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animation/inkwell #201, from jimomura, 930 chars, Tue May 22 09:37:43 1990
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TITLE: TSpeeding Tickets
As best as i can remember, I think I’ve only gotten 3 speeding
tickets in my life. Yesterday was one of them. It was for 92 kph
in an 70 kph zone. I think that’s about 55 in a 45 zone. Well
actually a bit more. The speed conversion is about 6:10. In fact,
it was just after a highway termination (400 to Blackcreek Drive
if you live in Toronto) and they had 4 black and whites and were
catching almost every car (yes, it looked like well over 50%
of the cars driving on that stretch was stopped and ticketted!)
out that morning. The street was not busy. In other words, they
did not likely prevent any accidents. Mostly, we were driving
“reasonably”, since just about *everybody* was going the same
speed. And it’s going to cost us a bundle. Speeding tickets
for 15 mph. over used to be about $20.00 (Cdn). My ticket?
$86.25 Cdn. And I’ll have a point penalty too. Utterly rediculous.
==========================
animation/inkwell #202, from davemackey, 318 chars, Tue May 22 17:55:51 1990
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I’ve gotten only one speeding ticket, for going 62 in a 50 zone on a
county highway here in New Jersey. It’s a good thing that the b***h
that was riding my tail and forcing me to go 62 (I couldn’t pull over
to let her pass because there was little or no shoulder) got a
ticket too.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #203, from hmccracken, 627 chars, Tue May 22 18:15:11 1990
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I haven’t gotten any speeding tickets as of yet, though I was once stopped for
dtiving too *slow*, and once got a warning. (BTW, I attribute some of my
good luck with avoiding trouble on the occasions I have been stopped by
the police to the fact that the guy who owned my car was a lawyer for the
police union who put a large sticker for the union in the car window. When
I replace my car, I’ll have to see about getting a window transplant from
my beloved (135k+) Jetta.)
I do have a friend who got her first speeding ticket a week ago and her second
last Saturday. She’s $250 poorer and really crabby lately.
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #204, from jimomura, 299 chars, Tue May 22 20:05:41 1990
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Do you guys get point penalties? Do the reflect on your insurance
rate? She could be a *lot* crabbier after she pays her next premium.
Mine really shouldn’t go up. My record has been spotless for years now
and I would be very surprised if they upped it substantially for the
one infraction.
==========================
animation/inkwell #205, from hmccracken, 135 chars, Tue May 22 20:09:44 1990
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I’m sure Karen will be even grumpier after her next premium — in fact she’s
predicted that she will be herself. 
/ 
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #206, from tom.white, 1020 chars, Tue May 22 21:04:37 1990
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Cincinnati Microwave, 1-800-543-1608.
Escort, $295
Solo, $345
MC/V/AE/Disc
I mention this because after scoring TWO tickets in Mass in one weekend in
April 1988, back when the tickets were $50 a pop, I bought a Passport
from the CM people that week (Passport has since been discontinued, replaced
by the above models). At $295, six escaped traps paid for it. At today’s
Mass rates, two tickets at 75 mph will justify the expense. You can buy
a cheaper radar detector at the local K-mart, but you cannot buy a better
one, and CM only sells from their factory. And your name does not get sold
to mailing lists, notably insurance companies.
Since then, I’ve gotten one ticket, last week, my own durn fault — and I
didn’t have the Passport with me anyway since I was driving around town.
But Texas has a first-time escape route, taking an 8-hour Defensive
Driving course that is, from all reports, a crashing bore. Still better
than a penalty and higher insurance.
What is this doing in Animation anyway?
==========================
animation/inkwell #207, from elfhive, 92 chars, Tue May 22 23:21:19 1990
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Perhaps it is a reference to the Claymation work in Michael Jackson’s
video ”
Speed Demon?”
==========================
animation/inkwell #208, from jimomura, 203 chars, Tue May 22 23:25:27 1990
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Didn’t I mention it? Guess not. I thought about doing a short
animated commercial about safe driving. It had nothing to do with
speed limits. Driving safely has nothing to do with speed limits.
==========================
animation/inkwell #209, from switch, 157 chars, Wed May 23 02:01:01 1990
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So far, so good; no tickets of any kind on my end. OTOH, there _was_ that
time I was matching speeds with a police car and he told me to slow down…
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #210, from switch, 78 chars, Wed May 23 02:02:27 1990
This is a comment to message 206.
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Besides, this is the /inkwell. We get to chat about _anything_ here…
Emru
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animation/inkwell #211, from tom.white, 44 chars, Wed May 23 16:27:04 1990
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Never heard of “Speed Demon” — is it new?
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animation/inkwell #212, from elfhive, 315 chars, Wed May 23 22:58:09 1990
This is a comment to message 211.
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One of the tracks from Michael Jackson’s “Bad” album, transferred to
music video and available as part of the Moonwalker release which
has a lot of nice animation effects ranging from pictillation to
state-of-the-art computer animation. I have to admit that I like
Quincy Jones’ production values in music as well.
==========================
animation/inkwell #213, from richard.pini, 76 chars, Sat May 26 08:50:00 1990
This is a comment to message 209.
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With traffic cops, as with so many others, it’s “Do as I say, not as I do.”
==========================
animation/inkwell #214, from hmccracken, 1896 chars, Tue Jun 5 17:30:45 1990
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TITLE: What color is Bugs Bunny, anyway?
“Grey” was always a sufficient answer to this question for me until
I recently had to be a bit more specific when working on the colors
for the next cover of my mag _Animato_, which features a picture
of Bugs. I flipped through Joe Adamosn’s _Bugs Bunny: Fifty
Years and Only One Grey Hare_ to find out just what shade Bugs
is, and darned if he isn’t a different color in practically every
illustration…ranging from a bright blue to a very murky, blackish
grey. I finally gave up and took my copy of the book with me to
the color seperation place, and told them to match as well as they
TITLE: What color is Bugs Bunny, anyway?
“Grey” was always a sufficient answer to this question for me until
I recently had to be a bit more specific when working on the colors
for the next cover of my mag _Animato_, which features a picture
of Bugs. I flipped through Joe Adamosn’s _Bugs Bunny: Fifty
Years and Only One Grey Hare_ to find out just what shade Bugs
is, and darned if he isn’t a different color in practically every
illustration…ranging from a bright blue to a very murky, blackish
grey. I finally gave up and took my copy of the book with me to
the color seperation place, and told them to match as well as they
TITLE: What color is Bugs Bunny, anyway?
“Grey” was always a sufficient answer to this question for me until
I recently had to be a bit more specific when working on the colors
for the next cover of my mag _Animato_, which features a picture
of Bugs. I flipped through Joe Adamosn’s _Bugs Bunny: Fifty
Years and Only One Grey Hare_ to find out just what shade Bugs
is, and darned if he isn’t a different color in practically every
illustration…ranging from a bright blue to a very murky, blackish
grey. I finally gave up and took my copy of the book with me to
the color seperation place, and told them to match as well as they
==========================
animation/inkwell #215, from davemackey, 410 chars, Tue Jun 5 18:04:49 1990
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He looks to me like he’s five parts white and four parts black with just
a tinge of blue. The reason he looks so many different colors is because
over time, the dyes used in color film fade, so there’s lots of
differential between, say, a frame of reddened film (in Adamson’s
book, the frames from “Baseball Bugs” looked like they were from a
faded print) and a newly-painted cel.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #216, from ewhac, 23 chars, Wed Jun 6 02:22:11 1990
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Your needle is stuck.
==========================
animation/inkwell #217, from hmccracken, 124 chars, Wed Jun 6 21:51:29 1990
This is a comment to message 216.
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Eeek? Strange…I have no idea how that happened, especially
since I composed that message on-line…
— Confused Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #218, from richard.pini, 296 chars, Sun Jun 10 10:42:57 1990
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*** Moved from animation/coming.soon #264 of Sat May 26 08:52:22 1990
Saw the dubbed version in San Deigo last year and it was great! Made me
go out and spend some ungodly sum on the original Japanese video, just to be
able to see the visuals as clearly as available. If you haven’t seen it,
do!
==========================
animation/inkwell #219, from switch, 365 chars, Sun Jun 10 10:42:57 1990
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*** Moved from animation/coming.soon #265 of Sat May 26 12:38:01 1990
I think I’ve watched the film about 25 times so far; that just _might_ beat
my record for most viewings of a film within a certain time frame. It’s
incredible on a laserdisc on a large screen with loud, clear speakers —
seeing it on the screen will probably be a religious experience
Emru
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animation/inkwell #220, from rfranzen, 317 chars, Sun Jun 10 10:42:57 1990
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*** Moved from animation/coming.soon #266 of Sat May 26 22:11:15 1990
Wow, Emru! It must have been good!
My record of most-watches in least time pales in comparison. I watched
_The_Never-Ending_Story_ 5 times in seven days. I still can’t understand
why it didn’t catch on like a modern _Wizard_of_Oz_.
Rich
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animation/inkwell #221, from tom.white, 406 chars, Sun Jun 10 10:42:57 1990
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*** Moved from animation/coming.soon #267 of Sat May 26 22:41:54 1990
For one thing, the story isn’t so simplistic as Wizard.
One thing about NeverEnding Story that always bothered me is when
the reader-kid calls out the name for the empress, with all the background
noise, I could never tell what name he chose. Anyone know? If it’s
in the book I could never find it whilst browsing in Waldenbooks. :/
==========================
animation/inkwell #222, from rfranzen, 350 chars, Sun Jun 10 10:42:57 1990
This is a comment to message 221.
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*** Moved from animation/coming.soon #268 of Sun May 27 01:17:16 1990
Not hearing the empress’ new name bothered me slightly, also. Then I
decided that we weren’t supposed to hear it. Being an actual part of the
NeverEnding story (“You were with him when he left a message on bix.” :),
naming the empress is as much our job as Bastion’s.
Rich
==========================
animation/inkwell #223, from switch, 187 chars, Sun Jun 10 10:42:57 1990
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*** Moved from animation/coming.soon #278 of Tue May 29 19:50:55 1990
My record for seeing a film the most times is _Tron_, 73 times. I still know
most of the dialogue by heart…
Emru
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animation/inkwell #224, from hmccracken, 678 chars, Sun Jun 10 10:42:57 1990
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*** Moved from animation/coming.soon #282 of Tue May 29 21:27:49 1990
I don’t know what film I’ve seen most often, but it’s probably a Warner Bros.
cartoon short — perhaps One Froggy Evening, which I’ve seen fifty times,
easy. There are very few films I’ve seen more than once or twice in a
theater; Albert Brooks’s _Real Life_, which I’ve seen maybe six or seven
times, is one. Then there are the early Disney features which I’ve seen several
times in the theater, but always seven years apart. If I go to see _The
Jungle Book_ when it’s rereleased this Summer, I’ll have seen it around four
times or so — the first time being back in 1967 when it came out.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #225, from switch, 639 chars, Sun Jun 10 10:42:57 1990
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*** Moved from animation/coming.soon #287 of Tue May 29 22:59:42 1990
With _Tron_ I had the benefit of video tape. I only saw it in the cinema
four or five times.
If you were counting animated shorts on TV, then I’ve probably seen Duck
Amuck, One Froggy Evening, and Rabbit Fire more than anything else.
Lessee: 52 weeks a year x 13 years of consistent watching (at least on the
tube – video helped a _lot_) = 676 viewings of at least an hour of Warner
shorts. I’m sure I’ve seen those more than 73 times somewhere in there
(oh, and I shouldn’t forget the afternoon shows I used to watch during most
of my high school career…)
Emru
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animation/inkwell #226, from jshook, 271 chars, Sun Jun 10 10:42:57 1990
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*** Moved from animation/coming.soon #288 of Wed May 30 01:12:02 1990
When I went to see _Real Life_, I was the only person in the entire
theatre. That was an odd experience. Almost as odd as when I
was the only passenger on an airplane flight from New York to
Boston.
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animation/inkwell #227, from switch, 110 chars, Sun Jun 10 10:42:57 1990
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*** Moved from animation/coming.soon #289 of Wed May 30 11:12:30 1990
Um, are you sure it’s not you?
Emru
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animation/inkwell #228, from davemackey, 576 chars, Sun Jun 10 10:42:57 1990
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*** Moved from animation/coming.soon #290 of Wed May 30 17:53:12 1990
It’s strange, but the Warner cartoon I’ve seen more than any is probably
either “Hare Do” or “Water, Water Every Hare.” When Channel 5 in New York
used to have ’em, they’d run em twice a day for a half hour each, and
then on Sundays as part of “Wonderama.” TNT and TBS make it possible for
any cartoon fan to overdose, with hours upon hours per day of stuff. And
Nickelodeon just renewed its commitment to the shorts. Then add the theatrical
play, and those shorts are in grave danger of (gasp!) Burnout!?
==========================
animation/inkwell #229, from hmccracken, 359 chars, Sun Jun 10 10:42:57 1990
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*** Moved from animation/coming.soon #291 of Wed May 30 18:37:07 1990
Did you see _Real Life_ in Boston? If so, you must have been the other person
in the theater! (Seriously, there are few experiences odder than seeing a movie
in a virtually-empty theater. Especially when you’re enjoying the film. This
has happened to me a number of times.)
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #230, from jshook, 134 chars, Sun Jun 10 10:42:57 1990
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*** Moved from animation/coming.soon #292 of Wed May 30 23:13:57 1990
Yes…I saw it the first show the day it opened at the Charles.
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animation/inkwell #231, from richard.pini, 480 chars, Sun Jun 10 10:42:57 1990
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*** Moved from animation/coming.soon #295 of Sun Jun 10 00:35:38 1990
I am embarrassed to admit that, without knowing the exact number of times,
the film I’ve seen most is “killers From Space” – yes, the excruciatingly bad
film with Peter Graves and big insects and google-eyed aliens. Have no idea
why, but watched it every single time it came on Million Dollar Movie (15
times in a given week…) ever since I was a little sprout. The total prolly
goes well into 3 digits. Gah.
==========================
animation/inkwell #232, from richard.pini, 391 chars, Sun Jun 10 10:42:57 1990
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*** Moved from animation/coming.soon #296 of Sun Jun 10 00:38:26 1990
What might be even more weird is going into the theater, seeing that there are
a few other viewers, then staying through all the credits as I will do, and
*then* getting up to leave to see a totally empty theatre. And suspecting
that maybe there’s no one up in the projection booth either. Or in the rest
of the world…
==========================
animation/inkwell #233, from jshook, 99 chars, Sun Jun 10 10:42:57 1990
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*** Moved from animation/coming.soon #297 of Sun Jun 10 00:52:44 1990
You’ve made me feel very sad
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animation/inkwell #234, from richard.pini, 134 chars, Sun Jun 10 10:42:57 1990
This is a comment to message 233.
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*** Moved from animation/coming.soon #298 of Sun Jun 10 01:36:23 1990
Um…I think I understand that…but just for the halibut, why?
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animation/inkwell #235, from davemackey, 475 chars, Sun Jun 10 10:42:57 1990
This is a comment to message 232.
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*** Moved from animation/coming.soon #299 of Sun Jun 10 06:48:34 1990
I don’t know what the projectionists’ union stipulates, but there’s probably
nobody in the booth these days. My suspicion is that the features are now
spliced together onto large platters and all the guy has to do is start
each one on time and not be responsible for changing projectors at various
times. Ergo, only one projectionist could run a 12-screen multiplex.
–Dave
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animation/inkwell #236, from bsoron, 303 chars, Sun Jun 10 15:24:57 1990
This is a comment to message 225.
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I’ve seen 2001: A Space Odyssey some 40 times in theaters alone, and
perhaps an equal number of times here at home. I used to have a
tradition of watching it on New Year’s Night, but having gotten into the
habit of going away for that week more recently, I just watch it whenever
the urge strikes.
==========================
animation/inkwell #237, from switch, 963 chars, Thu Jun 14 11:15:59 1990
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TITLE: Went on…
… a shopping spree yesterday, and blew far too much. It started with a
simple, 95-cent Bugs Bunny pin. Then came the two issues of Cheval Noir.
Five bucks each. No problem. Then down to Chinatown to pick up my manga from
the last five weeks. Okay, so that’s $12.50 for five issues. Then a short
jump to Nebula — the Comics Journal, with a Chester Brown interview, Who
Censored Roger Rabbit?, Outlanders #18, Crying Freeman #7 — $17.50. Ambling
through Bonaventure — YOW! Disney Animation: The Illusion of Life, regularly
$50-$60, on sale for $14.99! I almost had a heart attack.
After trying to lift all that home (especially the Disney book), I almost
did have a heart attack. Oh, well. At least I’ve got some good reading
for the rest of the week…
(The only downer was when I went to my library and, after a year of waiting,
they finally had the Fantasia CD on the shelf – and I discovered my card
expired. Grrrr.)
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #238, from steven_edwards, 263 chars, Thu Jun 14 13:29:31 1990
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I saw that Disney Animation book on sale for $39.95; it’s the one
with lots of big pages that weighs about 10 pounds, right? It looked neat,
but I don’t think it was very up-to-date as far as including references from
the more recent Disney efforts.
— Steve
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animation/inkwell #239, from hmccracken, 219 chars, Thu Jun 14 18:56:59 1990
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Well, no, it doesn’t cover the past nine or so years, but in every
other respect it is (I think) the best single Disney book out there.
Certainly no better all-around volume on the studio has come out
since.
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #240, from switch, 152 chars, Thu Jun 14 19:56:51 1990
This is a comment to message 238.
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That’s the one. It isn’t all that up-to-date; I first read it
something like three years ago, and I think it had been around
longer than that…
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #241, from jimomura, 1906 chars, Sun Jun 17 22:14:04 1990
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TITLE: Korean Food
I’m thinking about cooking stories. We don’t have them at all in
North America. Back in the Fifties and Sixties there were stories about
ordinary working people. I remember one called “Cannonball” that was
about a truck driver. This was a show I watched quite a bit. Actually
it was about two drivers. They were driving partners working for a
trucking company. They drove around together, stopping at restaurants,
doing good deeds. Little of it was spectacular, but it entertained.
Tonight we celebrated Father’s Day by taking my dad out to a Korean
Restaurant that serves some Japanese dishes. The food was good and
with very large servings. I couldn’t finish my dinner. It was a
whole small broiled fish, teriyaki style beef and a huge bowl of
tofu soup. They make tofu soup heavily spiced and every spoonful
burned! Very interesting dinner for about $15.00 Cdn. for my dish
less drinks. Overall it was an excellent bargain for a meal in such
a nice clean restaurant. You’d think that this was one of the most
popular restaurants around with that description. Well, we ate dinner
at about 5:30 PM and we were the *only* clients. I hear that this
restaurant isn’t really doing that badly though. They have a Kareoka
setup and that’s starting to become a popular pastime in Toronto.
Heck, it’s gotta be better than Rap Music. Is there anything more
boring than Rap Music? Doubt it.
So, back to our main topic. Oh, yes, animation and comics.
Well, in Japan, there have long been stories about day to day type
things and restaurant cooking is definitely represented. Is it
a dramatic or adventurous topic? Well, if you have to make a living
at it and survive the public whims the way this Korean restaurant
is, yeah, I guess it’s a drama all right.
A bit of trivia: What was the name of the diner run by the three
sisters in “Cat’s Eye”?
==========================
animation/inkwell #242, from jimomura, 170 chars, Sun Jun 17 22:15:42 1990
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Oh, the restaurant was “The Five Cranes” a little north of
Eglinton Ave. West on Weston Road. If you’re ever in Toronto and
want Korean meal, you might look it up.
==========================
animation/inkwell #243, from switch, 88 chars, Mon Jun 18 07:47:38 1990
This is a comment to message 241.
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Added bonus: what’s the name of the diner frequented by Ryo in “City
Hunter”?
