drew Barrymore (don’t ask). It’s well worth a browse. Start here.
Friday, March 11, Saturday, March 12 and Sunday, March 13, 2005
207 North Aspan Avenue Azusa, CA 91702
9:00am – 4:00pm
(Absolutely No Early Previews or Early Sales)Previously owned items by director Tim Burton and his actress wife former girlfriend Lisa Marie. Designer furniture (Herman Miller, Noguchi, Knoll, Ashland & Hill), clothing (Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, YSL), lamps, ceramic kiln, fine crystal, make-up, electronics, Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver, movie memorabilia, props from movie sets and tons more. This sale will be held in a warehouse in Azusa, CA, a 45 minute drive from Studio City.(thanks to Anne D. Bernstein for the tip)
Yessir, it’s that time again – the monthly plug for my cartoon/short musical 16mm film show, as opening act for the fabulous Janet Klein And Her Parlor Boys. It’s a fine night of time travel – back to the late 1920s/early 1930s with obscure and forgotten old time jazz, rag-time, blues and novelty songs. The fun starts at 8pm Thursday night March 3rd at the Steve Allen Theatre in the Los Feliz area, 4773 Hollywood Blvd., (West of Vermont, across from Barnsdall Park). We do this the first Thursday of every month. Please check Janet’s website (under “Showtime”) for more details.
