Fascinating article! Walt Disney and his body of work have been a huge part of the lives of most baby boomers (I am one). I fell in love with Snow White and her little dwarves at the tender age of 7 when my mom took my sister and I to see the movie. We were all hooked on Snow White, Mickey Mouse, and Sleeping Beauty. The art behind the story is amazing. I remember when I first noticed that Mickey Mouse looked different. I think it was when they changed artists. He was originally called Steamboat Willie I believe. When you think of all the people involved in creating this art, it is astounding the volume and quality of it all. Thanks again for sharing, James.
Wonderful description of the history of American animation. I have lived within 30 minutes of Pixar for years and have met many of the animators and writers of their animated films--an impressive collection of artistic people.
This was wonderful! The early films were works of art, but we've lost the way to such perfection. Innovation, competition and convenience have won the day. The animated feature films of the past 20 years cannot hold a candle to those of the past: the human touch is lacking. Thank you!
Truly divine! Not often do I get to use that word. This is a piece that, in itself, reflects the artistry, nuance, and dedication of the subject it describes. Really.
I also love it for its predigital subject matter. Not only did Disney give us this pleasure ride for our brains and eyes, so did many others. MGM, Dell Comics, et al.
It is more than a little significant that Disney and a few others used more or less golden rule characters, and not so much anger, crudeness or violence to "entertain." One of the most influential characters in my early years (1950 age 4 through late 50s) was Little Quackers. Smart, funny, intelligent and in some Tom and Jerry shorts, the only character who spoke... fancy that.
If I can, I will share a frame or two from an unpublished prelim story board for a Quackers cartoon book story done by one of the hardest working and talented artists of those years, Pete Alvarado. He was part of almost every major animated movie in those days including Disney. I credit him for bringing a different kind of hero to the screen and to books. The smart, tricky, mild mannered, and too cute duck - Little Quackers.
I will attempt to post a couple of frames from an unpublished set of story board creations I own, by Alvarado. Also, as yet filled with dialog. It is possible to figure the story line and create your own dialog for the speech balloons.
Again, divine. Smiles still happening 10 minutes later...
We will always be grateful to the genius of Walt Disney, for having emotionally involved us in those wonderful stories that with his cartoons have filled adults and children with joy, for generations.
It's hard to forget Disney cartoons, which marked an era and spanned more than one generation, filling the eyes of children and adults with wonderful colors, drawings, and characters that brought fairy tales and stories to life. I believe there were no spectators who were unhappy to see and emotionally participate in what was happening on the screen and to cherish, over time, the memory of the time spent in the company of these splendid characters. Thank you for reminding us.
Grazie per questo bellissimo post. Quando ero bambina i film di Disney li ho guardati tutti con grande piacere, perché erano belli. Oggi anche la Disney si è adeguata ai tempi, ma non potrà mai eguagliare ciò che è stata in passato, nonostante tutta la tecnologia piu sofisticata possibile immaginabile.
As usual, I cannot read your words without leaving a comment of gratitude. I read EVERY word of your prose right through the end. Thank you James! ❤️
As an animation screenwriter, I cherish this. Thank you.
Thank you kindly for this beautiful piece of history and the magical lens with which you painted it! 🙏🎁
Pretty amazing! Thanks for such a well-researched and in-depth article. Too bad that the Disney company lost its magic.
Fascinating article! Walt Disney and his body of work have been a huge part of the lives of most baby boomers (I am one). I fell in love with Snow White and her little dwarves at the tender age of 7 when my mom took my sister and I to see the movie. We were all hooked on Snow White, Mickey Mouse, and Sleeping Beauty. The art behind the story is amazing. I remember when I first noticed that Mickey Mouse looked different. I think it was when they changed artists. He was originally called Steamboat Willie I believe. When you think of all the people involved in creating this art, it is astounding the volume and quality of it all. Thanks again for sharing, James.
Wonderful description of the history of American animation. I have lived within 30 minutes of Pixar for years and have met many of the animators and writers of their animated films--an impressive collection of artistic people.
This was wonderful! The early films were works of art, but we've lost the way to such perfection. Innovation, competition and convenience have won the day. The animated feature films of the past 20 years cannot hold a candle to those of the past: the human touch is lacking. Thank you!
Individual drawing for animation
Beautiful essay 🙏
Incredible In every way. Thank you for the informative and enlightening article!
Truly divine! Not often do I get to use that word. This is a piece that, in itself, reflects the artistry, nuance, and dedication of the subject it describes. Really.
I also love it for its predigital subject matter. Not only did Disney give us this pleasure ride for our brains and eyes, so did many others. MGM, Dell Comics, et al.
It is more than a little significant that Disney and a few others used more or less golden rule characters, and not so much anger, crudeness or violence to "entertain." One of the most influential characters in my early years (1950 age 4 through late 50s) was Little Quackers. Smart, funny, intelligent and in some Tom and Jerry shorts, the only character who spoke... fancy that.
If I can, I will share a frame or two from an unpublished prelim story board for a Quackers cartoon book story done by one of the hardest working and talented artists of those years, Pete Alvarado. He was part of almost every major animated movie in those days including Disney. I credit him for bringing a different kind of hero to the screen and to books. The smart, tricky, mild mannered, and too cute duck - Little Quackers.
I will attempt to post a couple of frames from an unpublished set of story board creations I own, by Alvarado. Also, as yet filled with dialog. It is possible to figure the story line and create your own dialog for the speech balloons.
Again, divine. Smiles still happening 10 minutes later...
We will always be grateful to the genius of Walt Disney, for having emotionally involved us in those wonderful stories that with his cartoons have filled adults and children with joy, for generations.
It's hard to forget Disney cartoons, which marked an era and spanned more than one generation, filling the eyes of children and adults with wonderful colors, drawings, and characters that brought fairy tales and stories to life. I believe there were no spectators who were unhappy to see and emotionally participate in what was happening on the screen and to cherish, over time, the memory of the time spent in the company of these splendid characters. Thank you for reminding us.
101 Dalmatians! My go-to film when the world is dark. 💘💘💘
Beautiful piece! Thank you for taking the time to remind us that true art begins by hand.
Grazie per questo bellissimo post. Quando ero bambina i film di Disney li ho guardati tutti con grande piacere, perché erano belli. Oggi anche la Disney si è adeguata ai tempi, ma non potrà mai eguagliare ciò che è stata in passato, nonostante tutta la tecnologia piu sofisticata possibile immaginabile.