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #244, from hmccracken, 407 chars, Sun Jul 1 22:50:23 1990
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TITLE: Maybe this stuff only interests me, but…
I just had a chance to see the 1930s Ub Iwerks Flip the Frog cartoon
_Funny Face_, and one of the characters looks for all the world like
Betty Boop as a little girl. (In some shots she looks like Betty, period.)
I think Grim Natwick was at the Iwerks studio at the time the cartoon
was made; wonder if he had anything to do with the character?
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #245, from davemackey, 267 chars, Mon Jul 2 19:31:45 1990
This is a comment to message 244.
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No, I’m interested, too, but I’ve never seen the cartoon in question. So
I can’t really answer. But since the early-30’s were such an experimental
time in which animators could still add some of their personality, you
may be right.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #246, from jimomura, 756 chars, Tue Jul 10 08:41:13 1990
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TITLE: “Days of Thunder”
I brought this movie up in ‘autos/racing’. There’ve been some
racing anime in the past. There was Mach Go Go Go which came to
North America as Speed Racer. In Jay Ward’s George of the Jungle
series they had a race story series, but I can’t remember the
name of it. Recently there’s been some really nice work on rally
style competition in Japan.
I really enjoyed “Days of Thunder”. Stock car racing is nothing
like most other forms of auto racing. On the smaller tracks it can
start to look like bumper-car racing. Though the gamesmanship bit
was exaggerated in the movie (nobody goes around wrecking cars on
purpose, especially the bit about sandwiching cars against a retainer
wall), it was actually very real.
==========================
animation/inkwell #247, from jtrindle, 114 chars, Tue Jul 10 08:44:52 1990
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The race series in “George of the Jungle” was Tom Swift. His car was
the “Thunderbolt GreaseSlapper”. ….John
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animation/inkwell #248, from jtrindle, 119 chars, Tue Jul 10 08:45:40 1990
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OOOPS! Make that “Tom SLICK”. Tom Swift was the other fellow, with
“the amazing hyperbolic gyrowhatsis” or whatever.
==========================
animation/inkwell #249, from jimomura, 243 chars, Tue Jul 10 09:08:27 1990
This is a comment to message 248.
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Yeah, that’s right! Tom Slick! Actually, I think Tom Slick
was probably more a parody of Tom Swift than of racing stories anyway.
He seemed to be able to convert the Thunderbolt Greaseslapper into
just about any kind of racing vehicle.
==========================
animation/inkwell #250, from hmccracken, 392 chars, Sat Jul 21 00:29:29 1990
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TITLE: Any BIXen out there planning to attend the San Diego Comics
Con at the start of August? I’m going to be going for the second time,
as part of a West-coast jaunt. Animation and/or comics fans who live
anywhere near S.D. who aren’t planning to go are cheating themselves:
the event is terrific and probably offers more to the animation fan
than any other comics convention.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #251, from switch, 72 chars, Sat Jul 21 00:56:18 1990
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*snif* Missing this one for the (n+1)th time running. Oh, well.
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #252, from switch, 46 chars, Sat Jul 21 00:56:33 1990
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By the way, who are this year’s guests?
Emru
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animation/inkwell #253, from bcapps, 184 chars, Sat Jul 21 01:09:09 1990
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My wife and were planning to go earlier. However, a “few” significant car
repairs and a forthcoming purchase have sidelined those plans until next
year.
Hope it goes well.
Bob
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animation/inkwell #254, from hmccracken, 466 chars, Sat Jul 21 02:00:50 1990
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It’s easier to list who *isn’t* attending: Winsor McCay, Milton
Caniff, and Chester Gould all sent their regrets. And Walt
Disney had a previous engagement, too.
Seriously, just about eveybody who’s anybody in U.S. comics attends,
with large smatterings of foreign, animation, and comic strip talent.
When I attended in 1988 I found that many of the most interesting
guests were the unannounced ones. (The list of announced guests
runs several pages.)
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #255, from hmccracken, 173 chars, Sat Jul 21 02:02:24 1990
This is a comment to message 251.
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Don’t worry Emru…Being a few years older than you, I probably
spent as many years looking forward to going as you will. When
you get out there you’ll love it.
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #256, from switch, 24 chars, Sat Jul 21 20:33:54 1990
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Next year…
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animation/inkwell #257, from richard.pini, 440 chars, Sun Jul 22 21:40:22 1990
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Will be there – haven’t missed one in more years than I care to remember
(or can remember, having hit the ahem big 40 last Thursday…I hope memory
is the *first* thing to go…) but won’t be exhibiting in the publisher
area for the first time in a few years. Just going to hang out, see people
I don’t get to see all year, and drool copiously in the dealer’s room over
animation stuff. Will be staying at the Kingston, so leave a message!
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animation/inkwell #258, from bcapps, 188 chars, Sun Jul 22 23:49:47 1990
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Well, Happy Belated Birthday, Richard! Shame you didn’t tell us though.
We coulda had a hunt along with a feast or two. And maybe a couple days
of carousing about and such.
Bob
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animation/inkwell #259, from hmccracken, 253 chars, Mon Jul 23 18:44:30 1990
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I’ll be the guy drooling over the animation stuff standing next to
you… Seriously, I should be recognizable for at least part of the
time I’ll be at the con by my snappy _Animato_ T-shirt. Any particular
reason why WaRP isn’t exhibiting?
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #260, from hmccracken, 215 chars, Mon Jul 23 21:11:36 1990
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By the way, there will be a two-hour program of rare animation on
Thursday night at 7:00 during the Con. Not sure just where it
will be, but it should be worth investigating (I’ll certainly be
there)…
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #261, from richard.pini, 441 chars, Thu Jul 26 09:42:01 1990
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Sorry about that…on the day itself, I was dragging the carcass along the
streets of Ann Arbor taking in their annual monster street Art Fair(s).
And did not bring along the laptop for trying to hook into the hotel phone.
Besides, if this is the long downhill slide (as everyone says and I completely
disbelieve) then a few days makes no difference at all! Carousing is a
“no expiration date” activity as far as this camper is concerned…
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animation/inkwell #262, from richard.pini, 554 chars, Thu Jul 26 09:44:47 1990
This is a comment to message 259.
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No good reason to, IMO. I spent so much energy and so many $$ last year
exhibiting at every trade show I could get to, and probably hit 25% of the
people I wanted to. This year I decided to advertise in the distributor
catalogs (thus assuring 100% exposure) instead, for about 1/5 the cost! And
this way I get to float around the con instead of being tied to the booth.
(Since Wendy rarely attends these things, I either sit at the booth all day
or get some fans to booth-sit for a bit – but that’s dicey if someone
Important comes up while I’m away…)
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animation/inkwell #263, from richard.pini, 39 chars, Thu Jul 26 09:45:10 1990
This is a comment to message 260.
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Thanks for the tip – I’ll look for it.
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animation/inkwell #264, from bcapps, 354 chars, Fri Jul 27 00:25:06 1990
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_THE ANN ARBOR ART FAIR_? Waaah! What was the topic of this year’s poster?
I really miss those, even though I only went to a few while living in MI (
just moved to VA last year). Didja stop by Dave’s Comics on State St.?
(whatta place for a comic shop – right in the middle of a college town? Who
in college ever has time to read comics? ;-D )
Bob
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animation/inkwell #265, from hmccracken, 296 chars, Thu Aug 2 00:04:03 1990
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TITLE: I’m off on vacation from tomorrow until a week from Friday…
although I will be attempting to log in in at least a limited
fashion. If everything goes well I’ll try to provide some
on-site reporting from the San Diego Comics Con and maybe even
an L.A. animation studio or two.
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #266, from jenn, 190 chars, Thu Aug 2 01:51:20 1990
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I’m off on vacatioon from tomorrow until late monday night.
I’ll be in exciting Omaha for a convention. I also get
to see my foster-parents! Yay!
Now you folks behave yourselves….;-)
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animation/inkwell #267, from tshim, 437 chars, Wed Aug 8 23:53:20 1990
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Not a moderator, but …
I too will be off to Portsmouth/Norfolk/Newport News until the 15th (next
Wednesday), to swim in the warm waters of Virginia Beach, take in the sights
(most of which are >on< the beach
of Steve Schneider’s exhibition in the Portsmouth Museum before it takes off
elsewhere after the 12th.
Take care, and I expect lots of comments when I get back.
y’all!
==========================
animation/inkwell #268, from davemackey, 142 chars, Thu Aug 9 23:14:54 1990
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Have a nice time, you thing from another state, you. I think the next
stop for Steve’s traveling road show is somewhere in the Plains states.
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animation/inkwell #269, from hmccracken, 427 chars, Fri Aug 10 19:09:11 1990
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Well, I’m back from California. Had a great time. Enjoyed the Comics
Con greatly, sold a lot of _Animatos_, and made pilgrimages to
the Dudly Do-Right Emporium, the newly-opened Nixon Library, the
incredible McDonald’s in Downey, and the Universal Studios Tour,
among other places.
I learned much of interest concerning animation and comics, which
I’ll probably bring up as I get to it in the appropriate topics.
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #270, from rgswartz, 195 chars, Fri Aug 10 20:13:25 1990
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TITLE: Disney stock
For those who give a hoot for whateverr reason. Disney stock continues
to slide. Down 3 points on the Dow Jones today which brings it to a total
of -130+ in the last month.
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animation/inkwell #271, from davemackey, 456 chars, Fri Aug 10 21:12:00 1990
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On my first California trip eons ago, I stayed in Downey, and was shocked
to see that 1953 McDonalds. Nice to know it’s still there. I thought I
had heard somewhere that they had applied for inclusion in the National
Register of Historic Places.
Nice to see you back on the boards and glad you enjoyed your trip.
Me, I’ve spent the last week getting to know my 13-month-old niece and
she is just the sweetest thing.
–Dave
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animation/inkwell #272, from hmccracken, 1096 chars, Fri Aug 10 22:14:09 1990
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For the past year or so I have been quite interested in the
architecture of early fast-food restaurants. (There are a
couple of books on the topic.) My interest sprung, in part,
from having happened to be in Scranton, Pennsylvania on
the very day that one of the last few original McDonalds
was being demolished. I was down there with my parents,
and we rushed to the scene of the crime — we have similarly
junky interests in many ways — only to find that we had
arrived too late. The place was already about halfway torn
down, and we rescued a few red-and-white tiles and left.
After that experience, you can imagine how pleased I was to
be able to visit a vintage 1953 McDonalds that is alive and
well and proud of its status. (The place is so old that it
predates Ray Kroc’s involvement in the chain, explaining its
odd, non-standard menu among other things.) LA in general has
to be the center of the universe as far as the junky type of
architecture I’m interested in is concerned, and I delightedly
scouted out locations and snapped photos of any number of
such places.
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #273, from tom.white, 38 chars, Sat Aug 11 10:35:46 1990
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what’s so special about a McDonald’s?
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animation/inkwell #274, from hmccracken, 296 chars, Sat Aug 11 14:58:26 1990
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See message #272. The McDonald’s in Downey is virtualy unchanged
since 1953: it’s a stand (no interior seating), its exterior is red
and white tile with large neon arches, it has a huge neon sign
with McDonalds’ original mascot “Speedy” and a boast of “We have
sold 500 million,” etc.
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #275, from random.a, 19 chars, Sat Aug 11 17:49:59 1990
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What was “Speedy”?
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animation/inkwell #276, from hmccracken, 164 chars, Sat Aug 11 19:40:49 1990
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A little chef with a hamburger for a head. No relation to
Speedy Alka-Seltzer, though the closeness in names may have
speeded (pun intended) his demise.
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #277, from davemackey, 354 chars, Sat Aug 11 22:14:47 1990
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I found a book not long ago you might be interested in called
“Orange Roofs, Golden Arches” or some similar verbiage. It’s
all about the architecture of the big chains like Howard
Johnson, McDonald’s, etc. and how it grew from such establishments
as Fred Harvey hotel/restaurants. Do you know of this book already?
–Dave
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animation/inkwell #278, from davemackey, 284 chars, Sat Aug 11 22:17:16 1990
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)After you ate Speedy’s hamburgers, you may need Speedy’s Alka-Seltzer!
q
(Unrelated trivial fact: the voice of Speedy Alka-Seltzer and countless
other cartoon characters throughout the years is a man named Dick Beals
who is only 4′ 6″ tall.)*
–Dave
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animation/inkwell #279, from richard.pini, 317 chars, Sat Aug 11 22:30:24 1990
This is a comment to message 264.
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“What was the topic…?” Gah, there were so many posters! And T-shirts!
I’m afraid the only design I recall was on a bootleg Bart Simpson T-shirt
that had to do with the Ann Arbor (B)Art Fair, with the underachieving one
saying “I’m an artist! Who the hell are you?” Of *course* I didn’t buy one
for Wendy… (TINAC)
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animation/inkwell #280, from richard.pini, 77 chars, Sat Aug 11 22:32:05 1990
This is a comment to message 265.
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So where were you, guy? I went, I saw, I drooled. I bought one cel. Hee hee.
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animation/inkwell #281, from hmccracken, 227 chars, Sun Aug 12 02:06:39 1990
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I have the book and it’s excellent. Another work on the
subject is _Googie_, the author of which I forget. (“Googie”
is a term for 1950s coffee-shop architecture, named after
a particular coffee shop by that name.)
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #282, from hmccracken, 287 chars, Sun Aug 12 02:09:07 1990
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Sorry we didn’t see each other! Actually you and one other person
(an _Animato_ contributor) were the two folks I wanted to see but
didn’t. While I can understand the Con’s decision to prohibit personal
pagings, it makes it tough to find people.
(And what cel did you get?)
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #283, from jenn, 517 chars, Sun Aug 12 12:24:04 1990
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Harry, Harry, Harry….did the con do professional type pages?
Ahem. Show them your card for your magazine. Say, you need
to page for Richard Pini cause he was supposed to have his article
for you at the con or somesuch…..
Speaking of being back…I’ve been back now since monday evening…and
haven’t really had a chance to catch up with things! It’s nice to
be back. If anyone here ever decides to go to any con in Omaha, go.
The people were friendly, the con wasn’t half bad, and it was a lot
of fun.
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animation/inkwell #284, from hmccracken, 366 chars, Sun Aug 12 17:44:01 1990
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Incidentally, I was moved by this discussion to pull out
my copy of _Orange Roofs, Golden Arches_, which revealed
that I have been spelling the McDonalds mascot in question’s
name wrong: he was “Speedee.” Future fast-food historians
who rely on BIX as a source, take note. (The book also
notes that the Downey location was the chain’s third
restaurant.)
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #285, from richard.pini, 1393 chars, Sun Aug 12 17:57:44 1990
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I ended up cruising the dealer’s room a number of times (since I deliberately
stayed off the con’s programming list, I had more time to do what I wanted
than I usually do – felt wonderful, except for the non-con pulls on it…)
and made an effort to check out the several dealers in animation stuff, looking
for any wayward Animato T-shirts, but no luck. Ah well, one of these lifetimes.
The cel. Ah yes, American Express is gonna love me for the next several
months. I was looking through a stack of decent stuff (I believe the company
calls itself “Mice, Ducks and Wabbits” – I’ve got the card around here
somewhere) and made the mistake of asking if they had anything from the
Fleischer studio. I saw a couple of nice, but not great, animation drawings
from the first Superman cartoon, and then the fellow said, “I think I have
some cels from “Gulliver” around…” I should have left then. But noooooooo…
He had 3 of them, one of Gulliver fending off all the little arrows (but his
arm was completely in front of his face, so naah), one of him pulling the
anchor ropes of the little ships (but his back is to us, so naah), and one
of him just pulling on his new boots, and he’s got that wonderful half-
smiling, half-straining expression on his face, and it’s about our favorite
scene in the movie (which is itself one of our favorite films). Can we say
“set the hook and reel him in”?
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animation/inkwell #286, from richard.pini, 224 chars, Sun Aug 12 17:59:48 1990
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Actually, they were pretty snorky about even pro pages – all the ones I heard
were concomm business. I asked a couple of times myself for what I thought
were pro business reasons, but… ah well. Maybe if I were Jack Kirby.
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animation/inkwell #287, from hmccracken, 172 chars, Sun Aug 12 19:23:16 1990
This is a comment to message 285.
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Ah, yes — Mice, Ducks, and Wabbits. Leslie Brooks.
An excellent and varied selection of stuff, indeed.
— Harry
(Who has never bought from them, just browsed enviously)
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animation/inkwell #288, from jenn, 32 chars, Sun Aug 12 19:28:28 1990
This is a comment to message 286.
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Really? Jeez. What a shame.
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animation/inkwell #289, from tshim, 74 chars, Wed Aug 15 00:45:56 1990
This is a comment to message 268.
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I find it hard to believe he couldn’t find booking in the tri-state area.
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animation/inkwell #290, from dyarbrough, 387 chars, Sun Aug 19 09:59:32 1990
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Harry,
Perhaps you could date a McDonalds for me. Its been several years since
I have seen it, but the first time I saw I am pretty sure it had no interior
seating. I distinctly remembered that it had an arch on each side of the
building, that is what attracted me to it in the first place. In later
years they expanded to add indoor seating, but the arches were still there.
David
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animation/inkwell #291, from davemackey, 194 chars, Sun Aug 19 18:57:59 1990
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Incidentally, I mentioned the date of the Downey McDonald’s as 1953, which
for all I know may be correct. But why are we now celebrating the
anniversary of the first McD’s which opened in 1955?
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animation/inkwell #292, from hmccracken, 181 chars, Sun Aug 19 23:18:58 1990
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Sounds pre-1960 to me. Any McDonalds with actual golden arches
and/or red-and-white tile exterior predates the late 1960s.
There are only a handful left. Where was it?
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #293, from hmccracken, 421 chars, Sun Aug 19 23:21:54 1990
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Because McDonalds, rather questionably, dates the chain’s founding
from the time that Ray Kroc got involved, which was in 1955
with a Des Plains, IL franchise. I believe that bad blood between
Kroc and the McDonald brothers, who actually opened the first
McDonalds sometime in the 11940s, has something to do with this.
— Harry
(There were around five McDonalds, in two states, before Kroc got
involved, by the way.)
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animation/inkwell #294, from tom.white, 86 chars, Mon Aug 20 01:23:25 1990
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Krok was a milk-shake machine salesman when he bought into the
tiny McDonald’s chain.
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animation/inkwell #295, from dyarbrough, 282 chars, Mon Aug 20 22:13:20 1990
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It was in Jacksonville, FL. Perhaps I will have my parents cruise over
that part of town and see if it is still standing in some form. It
probably isn’t. The thinking in FL is that anything over 10 years old
is ancient and needs to be torn down and replaced with something newer.
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animation/inkwell #296, from erethakbe, 43 chars, Mon Aug 20 22:24:19 1990
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I am in Jacksonville. Whereabouts is this?
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animation/inkwell #297, from dyarbrough, 70 chars, Tue Aug 21 21:13:30 1990
This is a comment to message 296.
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It was (is) over near JU on University if I remember correctly.
David
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animation/inkwell #298, from davemackey, 137 chars, Tue Aug 21 21:41:48 1990
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Thanks, Harry — checked my copy of “ORGA” to confirm it for myself.
If Bugs Bunny can have many different anniversaries, why not McD’s?
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animation/inkwell #299, from bcapps, 460 chars, Wed Aug 22 21:55:13 1990
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There was a McDonald’s in Madison Heights, MI that had the old neon Arches
that was eventually rehauled and the arches wound up in the Henry Ford
museum in an exhibit about the American roadway.
Also in Detroit, (er, Southfield actually) there is a flashy McDonalds
that’s filled with all sorts of kitsch from the 50’s and such and is in the
style of the old diners. There’s a reference to it at the airport in the
lo-o-o-ong hallway between terminals.
