Vatroslav Mimica, Luminary Of The Zagreb School Of Animation, Dies At 96
In the 1950s, the director and screenwriter helped pioneer a bold new modernism in animation.
Cartoon Modern
‘Sausage’ by Robert Grieves
The idyllic market square of two artisan stallholders is invaded by a slick fast-food vendor, set to steal all their customers.
‘Buy Buy Baby’ by Gervais Merryweather
It’s the roaring twenties and things are looking great for Frederick Frinklesworth II and the rest of the New York Stock Exchange, but when his daughter Betty is left in his care for the day can Fredrick and Wall Street survive the mayhem that ensues?
These Disney Commercial Cels Designed by Tom Oreb Can Be Yours
A little Cartoon Modern inspiration for a Monday morning: these Donald Duck and Alice in Wonderland production cel/master backgrounds …
Rare Animation Books and Interviews on Archive.org
Don’t miss this rare find on Archive.org: A complete PDF copy of John Halas and Roger Manvell’s book “Design in Motion” (1962).
When Amsterdam Went UPA: Dutch Modern Cartoons in the 1950s
Strictly speaking, the term ‘Dutch modern cartoons’ is a little misleading. They were made in Holland, yes. But the major stars in our story are four artists who came from England and Denmark.
KLIK! Festival Goes Cartoon Modern with “Fabulous Fifties” Theme
If you are anywhere in or around Amsterdam next week, carve out some time to visit the KLIK! Amsterdam Animation Festival.
KLIK! Announces “Fabulous Fifties” Theme for 2013 Edition
The KLIK! Amsterdam Animation Festival has announced the theme for their 2013 edition: The Fabulous Fifties, a major celebration of …
Layout Artist Maurice Noble Didn’t Get Along With Chuck Jones
In their new episode, the podcast 99% Invisible profiles legendary layout artist Maurice Noble. Noble made significant contributions to …
The Mystery Bull I Found at Van Eaton Galleries
A year or two ago, when I visiting Van Eaton Galleries in Sherman Oaks, the gallery’s proprietor, Mike van Eaton, showed me one of his …
Disney Is Producing New Mickey Mouse Shorts and Premiered the First One Today [UPDATED]
Disney unveiled a new Mickey Mouse short today called Croissant de Triomphe, that can be viewed HERE. It is one of 19 new shorts that …
The Spanish Cartoon Modern of Estudios Moro
Estudios Moro was a Madrid, Spain animation studio started in 1955 by brothers Santiago and Jose Luis Moro. Their approach, while not …
Rare Disney Car Commercials Designed by Tom Oreb
For a short period of time during the mid-1950s, the Disney company allowed corporations to use its characters to sell products. There’s …
Cartoon Modern Inspiration
Courtesy of animation director Michael Sporn, here are some gems of “cartoon modern” design from the collection of animator Vincent Cafarelli.
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.
A Cartoon Modern Primer
I pity the fool who doesn’t watch this primer about the “cartoon modern” era. The cheeky but informative piece was created for an …
UPA Commercials Discovered
In the six years since the publication of my book Cartoon Modern: Style and Design in 1950s Animation, a lot of new artwork and films …
“Marooned On Watango Island” By Lluis Fuzzhound
Self-taught Australian animator Lluis Fuzzhound’s Marooned On Watango Island is a loving tribute to the Cartoon Modern style, complete …
Eye Candy From The UPA “Jolly Frolics” DVDs
I watched all the UPA theatrical shorts back when I was writing Cartoon Modern, but seeing them restored on TCM’s new 3-DVD “Jolly …
Exploring the Bookshelf of Animation Legend Jules Engel
What kind of books might an animation artist have kept on their bookshelf sixty years ago? They certainly wouldn’t have owned many …
Tee Hee Meets the Eames
I was digging around for some UPA photos the other day when I stumbled onto this photo that I’d labeled “Tee Hee and visitors.” Tee Hee …
TV Cartoon Explains Politics to Kids
This 1961 episode of Tales of the Wizard of Oz harkens back to a time when animation writers didn’t speak down to kids. It’s a perfect …
2012 Animation Book Preview
The future of animation books, like the rest of the publishing industry, isn’t rosy. Page counts and print runs are shrinking, and …
The Fabulous Firework Family (1959)
Over at Bob Shea and Lane Smith’s wonderful Curious Pages blog, they’ve posted the classic Jim Flora children’s book, The Fabulous …
1955 UPA article
Sam Henderson has uploaded a rare, heavily illustrated article about UPA on his Magic Whistle blog. The article, by Catherine Sullivan, …
Boris Gorelick Circus Mural on eBay
I don’t post links to eBay items frequently, but I can’t resist pointing out this huge, stunning Fifties silkscreen mural by Boris …
Films by Malcolm Sutherland
A couple years back, Montreal-based animator Malcolm Sutherland picked up a copy of my book Cartoon Modern at the Ottawa International …
Format Films in TV Guide (1961)
Internet broadcaster Stu Shostak has an almost complete collection of TV Guide magazine. While waiting for his radio show to start (which …
A Little Love: The Art of Bill Melendez
Check out this self-produced mini-doc by writer Matt Zoller Seitz about Peanuts director Bill Melendez – covering his artistic roots, …
Bass+Crippen+Freberg=”Sale of Manhattan”
The animation above aired on the 1962 ABC special “Stan Freberg Presents The Chun King Chow Mein Hour: Salute to the Chinese New Year.” …
The Cartoon Modern YouTube Playlist
Since Cartoon Modern was published a few years ago, the most frequently asked question I’ve received about the book is, “Where’s the …
The Whimsical Work of David Weidman and Also Some Serious Ones
If you appreciate good design and color work, then you’ll want to add the new hardcover publication The Whimsical Work of David Weidman …
The Twelve Animated Days of Christmas, #9
Today’s entry from the UK is more curio than classic: the 1959 Halas and Batchelor cartoon The Christmas Visitor, directed by John Halas, …
Rare Commercials by Tex Avery, Ed Benedict and Tom Oreb
YouTube user ‘VidResidue’ has uploaded a couple of rare 1950s animated commercials worth sharing. The first is a Kool-Aid spot directed …
The Twelve Animated Days of Christmas, #1
The “twelve days of Christmas” technically begin after Christmas Day, but we’re starting them early. Every day between now and Christmas, …
Walt Peregoy and Fernand Léger
Oswald Iten’s blog Colorful Animation Expressions offers a nice post about the influence of Fernand Léger on Walt Peregoy, the color …
