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

Disney Family Album Vol. 4: Eric Larson (1905 - 1988)

Today my loyal peanut gallery, I bring you an episode about an animator who is not as known, but equally important figure in Disney animation. He animated Figaro in Pinocchio, gave the Caterpillar in Alice in Wonderland his sense of movement, and trained the current generation of animators and directors at Disney. Here is Eric Larson.


Part 1


Part 2


Part 3

Until Next Time Kiddies

Disney Family Album Vol. 3: Ward Kimball (1914 - 2002)

This time around, I present to you an episode about one of my favorite Disney animators, if not one of my favorite animators in general. He was a true iconoclast in a studio that usually didn't encourage it. He was responsible for The Crows in Dumbo, The Mad Tea Party in Alice in Wonderland, and of course, he gave us that wonderful little insect conscience, Jiminy Cricket. Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you: Ward Kimball


Part 1


Part 2


Part 3

Happy Trails

Disney Family Album Vol. 2: Frank (1912 - 2004) and Ollie (1912 - 2008)

Here I present to you a double feature: two episodes of The Disney Family Album for the price of one. These are about the Dynamic Duo of Disney Animation. The ones who brought Bambi and friends to life, not to mention showed us the relationship between a "stupid jungle bum" and his mancub. Here is Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston.

Frank Thomas


Part 1


Part 2


Part 3


Ollie Johnston


Part 1


Part 2


Part 3

Until We Meet Again