Help Me: I'm Technologically Illiterate!

Now, many would think that, as I am twenty years old and living in the computer age, that I would know the ins and outs of computers and be able to do anything with one. This is, unfortunately, not the case. It is only by the grace of God that I'm even able to use the basics of Blogger.

Now, as I am an aspiring cartoonist, I would like to post my attempts with using construction and other drawings. However, I don't know how to use the scanner. Now, I could probably learn to use the scanner part, but I need to know how to upload all of that stuff I want to upload, like my construction drawings and my collection of comics.

Next, I need to know which program allows you to overlap the original source of a drawing and a person's copy. Also, how do oyu upload film clips and film snaps? I ask for the help of my friends on Blogger (Joe Bloke? Fellow cartoonists?)

Just leave me a comment and that will help.

The Betty Boop - Cab Calloway Trinity

Today I only have to show you the amazing cartoons showcasing the wonderfully talented Cab Calloway and surreal animation of the Fleischer Studios. It's sad they no longer make these types of cartoons.

Minnie the Moocher (1932)

I personally prefer the more curvaceous Betty. Don't you?

Snow White (1933)


The Old Man of the Mountain (1933)

I love the design of The Old Man.

Sorry for these lame updates, but I need to figure how to use my scanner and get Photoshop so I can post my construction drawings and various comics.

Until we meet again

(Special thanks to Joe Bloke for commenting on the past couple posts. I'll try to post comics for him next time.)

"What If?" History: A Golden Age Termite Terrace Feature

Today my loyal followers, I ask an interesting question. Maybe a pointless question, but it's one I will ask nonetheless.

Could the men and women of Termite Terrace have created a feature film during their Golden Age?

There are arguments for both side in my opinion, and I think they both present a strong case.

Arguments for Why
Reason #1: Disney wasn't producing any big features at the time. They were producing the "package films" at this time. Because of this, Disney would not have been much competition for them.

Reason #2: World War Two made the Warner Brothers characters extremely popular. Warner Brothers had the right attitude for the time: brash and irreverent. Disney cartoons by this time seemed too dull and tame. Bugs Bunny toppled Mickey Mouse as the most popular cartoon character. The attitude of the cartoon studio reflected the general output of the Warner Brothers studio at large. Bugs Bunny has the same sarcastic attitude as Humphrey Bogart and Jimmy Cagney.

Reason #3: Termite Terrace produced a plethora of interesting and funny characters that are based in ACTUAL reality.

Reason #4: They could have taken the humor prevalent in their shorts to the features level. A feature from Termite Terrace could have been similar to the work of the Marx Brothers early films or maybe Laurel and Hardy. There could have been asolid situation idea, but was more focused on comedy rather than plot.

Reason #5: The draftsmanship of many of the animators reached new heights during the Golden Age. Great examples include the animation of Hitler in "Russian Rhapsody" or Scribner's animation of Humphrey Bogart in "Bacall to Arms"

However, despite these strengths, there were a lot of reasons working against them and why they couldn't make a film.

Arguments for Why Not
Reason #1: Three words: World War Two

Reason #2: The strength of their characters came from developing them over a period of many cartoons. The Bugs Bunny we know and love was not fully formed, not even by the time of Tex Avery's "A Wild Hare". In a normal animated feature, you have less than 90 minutes to develop a character, and usually the characters aren't as interesting as the ones in the shorts.

Reason #3: Would people have accepted a feature from the same studio who created Bugs Bunny?

Reason #4: With a staff smaller than the one at Disney, to make a feature would have meant that the production of Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies would have had to cease for awhile, and do you think that upper-management would have allowed that?

Reason #5: The studio probably wouldn't have promoted the film the way Disney promoted theirs. They didn't have the foresight to see how popular Looney Tunes would become, and hindsight is 20/20.

Reason #6: Budgets would go down in the post-war years

Reason #7: Unlike Disney, Warner Brothers different units didn't have a unified style. There was a house style, but each unit had a different variation of said style
Bob Clampett

Friz Freleng

Chuck Jones

Robert McKimson

Final Verdict: I don't think it would be possible. Unless Termite Terrace had the same resources and funds that Disney had, it just can't be. Oh well, a guy can dream, can't he?

Thanks for listening and Merry Christmas to all.

Barnacle Max the Fleischer

In this edition of my blog, I'm here to discuss the relationship between the popular sea shanty and the dynamic duo of animation, the Fleischer brothers.

Starting out as a bawdy (to say the least) drinking song about the exploits of a fictional sailor, it eventually became a popular song in 1928 when Bix Beiderbecke and Hoagy Carmichael recorded a more toned-down version.

I believe this video contains the Hoagy Carmichael version


In 1930, the Fleischers animation studio decided to use this song as the basis for one of their new Talkartoons, starring Bimbo and his new girlfriend, Miss Betty Boop. Watch for the wonderful Grim Natwick animation up in Betty's apartment.

1930 Talkartoon


Just five years later, Fleischer once again returned to the old sailor tune so he could face the latest Fleischer, Popeye the Sailor. Put those two two together and you get one of my favorite Popeye cartoons.

1935 Popeye cartoon


It makes me wonder why the Fleischers decided to make all those cartoons about the dirty sailor song. Was it simply a lack of story ideas, or did this gruff and dirty tune appeal to the urban sensibilities of the New York studio? I'll leave that to you.

Until Next Time, Boils and Ghouls

Disney Family Album Vol. 7: Ken Anderson (1909 - 1993)

Here today boils and ghouls, I do my final posting of The Disney Family Album. That mostly has to do with the fact that I can't find anymore. This one is a bit more unique in that it is not about an animator per say, but about a designer, storyman, and architect. Also, he is a native of my birthplace. This man was the reason why One Hundred and One Dalmatians looks so different than any other Disney film. Just look into the tent and you will find... Ken Anderson.


Part One


Part Two


Part Three

Until next again, my fiendish friends.

Disney Family Album Vol. 6: Marc Davis (1913 - 2000)

Welcome my friends to my den of insanity and trivia. Today, I give you a glimpse of one of the greatest animators/artists to ever have graced the Disney Studios. His draftsmanship matched that of Milt Kahl (although Kahl refused to admit it). He gave Tinkerbell in Peter Pan her spunk, left you in terror with his animation of Maleficent in Sleeping Beauty, and designed some of our favorite attractions at Disneyland, such as the Haunted Mansion, and Pirates of the Caribbean. Here's Marc Davis.


Part 1


Part 2


Part 3

Until Next Time

Disney Family Album Vol. 5: Wolfgang Reitherman (1909 - 1985)

Welcome one and all to my inner sanctum. Today, I have another Disney Family Album to give. This time around, it's about a certain member of Disney's "Nine Old Men" who would help guide the studio through it's darkest age. Whether he was successful is best left to the individual's opinion. He may not be a name you recognize, but what he animated certainly arises emotion. He terrified us with his work on Monstro in Pinocchio, brought to tears of laughter with hilarious animation in many Goofy shorts, and showed us why it's a bad idea to mess with dragons with his work in Sleeping Beauty. He later directed such Disney classics as One Hundred and One Dalmatians and The Jungle Book. Here is Wolfgang "Woolie" Reitherman.


Part 1


Part 2


Part 3

Until We Meet Again