Bob
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animation/inkwell #300, from tshim, 305 chars, Wed Aug 22 23:18:03 1990
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Way on the other end, here in Manhattan, there is a fancy
restaurant-type McDonald’s in the Wall Street/financial area
(southern tip of the island for you not in the know) that has
chandeliers, mirrors, carpeting, tablecloths, and (gasp) a
live piano player and night music. All to go with your Big Mac.
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animation/inkwell #301, from kevinf, 434 chars, Sat Sep 1 20:28:34 1990
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Another interesting McDonalds…
is the one near L.A., in the City of Industry, where they film most of their
commercials. It’s located in a light industrial area, and is surrounded by
a chain-link fence in order to keep people from driving up and ordering
a Big Mac. From what I’ve read, it has extra high ceilings (for television
lighting) and has an additional facade at the back, so that two crews can
be shooting simultaneously.
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animation/inkwell #302, from hmccracken, 205 chars, Sat Sep 1 22:53:49 1990
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I always wondered how they do that. I did once see them filming
what seemed to be a commercial outside a local McDonald’s;
presumably it was some sort of Massachusetts or New England-based
ad.
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #303, from davemackey, 31 chars, Sun Sep 2 00:35:29 1990
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Food, folks, and fabrications.
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animation/inkwell #304, from davemackey, 220 chars, Sun Sep 2 00:37:04 1990
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McDonalds has a really complex network of regional ad agencies in
addition to its national agency, so the commercial which was
filmed up your way was probably aimed at the New England zone.
–Dave
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animation/inkwell #305, from tshim, 201 chars, Mon Sep 3 13:08:45 1990
This is a comment to message 304.
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Where was the McDonald’s ad spoofing those Citibank Card “real-life”
commercials aimed at? I saw it on a commercial awards program, and
never saw it on television, so it must have been non-NYC local.
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animation/inkwell #306, from hmccracken, 751 chars, Thu Sep 6 21:45:55 1990
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TITLE: My family doesn’t have many violent fights, but…
the other day my father and I had a dispute concerning _Who Framed
Roger Rabbit_, specifically the Tex Avery-esque character “Lena
Hyena.” My father says that this is simply an animated version of
the Al Capp-created, Basil Wolverton-drawn character from _Li’l
Abner_ (the ugliest woman alive). I point out that that character
was called Lena *the* Hyena, that she looked little or nothing
like the character in the film, and that there’s no particular
reason why she’d appear in the movie. I figure the similiarity
in names is either a coincidence, a subconscious plagiarism, or
some sort of homage.
Any opinions? Does anybody else even remember the Wolverton/Capp
character?
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #307, from hkenner, 109 chars, Thu Sep 6 23:51:56 1990
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>>Capp-created, Wolverton-drawn …
Are you telling me Capp didn’t draw his own stuff? Ah, say it ain’t so.
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animation/inkwell #308, from dave.f, 370 chars, Fri Sep 7 01:06:58 1990
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I’d bet it’s an homage, in a round about way. The Capp/Wolverton
character has become a sort of archtype. No doubt Spielberg and
Zemekis were into that sort of thing in their younger years, as
were many of us in this forum, and just wanted to something similar.
Of course, the unconscious plagiarism angle has some merit, as
well. Or is it an unconscious homage?
D=
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animation/inkwell #309, from davemackey, 228 chars, Fri Sep 7 06:47:59 1990
This is a comment to message 308.
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I’m inclined to think that the character was inspired by the ugly
cousins of the Girls in those great Avery cartoons, and nothing more.
I never gave the Wolverton thing a second thought.
–Dave
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animation/inkwell #310, from richard.pini, 352 chars, Fri Sep 7 13:29:03 1990
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Capp did have ghosts do some of his work (not the faces, though) – the most
notable of whom was Frank Frazetta. If memory serves, Lena was never *in*
Lil Abner (somebody correct me here if I’m wrong) as anything more than a
hinted-at character. Wolverton took it the final step to a drawing, but
Wolverton’s interpretation never appeared in the strip.
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animation/inkwell #311, from hmccracken, 769 chars, Fri Sep 7 18:24:34 1990
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Right. Lena was an off-panel character, and Wolverton won a much-
publicized contest to draw her. His drawing appeared in _Life_
magazine, but I’m not sure if it ever ran in the strip. Capp employed
numerous assistants over the years, including Harvey Curtin and
Andy Amato (I *think* I have those names right), who were with him
for virtually the entire run of the strip, and Stan Drake, who did
much of the art in the strip’s last years. And as you say, Frazetta
worked on the strip sometime in the 1950s — the value of _Li’l
Abner_ original art is much higher for strips done during Frazetta’s
tenure.
I don’t think Capp ever employed ghosts in the strict sense, though;
he always dominated the writing and had at least a good hand in the
drawing.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #312, from davemackey, 145 chars, Fri Sep 7 21:02:38 1990
This is a comment to message 311.
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Speaking of Stan Drake, yesterday was the 60th anniversary of the
first “Blondie” strip, which Drake now draws.
–D.
==========================
animation/inkwell #313, from hmccracken, 962 chars, Mon Sep 24 22:25:12 1990
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: The good news is that my VCR’s timer isn’t broken, and I
don’t fail *quite* as often as I thought I did in setting it.
The bad news is that the symptons that led me to think that such
was the case — a seemingly missed episode of _Tiny Toons_ and one
that I caught only the middle part of — were due to weird technical
problems on channel 56, the Boston station that carries the show.
A cartoon-watching friend explained to me today that 56 showed the
same episode on Monday and Tuesday — which led me to think that
my VCR hadn’t gone off, since the tape seemed to be at the same
place it had been before. Then on Thurdday, they accidentally
showed about eight minutes of _Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles_,
notice their mistake, and then showed the excellent “Babs in
Wackyland” episode of _Tiny Toons_ in its entirety. My VCR was
set to shut off at the time that show was *supposed* to end, so
I missed the last few minutes. Very confusing!
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #314, from switch, 570 chars, Fri Oct 5 14:08:11 1990
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TITLE: Where’s Emru been?
New job (in Concordia’s audiovisual department with twelve Amigas — drool),
five animation assignments due next week, an SF con next Saturday, Quark #4
due for the con, Montreal Animation Fan Network meeting the 21st and I’m
heading off for the international animated film festival in Ottawa in a few
minutes. Haven’t even had time to post my thoughts on the last Mike & Spike
Animation Festival. Sigh…
Maybe when I get back. Until then, I’ll have a Coke for the road. See ya
all Monday and _try_ not to mess up the furniture OK?
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #315, from hmccracken, 297 chars, Sun Oct 7 20:11:22 1990
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TITLE: Check out this week’s _New Yorker_ — not a magazine
known for its animation coverage — for a nifty brief interview
with Sol Schoenbach in the “Talk of the Town” section. Who is
Sol Schoenbach? None other than the principal basoonist we hear
on the soundtrack to _Fantasia_.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #316, from hmccracken, 448 chars, Sun Oct 7 20:25:02 1990
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TITLE: BIXen meet in person
Four BIXen — Dave Mackey (davemackey), Mike and Pam Scoville (mscoville),
and myself had a very nice time this weekend venturing down to
Philadelphia for the early Disney art show/panel discussion/book signing/
auction that took place at the Philadelphia Art Alliance. It was a
great event — and it was great to meet Dave, Pam, and Mike. I’ll be
reporting on everything that went on at the event shortly.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #317, from davemackey, 129 chars, Mon Oct 8 01:38:42 1990
This is a comment to message 316.
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We would have told you ourselves about it by this time but we’re still
recovering. (grin)
–Davezzzzzz
==========================
animation/inkwell #318, from hmccracken, 669 chars, Sun Oct 21 22:10:19 1990
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TITLE: Happy Birthday to Us All!
If you want to get technical about it, this conference had its first
birthday day-before-yesterday, since it was created on October 19th
of last year. But since the first messages weren’t posted until a
few days after that in most cases, I think we can say that the
birth was a protracted one and that the conference is celebrating
its first birthday all this week.
On behalf of my fellow moderators and BIX, I’d like to thank everybody
who has made the conference such an interesting place to be over the
past year. May our next ten or twenty years (nothing like planning
ahead) be at least as enjoyable and educational!
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #319, from davemackey, 80 chars, Mon Oct 22 18:24:08 1990
This is a comment to message 318.
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I raise my glass in tribute! Onward…..
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #320, from switch, 33 chars, Tue Oct 23 00:37:29 1990
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Cheers!
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #321, from mscoville, 242 chars, Tue Oct 23 23:57:20 1990
This is a comment to message 320.
There are additional comments to message 320.
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A glass should be raised and a salute to the moderators who make this
conference what it is. Also, a second salute to all who participate. Happy
Anniversary or is it a birthday? The best for the next year and the many
to follow.
mscoville
h
==========================
animation/inkwell #322, from jenn, 67 chars, Wed Oct 24 22:51:43 1990
This is a comment to message 320.
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Yes, congrats/happy b-day!
I’m buying….what’ll you folks have?
==========================
animation/inkwell #323, from bcapps, 86 chars, Thu Oct 25 23:08:17 1990
This is a comment to message 322.
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Add my glass to those here! May she (default gender) long electronically
stand!
Bob
==========================
animation/inkwell #324, from davemackey, 254 chars, Sat Oct 27 18:32:03 1990
This is a comment to message 313.
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As you, Harry, cannot disguise your fondness for the episode of TTA you
call “Babs In Wackyland,” let me warn you that the episode, whose real
title is “Her Wacky Highness,” is airing this weekend on “Prime Toons.”
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #325, from davemackey, 605 chars, Fri Nov 16 07:29:30 1990
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TITLE: That darn cat
This has nothing to do with animation but it’s a cute story nonetheless, which
is why it’s in /inkwell. In a suburb of Trenton, there was this cat who got
chased up a tree. Stayed up there 11 days. No food, no drink. Hung out during
60-mph wind gusts and rain. Tree surgeons were finally dispatched. When one
such tree-jack got within reaching distance, the cat made a jump for it.
Forty five feet. To the ground. A few cuts and a slight concussion, but
tabby lived. In the words of an animal hospital worker, “Well, there goes
one of his lives.”
Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #326, from elfhive, 79 chars, Fri Nov 16 19:32:00 1990
This is a comment to message 325.
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Have you seen the Canadian animated short _The Cat Came Back_ It’s hysterical.
==========================
animation/inkwell #327, from switch, 35 chars, Sat Nov 17 00:14:57 1990
This is a comment to message 326.
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I second that. It’s a riot.
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #328, from dave.f, 212 chars, Mon Nov 19 19:08:24 1990
This is a comment to message 327.
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I third it. Nick was playing it to pad between shows. Never got the chance
to record it but would love to have that one in my personal collection.
First time I saw it I was literally on the floor laughing.
D=
==========================
animation/inkwell #329, from elfhive, 188 chars, Mon Nov 19 22:20:38 1990
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I believe I saw it on a video collection of Canadian shorts advertised as
a flyer and now on the inside front cover of the new Winter Whole Toon
Catalogue. Intend to get it for Christmas.
==========================
animation/inkwell #330, from switch, 62 chars, Mon Nov 19 22:47:14 1990
This is a comment to message 329.
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Is that the flyer that says, “Stop Shaking Your Eyes!”?
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #331, from elfhive, 391 chars, Mon Nov 19 23:12:25 1990
This is a comment to message 330.
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The flyer is gone. The inside front cover of the Winter Whole Toon
Catalog doesn’t say that and it looks like an unedited reprint.
_The Cat Came Back_ is on *Incredible Manitoba Animation* (WTA 101) for
$29.95. There is another title called _The Cat Strikes Back_ which I
have not seen. I originally saw _Cat_ as part of the International
Tournee of Animation (forget which roman numeral).
==========================
animation/inkwell #332, from switch, 141 chars, Mon Nov 19 23:46:58 1990
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Yeah, the flyer I was thinking of is for that tape. I might get
that as this year’s present to myself (if not the Looney Tunes mugs).
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #333, from hkenner, 112 chars, Tue Nov 20 00:38:08 1990
This is a comment to message 331.
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WHERE is the Winter Whole Toon Catalogue? I’ve traded with ’em several
ties and I’m still Way Back There.
=
HK
==========================
animation/inkwell #334, from elfhive, 145 chars, Tue Nov 20 14:26:25 1990
This is a comment to message 333.
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The new catalogue arrived about ten days ago. Perhaps recent purchases
moved me to the top of their mailing list? I’d like to see that software!
==========================
animation/inkwell #335, from hmccracken, 304 chars, Tue Nov 20 20:09:12 1990
This is a comment to message 334.
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I got mine a week ago.
BTW, and this is a small point, the little cover illustrations for
_Animato_ (my magazine) are mixed up the new _Whole Toon_: #17
and #18 are switched. This is only of concern to folks who have
one issue and are ordering the other from the catalog based on the
cover.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #336, from hmccracken, 2145 chars, Wed Nov 21 21:19:58 1990
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TITLE: Did anybody else catch the Jim Henson special tonight? It was
a tricky subject, handled fairly well. There were the expected
Muppet clips, but enough of the show was devoted to Henson himself
that you got a feel for who the guy was. He was described only in
the most glowing of terms, of course, but that’s to be expected in
such a show.
The heart of the show, though, is the end, when Kermit (who has been
mysteriously away for the first 57 or so minutes) arrives. For the
first time, he is voiced and performed by someone other than
Henson (more or less; I believe the new season of Sesame Street has
aired some non-Henson Kermit spots). Kermit’s voice is only a fairly
good facsimile of Henson’s — furthermore, he *moves* in a distinctively
different way. It took seeing this to make clear to me what should
have been an obvious fact — that Kermit was in a fundamental way much
more an extension of Henson than Mickey Mouse ever was of Walt
Disney. Mickey was drawn by hundreds of people, none of them Disney
himself, but Kermit was simply a piece of cloth draped over Jim
Henson’s hand.
As I say, the new Kermit is quite obviously performed by someone else.
I have no doubt that Jeff Bergman, or someone like him, could do a
more accurate imitation of the timbre and tone of Henson’s voice.
But you know what? I like the way they’ve handled it better than I’d
like that, and I think maybe Henson would, too. A lot of heart is
clearly going into keeping Kermit alive, and this special carried off
the deeply sad moment of Kermit’s reintroduction brilliantly.
It really was emblematic of the whole character of the Muppets somehow.
If the three principal universes of twentieth-century American childrens’
popular culture have been those of Disney, Charles Schulz’s characters, and
the Muppets, it seems to me that the Disney universe is basically positive
and optimistic, the Schulz one is ultimately negative and defeatist, and
Henson’s world was an interesting blend of the two. Admitting that
Kermit will never be the same, and yet picking up and going on anyhow,
is a very Muppet way to handle the issue.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #337, from richard.pini, 6 chars, Wed Nov 21 21:27:36 1990
This is a comment to message 336.
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Amen.
==========================
animation/inkwell #338, from elfhive, 571 chars, Wed Nov 21 23:54:16 1990
This is a comment to message 336.
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shadow and I nearly gave it a miss. personally I wasn’t sure I wanted to
deal with Jim Henson’s death through the Muppets but I’m glad I watched
it now. Given what you said in the last paragraph it will be interesting
to see how Disney studios “colors” future Muppet productions. I think that
Jim’s creative force will be sorely missed.
Incidentally, in the segment narrated by Spielberg, they showed some
clips of Henson’s darker side that I have never seen before. Can someone
enlighten me if those creatures (other than _Dark Crystal_ were from a
tv series or films?
==========================
animation/inkwell #339, from grekel, 535 chars, Thu Nov 22 22:53:54 1990
This is a comment to message 336.
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Harry, I watched the Henson tribute and found myself profoundly misty
when the Muppets were reading letters from fans. I thought the whole
thing was VERY well handled, and didn’t smack of Disney meddling
except for a quick shot of Mickey & Kermit — to be expected, of course.
And you’re so right about the New Kermit’s look-and-feel. Even in the
film clip where Kermit wrestled with his conscience, you could tell which
one was Henson easily.
I have even more respect for that troupe now, and look forward to
future projects.
greg
==========================
animation/inkwell #340, from davemackey, 487 chars, Fri Nov 23 19:28:57 1990
This is a comment to message 336.
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I did see it, and the end part with the various Muppet characters
reading the tribute letters — some from very small children —
was quite arresting.
I believe the Muppeteer behind Kermit is now Kevin Clash,
who’s done characters of similar temperament for “Sesame Street”
and a kids show of a decade ago called “The Great Space Coaster.”
But nobody is ever going to instill the same lifeblood into the
character than the master himself.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #341, from hmccracken, 1133 chars, Fri Nov 23 19:39:32 1990
This is a comment to message 340.
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No, Kermit will never be quite the same, but I feel strongly now that
it’s a good thing that he’ll outlive his creator. I don’t remember
seeing anything about Jim Henson’s explicit wishes on the subject,
but presumably selling the Muppets to Disney was in general an expression
of a desire for the Muppets to go on after his death (although he
probably did not expect the matter to come up nearly as quickly as it
did).
To compare this again to Disney and the Peanuts gang, Mickey Mouse is going
strong almost twenty-five years after Disney’s death; on the other hand,
Charles Schulz is said to have written into his contract a proviso that
_Peanuts_ (as a comic strip, at least) will end with his death. While
there’s much to be said for Schulz’s way of thinking — the comic strips
that have been continued successfully (artistically) after the creator’s
death can probably be counted without using up all of one’s fingers —
I really wonder whether Charlie Brown & Co. will be more than dimly-
remembered curiosities from another era a few decades from now. Sort
of like Kewpies or Palmer Cox’s Brownies are today.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #342, from hmccracken, 728 chars, Sat Nov 24 02:14:32 1990
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: R.I.P.
Roald Dahl has died; while he will be best remembered for his nastily-
tinged books for adults and children, and for one of the greatest
screenplays ever written for a children’s film — _Willy Wonka and
tbe Chocolate Factory_ — he did have a connection to the world of
animation. One of his first literary ventures was work at the
Disney studios on a proposed film about Gremlins, the mythical,
plane-sabotaging little creatures who were popular folk demons during
World War II. While the film was dropped due to other gremlin cartoons
in the works by other animation studios (notably Warner’s _Falling Hare_),
a book based on Dahl’s story was published. I imagine it was his first
published work.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #343, from davemackey, 495 chars, Sat Nov 24 06:29:47 1990
This is a comment to message 342.
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Would you believe that one of the big TV stations in New York
credited Mr. Dahl with not only writing “Charlie And The
Chocolate Factory,” but also “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”? Last I
looked, it was Ian Fleming who wrote “CCBB,” though it is an easy
point of confusion, since both books were turned into quite
fanciful motion pictures.
Mr. Dahl was also married to Patricia Neal and stuck with her
through good times and bad (her health problems).
Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #344, from sharonfisher, 80 chars, Sat Nov 24 10:39:30 1990
This is a comment to message 343.
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Ironic that he dies after all the years that she had cancer…What’d he
die of?
==========================
animation/inkwell #345, from hmccracken, 331 chars, Sat Nov 24 10:56:06 1990
This is a comment to message 343.
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Dahl *did* write the screenplay to the *film* of _Chitty Chitty Bang
Bang_, although he once wrote that about one word of his screenplay
made it to the screen. By the way, Dahl & Neal were divorced some
years ago; after nursing her back to health, Dahl had an affair with
her best friend which terminated the marriage.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #346, from hmccracken, 201 chars, Sat Nov 24 10:57:15 1990
This is a comment to message 344.
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Did she have cancer, too, or just the massive stroke that Dahl nursed
her back to heal from? I’m not sure what Dahl died of, but he was
74 — a bit older than I thought he would have been.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #347, from hmccracken, 536 chars, Sat Nov 24 15:49:19 1990
This is a comment to message 346.
