Cartoon Quackers: A Look At Ducks Throughout Animation History
To commemorate the release of ‘Migration,’ we’re revisiting some of our favorite ducks throughout cartoon history.
#Ward Kimball
100 Years Of Disney Surrealism: More Than Just Fairy Tales And Princesses
Disney may be the leading purveyor of safe, family-friendly entertainment today, but that hasn’t always been the case.
Secrets Of A Creative Marriage: 10 Animation And Filmmaking Tips From Disney Directors Ron Clements And John Musker
Learn to take criticism. Don’t assume you’ll learn much at school. And always think of the nose…
In Conversation: John Canemaker On The Disney Family Museum’s Massive ‘Pinocchio’ Exhibit
The biggest collection of material ever from the production of the seminal Disney film ‘Pinocchio’ is currently on display in San Francisco.
John Culhane, Animation Historian and Mr. Snoops Inspiration, RIP
Culhane also inspired the character of Flying John in “Fantasia/2000.”
Ward Kimball Is Featured In ‘The Who, The What, and The When’
“The Who, the What, and the When” is a new book by Jenny Volvovski, Julia Rothman and Matt Lamothe that celebrates the “secret sidekicks of history” who propelled famous historical figures to greatness.
‘Mouse in Transition’: Detour Into Disney History (Chapter 6)
Before I got hired at Disney Features, I sold a few magazine articles and developed a love of writing for print, where there was nothing between writer and reader but words on a page. When I became a Disney employee, I realized I was surrounded by animation veterans with vivid memories of the rambunctious days at the old Hyperion studio, and the creative struggles that went into making “Snow White,” “Pinocchio,” and the other early features. Talking to older Mouse House staffers, it dawned on me they could provide great source material for articles.
‘Mouse in Transition’: And Then There Was…Ken! (Chapter 4)
I was back in Don Duckwall’s office, exchanging insincere smiles with him. I had been on “The Fox and the Hound” with Larry, Woolie, and everybody else for half a year. But now Don wanted me to go on another assignment.
‘Mouse in Transition’: The Disney Animation Story Crew (Chapter 3)
Larry had me writing sequence scripts for “The Fox and the Hound,” which turned out to be my assignment for the next six months. Part of the package was attending Woolie Reitherman’s marathon story sessions, which often left me drained and dazed. There were also Woolie’s marathon take-selection meetings, which left me drained and bewildered.
Watch Walt Disney Botch The Oscar Acceptance Speech for ‘Toot Whistle Plunk and Boom’
Believe it or not, one of the best online sources for animation history buffs is YouTube. Amazing and rare materials, often digitized from private film collections, is posted regularly on the streaming site. You just have to know where to look.
Largest Exhibition Ever Devoted To Cartoonist Rowland Emett Opens This Summer
Rowland Emett, one of the greatest British cartoonists of the previous century yet mostly forgotten today, is finally getting his due. The Birmingham Museum in England will open “Marvellous Machines: The Wonderful World of Rowland Emett” on May 10.
Michael Sporn, A Passionate Film Director, RIP
Animator and filmmaker Michael Sporn, a man who represented the spirit and vitality of New York’s animation scene as much as any other single individual, passed away from pancreatic cancer on January 19. He was 67.
Ward Kimball Explains to a Hollywood Producer Why An Animated Film About A Snail Is A Stupid Idea
Flawed film premises weren’t invented in the last decade. In 1977, a gentleman named Lorenzo Music was developing an animated feature …
Gallery: Newly Discovered Tom Oreb Gag Drawings
Tom Oreb is recognized by many as being one of the finest character designers during the Golden Age of Hollywood animation. Certainly, he …
Arriving This Week: Pete Docter’s Flipbook Tribute to the 9 Old Men
The pet project of UP director and flipbook aficionado Pete Docter: a packaged boxed-set of nine flipbooks.
Modern Car-Toons: A Look At Autos In Mid-Century Animation
Animation can provide a fascinating window into the past. In the 1950s and 60s, cars became a daily part of life and animation reflected the new automobile culture.
Pre-Order “Full Steam Ahead!,” the Ward Kimball Biography
April 2, 1934. Seventy-eight years ago to the day, a twenty-year-old kid started working at Walt Disney Productions. His name was Ward …
Let’s Cast the Walt Disney Biopic
Who needs the Disney Company! We’ve already got the movie poster for a biopic about Walt Disney so we may as well go ahead and cast the …
Ward Kimball’s 1958 Holiday Card Photo
Ward Kimball and family show you the proper way to do a Christmas card family photo:
The Amazing Animated Life of Fred Kopietz
If you have the slightest interest in classic Hollywood animation, do not miss this colossal 1991 interview with Fred Kopietz conducted …
Buy Ward Kimball’s House
Here’s the ultimate animation collector’s item: the San Gabriel, California home of animation legend Ward Kimball is currently for sale …
Behind the Scenes of “Reluctant Dragon”
A photo during the production of Disney’s The Reluctant Dragon on November 7, 1940. I hope somebody will get a kick out of it. Actress …
Shirley Silvey and Mary Schuster Broggie, R.I.P.
Two important women in animation passed away recently: Shirley Silvey died on July 17 in Fresno, California. When she started …
Betty Kimball, R.I.P.
Betty Lawyer Kimball passed away last Thursday evening at the age of 97. She died from natural causes. Betty (birth name: Mary …