Classic Cartoons #13 - Three Little Pigs

And now the story of an A113Animation feature that fell by the wayside, and the one blogger who eventually remembered to revive it: it's our Classic Cartoons feature.

Today seemed an apt day to bring back the series, as it marks the 80th anniversary of one of Walt Disney's earliest landmarks, the Oscar winning short film, Three Little Pigs. Released on this day in 1933, the short - and the best-selling Frank Churchill song that resides within it - would go on to symbolise the American resolve against the Great Depression. It would win the Academy Award for Best Short Subject: Cartoons in 1934, and was inducted into the US National Film Registry for perpetual preservation in 2007. Directed by Burt Gillett and produced by Walt himself, savour in the immutable majesty of Three Little Pigs again today.

Classic Cartoons #12 - King-Size Canary

Today's Classic Cartoon is a classic of one of the all-time great American animators, Fred "Tex" Avery. Avery, best known as the genius behind Daffy Duck and Bugs Bunny, also later developed Chilly Willy for the Walter Lantz studio. Some of Tex's best work, though, was for MGM's cartoon studio. At MGM, Avery created Droopy, as well as a stream of hilarious short films, including this one, King-Size Canary.

Cat and mouse, cat and bird, and cat and dog pairings are pretty common in animation, but this is something pretty special. The hilarious animation lends the short a sense of freedom that we rarely see in modern animation.

Avery's legacy is his zany, larger-than-life animation - animation we may be seeing a resurgence of, in CG; just look at Hotel Transylvania - and that animation is on full display in this critically acclaimed short from 1947.

Classic Cartoons #11 - Gerald McBoing-Boing

Confession: I only saw my first UPA short a couple of days ago. Shameful, I know, for a self-professed animation nerd, but after one short, I had no doubts about why the company is so lauded, and how special their art style is. And the short that I started with was this one, Gerald McBoing-Boing.

UPA, United Productions of America, was a prolific animation studio in the 1940s and 50s, that pioneered the use of limited animation that would become a television stable through Hanna-Barbera's use of it. Known largely for their propaganda, industrial and training films, UPA's legacy is largely overshadowed by its rivals of the time, Disney and Warner Bros. But it's effect on animation - particularly on visual style, showing that animation didn't have to be the cutesie Disney style - is huge. Gerald McBoing-Boing is then arguably its greatest hour.

Directed by Robert Cannon and produced by John Hubley, from an original Dr. Seuss story, and distributed by Columbia Pictures in late 1950, the acclaimed short won the 1950 Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film, and in 1994 it was voted the 9th greatest cartoon ever by 1000 animation professionals. High praise indeed, watch today's Classic Cartoon and see why.

Classic Cartoons #10 - Popeye the Sailor

Our last Classic Cartoon was Superman, AKA The Mad Scientist, the first in the critically revered Superman short film series from Fleischer Studios. The Superman shorts were the Fleischers' last hurrah, as, despite critical adulation and an Academy Award nomination for the first in the series, the high budget meant that the Fleischers soon ran out of funds, and Paramount, their financiers and distributors, soon ran out of patience. Amidst personal squabbles between brothers, Max and Dave, Paramount acquired the Fleischer Studios, and fired the brothers, renaming it Famous Studios in 1942.

However, the Fleischers had experienced much success prior to this. In their heyday, Fleischer Studios was the most significant competitor to Walt Disney and his cartoons. In fact, at one time, one of the Fleischers' series eclipsed Disney and Mickey Mouse in terms of popularity: Popeye the Sailor. Based on the Thimble Theatre comic strip, the Popeye cartoons were huge successes and inspired popular culture for years to come.

The first appearance of Popeye - as well as his love-interest, Olive Oyl, and his nemesis, Bluto - was actually in this Betty Boop cartoon from 1933. Indicative of things to come though, Boop was merely a cameo, whereas Popeye was the focus. Popeye would later get his series of theatrical cartoons - starting with I Yam What I Yam later that year - and the famous theme song, the outdated - but wonderful and hilarious - rubber hose animation and the beloved characters made Popeye the Sailor, both today's Classic Cartoon and the series it spawned, huge hits.

Don't forget, as well, that Sony Pictures Animation are moving ahead with a CG Popeye film, directed by Hotel Transylvania helmer, Genndy Tartakovsky.

Classic Cartoons #9 - Superman/The Mad Scientist

Today's classic cartoon is the first from a series of widely successful short films produced by the Fleischer Studio in the early 1940s, the Superman short films. The Fleischer Studios, founded in 1921 by brothers Max and Dave Fleischer, were the most significant competition for the Disney studio during the Golden Age of Animation.

Most notable for their Betty Boop and Popeye cartoon shorts, the Fleischers' Superman cartoons are also revered. The short that started that off, eponymously titled Superman - or The Mad Scientist - was even nominated for the 1942 Academy Award for Best Animated Short Subject, losing out to the Disney propaganda short, Der Fuehrer's Face. The Fleischer shorts are also purportedly the inspiration for Superman flying - up until then he had only lept, but the brothers deemed this 'silly looking'.