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By the way, Roald Dahl was also responsible for the children’s book that
the almost-current film _The Witches_ was based on. This nifty little
film also has the distinction of having been executive-produced by Jim
Henson — one of his final projects, if not his very last one. Like all
of Dahl’s stories, it’s a wonderfully unsentimental, unpatronizing children’s
story with a very hard edge. One of Dahl’s obituaries quoted him to the
effect that to write for children, you must learn to join a conspiracy against
adults.
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #348, from sharonfisher, 48 chars, Sun Nov 25 14:07:04 1990
This is a comment to message 346.
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I was incorrect. She did indeed have a stroke.
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animation/inkwell #349, from dopheim, 22 chars, Sun Dec 2 00:14:53 1990
This is a comment to message 327.
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Third! It was a riot!
==========================
animation/inkwell #350, from switch, 141 chars, Thu Dec 6 10:33:28 1990
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TITLE: I’m off…
…until Tuesday, taking a break from animation assignments and
the like. Try to keep things from exploding, OK?
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #351, from hmccracken, 375 chars, Fri Dec 7 00:49:56 1990
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: A Friend Writes (apologies to the _New Yorker_) that he has
recently returned from a trip to the Soviet Union, where his host
was a man with a video recorder and a large collection of American
films on tape. All dubbed or subtitled, of course, except for
a tape of Warner Bros. cartoons, which the Russian movie fan says
need no translation. I like that.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #352, from davemackey, 132 chars, Fri Dec 7 05:56:48 1990
This is a comment to message 351.
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“Da! I tawt I taw Kapitalist putty tat!”
Nice story, though. Humor is truly international.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #353, from davemackey, 220 chars, Tue Dec 11 17:55:01 1990
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TITLE: Festival of Lights
Since tonight is the first night of Hanukkah, may I take this
opportunity to wish our Jewish members of the animation forum a
very joyous holiday season.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #354, from hmccracken, 81 chars, Tue Dec 11 18:09:35 1990
This is a comment to message 353.
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Thank you, Dave! Now give us a list of Hanukkah cartoons to watch…
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #355, from addman, 180 chars, Tue Dec 11 22:35:11 1990
This is a comment to message 354.
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There was a goodone called “Lights” on the Disney Channel tonight at 7:30 but,
I came into it too late to record it. I checked and it’s not going to be
repeated…too bad….sigh
==========================
animation/inkwell #356, from davemackey, 308 chars, Wed Dec 12 18:29:45 1990
This is a comment to message 354.
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Since I couldn’t think of any Hanukkah cartoons other than the
“Lights” special, here’s a few in honor of today, which is Frank
Sinatra’s 75th birthday: “Swooner Crooner,” “Little ‘Tinker,”
“Catch As Cats Can,” and “Quentin Quail” (he looks just like
Frankie Sonata).
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #357, from bsoron, 161 chars, Wed Dec 12 22:14:02 1990
This is a comment to message 356.
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I don’t remember which of the three WB shows available here in the
afternoon ran “Quentin Quail,” but some program manager somewhere *did*
agree with you…
==========================
animation/inkwell #358, from hmccracken, 321 chars, Fri Dec 21 16:05:49 1990
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TITLE: Season’s Greetings
I will probably be away from BIX from tomorrow until Wednesday (off in
Iowa, where I have fewer computers but more grandmothers). I’ll be on
the system once or twice before then, but I’ll take this opportunity to
hope that everyone here who celebrates Christmas has a most merry one.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #359, from jenn, 85 chars, Fri Dec 21 17:26:11 1990
This is a comment to message 358.
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Have a great trip, Harry! May the stockings be full and the
egg nogg plentiful.
==========================
animation/inkwell #360, from davemackey, 76 chars, Fri Dec 21 23:06:51 1990
This is a comment to message 358.
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Same to you, Harry, and more of it!
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #361, from davemackey, 417 chars, Tue Dec 25 05:19:41 1990
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TITLE: Thought for the day
“Christmas comes but once a year
Now it’s here, now it’s here
Bringing lots of Joy and Cheer
Fa la la la la.”
–Sammy Timberg
Tot Seymour
Bob Rothberg
Just what I always wanted for Christmas.
Cases of Procter and Gamble detergents.
Merry Christmas, everyone! Hope yours is
as Cheerful and Joyful.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #362, from hmccracken, 1092 chars, Thu Dec 27 23:10:18 1990
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TITLE: My 1982 Volkswagen Jetta, which recently passed its 143,000th
birthday (if each mile is a birthday — you get the idea), is clearly
on its deathbed. So I’ve been out looking at new cars (this *does*
relate to animation, as you’ll see presently).
While there are a lot of minor agonies to be dealt with in this process —
like the time I just spent in a very small room with three car salesmen
who *so* wanted me to buy an Eagle Summit right there and then — one
of the most wrenching things about all this is that my VW has bumper
stickers from Disneyland (1) and Disney World (2), and my new car won’t
at least at first. I *knew* I should have bought duplicates when I was
at the parks and salted them away for just this moment. (At least I’ll
be able, eventually, to restore the Disney stickers. My rear window
has a police union sticker in it that I’ve always credited with the
fact that while I’ve been pulled over a few times in the Jetta, I’ve
never gotten a ticket.)
— Harry
(The police union sticker belonged to the chap who owned the car before me,
a union lawyer.)
==========================
animation/inkwell #363, from davemackey, 452 chars, Mon Dec 31 19:54:42 1990
This is a comment to message 357.
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Today marked the 47th anniversary of Sinatra’s performance at The
Paramount Theatre. He almost incited a riot with his crooning,
and perhaps it was the bobby-soxers’ behavior that inspired Frank
Tashlin, Tex Avery et.al. in their cartoons on the subject.
To the list of cartoons about Frank you can add “A Peep In
The Deep.” Popeye finds a picture of Sinatra in the treasure
chest for the film’s punchline.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #364, from hmccracken, 143 chars, Mon Dec 31 23:31:16 1990
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TITLE: Happy New Year, everyone! May every member of this conference have
a 19971 that’s filled with good times and good animation.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #365, from elfhive, 139 chars, Tue Jan 1 13:37:20 1991
This is a comment to message 364.
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That must be an upcoming message number, not a year that you are referring
to? I’m not so sure I’d wish everyone here that long a life
==========================
animation/inkwell #366, from hmccracken, 112 chars, Tue Jan 1 15:24:22 1991
This is a comment to message 365.
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Yow! That’s what I get for BIXing when A) I’m hurrying to get it
done by midnight, and B) I’m sick.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #367, from steven_edwards, 808 chars, Fri Jan 11 13:37:47 1991
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TITLE: Cover Art for the Laserdisc Version of _The Little Mermaid_
Having little faith in the longevity of video cassettes, I have
decided to go to optical laserdisc storage for further animation collecting.
So, the other day I purchased the CAV version laserdisc of _The Little
Mermaid_.
Guess what? While most people probably didn’t know about the
alternative interpretation of a certain feature in the sea castle in the
cover art of the VHS version (and I wouldn’t have known either if it weren’t
the community of astute BIX observers), apparently this interpretation also
came to Disney’s attention. And so there was a slight modification performed.
I for one am glad to know that a lack of early circumspection does not
preclude a later circumcision. Or, in this case, turretification. — Steve
==========================
animation/inkwell #368, from richard.pini, 87 chars, Fri Jan 11 18:43:43 1991
This is a comment to message 367.
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They also remodeled it on the poster.
Would this be renovation or corrective surgery?
==========================
animation/inkwell #369, from davemackey, 184 chars, Sat Jan 12 16:32:22 1991
This is a comment to message 367.
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Aha, a rather circumspect circumcision, if done properly. Or they
could have taken a cue from the Red Hot Chili Peppers and put a
sock over it.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #370, from davemackey, 887 chars, Tue Jan 15 00:23:02 1991
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TITLE: Two grails
You ever have one of those days where everything just seems to
click?
First of all, and not animation-related at all, I was poking
around in a health food store and there in front of me was a bag
of Blue Corn Tortilla Chips. I first heard of this delicacy
through Mickey Mantle, who serves them in his restaurant in New
York City. A little pricey when compared to ordinary tortilla
chips, but I bought them and they’re not too bad. George Carlin
is wrong. There is blue food.
And second, I came across a list from a guy who had cartoon
videos for sale, and one of his offerings was a two-hour tape of
“Batfink” cartoons. A fool and his money… you know the rest.
As I wasn’t particularly out to find either blue corn nachos
or Batfink episodes on Sunday, both discoveries turned out to be
rather happy accidents.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #371, from hmccracken, 233 chars, Tue Jan 15 18:12:08 1991
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Blue corn chips are *delicious*! Especially if they’re unsalted.
One of my favorite snacks is the roughest, least-processed,
most unsalted tortilla chips I can find. Little Bearito and
El Galindo are my favorite brands.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #372, from hmccracken, 446 chars, Tue Jan 15 18:41:30 1991
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For the sake of future animation historians who may draw on BIX as
a source, I will note as a follow-up to my car-shopping message
that I ended up with a former-rental 1990 Mitsubishi Galant.
So far I’m very happy with it. I also have a friend who’s visiting
Disney World shortly, so if I choose I should be able to slap
a Disney bumper sticker or two on it. I’m also giving some thought
to Yosemite Sam (“Back Off, Jack!”) mudflaps.
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #373, from davemackey, 219 chars, Tue Jan 15 23:57:53 1991
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The brand of blue corn chips I got was called Garden Of Eatin’
Blue Chips. I plan on buying a few bags and having a little bit
of a victory pig-out when the Batfink tape arrives.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #374, from davemackey, 468 chars, Tue Jan 15 23:58:10 1991
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I don’t believe there’s been a cartoon (including “Tiny Toon
Adventures”) with Sam saying “Back Off.”
I do have a Yosemite Sam truck-sized windshield visor (as my
Chevrolet Celebrity has a rather large windshield, it fits quite
nicely) and just recently got a matching Yosemite Sam car
deodorizer. As I remember it, I didn’t see any Y.S. mudflaps on
Friz’s car when I saw him a few years ago in L.A. driving behind
my car.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #375, from davemackey, 319 chars, Tue Jan 15 23:58:19 1991
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TITLE: Deadline day
It’s 10 minutes to midnight. That’s enough time to put Hussein in
front of a television and show him “Peace On Earth.” (Now
wouldn’t that be a hoot if Bush and de Cuellar couldn’t sway him,
but Hugh Harman did?)
Peace,
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #376, from bsoron, 62 chars, Wed Jan 16 01:31:05 1991
This is a comment to message 374.
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A wild west gunfighter deodorizer? The mind boggles…
==========================
animation/inkwell #377, from jenn, 539 chars, Thu Jan 17 20:59:56 1991
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Dave, there is a store in the (actually chain)Los Angeles area
called ‘trader joe’s’… They sell blue corn tortilla chips like
it’s coming out of style. Maybe you need to get yourself a
contact in L.A. that is willing to smuggle them out for ya…:-)
Second, if you are ever in L.A., go to the Crocodile Cafe, on
Melrose Blvd. right off of Fairfax. It’s small, maybe has
5 tables, and two areas for ‘counter style’ seating. LONG
waiting list, but worth it. Anyway, they make the most
AWESOME nachos with blue corn tortilla chips….
==========================
animation/inkwell #378, from jenn, 202 chars, Thu Jan 17 21:10:57 1991
This is a comment to message 377.
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Whoops! Major mistake! The Crocodile Cafe is in Pasadena and
doesn’t have blue corn tortilla nachos…
Course, I can’t remember the name of the place I’m thinking
about…just WHERE it is.
==========================
animation/inkwell #379, from mwillmoth, 17 chars, Fri Jan 18 00:09:14 1991
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Serendipity!!!!!
==========================
animation/inkwell #380, from hmccracken, 478 chars, Tue Jan 22 18:11:20 1991
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TITLE: Interesting tidbit
Grim Natwick, who died last year age 100, was survived by a brother
and a sister. Probably pretty unusual for a hundred-year-old.
I think we can assume that they were *younger* siblings —
and since five siblings predeceased Grim, they might be quite a
bit younger than he was.
Another Natwick fact: although he created Betty Boop, he only worked
on her first two films, both of which featured quite primitive
versions of the character.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #381, from davemackey, 1445 chars, Fri Jan 25 21:04:45 1991
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I couldn’t wait to get blue nachos (but that box of Cap’n
Crunch’s Peanut Butter Cereal did the job). The “Batfink” tape
came today and I got a big kick out of seeing the old Bat again,
for the first time in over six years.
Some of the animation is a little rough and off-model, but
it’s okay considering these men’s capabilities in the 60’s. A
strong animator (like an I. Klein or a Jim Tyer) could enhance
these cartoons with visual ideas of his own, a throwback to the
laissez-faire days of the 20’s. But very influenced by Batman,
with all the sound effects in big letters on the screen and all
the Batmanesque trappings.
Biggest surprise — though not credited onscreen, the ASCAP
Catalogue of Performed Compositions (1981) credits the
stock music used in “Batfink” (some of which is quite good) to
Winston Sharples Jr. and Sr., Herschel Burke Gilbert and a whole
slew of Italian composers. One musical selection, which I think
was from the Italians, is actually the old Carl Stalling/Raymond
Scott chestnut “Powerhouse.” The “assembly-line” section sounded
pretty good but the “space” section didn’t have the proper oomph.
Hearing that sort of music in the context of a Batfink cartoon
(“Crime College” in fact) was a shock to the system.
It’s every animation fan’s hope to be reunited with lost
characters from his/her past. I feel extraordinarily blessed.
THIS IS NOT A REVIEW
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #382, from hmccracken, 213 chars, Fri Jan 25 22:16:34 1991
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There was a Winston Sharples, Jr.? Interesting! Thanks for the
non-review, Dave. I can’t say I share your enthusiasm for _Batfink_
but I do remember watching it as a kid on my Grandmother’s color
TV.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #383, from davemackey, 200 chars, Sat Jan 26 08:42:31 1991
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Winston Sharples Jr. also did the music for the “Hercules”
cartoon series in the 60’s, and he later became a film critic and
analyst for a number of magazines.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #384, from hmccracken, 143 chars, Sat Jan 26 10:05:37 1991
This is a comment to message 383.
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Gee! I think I telescoped father and son into one guy. The
_Hercules_ music certainly sounded not unlike the work of
Sharples Sr.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #385, from hmccracken, 429 chars, Sat Jan 26 13:54:44 1991
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Correction: Grim Natwick worked on at least the first *six* Betty
Boops, according to Mark Kausler (who knows as much about the
history of animation as anybody on God’s green earth). The last
of the six, _Bum Bandit_, was seen by Walt Disney, who was
impressed enough to invite Grim out to California to work at
Disney, although Grim actually ended up working for the Iwerks
studio for a while before joining Disney.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #386, from davemackey, 132 chars, Sun Jan 27 17:49:51 1991
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Does anyone have a comprehensive list of screen credits for early
sound Fleischer cartoons?
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #387, from sharonfisher, 142 chars, Sun Jan 27 18:13:28 1991
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Comprehensive, no, but I have a book called The Encyclopedia of Animated
Cartoon Series that may have some of them. What’d you have in mind?
==========================
animation/inkwell #388, from davemackey, 504 chars, Sun Jan 27 22:18:14 1991
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All Fleischer cartoons have Dave Fleischer listed as director,
and either one or two animators; story men were listed later
and musicians sporadically. I own the same book you mention but
credits can be notoriously wrong (Lenburg has had a reputation
for being a little less than reliable in many of his reference
books), and I know that animators etc. are not listed. I am
looking towards something a little more independent-research
oriented. But thanks anyway!
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #389, from hmccracken, 299 chars, Mon Jan 28 00:59:30 1991
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As Shamus Culhane will tell you, Dave Fleischer didn’t direct
*any* cartoons in the normal sense of the term. The folks
credited as head animators were really directors. I don’t know
if anyone has complete credits for these films; Mike Dobbs,
the authorized Fleischer biographer, might.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #390, from hmccracken, 266 chars, Mon Jan 28 01:00:57 1991
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Lenburg’s book is a great idea, and does have a certain amount of
useful information, but it’s full of major and minor mistakes. If
you don’t know whether something he says is true in the first
place, it’s hard to place much confidence in what you read.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #391, from davemackey, 597 chars, Tue Jan 29 00:40:00 1991
This is a comment to message 390.
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I was looking through some old issues of the late, lamented
“Comic Reader,” and they had a rather major review/error
debunking session when Lenburg’s book came out in hardcover. Mark
Evanier sent in a raft of corrections, mainly regarding
Hanna-Barbera, and these were incorporated into the softcover
version.
I completely ignore the theatrical cartoon listings and use
his book solely as a reference (not sole reference) on cartoon
series that have been made for television. I put a little more
reliance in George Woolery’s books and my own research.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #392, from davemackey, 949 chars, Tue Jan 29 00:41:03 1991
This is a comment to message 389.
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That is correct. Fleischer took a less-active role in production
as the 30’s wore on; his mind was obviously more occupied with
trying to outdo Disney than timing this week’s Betty Boop
episode.
The fact remains that he is still credited as director on
all of the studio’s releases. And I’m fairly certain that this
continued through the Famous and Paramount studios, right up
until the end. One wonders how much input Shamus Culhane had on
“The Trip,” which was really a one-man show for Howard Beckerman,
who took story, animation and design credit (Gil Miret helped
out on design). Or “The Enchanted Square,” similarly a two-man
effort by Orestes Calpini and Shane Miller: both men wrote,
Calpini animated with Al Eugster and Miller did scenics — but
Seymour Kneitel got director credit despite having little
influence on the final product, quite unlike anything
else Paramount did in the late 40’s.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #393, from kermitwoodall, 483 chars, Wed Jan 30 19:27:33 1991
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TITLE: Voices
I’ve often wondered who did the voices in the Warner Bros cartoons OTHER than
Mel Blanc. I’ve noticed that June Foray must have done much of the true
female voices, but there are others that I have no idea who they could be.
I particular there was an “announcer” voice used for travelogue parodies and
other voice of authority uses. I also understand Elmer Fudd was actually done
by a radio comedian of the day. (ain’t TNT specials wunnerful? ;-> )
Kermit Woodall
==========================
animation/inkwell #394, from hmccracken, 1258 chars, Wed Jan 30 20:13:32 1991
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While Mel Blanc did the overwhelming majority of Warner’s voices
after the late 1930s or so, an awful lot of other talented people did
do voicework for the studio. Arthur Q. Bryan, the irreplacable voice
of Elmer Fudd from the character’s creation until his death (Arthur’s,
I mean; Elmer is immortal) is the outstanding example. Stan Freberg
probably did more voices than anyone other than Blanc — not too
many famous ones, but he did do some continuing characters, including
Junyor Bear and one of the Goofy Gophers. I think he also did some
of the celebrity impressions heard in later Warner’s cartoons; Mel
wasn’t keen on doing them.
Most of the female voices in Warner’s cartoons were done by folks
other than Blanc — Sara Berner and Bernice Hansen (the latter
specializing in cute voices, male or female) at first, then Bea
Bernaderet (whose last name I think I’ve mangled — she later
starred in _Petticoat Junction_), then June Foray. Daws Butler can
be heard in a few Warner’s cartoons, as can Pinto Colvig, better
known as the voice of Disney’s Goofy. I am drawing a blanc —
er, blank — on who that narrator you refer to was. Dave Mackey
will undoubtedly tell us, as well as mention some other non-Blanc
voices I’ve forgotten.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #395, from davemackey, 228 chars, Wed Jan 30 21:00:54 1991
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TITLE: Thought for the day
“…. I just remembered today’s my birthday.”
I was thirty. Before me stretched the portentious, menacing
road of a new decade.
