WARNER BROS. ANIMATION ART: THE CHARACTERS - THE CREATIONS - THE LIMITED EDITIONS - Hardcover

Beck, Jerry And Friedwald, Will

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0883633604 ISBN 13: 9780883633601

Publisher: Hugh Lauter Levin Associates, 1997

Synopsis

Warner Bros has opened up its archives for official researchers to trace the history of its most famous characters, including Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd, Taz, Sylvester, Tweety Pie, Porky Pig and Yosemite Sam, as well as detailing more contemporary creations such as the animated Batman, Tiny Toons and Animaniacs. This text traces the history of the characters and the men who created them, telling the story of Warner Bros, how the animation unit was established and how it grew. The book also presents photographs of the animators and technicians at work in the studio as well as reproductions of original animation cells and the limited edition prints.

About this title

From Booklist:

"Before 1977, relatively few people were aware of animation cels as an art form," Beck and Friedwald inaugurally opine. Discussion of collectible cel art soon slips away, though, as the object becomes not to evaluate Warner animation, but to praise it on big, lavishly illustrated pages that are bound for heavy duty. Exhaustiveness is not a concern: Beck and Friedwald spotlight a lesser character like Michigan J. Frog, but not many others, mostly, it seems, because M. J. is the spokes-'toon for Warner's TV network. Still, there is plenty of tribute to major creative stalwarts like voice man Mel Blanc and directors Bob Clampett, Friz Freleng, Bob McKimson, Tex Avery, and Chuck Jones. The upbeat exposition even cites a few controversies, such as the trimming of Heckling Hare that contributed to Avery's leaving Warner (what the original ending was or why it was changed are never specified, though). Mickey Mouse may be a more successful corporate shill, but Bugs Bunny is the quintessential funny animal. Celebrate him and his posse with this grand tribute. Mike Tribby

About this edition

• Publisher: Hugh Lauter Levin Associates
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0883633604
• ISBN 13: 9780883633601
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 240