Incredibly high budget - at about $50,000, twice the cost of an average Fleischer cartoon - and filled with spectacle and awe - if a little old by today's standards - Superman and the subsequent shorts in the series were, and are, great testaments to storytelling and animation, and you can definitely the Fleischer inspiration in Robb Pratt's brilliant new Superman short films.

Classic Cartoons #8 - The Karate Guard

Paired up with today's Bitesized Biography, of Hanna-Barbera co-founder, Joseph Barbera, is the last Tom and Jerry short film directed by Barbera, The Karate Guard. Co-directed with Spike Brandt (The Looney Tunes Show) the short is inspired by Japanese film, but giving the usual violent, zany Tom and Jerry take on it. Released in 2005, The Karate Guard was the first Tom and Jerry theatrical short produced in over 45 years, and, as of now, is the last.

Although Barbera did work on the straight-to-DVD film Tom and Jerry: A Nutcracker Tale, The Karate Guard is the spiritual end to his career, ending how Hanna-Barbera started, with Tom and Jerry theatrical cartoons. Funny, charming, lovable and boasting a great score by Pixar favourite, Michael Giacchino, The Karate Guard was a fitting cartoon to bookend the legendary career of Joseph Barbera.

Classic Cartoons #7 - Red's Dream

Since establishing this feature in early January, we've so far explored some old (in some cases very old) cartoons and short films that have helped define the careers of some of the prolific figures that have been the focus of our Bitesized Biographies, but also that have helped shape the history of animation. However, today's Classic Cartoon is the first from a more modern era in animation; the first from the era of computer animation. Today's Classic Cartoon is Red's Dream.

Red's Dream, directed, written and animated all by John Lasseter, is one of Pixar's earliest short films (their third, and their second whilst as Pixar Animation Studios) and remains one of its least known efforts. The animation is incredibly primitive looking by today's standards (in fact Pixar pre-production engineer, Michael B. Johnson, Tweeted recently that an iPhone 4 is 1000 times more powerful than the machine used to render Red's Dream), and its story is still one of Pixar's darkest ones, but Red's Dream is incredibly artistic, well designed, well executed and, as is the norm for Pixar, a testament to great storytelling!

Classic Cartoons #6 - Puss Gets the Boot

To go with today's Bitesized Biography of William Hanna, it seemed only fitting that today's Classic Cartoon is the very first collaboration of Hanna and Joseph Barbera, Puss Gets the Boot. The short (above), almost 10 minutes in length, acts as the introduction to the famous cat and mouse duo that is Tom and Jerry. Although not called that here (actually named Jasper and Jinx!), and though the designs of the characters are somewhat different from what we know the pair to be; the heart is there, the characters are there, the distinctive Hanna-Barbera soul is there.

Released in February 1940, Puss Gets the Boot received strong acclaim and praise upon its release, earning Hanna-Barbera and MGM an Academy Award nomination (Tom and Jerry would go on to win seven), and spawning two characters and a series of cartoons that is still beloved and watched today.

Classic Cartoons #5 - Steamboat Willie

I'm sure using this short film now will come back to bite me when I do my Bitesized Biography of Walt Disney and am in need of a short film to pair with it, but today's Classic Cartoon is the third Mickey Mouse cartoon, but the one that is often regarded as the mainstream debut of the famed mouse, the cartoon that put Walt Disney on the map - Steamboat Willie.

I'm currently amidst reading the biography of Walt Disney by Neal Gabler and what it stresses heavily, and what comes through when watching this short film, is how important this short film was to the early years of Walt Disney Animation Studios. Released in 1928, Steamboat Willie was the first Mickey cartoon to be distributed, and became a phenomenal success - much needed after a string of knock-backs and failures from the Disney studio; Willie provided them their big break. Steamboat Willie was the first Mickey to be synchronised with sound, and whilst that was surely a contributing factor in its success, another surely is the fantastic characters and timeless storytelling. Though quite the little sadist here, using animals as musical instruments, Mickey was and is a sign of the eternal optimism and childlike joy that Disney himself represented. The story, simple in premise, remains brilliant today, at 7 minutes, the short flies by and remains possibly the truest definition of a Classic Cartoon.

Inducted into the National Film Registry, to be preserved forever, in 1998, the starting sequence of the short is now widely recognisable for its prefacing of Disney animated releases. Steamboat Willie is the epitome of classic Disney storytelling.

Classic Cartoons #4 - Snow Place Like Home

Although there's no Bitesized Biography to accompany this week's Classic Cartoon (they take an awful long time to research and write, but it seemed foolish to only post Classic Cartoons with them, as there's so many great shorts to chose from for each animation legend), this one does directly correlate with our last Bitesized Biography, of Walter Lantz.

Last time I shared with you one of the finer outings for Walter Lantz's best known creation, Woody Woodpecker, in the short, The Screwball. However, as I mentioned, perhaps even above Woody in my heart is one of Walter Lantz's other creations, Chilly Willy. The lovable and mischievous penguin was a staple of my childhood and this short film from 1966 entitled, aptly, Snow Place Like Home, and directed by Paul J. Smith emanates from Walter Lantz Productions with an ironic warmth and remains one of Chilly's best outings.