—F. Scott Fitzgerald, “The Great Gatsby”
==========================
animation/inkwell #396, from sharonfisher, 28 chars, Wed Jan 30 21:15:18 1991
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Jim Backus did the genie…
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animation/inkwell #397, from davemackey, 1970 chars, Wed Jan 30 21:27:01 1991
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You’re right about Elmer being “immortal,” but until
recently they couldn’t find a good voice for him to save their
lives.
The “narrator” voice was Robert C. Bruce, who did voices for
Warner Bros. cartoons from the late 1930’s until the middle
1950’s, even doing some character roles — in one of the
Pussyfoot/Claude Cat cartoons he plays their owner.
If you want to go all the way back to Bosko and Honey, their
voices were Max Maxwell (who was a Harman-Ising animator) and
Rochelle Hudson. When Buddy took over, his voice was done by Jack
Carr, another WB animator. Billy Bletcher did the voice of Papa
Bear and many other characters for almost twenty year’s worth of
cartoons from about 1931 to 1951 — a husky, deep sepulchral
voice which emanated from a man not more than five feet tall!
It’s been claimed that the Road Runner’s “beep beep” is that of
Paul Julian, who was a background artist. Michael Maltese and
Tedd Pierce did various voices in the 1940’s too, and even Tex
Avery got into the act, even returning to WB three years after he
was fired to do the voice of the spider in “Meatless Flyday.”
Daws Butler was VERY prolific in WB cartoons of the 50’s to
about 1960, when Hanna-Barbera occupied most of his attention
— but he only got screen credit once, on one of the military
commissioned films (and again in the 60’s as Merlin The Magic
Mouse).
The possibility exists that Noel Blanc filled in for dad
during his convalescence (his accident was 30 years ago last
week), but since I haven’t read Mel Blanc’s book I’m hard pressed
to tell you.
Other voice talent (credited or otherwise) that Warner Bros.
used included Julie Bennett, Ed Prentiss, Gloria Wood, Ralph
James, Leslie Barringer, Hal Smith, Roger Green, Ben Frommer,
Richard Peel, Tom Holland, Victor Moore, and even Jack Benny,
whose whole TV show gang did a special cartoon in 1959 called
“The Mouse That Jack Built.”
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #398, from hmccracken, 264 chars, Thu Jan 31 00:08:16 1991
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Wow! I’d be interested in knowing some WB cartoons to listen to
for Daws Butler’s voice, Dave, if you can think of any titles off
the top of your head.
Another WB voiceman was Larry Storch, who did a lot of work when
Mel Blanc was at MGM in the 1960s.
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #399, from hmccracken, 145 chars, Thu Jan 31 00:09:34 1991
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Happy belated birthday, Dave! (If that’s what the quote means.)
And *thank you* for being such a valuable member of this
conference.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #400, from morganfox, 103 chars, Thu Jan 31 10:18:51 1991
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It was your birthday? Wow, let us know soon, so we can bake a cake next time!
Hope it was a happy one!
==========================
animation/inkwell #401, from switch, 84 chars, Thu Jan 31 12:18:57 1991
This is a comment to message 393.
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Jim Bacghus (Mr. Magoo & Mr. Howell) played the genie in “A Lad In
His Lamp”.
Emru
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animation/inkwell #402, from kermitwoodall, 142 chars, Thu Jan 31 19:38:34 1991
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I remember hearing rumors that Roddy McDowell did some voices at one time. I
think youse guys mentioned everyone else.
Kermit Woodall
==========================
animation/inkwell #403, from davemackey, 856 chars, Fri Feb 1 03:23:28 1991
This is a comment to message 398.
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In the car, I also remembered three others who could all be heard
on the soundtrack to “The Adventures Of The Road Runner”: Dick
Beals (who was also the voice of Davey of “…and Goliath” fame),
Nancy Wible, and veteran announcer Dick Tufeld.
As for Daws Butler at Warner Bros…try these titles on for
size: “90 Day Wondering,” “Stupor Duck,” “Barbary Coast Bunny,”
“Rocket Bye Baby,” “Half Fare Hare,” “Raw Raw Rooster,” “Yankee
Dood It,” “Wideo Wabbit,” “The Honey-Mousers,” “Drafty, Isn’t
It?”, “Go Fly A Kit,” “Boyhood Daze,” “Cheese It, The Cat,” “A
Waggily Tale,” “A Mutt In A Rut,” “Backwoods Bunny,” “People Are
Bunny,” “Wild Wild World, “Mouse And Garden,” “Mice Follies,”
“The Dixie Fryer” and “Merlin The Magic Mouse.” There may be
others, but these are the ones I’ve confirmed Butler with work
on.
–Dave
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animation/inkwell #404, from davemackey, 551 chars, Fri Feb 1 03:23:45 1991
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That was certainly the intent of the message But can you
imagine me standing in the middle of Waldenbooks thumbing
feverishly through “Gatsby” because I couldn’t remember the
quote and I didn’t know where my annotated edition from high
school days was! I had a splendid 30th birthday, capped off with
that free meal at Denny’s. (Of course, the day after wasn’t so
great, since I lost a contact lens during my morning ritual, but
eventually found it. Hope it still works.)
Thanks for the kind words, Harry!
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #405, from hmccracken, 205 chars, Fri Feb 1 20:01:56 1991
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Good to hear that you turned thirty with the proper panache.
(Thinking toward my birthday, and my much-disdained-by-friends
affection for Denny’s — do you get whatever meal you want
for free?)
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #406, from davemackey, 491 chars, Fri Feb 1 21:14:46 1991
This is a comment to message 394.
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Oh, I did forget about Bea. Once and for all, the correct
spelling (and this is for the benefit of all animation scholars)
is Bea Benaderet. She was also the voice of Betty Rubble for the
first five years of “The Flintstones,” until Gerry Johnson took
over in the fall of 1965. (My guide to figuring out which
cartoons Bea did as she was phased out in favor of June Foray is
that if it sounds the least little bit like Betty Rubble, it’s
Benaderet.)
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #407, from davemackey, 424 chars, Sat Feb 2 04:11:23 1991
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Certainly, it’s anything on the menu — but be sure to bring
something that proves it’s your birthday — they won’t just take
your word for it.
My brother, who also celebrated his birthday on Wednesday,
has a photo drivers license which lists his birthdate, 1-30-61.
But mine, which is a non-photo license, has the date listed as
1-00-61. So I had to bring my birth certificate!
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #408, from hmccracken, 407 chars, Sun Feb 3 00:42:13 1991
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Well, there are not many Dennyses (?) in Massachusetts…One of the
few *is* near where I work, but I will have to work hard to find
anyone there willing to go with me. I must admit that I have never
had a good meal at a Massachusetts Denny’s, in sharp contrast to my
fond memories of eating at west coast ones as a kid. Of course, my
tastes have changed — maybe even improved — since then…
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #409, from aturn, 510 chars, Sun Feb 3 01:14:21 1991
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A while back, a bunch of us got hungry late. This can be a real
problem in the Boston area. Then someone remembered there was a Denny’s
in Lexington. We convoyed up and drove over…only to find out that
they closed at 11! Drove away muttering, “What’s the *point* of a Denny’s
that isn’t open 24 hours?” Turned out (as I found out when I phoned the
next day to ask) that local ordinace forbade them staying open past 11PM
or opening before 7AM.
Lexington, Massachusetts, Cradle of American Liberty…
==========================
animation/inkwell #410, from random.a, 255 chars, Sun Feb 3 02:17:57 1991
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About the only food you can get in the Boston area after 2AM is at
the Tasty (in Harvard Square) or, at a couple Pizza places near where
Mass Ave and Comm Ave intersect. Other than that, there are a couple
*really* bad Chinese food places in Somerville.
==========================
animation/inkwell #411, from hmccracken, 408 chars, Sun Feb 3 15:06:36 1991
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The Denny’s in Stoneham has a large sign at the entrance explaining that
they have the same problem: they can’t stay open all night because it
isn’t legal in Stoneham. Most Denny’s, of course, are open all
night; when they closed a couple of years ago on Christmas, for
the first time ever, many locations needed to have locks installed
so they could close up. They had never needed them before.
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #412, from steven_edwards, 1130 chars, Sun Feb 3 16:46:25 1991
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There is a Denny’s Restaurant in Nashua, NH open all night off of
Exit 6 from Route 3. Years ago, it was the only place within twenty miles
to get a reasonable meal after 02:00. I stopped going there when they changed
their policy for evening customers — even long time ones like myself — by
requiring prepayment in full for service. Apparently they had had a number
of walk-outs, something known in the trade as “chew n’ screw” customers.
Too bad. While I don’t deny that the management certainly has the
legal right to demand payment before service, it seems to me that a very
strong and longstanding tradition is being broken for no good reason. If
walk-out customers are a problem then the management should handle them by
more careful survelilance and police follow-up where appropriate. Clearly
the menu prices were no cheaper than other places, so I would guess that
there was enough to pay the employees to keep watch.
Disclaimer: This happened some ten years ago, and I was so irritated
that I haven’t gone back since, so things may have changed. Maybe some day
I’ll cool down enough to try again. — Steve
==========================
animation/inkwell #413, from bsoron, 344 chars, Sun Feb 3 17:52:27 1991
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The current issue of the Journal of Irreproducible Results has an
article on distribution of Denny’s throughout America. I’ve loaned
it to a friend, but I do remember two states have none at all, and
Massachusetts was in the bottom half of the list. Locally, you can
get it at the Out-of-Town, in the rack with the other science magazines.
==========================
animation/inkwell #414, from bsoron, 133 chars, Sun Feb 3 17:53:59 1991
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There’s also Hi-Fi pizza in Central Sq., Cambridge, and on weekend
nights, Nick’s Donuts in Watertown is open from 11 pm – 3 am.
==========================
animation/inkwell #415, from hmccracken, 478 chars, Sun Feb 3 20:08:42 1991
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Massachusetts’ lack of Denny’s, K Marts, Wendy’s, Pizza Huts, and
other bits and pieces of American Life as We Know It has always
mystified me. It’s probably a sign of good taste, I suppose,
although the lack of things like Icees, Karmelkorn, and Dairy Queen
Mr. Mistees is frustrating (albeit slimming). I often annoy an d
bewilder people, including family members, when on a trip to another
city I insist on going out of my way for a Pronto Pup or a Dilly
Bar…
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #416, from random.a, 284 chars, Sun Feb 3 21:43:05 1991
This is a comment to message 412.
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Having worked as a waiter for a couple years, I’ve got to say that no
matter how careful you are, it often gets to hectic to observe every
table you have.. And, it isn’t really effective for other waiters to
watch your tables since, it’s hard for them to tell what the situation
is.
==========================
animation/inkwell #417, from random.a, 32 chars, Sun Feb 3 21:43:59 1991
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Ummm.. *What* is a Pronto Pup?
==========================
animation/inkwell #418, from hmccracken, 179 chars, Sun Feb 3 22:24:45 1991
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A wonderful corn dog on a stick that I loved as a kid. A Portland, Oregon
tradition — if the Pronto Pup has gone the way of the carrier pigeon,
please don’t tell me!
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #419, from aturn, 509 chars, Sun Feb 3 23:24:39 1991
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There’s a Wendy’s on Route 9 westbound somewhere between Newton and
Framingham (I forget which town).
Here in Arlington, Mass, the local Domino’s Pizza advertises that
they deliver “late”. Inquiries revealed that, “late” in the context of
Arlington, Mass (a dry town, and one where the Chairman of the Board of
Selectmen has twice in the last year railed in print about how he would
never allow pinball machines in town) means until 10:30 PM.
Maybe we ought to move this to the new.england conference?
==========================
animation/inkwell #420, from richard.pini, 186 chars, Sun Feb 3 23:41:18 1991
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Ken’s on Boylston Street is gone???? Damn. We went there about 4 am one
night/morning…saw the entire backup cast from Fellini’s Satyricon in there.
Sic transit gloria gastro-whatever.
==========================
animation/inkwell #421, from hmccracken, 105 chars, Mon Feb 4 00:04:21 1991
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We’re not entirely devoid of Wendy’s and K Mart’s; they’re just rare,
rather than omnipresent.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #422, from random.a, 75 chars, Mon Feb 4 15:53:55 1991
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There’s a Wendy’s and a KMart near downtown crossing. (On the Orange line)
==========================
animation/inkwell #423, from hkenner, 28 chars, Mon Feb 4 17:19:28 1991
This is a comment to message 420.
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Sic transit gloria sundae?
==========================
animation/inkwell #424, from hmccracken, 224 chars, Mon Feb 4 19:06:34 1991
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I knew about the Wendy’s, but a K Mart, too? Wow.
Actually, I know of lots of Wendy’s in Massachusetts — we just have
fewer than normal people do. (And none of them are too convenient to
where I live or work.)
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #425, from davemackey, 752 chars, Mon Feb 4 21:23:13 1991
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Funny how the discussion always turns to FOOD, no matter which
conference it is, animation, Elfquest, etc….
What you describe is sort of like New Jersey, a state with
an absolute dearth of Taco Bells. There are Burger Kings and
McDonalds’ on every streetcorner, but I’ve only found TB’s in
South Plainfield, Delran, Hammonton, Summit, Parsippany and one
or two others I’ve forgotten where they are. But definitely none
in my two main areas of operation, Monmouth and Ocean counties.
We do have our share of Dairy Queens. And Wendy’s. And BK’s,
and Denny’s, and McD’s, even a few White Castles and Arby’s. But
not nearly enough all-night diners any more… and more and more
Nutri/system’s every day!
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #427, from hmccracken, 179 chars, Mon Feb 4 22:33:39 1991
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Hold out, Dave: there may be hope. Until a couple of years ago,
there was nary a Taco Bell to be found in the Commonwealth in
which I live. Now we have scads of them.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #428, from morganfox, 148 chars, Tue Feb 5 11:33:28 1991
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But NJ does have Stewart’s Root Beer, one of the few, if not only places
that still makes draft root beer. I know of at least one in Ocean county.
==========================
animation/inkwell #429, from davemackey, 474 chars, Tue Feb 5 19:28:16 1991
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That’s the one at the intersection of State Highway 37 and County
Highway 549 Spur. That’s a pretty good one.
The one in Holmdel, on Route 35, was torn down just recently
to make way for a gas station. Ugh.
There used to be one in Oakhurst, where I live, but that’s
been gone almost 20 years — my first exposure to the root beer
and burgers.
There are many others around the state, many still offering
carhop service.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #430, from morganfox, 223 chars, Tue Feb 5 19:43:03 1991
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My parents owned a Stewart’s Root Beer for over 20 years. The first in East
Brunswick NJ and the second in Manahawkin, NJ. I grew up in the business.
And yes, we had Carhops, in the late 50’s and into the 60’s, the heyday!
==========================
animation/inkwell #431, from richard.pini, 82 chars, Tue Feb 5 20:23:00 1991
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So you were a carhop before a centerfold…I don’t recall that from the
bio…
==========================
animation/inkwell #432, from morganfox, 48 chars, Tue Feb 5 20:40:27 1991
This is a comment to message 431.
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Richard, you know those Bio’s are made up!
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animation/inkwell #433, from aturn, 203 chars, Tue Feb 5 22:35:53 1991
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Your parents owned the Stewart’s Root Beer in East Brunswick?
Holy Sh*t! We used to go there all the time! (My family lived
in Highland Park, just down the road a ways, for 12 years)
Small world…
==========================
animation/inkwell #434, from hmccracken, 130 chars, Tue Feb 5 22:42:25 1991
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I’ve never heard of Stewart’s. Are they akin to A&W (which is a
vanishing breed, but there are still at least a few)?
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #435, from switch, 77 chars, Tue Feb 5 22:50:47 1991
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That’s funny. A&Ws have been popping up here over the last few years.
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #436, from hmccracken, 52 chars, Tue Feb 5 22:56:11 1991
This is a comment to message 435.
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Ah, so that’s where they moved to.
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #437, from morganfox, 28 chars, Wed Feb 6 11:05:21 1991
This is a comment to message 433.
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That is pretty amazing.
==========================
animation/inkwell #438, from morganfox, 423 chars, Wed Feb 6 11:10:21 1991
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Akin, not quite, but yes. Stewarts and A&W started out a long time ago as
one business. Partners separated and became Stewart’s and A&W. From what I
understand, Stewart’s remained the original and A&W changed the root beer
formula. The franchising was different also. With Stewart’s you were independant.
You used the beverage formulas and kept a quality standard, whereas A&W was/is
much closer to the McDonald’s concept.
==========================
animation/inkwell #439, from davemackey, 544 chars, Wed Feb 6 19:14:22 1991
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That sounds fascinating; did you carhop (here we go turning nouns
into verbs again) at Stewart’s?
Most of the people waiting on cars at Stewart’s these days
are guys. That’s what I’ve found to be the case at the ones in
Toms River and Atlantic Highlands. (It may be different
elsewhere.)
I don’t think the two Stewarts your parents owned are still
around any more (I checked area phone books). Nearest ones to E.
Brunswick and Manahawkin appear to be in Old Bridge and
Tuckerton, respectively.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #440, from morganfox, 549 chars, Wed Feb 6 19:22:30 1991
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Oh, I know both are no longer in existence. My parents live less than a 1/2
mile from the Manahawkin one, and the location of the E. Brunswick one (our
house was next door) is now a mall or something.
Yes, I was a carhop. In truth, I more or less hated it. It was fun at times,
but things like standing in the pouring rain waiting for someone to make
up their minds, was the pits.
I do still have my carhop’s apron from the Manahawkin place.
Where is the Toms River one? I frequently am in Ocean county visiting family,
but I don’t recall that one.
==========================
animation/inkwell #441, from davemackey, 188 chars, Wed Feb 6 21:11:03 1991
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Like I said, intersection of Rt. 37 and 549 Spur (Fisher Blvd.),
just before you get to the Tunney/Mathis Bridge. It is not open
this time of year.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #442, from hmccracken, 193 chars, Wed Feb 6 21:40:57 1991
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The Massachusetts A&Ws seemed to be independent…They were your
basic fried seafood stands, each with their own menu and style.
They just all sold A&W root beer and had an A&W sign.
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #443, from morganfox, 38 chars, Wed Feb 6 22:02:50 1991
This is a comment to message 441.
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OK, got cha. I recall it now. Thanks!
==========================
animation/inkwell #444, from morganfox, 130 chars, Wed Feb 6 22:06:33 1991
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Ah, maybe they have changed. For a while they did have standarized menus.
Certainly they used to be hamburger and Hot Dog places.
==========================
animation/inkwell #445, from hmccracken, 292 chars, Wed Feb 6 22:19:35 1991
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Yup, the ones I remember from my youth were pseudo-McDonaldses
with a menu of Babyburgers, Mamaburgers, and Papaburgers. I
was surprised to find the New England ones were different.
‘Scuse me for a minute whilst I go and create an animation/fast.food
topic…
(Just kidding…)
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #447, from davemackey, 255 chars, Thu Feb 7 19:03:07 1991
This is a comment to message 444.
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The upshot is that if I’m on the road and I’m hungry and see
something orange, nine times out of ten I’ll pull into there as
opposed to a Burger King or McDonald’s.
I’ve always been an ardent fan of Stewart’s.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #448, from hmccracken, 1186 chars, Thu Feb 7 20:53:49 1991
————————–
TITLE: Idle Speculation Department
As much as I revere Jay Ward for Bullwinkle and all the other
terrific TV cartoons he was involved with, I’ve always thought
that most of the artwork on Bullwinkle merchandise of the past
ten years or so has been very shoddy. Neither Rocky nor Bullwinkle
ever looked quite right, and the most annoying thing was that
Bullwinkle’s antlers were always colored yellow and were distinct
appendages from his head — more, in other words, like a real
moose’s antlers than Bullwinkle’s (whose antlers in the cartoon
were the same color as his head.)
I always thought this antler thing was due to sloppiness or maybe
even to careless artists confusing Bullwinkle’s looks
with those of Captain Kangaroo’s Mr. Moose (whose antlers
did look like that). But the cut-out display for the
new Bullwinkle tapes, which is wonderful and well-drawn,
has the antlers the same way. It’s clearly intentional.
I didn’t notice whether another odd bit of revisionist
graphics that recent Bullwinkle merchandise art has
featured — Bullwinkle wearing a green sweater with a
large “W” (presumably for “Wossamotta U”) is being
continued in the tape ads.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #449, from drtoon, 900 chars, Thu Feb 7 21:21:44 1991
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TITLE: Bob’s Big Boy
I can’t believe how you all do go on about Denny’s! I realize this is
extremely important information being exchanged, but not much to do with
animation. In an attempt to draw you folks back to the
supposed topic of this conference, try out this little bit of ultra-trivia.
Bob’s Big Boy, corporate symbol of the restaurant chain for over 50
years, sprang from the pen of Ben Washam. Ben was an animator with Looney
Tunes who dropped by Bob’s Pantry in Burbank one evening in 1937 and sketched the infamous Big Boy while he ate.
This little bit of Americana was unearthed at the American Advertising
Museum in Portland, OR on a recent visit. I recommend this museum to
anyone traveling in the great northwest. It has been home in the past to a
retrospective of Will Vinton’s Raisin characters, featuring a room full of
original sets and clay models.
Bon appetit.
–Doug Ranney.
==========================
animation/inkwell #450, from hmccracken, 37 chars, Thu Feb 7 22:01:29 1991
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Wow! Great fact, Doug.
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #451, from switch, 237 chars, Fri Feb 8 13:49:27 1991
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Funny thing is, I’ve been travelling to the States all my life with my
family but didn’t even know what Big Boy’s was until my last trip down
in December. How can I miss such a big chunk of Americana (with great
chocolate cakes)?
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #452, from hmccracken, 240 chars, Fri Feb 8 18:11:46 1991
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‘Big Boys are a regional thing, to some degree…Heavy in California
and scattered elsewhere. They are of note here also for a long-
standing (though now defunct) custom of distributing a free comic
book starring their namesake.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #453, from richard.pini, 167 chars, Fri Feb 8 18:46:23 1991
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This could even spill over into /comics, since there was (and probably still
is) a Big Boy comic book. The first issue was done by Bill Everett, of
“SubMariner” fame.
==========================
animation/inkwell #454, from hmccracken, 163 chars, Fri Feb 8 19:44:26 1991
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I believe the _Big Boy_ comic was discontinued some time ago, Richard.
Big Boys do, however, still offer nifty Big Boy plastic banks at a
nominal price.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #455, from mscoville, 300 chars, Fri Feb 8 20:52:35 1991
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Trivia Time:
Since everyone is on the Denny, Big Boy kick; here’
s a trivia quiz for Big Boy. Can you name the different franchises for
Big Boy. Here’s the start: the home or California Big Boy was Bob’s, can
any one name the rest of the state franchises. Good Luck, I can only
remember 2. mscoville
==========================
animation/inkwell #456, from sje, 98 chars, Fri Feb 8 22:10:06 1991
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In Michigan in the 1960s, the Big Boy restaurants were also known
as “Elias Brothers”. — Steve
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animation/inkwell #457, from pdriver, 54 chars, Sat Feb 9 08:46:33 1991
This is a comment to message 418.
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there is a pronto pub in San Francisco, so don’t fret
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animation/inkwell #458, from switch, 17 chars, Sat Feb 9 12:18:52 1991
This is a comment to message 456.
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Still are.
Emru
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animation/inkwell #459, from davemackey, 734 chars, Sun Feb 10 01:03:35 1991
This is a comment to message 449.
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We talk about all sorts of things in /inkwell that don’t have
anything to do with animation, because that’s precisely what the
topic is for.
I remember reading something about Ben “Sour Persimmons”
Washam designing the Big Boy guy; it was probably mentioned in is
obituary a few years ago. (I think Washam was just an assistant
at the time, since he didn’t get screen credit until 1942 for
“Conrad The Sailor” — the beginning of a long association with
Chuck Jones.)
A lot of the talk in this topic, as well as over in
elfquest/dreamberries, gravitates to food. There are lots of
epicures on here. Tastykakes, blue nacho chips, Cheez Waffies,
Chili Fritos… you name it, we eat it.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #460, from dave.f, 58 chars, Thu Feb 14 12:27:31 1991
This is a comment to message 451.
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Here, in central Massachusetts, it’s Abdow’s Big Boy.
D=
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animation/inkwell #461, from sharonfisher, 141 chars, Fri Feb 15 11:50:34 1991
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TITLE: Bullwinkle
I am now the proud possesser of a six-tape set of Rocky & Bullwinkle for
knowing Nell’s last name… radio station promo.
==========================
animation/inkwell #462, from morganfox, 16 chars, Fri Feb 15 12:19:57 1991
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Hey! Congrats!
==========================
animation/inkwell #463, from hmccracken, 148 chars, Fri Feb 15 17:47:52 1991
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Congratulations! And people say that grown-ups who are interested
in animation are just cluttering up their mind with useless trivia…
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #464, from davemackey, 150 chars, Fri Feb 15 19:25:14 1991
This is a comment to message 461.
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Gee, wow, I had to pay for mine! Maybe next time. But congrats to
you, and remember… RADIO. Not television.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #465, from hmccracken, 274 chars, Sat Feb 16 14:52:06 1991
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TITLE: Winsor McCay, Father of Multimedia?
So says a cute sidebar in a recent issue of MacUser, which calls
McCay’s _Gertie the Dinosaur_ vaudeville show, in which McCay
appeared onstage and interacted with animation of Gertie, the
first multimedia presentation.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #466, from hmccracken, 247 chars, Sat Feb 16 14:53:13 1991
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TITLE: The current issue of _Comics Scene_ magazine is worth
buying for a fascinating article on _Destino_, an unfinished film
that was a collaboration between Salvador Dali and Disney.
Heck, the illustrations alone are worth the price.
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #467, from bsoron, 48 chars, Sat Feb 16 17:51:08 1991
This is a comment to message 465.
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Sounds more like virtual reality to me!
==========================
animation/inkwell #468, from davemackey, 435 chars, Sat Feb 16 22:40:18 1991
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That might be interesting reading. Disney was always interested
in broadening the artistic scope of his films; he brought in guys
like Oskar Fischinger to make their independent projects on the
lot and tickle the artists’ muses. I would imagine this Dali
project (was this in the 30’s as well?) to be with the same
intent. From your description it sounds like it’s a pity it was
never finished.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #469, from hmccracken, 156 chars, Sun Feb 17 09:17:39 1991
This is a comment to message 468.
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‘The Dali project was from the 1940s. Disney also had Aldous
Huxley come in to work on the story for _Alice in Wonderland_;
it didn’t work out.
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #470, from davemackey, 383 chars, Sun Feb 24 09:57:33 1991
This is a comment to message 375.
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Well, I hope Saddam was watching TNT at about 8:30 this morning,
because there it was — “Peace On Earth” — a Christmas cartoon
at the end of February. (But something to think about
nevertheless.)
On the other hand, there just may be a bug in TNT’s cartoon
computer — the Christmas-oriented “Bedtime For Sniffles” also
showed up today.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #471, from davemackey, 477 chars, Wed Mar 6 21:31:32 1991
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TITLE: Eat em up
Since there are probably lots of people here who have some
working knowledge of the marvelous “Our Gang” comedies of Hal
Roach, it bears mentioning that Republic Pictures Home Video will
soon be releasing six new low-priced volumes of “The Little
Rascals,” and among the shorts that will be released to video for
the first time is “The Kid From Borneo,” one of those you just
don’t see on TV anymore. Yum yum eat em up!
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #472, from hmccracken, 152 chars, Thu Mar 7 00:10:11 1991
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I would guess that people who like cartoons are more than likely
to also enjoy _Our Gang_. At least I’ve been a Gangster for a
long time…
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #473, from davemackey, 556 chars, Thu Mar 7 21:21:52 1991
This is a comment to message 472.
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I feel sorry for today’s little boys, falling for Darla and then
finding out she’s no longer among the living. But that’s part of
the magic of those films.
Of course, the influence of “Our Gang” in the animation
world is well known: ordered by producer Leon Schlesinger to come
up with a cartoon equivalent, Friz Freleng came up with the
cartoon that gave birth to Porky Pig. If you look at the history
of “Our Gang,” this is where all of the great shorts with Spanky
and Alfalfa were just starting to be made.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #474, from hmccracken, 1206 chars, Wed Mar 13 22:12:27 1991
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TITLE: Has anybody seen a new movie called _The Spirit of 76_ that
was dumped into one Boston theater with no promotion this week?
(It’s live action, but if you don’t tell the moderators, I won’t.)
The plot concerns a trio of people from the future who mistakenly
travel back in time to 1976 instead of 1776, and if you grew up in
the 1970s the movie is a must. It’s jammed with hilarious 70s
references, half of them about things you had forgotten about —
AMC Pacers, the public service message with the Indian crying over
pollution, “Spider”-style bicycles with banana seats, etc. The
thing stars David Cassidy (!) and Leif Garrett (!!) and was written and
directed by Lucas Reiner (son of Carl, brother of Rob — they both
appear) and produced by him and Roman Coppola (son
designed the costumes). The eclectic cast also includes
Barbara Bain, Julie Brown, and Devo. Very funny for people
of a certain age, indecipherable for folks older or younger,
which is probably why it’s not getting a real release so far
as I can tell. (The fact that it seems to have been made on
a tiny budget probably didn’t help, either.) I predict it
will become a cult classic when it gets to videotape…
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #475, from davemackey, 372 chars, Thu Mar 14 19:06:57 1991
This is a comment to message 474.
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How could anyone forget old Iron Eyes Cody? He still marches in
the Hollywood Christmas Parade every year. And he could still
lend his support to today’s environmental causes.
Every decade has its nostalgia, and it seems the 70’s are
being remembered for mostly ridiculous reasons: pet rocks, mood
rings, disco, and wide ties.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #476, from grekel, 553 chars, Tue Mar 26 00:05:56 1991
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TITLE: Transparency in cel animation
I’ve never really heard or read an explanation of how a character or
object appears transparent in a cel animation. Are there two exposures
for each cel? One with and one without the transparent thing?
And while I’m at it… newer cartoons have an effect I haven’t seen in
the old ones — very vibrant glows and halos around laser beams, explosions,
etc. — effects that don’t appear to be painted. Are these also done as
a separate exposure with a backlighting technique?
I’d appreciate some illumination here
==========================
animation/inkwell #477, from hmccracken, 191 chars, Tue Mar 26 00:23:29 1991
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Well, I’m sure more than one technique has been used to create the
effect, but I know that in the old Casper cartoons they did the
job by painting Casper with a transluscent paint.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #478, from richard.pini, 174 chars, Tue Mar 26 11:16:58 1991
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From what I know of such things, and without reference to any books, you are
right about the haloing effects; the same goes for starbursts and other
purely luminous effects.
==========================
animation/inkwell #479, from davemackey, 326 chars, Tue Mar 26 19:06:36 1991
This is a comment to message 476.
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Ah yes, the old Casper the Friendly Ghost type deal. I believe
it’s done through camera trickery, some sort of double exposure.
The regular elements of the scene were shot first, and Casper was
shot afterward, making it appear that the objects could still be
seen underneath the ghost.
–Dave
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animation/inkwell #480, from davemackey, 134 chars, Tue Mar 26 19:39:05 1991
This is a comment to message 477.
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Whoops, forgot those were Paramount cartoons, not exactly known
for lavish production values.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #481, from davemackey, 810 chars, Mon Apr 1 00:13:49 1991
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TITLE: So long, Comedy Channel
In preparation for tomorrow’s launch of Comedy TV, the new merger
of the two previous comedy cable channels, The Comedy Channel has
just signed off the air for good moments ago — rather
unceremoniously, I might add. Their last program was a Wil
Shriner special, and their final “you’re watching the Comedy
Channel” ID was done by those masters of high comedy, Flo &
Eddie.
The Comedy Channel is going to be fondly remembered as a
programmer of funky old animation, particularly on its “Higgins
Boys And Gruber” show, which included “Supercar,” “Clutch Cargo”
and various old cartoons shown by the ever-intoxicated Captain
Lucky.
Comedy TV launches at 4 p.m. tomorrow, wherever The Comedy
Channel or HA! were on your cable dial.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #482, from adunkin, 289 chars, Mon Apr 1 21:26:50 1991
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You forgot the hidden humor classic . . Mystery Science Theatre 3000 . .
featured in both Time and Entertainment Tonight.
That show was great . . it got pulled [probably for new season] a few monthes
ago . .
Which do you think was better, Ha! or the Comedy Channel?
— Alan Dunkin
==========================
animation/inkwell #483, from davemackey, 512 chars, Mon Apr 1 23:17:11 1991
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First of all, MST3000 will be back on CTV, with new episodes.
I can’t really pass judgment on which is better since my
system had The Comedy Channel and not HA! (In fact, tonight I saw
“Clash” for the first time.) But I would rather have had HA! than
CC, possibly because of the 80’s SNL and some of the other
series it offered. Now I have the best of both worlds.
Incidentally, who did the first CTV ID? No less than those
bombastic magicians, Penn and Teller.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #484, from hmccracken, 194 chars, Tue Apr 2 07:30:01 1991
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You’re fortunate you don’t live here in Newton, where the cable PTB
don’t find us deserving of any cable channels — but do provide us
with an amazing array of shopping channels, etc.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #485, from bsoron, 182 chars, Tue Apr 2 19:39:31 1991
This is a comment to message 484.
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Watertown doesn’t even have its own feed — the Newton signals are
simply passed through to us. A recent newsletter promised us more
channels if we renew their license. Weasels.
==========================
animation/inkwell #486, from adunkin, 140 chars, Tue Apr 2 20:59:48 1991
This is a comment to message 483.
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I really did watch Ha!, so I couldn’t give you my opinion of my own question.
Ah well, I think I’ll watch some tonight ..
— Alan Dunkin
==========================
animation/inkwell #487, from hmccracken, 530 chars, Sat Apr 6 20:03:29 1991
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TITLE: Why doesn’t Warner Bros…
release at least some of the earliest _Bugs Bunny Show_ episodes as
nifty, short (24 minutes or so) videotapes for ten bucks or so?
These were the episodes that featured lots of very good new footage
by Chuck Jones and Friz Freleng to link the cartoons. They’re the
only place where you’ll find teamups like Yosemite Sam and Pepe
Le Pew. Almost none of this material has been seen in decades —
they could bill them as “The Bugs Bunny Show Lost Episodes” and
get lots of publicity…
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #488, from hmccracken, 554 chars, Sat Apr 6 20:06:13 1991
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TITLE: I just saw something odd and animation-related…
An early episode of _Rocky and His Friends_ that’s a special Christmas
episode. The holiday theme is created by excising the non-Bullwinkle
cartoons in favor of some live-action footage of Santa Claus, played
by an unpadded William Conrad (!), who speaks to an unseen Rocky and
Bullwinkle on the telephone and then introduces an apparently non-
Jay Ward produced live-action/stop-motion Christmas film about a
little girl whose doll comes to life and dances on a piano. Very strange.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #489, from hmccracken, 339 chars, Sat Apr 6 20:08:00 1991
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TITLE: Another oddity, seen while watching an 1960s TV cartoon show
complete with original commercials (_Mighty Mouse Playhouse_): a
commercial for a doll named Suzy Cute featuring, as celebrity
endorser, Louis Armstrong! Wonder how they decided that ol’
Satchmo was a good spokesman for a product aimed at prepubescent
girls?
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #490, from davemackey, 598 chars, Sat Apr 6 20:44:09 1991
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I have seen some boots of the original “Bugs Bunny Show” at sale
at various conventions; 16mm copies are frequently on the market
as well. Despite all that, I can’t say that I’ve ever seen one of
these.
But that’s a pretty good idea, one that I never thought of.
The “BBS” footage was being used to pad out the old “Bugs Bunny
Road Runner” Show in the 1970’s and the early 80’s, back when the
shows were a mere six cartoons long.
How were the cartoons originally presented on the original
ABC prime-time show? Did they carry credits and/or titles?
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #491, from davemackey, 192 chars, Sat Apr 6 20:44:20 1991
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Well, what else would you expect from the man who knocked the
Beatles out of the number one spot on the music charts with a
song called “Hello, Dolly”?
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #492, from hmccracken, 445 chars, Sat Apr 6 20:52:41 1991
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Only a very little of the new footage was included in the fairly-
recent _Bugs Bunny/Road Runner_ shows. The episodes I’ve seen vary —
some include titles (but not full credits) and some try to edit
the cartoons into a fairly seamless half-hour. For instance, one
I’ve seen moves from typical Bugs-in-straw-hat-before-stage new footage,
to new footage of Elmer backstage, to the opening of _Rabbit of Seville_.
It works quite well.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #493, from hmccracken, 62 chars, Sat Apr 6 20:54:23 1991
This is a comment to message 491.
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I think this ad came before that, but I’m not sure.
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #494, from hmccracken, 527 chars, Sat Apr 6 20:59:11 1991
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TITLE: Watch this space
Since there doesn’t seem to be any place else on BIX to discuss
general-interest live-action movies (SF/media is a good place
to discuss SF and fantasy ones), I’m going to be posting comments
on them here. (I usually see a movie each week, but it’s often
a $2.50 special at the local theater — for example, I just got
around to seeing _Reversal of Fortune_ last Wednesday.) I’ll
begin this with whatever I see this week, and others are invited
to comment on live-action films here as well.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #495, from davemackey, 277 chars, Mon Apr 8 21:11:04 1991
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I’m a little surprised that this hasn’t been mentioned around
here, but did you know that the new Alec Baldwin/Kim Basinger
film “The Marrying Man” was directed by Jerry Rees, whose past
credits have included “The Brave Little Toaster”?
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #496, from davemackey, 513 chars, Mon Apr 8 21:11:21 1991
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TITLE: Dave’s Incommunicado Advisory
Yes, Dave’s going into hiding soon.
The weekend of 4/12-4/14, Dave will be in Albany for the
semi-annual convention of the Motor Bus Society. And from
4/20-4/28, Dave will be in Sunny Florida visiting his sister and
the Disney/MGM Studios. Why Dave’s going to Florida when it’s 89
degrees in New Jersey in April, he doesn’t know.
So in the words of Richie Cunningham, “Have a good time….
but not TOO good a time, bucko!”
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #497, from davemackey, 476 chars, Mon Apr 8 21:11:59 1991
This is a comment to message 492.
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In addition to Jones and Freleng’s much-noted involvement
with the show, Bob McKimson put some of the “Bugs Bunny Show”
episodes together, including one episode (prod. 1632) which
includes two of McKimson’s archetypal early-50’s one-shots: “Wild
Wife” and “There Auto Be A Law.”
If anything, the “Bugs Bunny Show” definitely laid the
groundwork for the format of most succeeding Warner Bros.
television specials and feature films.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #498, from switch, 79 chars, Mon Apr 8 22:50:40 1991
This is a comment to message 495.
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So that’s where I saw the name before. My memory’s slipping with age
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #499, from jenn, 201 chars, Tue Apr 9 19:35:59 1991
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TITLE: Sounds like it’s time for a celebration…
Barkeep, please get me your most expensive champagne!
Harry just landed a wonderful job…which I’m sure he will
tell us all about.
Congrats, Harry!