Classic Cartoons #3 - The Screwball

To marry with this week's Bitesized Biography, of Walter Lantz, today's Classic Cartoon is one of Lantz's most famous creation in action. The Screwball is one of Woody Woodpecker's first outings, showcasing the zany humour and hyperactive energy that made generation after generation fall in love with the charismatic little bird. Premiering on 15th February, 1943, The Screwball remains one of Woody's finer adventures.

Classic Cartoons #2 - Good Night

As our second 'Bitesized Biography' was dedicated to The Simpsons creator, Matt Groening, and that the function of 'Classic Cartoons' is to share some of the best, most influential and most timeless cartoons and shorts of all time with the masses, it seemed fitting that today's 'Classic Cartoon' be the short that started it all: 'Good Night', the very first Simpsons short. Before 'Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire' became the first ever full length Simpsons episode in December 1989, 'Good Night' grabbed the attention and adulation of audiences everywhere on The Tracey Ullman Show on April 19, 1987.

Classic Cartoons #1 - What's Opera Doc?

To coincide with our first 'Bitesized Biography', dedicated to Looney Tunes legend, Chuck Jones, it seemed only fitting for the first 'Classic Cartoon' to be one of his. So, to launch our second new feature, I give you What's Opera Doc?. Arguably one of the greatest cartoons, possibly the best Looney Tunes cartoon, and definitely Bugs Bunny's finest, the devilishly clever, zany and witty What's Opera Doc? - a fantastic take on opera and of the normal Looney Tunes formula - was the first cartoon short to be inducted, in 1992, into the National Film Registry, proving that both Jones, and his work are "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

New Year Changes

I've been running A113Animation for just over a year now, and it's been better than I could have imagined. In my time running the blog, my interest in animation has developed and blossomed into an obsession and thereafter into a way of life. It's allowed me to talk to a co-founder of Pixar, famed animation directors and figures, to interview esteemed authors and to live as much of my dream as I ever conceived I could. Time was where I only really took much of an interest, animation wise, in Pixar and Dinsey, then it grew into a love and appreciation of all animated films, but more recently, my interests have grown again, and manifested into something that shall have a direct effect on this blog - as it's only now that I believe I can firmly say I have a full appreciation of the artform that is animation in its entirety.

Over time, I've added more and more features to the blog - reviews, editorials, second perspectives and more - yet, in the last few months, I've conceived more and more. Now, let me tell you somewhat of a story: growing up, long before I ran this blog, long before I even deeply cared about animated films - as a child - I still obsessed over animation, in the form of cartoons. Many of my early childhood memories are of sitting in front of a television, watching cartoons like Tom and Jerry, The Flintstones and The Simpsons, day and night. These cartoons are so deeply profound in ways they don't always get the credit for; they may be caricatured, they may be whacky, but the characters are as real and as beloved as any in all of film and indeed of literature. So, it's these cartoons that inspire me to write this today , as they have moved me and they have driven my life in as great a way and in as clear a direction as my love of Disney and Pixar have, and indeed in the same vein as pretty much everything else important. Yet, it's only very recently that I've realised that, the work of Hanna-Barbera, Matt Groening, Chuck Jones and animation pioneers like them, is akin to that, in the effect on my life and on animation, of Walt Disney or John Lasseter.

My epiphany came around Christmastime (as all the best epiphanies come then) when I received a Looney Tunes boxset from a friend - obviously bearing in mind my adulation of animation. It was this point, and the subsequent watching of them, that I remembered how much I loved watching the series as a child - and indeed now - this greatly reminded me of the brilliant effect of cartoons, how wonderful they are and how great those shows once were in my mind - and now are again.

So, this blog, which was hitherto solely feature animation based, will now have some overlay into the realm of TV animation - although don't go looking for news on every cartoon show about. This will be apparent through two new features on the blog, that will start up very soon: Bitesized Biographies and Classic Cartoons.

• Bitesized Biographies - these will be reasonably concise and short, yet detailed and retrospective, looks at the lives and influence of key animators and prolific and prominent figures in the field of animation and cartoons. This won't be solely limited to cartoons, there will be Biographies of Walt Disney, John Lasseter and more, although most of them will be of key figures in cartoon history, such as Chuck Jones, Tex Avery, Mel Blanc, Walter Lantz and more.
• Classic Cartoons - these will be vintage video clips, from YouTube or other sites, of old, brilliant animated shorts and TV cartoons. These will include, amongst others, Looney Tunes, Tom and Jerry, Woody Woodpecker, Chilly Willy, Pixar and Disney short films as well as old Simpsons shorts and original Family Guy shorts.

So, look forward to these features - a sidebar will be going up soon, also carrying links to reviews and our long running 'Aardman News' feature. I hope this will help to diversify the blog and, more than that, get over my dire love of animation to you, and get you to share your own.