==========================
animation/inkwell #500, from hmccracken, 854 chars, Tue Apr 9 19:43:06 1991
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Gosh, news spreads quickly in these parts…
As of two weeks from now or so, I will be technical editor of
_Computer Buying World_, a brand-new IDG magazine whose editor
in chief is George Bond, the founder of BIX. It looks to be
a wonderful job in every way.E I will be leaving my current
job as senior editor at CorpTech, a small publisher of directories
of information on high-tech companies where I’ve labored for three
and a half years (it was my first and until now only full-time job
out of college). Not working for CorpTech will be a very, very
strange thing to deal with — the notion that the company will
go on existing without me is startling (I don’t mean that in an
egotistical way at all). Sort of like the feeling you get when
you leave high school, I guess — the feeling *I* got when i]I
left high school, anyway…
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #501, from sharonfisher, 17 chars, Tue Apr 9 20:16:37 1991
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Congratulations!
==========================
animation/inkwell #502, from hmccracken, 19 chars, Tue Apr 9 20:21:42 1991
This is a comment to message 501.
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Thanks!
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #503, from morganfox, 144 chars, Tue Apr 9 20:35:56 1991
This is a comment to message 500.
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That is double wonderful news! Congrats on your new job! And I am so glad to
hear about George Bond too! Just great! All the best to you both!
==========================
animation/inkwell #504, from bsoron, 86 chars, Wed Apr 10 01:02:24 1991
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Congratulations, Harry! If you’re up for some networking, see your
Bixmail…
==========================
animation/inkwell #505, from davemackey, 99 chars, Wed Apr 10 19:05:44 1991
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Congratulations! Not only on the new job, but message 500!
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #506, from richard.pini, 54 chars, Wed Apr 10 23:38:45 1991
This is a comment to message 500.
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Congranulations! (And a hotsy-totsy msg # to boot!
==========================
animation/inkwell #507, from hmccracken, 60 chars, Thu Apr 11 00:17:24 1991
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TITLE: Thanks to all…
for the congratulations!
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #508, from hmccracken, 2147 chars, Thu Apr 11 00:33:16 1991
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TITLE: Live-action movie comments: _Defending Your Life_
I should explain from the start that based on his first three movies
(_Real Life_, _Modern Romance_, and _Lost in America_), I consider
Albert Brooks to be a genuine comic genius. I’m using the term in
its very strictest sense — Brooks is maybe the *only* filmmaker
currently working who I’d attach that label to. He has an ear
for dialogue that is really unmatched, and I was pleased to see
his abilities as a comic actor rewarded with the Oscar nomination
he got for _Broadcast News_.
Given that, I was a little disappointed by his new movie, _Defending
Your Life_, mainly because it has so very little in common with
his earlier work. (If you had told me it was written and directed
by someone else and merely starred Brooks, my mind would have been
clear and I might have enjoyed it a lot more.) Brooks’s earlier
films were incredibly sharp and unsentimental things without an
ounce of flab or a phony moment. _Defending Your Life_, which is
set in an afterlife that resembles nothing so much as Epcot
Center, is soft-edged and sentimental, with a conclusion that’s
almost Spielbergian. Nothing wrong with that, it’s just surprising
from Brooks.
Taken on its own terms, there is much to like in the film. Conceptually,
Brooks’s view of the afterlife — called “Judgement City” — is extremely
clever, as is the trial he goes through to determine whether he gets
bumped back to earth or promoted to the next world. (It’s tough, but
I won’t reval any of the hilarious conceits Brooks establishes.)
The supporting cast — Brooks’s films are always brilliantly cast —
includes Rip Torn, Lee Grant, and Buck Henry, and all are extremely
good. Meryl Streep, as Brooks’s dream girl whom he meets in
Judgement City, is fine, although you kind of wonder what she saw
in such a shallow part. Brooks himself seems disoriented and disconnected
from his surroundings, which may be intentional but is sure a change
from every other role he’s ever had.
I would be interested to hear what someone who isn’t familiar with
Brooks’s earlier films has to say about this one.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #509, from hmccracken, 416 chars, Sat Apr 13 12:42:18 1991
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TITLE: Boston-area BIXen…
may be interested to know that the Lexington Flick, a nifty little
independent movie theater in Lexington Centre, will be showing
cartoons continuously from 9am to 3pm on Patriot’s Day (that’s
Monday). All seats are 25 cents, and I have no idea what type
of cartoons they’ll be. I don’t get Monday off, but may drop by
at lunchtime since I work fairly close to the theater.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #510, from hmccracken, 886 chars, Mon Apr 15 21:28:02 1991
This is a comment to message 509.
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I snuck into the Lexington Flick’s 25-cent cartoon festival for about
forty-five minutes during lunch today. The selection was an odd one:
_Ben and Me_, the 1950s Disney cartoon about a mouse giving Ben Franklin
all his best ideas; _Snow Excuse_, a lousy 1960s DePatie-Freleng
Daffy-Duck/Speedy Gonzales cartoon; _Now Hare This_, a pretty mediocre
Robert McKimson Bugs Bunny cartoon; a DePatie-Freleng Road Runner whose
title I didn’t catch, but which featured the little-seen 1960s Warner
opening credits _Family Dog_, Steven Spielberg’s animated short; and
_The Mysterious Package_, a 1960 Mighty Mouse cartoon that was really
rather charming. When my friends and I left the theater was starting
to show _Ben and Me_ again, and I’m not sure whether that was by mistake
or if they showed the selection of cartoons we saw over and over to fill
up the festival’s five hours.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #511, from davemackey, 258 chars, Tue Apr 16 20:10:06 1991
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Well, that’s one Boston Marathon anyone can win. You guys up
there must be so lucky on Patriot’s Day. You get a Red Sox game
starting at 10:30 in the morning, parades, the Marathon, and
cartoon festivals. Such a life.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #512, from hmccracken, 259 chars, Tue Apr 16 20:38:25 1991
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TITLE: Not animation-related but…
I did want to mark here the passing of Sir David Lean, director of
_Lawrence of Arabia_, _Zhivago_, _Brief Encounter_, _Ryan’s Daughter_,
and (my favorite) _Great Expectations_. We will not see his like
again.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #513, from rcrook, 87 chars, Tue Apr 16 23:24:33 1991
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>… a Red Sox game …
13 innings worth, no less! Sox lost, tho, 1-0
= Argosy =
==========================
animation/inkwell #514, from random.a, 89 chars, Wed Apr 17 11:24:29 1991
This is a comment to message 513.
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They won yesterday tho – 5-2. ;] 3 Home runs, 1 out of the field.
It was great! ;]
==========================
animation/inkwell #515, from bsoron, 320 chars, Wed Apr 17 22:33:14 1991
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TITLE: Oops
Sorry I missed the cbix last night… all week long, I’ve been
convinced that every day has been some other day (tonight, in fact,
I turned on Fox to watch the Simpsons… the ironic part is that
this is the first time I remembered to watch in many weeks). To
paraphrase Bill Ward, next time for sure…
==========================
animation/inkwell #516, from hmccracken, 1587 chars, Thu Apr 18 20:00:15 1991
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TITLE: I don’t have to feel ashamed about mentioning Woody Allen’s
_Alice_ here in the animation conference: it is probably the
only recent live-action film that features two of Disney’s Nine
Old Men — Ward Kimball and Frank Thomas — playing music on the
(very good) soundtrack, along with the rest of the Firehouse Five,
the dixieland band Kimball organized at the Disney studio. This
fact was revealed to me through careful reading of the end credits.
I’m not that much of a Woody Allen fan — he’s an excellent director,
a so-so screenwriter, and a very, very limited actor. Woody isn’t
in this film, so the last point isn’t an issue, although Mia Farrow,
who plays Alice (a prim and repressed New York society wife) seems
to be doing a Woody impression for much of the film. The plot is
an easy blend of quite interesting, fairly serious material about
Alice hesitantly having an affair with a series of scenes in which
she turns invisible, flies, etc., as the result of herbal medicine
prescribed by a mystic Chinese doctor played by the late Keye Luke.
The fantasy doesn’t seem particularly well worked out, and not even
very interesting except for the first such scene (in which the
medicine makes Alice incredibly flirtatious with a stranger) and
the last one (in which it makes an entire Christmas party of men
fall in love with Alice).
Farrow is quite good, as is William Hurt as her husband. Like a lot
of Allen films this one also features a lot of interesting but
miscast actors, including Cybill Shepherd, Bernadette Peters, and
Alec Baldwin.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #517, from hmccracken, 452 chars, Thu Apr 18 20:38:51 1991
This is a comment to message 515.
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I will be glad to edit and upload the session to the listings
(after failing with my attempt to do so with the first session),
although this particular CBIX session was more of a chatty,
humorous discussion on a lot of topics, not all of them directly
related to animation, then was the first one. It was an awful
lot of fun, but I’m not sure how absorbing a transcript of it all
would be.
Moral: never miss an animation conference CBIX.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #518, from bsoron, 179 chars, Thu Apr 18 21:23:58 1991
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Of course, the saga continued tonight when, for the second evening
in a row, I remembered to watch the Simpsons… and it was the *one*
episode I’ve already seen this season!
==========================
animation/inkwell #519, from bsoron, 113 chars, Thu Apr 18 21:24:28 1991
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P.S. — Harry, don’t worry about uploading the transcript. I’ll keep
a better eye on the calendar next week.
==========================
animation/inkwell #520, from davemackey, 86 chars, Thu Apr 18 21:45:26 1991
This is a comment to message 517.
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The old bromide applies: You Had To Be There.
–Dave
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animation/inkwell #521, from rcrook, 262 chars, Fri Apr 19 23:07:07 1991
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Last nites Simpsons rerun… At least it’s a timely choice… the
episode was the one where Homer has an illegal cable-tv hook-up
to see a big boxing match … and tonite is the much hyped
Holyfield/Foreman fight shown live on pay-per-view cable…
= Argosy =
==========================
animation/inkwell #522, from davemackey, 227 chars, Sat Apr 20 06:27:52 1991
This is a comment to message 521.
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And let’s give Mr. George Foreman a real big hand for having the
stick-to-itive-ness to stay in the ring 12 rounds with the champ,
at an age where most fighters are well into retirement.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #523, from davemackey, 134 chars, Sat Apr 20 11:59:29 1991
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TITLE: He’s gone
Now you guys stay here while I go to Florida. Now promise me you
won’t move.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #524, from switch, 31 chars, Sat Apr 20 12:32:10 1991
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Quick, change the locks!
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #525, from switch, 165 chars, Sat Apr 20 12:32:51 1991
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TITLE: Say, did anyone see…
…_Metropolitan_? Went to see it just last week — an interesting film, I
guess, but I wonder what other people think of it…
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #526, from switch, 449 chars, Sat Apr 20 12:37:30 1991
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TITLE: At last!
I’ve finally found somewhere that sells cartoon boxer shorts! The ideal
gift for the discriminating cartoon addict… I noticed them as I was
walking down St-Laurent on my way to get some food. They were quite nice —
definitely Shorts To Be Seen In (aka “Amusing Incidents With Your Girlfriend”)
and probably pricy. There were four or five different kinds: Bugs Bunny, Tex
Avery, Droopy, and Wolfie are the ones I recall.
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #527, from hkenner, 33 chars, Sat Apr 20 13:00:52 1991
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Okay, we’re all in freeze-frame.
==========================
animation/inkwell #528, from hmccracken, 303 chars, Sat Apr 20 16:42:24 1991
This is a comment to message 526.
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They sound like a French product; I’ve heard (maybe here?) that
Tex Avery is lionized enough there that ordinary folks talk about
“Tex Avery cartoons.” The _Whole Toon Catalog_’s selection of
French Avery books and merchandise is another sign of the high
regard that Tex is held in there.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #529, from hmccracken, 155 chars, Sat Apr 20 16:43:10 1991
This is a comment to message 525.
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I’ve seen the coming attractions trailer a million times, but not the
film. As I recall, my sister (a severe critic) saw and detested the
film.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #530, from hmccracken, 46 chars, Sat Apr 20 16:43:38 1991
This is a comment to message 523.
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Have fun, Dave, and come back soon.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #531, from dquick, 32 chars, Sat Apr 20 17:51:32 1991
This is a comment to message 524.
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Do I have to?
Dave Quick
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animation/inkwell #532, from rcrook, 20 chars, Sun Apr 21 16:38:53 1991
This is a comment to message 531.
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ROFL!!
= Argosy =
==========================
animation/inkwell #533, from switch, 173 chars, Mon Apr 22 17:12:16 1991
This is a comment to message 529.
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Martin Siberok of the Montreal Mirror panned it too. Some of the
er symbolic bits were a bit heavy-handed, but it had some interesting
things underneath the surface.
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #534, from switch, 608 chars, Wed Apr 24 14:01:01 1991
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TITLE: Yikes…
I completely forgot about the animation CBIX last night! Mind you,
I happened to be at a screening of the English _Akira_ at the Cinema
de Paris last night… The owner of the Paris is starting to get
interested in showing more animation, and was apparently piqued
by a clip of _Robot Carnival_ he saw. _Akira_’s also been showing
to packed houses, and creaming some of the live-action shows in
terms of sales. So I show my support towards more animation by
going to these shows and getting as many people to come with me as
possible.
Anyway, next Tuesday I’ll be there. Promise.
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #535, from hmccracken, 402 chars, Wed Apr 24 21:58:50 1991
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You missed a good one, Emru, although it was a fairly quiet night.
For a long stretch adunkin and I were the only participants; we
mixed conversation about animation and baseball. Later, Rjenks
joined us and the discussion focused on Japanese animation.
Still later, drtoon (Doug Ranney of the Whole Toon Catalog)
dropped by, and we talked about videotapes, books, and cartoon
merchandise.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #536, from adunkin, 124 chars, Wed Apr 24 23:11:14 1991
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Yeah, that was fun! We should do it again next time.
— Alan Dunkin
BTW Harry, Texas won again over the Brew, 8-2.
==========================
animation/inkwell #537, from switch, 11 chars, Fri Apr 26 10:00:00 1991
This is a comment to message 535.
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Foo.
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #538, from hmccracken, 906 chars, Sat Apr 27 10:18:14 1991
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TITLE: Henson Associates’ _Dinosaurs_
Did anyone else see this Friday night on ABC? It sort of answers
the question “What if the people who made _Godzilla_ decided to
revive _The Flintstones_? The costumes were very, very well designed,
but rather expressionless; not unlike the Henson shop’s work for
_Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles_. (Oh, they have *some* expression,
and nobody does this still better than Henson’s people. But I
question whether it’s worth the effort and money, and Kermit, Ernie,
and other Muppets with expressions formed by somebody’s hand rather
than remote-control electronics always were a lot more personable.)
The script was OK, although if it was an episode of _The Flintstones_,
_The Honeymooners_, or _Life of Riley_, it would have seemed pretty
weak. I’ll be interested to see how future episodes (this is an
ongoing show, isn’t it) compare to this first one.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #539, from elfhive, 935 chars, Sat Apr 27 22:25:04 1991
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Actually I thought they managed expressions quite well. It is difficult
to get beyond a sort of rubbery expression but they do really well with
the eyes and certain facial motions. I didn’t have any trouble relating
to the reactions that the characters were portraying in every case, but
of course the depth of the emotions isn’t going to be very sophisticated
in something like this.
I enjoyed the show. It was visually different enough to overcome the
inanity, which was no different than 95% of US television fare. I
wish they would bring some of the writers from British comedy to work
on stuff like this. Can you imagine what John Cleese would do with
this kind of idea? Feeling generous, I would say that the _Dinosaurs_
plot was closer a _Simpsons_ storyline than the older shows you
mention.
I don’t know if this is an ongoing show (forgot to look in TV Guide
before logging on :-), but I too will give it a further chance.
==========================
animation/inkwell #540, from hmccracken, 780 chars, Sun Apr 28 17:19:37 1991
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The eyes work pretty well, but they can’t seem to give the characters
mouths that do anything except form a sort of goofy grin. (The
T.M.N.Turtles share this sort of silly-looking expression, even
when they’re engaged in battle.) The thing that I find asafd aboutr
the whole situation is that these incredibly expensive, complex
puppets just shout “robot,” while Henson’s old hand puppets
were *people* (well, frogs, pigs, and dogs — but you get the
idea).
I’m sure that _Dinosaurs_ got underway because of _The Simpsons_’
success, but it really reminded me of _The Life of Riley_ as
much as any other show. Earl and his wife are very close to
the Rileys in characterization. Just goes to show how little
this type of show has changed over the last forty years.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #541, from elfhive, 1045 chars, Sun Apr 28 17:30:21 1991
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Harry, I tried to decipher what you meant by asafd, but I’m stumped
I haven’t seen _Life of Riley_, ever, so I can’t comment on how
closely _Dinosaurs_ parallels that storyline, but I can readily
agree that the situation comedy television artform probably peaked
early (in the fifties) and there hasn’t been much innovation since.
It appears to have become actor dependent rather than writer dependent,
perhaps this is why _Simpsons_ seems like a breath of fresh air. It
may also be that the animation in _Simpsons_ lets the writers get away
with a *lot* more as far as plot goes.
Clearly the hand puppets allow for a much greater and simpler control
over facial expressions (although the eyes then tend to be static).
It looks like the creators are deliberately going for greater eye
contact, if you will, to convey emotion. But now that you have defined
the “goofy grin” expression, it will be hard for me to shake that
image. I’m trying to recall if _Dark Crystal_ had better expressions,
it seemed to me that the humanoid heroes did.
==========================
animation/inkwell #542, from hmccracken, 987 chars, Sun Apr 28 18:40:54 1991
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asafd=Awfully Strange and Fairly Droll…You couldn’t figure
*that* out? (Actually, it was one of those typos that looks
corrected on your screen but not to BIX…Read “sad” for
“asafd.”
I guess I feel that all of the high-tech gizmos they use to
animate the faces in _Dinosaurs_ do as much to point out
how artificial the puppets are as to bring them to life.
This is actually a lot like what happened with some of
Disney’s early attempts at realism…The Prince in _Snow
White_, for example, wasn’t nearly as real a character as
Mickey Mouse was at the same time, despite being much
more realistic in design and animation. With Henson’s
creations, Kermit’s eyes, despite being immobile, are
actually more expressive than the _Dinsosaurs_ bunch’s
eyes, because you very quickly accept the stylization
of the early Muppets, and because there’s a well-rounded
*character* there. The _Dinosaurs_ characters’s *surfaces*
are much better defined than their personalities are.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #543, from richard.pini, 378 chars, Sun Apr 28 21:02:55 1991
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They didn’t. At least IMO. Same stiffness of expression. What continues to
amaze me is the people who still write in and suggest that (whenever, ifever
it gets made) an Elfquest movie use Muppet technology for the elves. Do these
folks *really* think that it’s any kind of adequate for expression, let alone
great? I sincerely do not understand peoples’ perceptions any more…
==========================
animation/inkwell #544, from hmccracken, 130 chars, Sun Apr 28 21:47:41 1991
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Do you think, Richard, that anything other than drawn animation
would be up to the job of creating an _Elfquest_ movie?
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #545, from grekel, 427 chars, Sun Apr 28 22:26:32 1991
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you mentioned “_Simpsons_ storylines”…
I just watched the “Lisa falls for her substitute teacher” and the “Homer
Diets” episodes and was just FLOORED by the amount of STUFF (good stuff)
they cram in a half hour! Never mind the cameo voices by Dustin Hoffman
(credited as “Sam Etic”) and Ringo Starr, the plots are interweaved and
just plain fun. I hope the show’s as funny in syndication after the
Bart-craze has died out…
==========================
animation/inkwell #546, from grekel, 494 chars, Sun Apr 28 22:31:54 1991
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didn’t Henson have a theory about the triangle formed by two eyes and a
nose or mouth? It had to do with the proper placement, angles, etc., that
seems to give life to the puppet/muppet.
Credits on _Dinosaurs_ for the main characters seemed to follow the pattern
of “facial motions by”, “body performed by” and “voice supplied by”.
Sherman Hemsley was great as the boss, and I keep seeing Pons Marr’s name
creep up in SF/Fantasy films and series — probably because of the odd
name itself.
==========================
animation/inkwell #547, from davemackey, 51 chars, Mon Apr 29 19:12:29 1991
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You moved.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #548, from richard.pini, 259 chars, Mon Apr 29 19:30:46 1991
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There has been an interesting ongoing discussion as to whether, given the
considerable things that special fx can do, a live action version would fly.
I begin to think it could, but my first, second, and third choices would
*still* be for good ol’ animation.
==========================
animation/inkwell #549, from richard.pini, 120 chars, Mon Apr 29 19:31:49 1991
This is a comment to message 546.
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The triangle theory is as old as art, and yes, has to do with the eyes
being able to “see” as opposed to being “blind.”
==========================
animation/inkwell #550, from hmccracken, 54 chars, Mon Apr 29 20:27:08 1991
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Welcome back from Florida, Dave…Nice tan!
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #551, from hmccracken, 580 chars, Mon Apr 29 22:56:28 1991
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Live action with real people playing the elves? I have to admit
that I can’t quite see it. I don’t know if anybody else does,
Richard, but you probably remember a painting of the characters
from _Wizards_ that Wendy did eons ago for the _RBCC_ (the
publication alone indicates that it was ages ago). Somehow
I’ve always imagined an _Elfquest_ animated feature looking sort
of like that painting in terms of color styling and contrast
between the characters and the backgrounds. I wonder if
Richard Williams’s schedule is free after he finishes his current
feature?
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #552, from richard.pini, 561 chars, Mon Apr 29 23:48:19 1991
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I’ll give him a call…
Yeah, I would probably give a few of this ‘n’ that to get an animated film
that had that look to it. I think the best idea concerning live action that
I heard was something to the effect that there *are* some very good-looking
small people out there in central casting – not dwarves or midgets, but
athletic and/or sexy people who are about 5 feet tall. Playing with the
special effects to get them to look 4 feet tall would be less fuss than
trying to make, oh, Rick Overton look like a sprite. Not painless, but
possible, I think.
==========================
animation/inkwell #553, from davemackey, 200 chars, Tue Apr 30 00:17:22 1991
This is a comment to message 550.
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Gee, Harry, how did you guess? Must have been laying out by my
sister’s pool in Pompano Beach that did it. Thanks for the
welcome back. But you still moved.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #554, from jenn, 542 chars, Tue Apr 30 09:51:15 1991
This is a comment to message 540.
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I don’t know about anyone else here, but I don’t find
this type of stereotype of family interesting. I have
a hard time getting into any show that portrays a family\
like the 50’s stereotype TODAY. Matter of fact, that is
probably the only thing about the show that grated on
meand I truly disliked. The plot coulda been better…but
it was okay. I found the facial movement to be superb.
(Well, maybe not superb, but pretty darn good.)
However, if I compared it to Henson’s old hand puppets, I’ll
go along with what Harry is saying.
==========================
animation/inkwell #555, from jenn, 97 chars, Tue Apr 30 09:52:20 1991
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Interesting. I’ve only seen one Simpson show and I have never
had the desire to watch it again.
==========================
animation/inkwell #556, from elfhive, 159 chars, Tue Apr 30 17:04:45 1991
This is a comment to message 542.
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I’ll go along with surface characterization but will reserve
judgement until I get a chance to see where the writers
(and producers) are going with this show.
==========================
animation/inkwell #557, from elfhive, 426 chars, Tue Apr 30 17:09:15 1991
This is a comment to message 545.
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Both visually and in the soundtrack, the _Simpsons_ shows greater
depth and irony than 99.5% of all other television sitcoms. They also
deal with complex topical issues in a very sophisticated way and
tend to send a positive, constructive message. Even a confirmed
supporter of nuclear energy like myself finds the “handling” of
nuclear fuel (or is the green stuff “waste?” to be treated
humorously rather than as a dig.
==========================
animation/inkwell #558, from elfhive, 490 chars, Tue Apr 30 17:14:15 1991
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I’d vote for live action as a first preference. The potential for disaster
is equally great in both live action and animation as we have seen many
times. I remember rumors about a live action version of The Hobbit and
Lord of the Rings and then two unsatisfactory (and, in the case of
Bakshi’s version, abortive) animation features came out. That was very
disappointing. I expect you harbor similar reservations.
BTW, who were the animators that did The Hobbit, I’ve completely forgotten.
==========================
animation/inkwell #559, from elfhive, 625 chars, Tue Apr 30 17:19:16 1991
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Well, I’m not saying that the Simpsons is for everyone. I can see where
stylistically the animation might be a turn off, for example. The
social commentary may also be exacerbating in the way that _Married
With Children_ humor doesn’t sit well with a lot of people. Nevertheless,
I am more drawn to the topics treated by _The Simpsons_ and to the way
the writers really try to deal with them intelligently. As I said
earlier, even the stereotypical characters (like the rich and uncaring
boss) are somehow more than three-dimensional, like coming to see the
big fight with the regular guys on Homer’s pilfered cable hook-up.
==========================
animation/inkwell #560, from hmccracken, 192 chars, Tue Apr 30 20:28:55 1991
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The Hobbit TV specials were done by Rankin-Bass. Ralph Bakshi
did the awful theatrical _Lord of the Rings_ film (which was
supposed to be the first half of a two-part adaptation).
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #561, from sharonfisher, 32 chars, Tue Apr 30 21:32:54 1991
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Why did you think it was awful?
==========================
animation/inkwell #562, from davemackey, 78 chars, Tue Apr 30 23:18:28 1991
This is a comment to message 558.
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Wasn’t the Hobbit out of Rankin-Bass?
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #563, from hmccracken, 245 chars, Tue Apr 30 23:21:28 1991
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Because it was a wretched adaptation of Tolkein (*totally*
failed to capture the flavor of the books, to my mind), and
because it wasn’t really an animated film. Bakshi made a live-
action film and then traced it through rotoscoping.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #564, from hkenner, 34 chars, Wed May 1 00:29:53 1991
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Right, the rotoscopery was gross.
==========================
animation/inkwell #565, from sharonfisher, 146 chars, Wed May 1 01:16:35 1991
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Gee, I liked it.
But I take issue with the statement that roto isn’t “really”
animation. Heck, it’s been good enough for animators for decades.
==========================
animation/inkwell #566, from hmccracken, 410 chars, Wed May 1 09:53:42 1991
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I think there’s a big difference between what Disney and a few other
folks have done — using Rotoscoping as a very general guide, and
putting a lot of artistic talent and imagination into the process —
and what Bakshi did, which was to hire a bunch of art-school recruits
to trace the live-action *exactly*. The latter approach is almost
more of a camera trick than an art, to my way of thinking.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #567, from elfhive, 140 chars, Wed May 1 11:04:16 1991
This is a comment to message 566.
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It was also a very “flat” film, visually and on soundtrack. It didn’t
live and certainly didn’t measure up to the material it was based on.
==========================
animation/inkwell #568, from davemackey, 524 chars, Wed May 1 22:00:51 1991
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TITLE: Why you should not miss the weekly CBIX
This gag is too good to let slip through the ozone… this was
from last night’s CBIX session.
Steve Edwards (sje) remarked that Nancy Cartwright, voice of
Bart Simpson, is a Scientologist, as noted in this week’s issue
of Time.
In obvious homage to Bart, Harry replied, “Hey, want a free
personality test, man?”
There was also a joke in there about McDonald’s getting rid
of its McLean Burger after 13 weeks on the menu.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #569, from davemackey, 538 chars, Wed May 1 22:01:09 1991
This is a comment to message 559.
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The Fox Network has traditionally had more lenient content
standards. Yet the precedents set by “Married… With Children”
enabled “The Simpsons” to be quite a bit more irreverent than
past primetime cartoon shows, but still below the level of raunch
the Bundys.
But I think “Simpsons” is more grounded in reality. I’ve
always been under the impression that “Married…” is more of a
farce than a real depiction of family life. The Simpsons are
capable of tenderness, which the Bundys aren’t.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #570, from elfhive, 85 chars, Wed May 1 22:52:43 1991
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Why anyone would want to name a Burger after a town in Northern
Virginia escapes me?
==========================
animation/inkwell #571, from morganfox, 74 chars, Wed May 1 23:18:09 1991
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]Why anyone shoud want to pay more for a burger that has less escapes me!
==========================
animation/inkwell #572, from hmccracken, 115 chars, Thu May 2 00:56:20 1991
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…Just two more of H&R McCracken’s 99 reasons not to miss
the CBIX! Bob Soron, especially, take note!
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #573, from switch, 535 chars, Thu May 2 10:42:39 1991
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IMHO, rotoscoping when used _creatively_ is wonderful. Bakshi’s
use of rotoscoping in _Wizards_ and _Lord of the Rings_ wasn’t
all that hot. I mean, the Balrog _looked_ like a man in a suit!
But there are quite a few gems in the world of rotoscoping, where
the live-action is used as a *basis* and the animator plays from
there. Two examples that come to mind are Koko the Clown dancing
to Cab Calloway’s singing in _Snow White_ (the Betty Boop version),
and the “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds” segment of _Yellow Submarine_.
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #574, from hmccracken, 206 chars, Thu May 2 11:42:46 1991
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Good examples of decent rotoscoping. The Fleischers (who of course
invented the technique) did some good work with it — the Old Man
of the Mountain (again with Cab Calloway) is another example.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #575, from bsoron, 98 chars, Thu May 2 17:58:10 1991
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Hey, at least I was logged on that day! Just not at the same time!
But I’m getting closer.
==========================
animation/inkwell #576, from hmccracken, 150 chars, Thu May 2 18:14:41 1991
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Don’t worry about it, Bob — although if the animation CBIX is ever
adapted into a play, _Waiting for Bsoron_ might be a good title…
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #577, from davemackey, 663 chars, Fri May 3 00:10:18 1991
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Rotoscope, however magical it may sound, is just live reference
footage. To whatever literal degree it’s followed is up to the
directors and stylists. (Also how many frames of it are used: I
remember Shamus Culhane discussing he just used two extreme
‘scope frames and freehanded all the inbetweens when animating
Snow White.)
But when you think about it, animation doesn’t lend itself
well to rendering human characters without the aid of live
footage. They’ve almost got to be caricatures (exaggerated
features). The human form is difficult enough to draw as it is,
never mind having to draw it over and over again.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #578, from hmccracken, 417 chars, Fri May 3 14:50:20 1991
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That’s right — animation isn’t really well-suited to very realistic
drawing, of humans or anything else. But then, there’s no real reason
why it should be. One of the problems with Bakshi-like rotoscoping
is that it’s copying very realistic movement (by tracing the live-
action slavishly). In good animation, the movement, like the drawing
itself, is stylized and interpreted through an artist’s eye.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #579, from davemackey, 442 chars, Fri May 3 23:43:08 1991
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TITLE: End of Dallas? (Possible Spoiler)
I don’t think this is a spoiler, but just in case here’s some
cautionary cr’s…
I saw the last 15 minutes of the final episode of “Dallas,”
and I sort of knew that they’d leave the door just a little open
for the series’ afterlife.
Proof that nothing ever really ends in TV land — it just
takes a little hiatus and comes back as 2-hour movies.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #580, from hmccracken, 222 chars, Sat May 4 23:30:56 1991
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BTW, Dave, I and my mother were helping my sister move today, and
I told your McLean joke. They didn’t get it. My sister finally
did after laborious hints on my part. I tstill think it’s a
great one, though.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #581, from davemackey, 234 chars, Sat May 4 23:41:17 1991
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TITLE: Pointer
If, besides your BIX account, you maintain a subscription to
Prodigy, you might want to read either tojerry/long.messages #502
or jlblink/main #1783. What you read may shock you.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #582, from random.a, 44 chars, Sun May 5 00:17:22 1991
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Also read #503 before you get too outraged.
==========================
animation/inkwell #583, from davemackey, 472 chars, Sun May 5 01:28:17 1991
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Don’t bother me none… I have never had need to have Prodigy.
When it first came out, I was spending up the wazoo on CI$. I
just harbored an unnatural dislike for the product and the way it
was marketed. Now with Bix, I spend on telecommunications over
the course of a year the equivalent of one month or less of CI$
for me. And that is why I am on Bix and not CI$. By the way, I
assume you mean #503 in tojerry/long.messages, no?
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #584, from random.a, 7 chars, Sun May 5 18:40:21 1991
This is a comment to message 583.
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Yeah..
==========================
animation/inkwell #585, from davemackey, 224 chars, Sun May 5 23:37:18 1991
This is a comment to message 581.
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The jlblink conference version of the message has now been
deleted, and for all I know the tojerry version may be gone too.
(I almost got lost in the sea of subtopics in Chaos Manor.)
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #586, from davemackey, 425 chars, Sun May 5 23:37:32 1991
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Well, when’s the last time McLean Stevenson did a TV series,
anyway? Didn’t he have one just a few years ago that got canned
rather quickly?
I think leaving M*A*S*H was the worst possible career move
for Mac. Even today, “Hello Larry” is known as a shining example
of television at its worst, and quite typical of the sitcom style
of the old Tandem/TAT (Norman Lear) Productions.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #587, from davemackey, 385 chars, Sun May 5 23:37:45 1991
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TITLE: Cinco De Mayo…
Well, just about any Speedy Gonzales cartoon is appropriate for
viewing today, since it’s Cinco De Mayo, literally translating
into Fifth of May.
But to me, though, it’s Mom’s Birthday. Mom merely tolerates
my cartoon habit with one exception — she loves Tweety. So I’d
like to publicly say Happy Birthday, Mother!
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #588, from hmccracken, 341 chars, Mon May 6 12:35:09 1991
This is a comment to message 587.
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Happy belated birthday, Mrs. Mackey!
I’m fortunate in that I come from a cartoon and comics-loving
family. I’m certainly the most ardent about the whole thing,
but it’s not unusual to find us sitting around a dinner table
debating the merits of _Rose is Rose_ or analyzing the
storyline of _Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs_.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #589, from bsoron, 257 chars, Mon May 6 15:38:52 1991
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Worst part of “Hello, Larry” is that its creative staff — I use
the term with more irony than you know — was Dick Chevillat and
Jay Sommers, who did such a great job with “Green Acres” (my all-
time favorite TV series, said without any irony at all).
==========================
animation/inkwell #590, from davemackey, 715 chars, Wed May 8 22:10:29 1991
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TITLE: Well, I’ll be a Son Of… The Desert!
Since Harry has mentioned that he’s involved with the Boston “Brats” tent of
The Sons Of The Desert, he may be interested in a special that’s running on
The Discovery Channel entitled “Revenge Of The Sons Of The Desert.” It’s a
short (half-hour) documentary about the official Laurel and Hardy fan
association, founded in the 1960’s by a core group that included the late Al
Kilgore, John McCabe, Orson Bean and Chuck McCann (I think Harry can tell me
the fifth founding member — I lost my research notes on this).
The special will air this coming Saturday at 11:30 p.m. Eastern time,
and possibly elsewhen during the month.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #591, from davemackey, 331 chars, Wed May 8 22:10:40 1991
This is a comment to message 577.
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Correction to 577: I do remember Shamus discussing the animation of Snow
White using just the first and last scope frame and freehanding the rest.
Unfortunately, I forgot one key fact: the animator in question was not Shamus
himself, but the late Grim Natwick. What’s for dinner? Humble pie.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #592, from hmccracken, 228 chars, Wed May 8 23:13:38 1991
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Thanks for the tip, Dave. The Brats screened the special several
years ago, and indeed had its producer (a fellow Son) as a guest.
I don’t recall offhand who the fifth founding Son was, but I
can certainly find out.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #593, from davemackey, 152 chars, Thu May 9 19:05:53 1991
This is a comment to message 589.
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And the late Woody Kling was a story editor on the show — having come to
write for sitcoms by way of cartoons.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #594, from hmccracken, 637 chars, Sat May 18 14:10:26 1991
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TITLE: Swipes
Every once in a while when shopping in a discount house, I
run across a product whose manufacturer has swiped cartoon-
related artwork to illustrate his product’s box with. Very
often, this artwork has been swiped from one of Preston
Blair’s animation books. Today at Caldor’s, however, I came
across a display of power mulchers whose boxes were emblazoned
in several places with drawings of the relatively-obscure
comic book character Hot Stuff, the L’il Devil. There were
no mentions of the character’s name or copyright messages, and
Hot Stuff was colored green rather than red. but it was him
all right…
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #595, from davemackey, 302 chars, Sat May 18 16:09:22 1991
This is a comment to message 594.
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You know, Harry, every time I see something like that, I immediately want to
call the attorneys in to see it. Could even start a new occupation.
“They’re out on the seamy streets, searching for infringement, wherever
it may strike! They’re Trademark Cops!”
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #596, from sje, 800 chars, Sat May 18 20:42:55 1991
This is a comment to message 594.
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I have seen more than a few well known animation characters show up
as demo pictures for color monitors for computers. At the local Sears store,
there is a loop demo running on a VGA monitor with characters from both Warner
Brothers (Bugs Bunny) and Disney (Chip ‘N’ Dale) in the same sequence. The
irritating thing is that there is no credit given to the owners in what is
obviously a commercial environment.
I don’t know about Warner, but Disney files an average of eight
copyright infringement suits every week; it may be just a matter of time
before they get around to the lesser infractions. I suspect that Disney’s
motivation is not so much about uncollected royalties, but rather the fear
that unprosectuted violations may cause the characters to fall into the public
domain. — Steve
==========================
animation/inkwell #597, from davemackey, 61 chars, Sat May 18 20:56:33 1991
This is a comment to message 576.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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We’re still waiting.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #598, from bsoron, 313 chars, Sun May 19 00:20:19 1991
This is a comment to message 597.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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As I told Harry in bixmail not long ago, I’m getting closer, to
the point where I’m actually logging on here on the correct night,
just too late. Part of the problem is that I log on in the morning,
see the system news bulletin, and then completely forget in the next
12 or so hours. But one of these days…
==========================
animation/inkwell #599, from hmccracken, 123 chars, Sun May 19 01:26:04 1991
This is a comment to message 598.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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Remember, Bob, that the animation CBIX usually lasts for an hour
and a half or more, and latecomers are welcome.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #600, from richard.pini, 59 chars, Sun May 19 09:08:46 1991
————————–
TITLE: Oh heck
I got back, I was reading, it was there.
==========================
animation/inkwell #601, from richard.pini, 38 chars, Sun May 19 09:10:55 1991
This is a comment to message 571.
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Same reason as for unleaded gasoline?
==========================
animation/inkwell #602, from davemackey, 188 chars, Sun May 19 09:40:12 1991
This is a comment to message 596.
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And since Disney is active in the field of computer software, I wonder how
they would react to this. (Maybe Leo Schwab can lend some insight here.)
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #603, from bsoron, 36 chars, Sun May 19 12:31:13 1991
This is a comment to message 599.
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Ooooh, the peer pressure…
==========================
animation/inkwell #604, from bsoron, 331 chars, Wed May 22 00:27:42 1991
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Getting closer
The first command I typed in after I logged on here was
j animation/cbix
but it was 12:16 and apparently I’m the only night owl around here.
Went carousing with a friend (another of the regulars on your father’s
BBS, Harry) and got back long after it closed down, apparently. Well,
one of these weeks..
==========================
animation/inkwell #605, from hmccracken, 276 chars, Wed May 22 10:45:52 1991
This is a comment to message 604.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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Bob, wondering where you are has quickly become a Tuesday night ritual
in the animation CBIX. When you do show up, I’m not sure we’ll know
what to do with ourselves…Sort of like how Linus would take the
Great Pumpkin actually appearing one Halloween night…
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #606, from switch, 91 chars, Wed May 22 21:49:51 1991
This is a comment to message 605.
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————————–
So how was CBIX last night? I was sleeping like rock from 9pm
until this morning…
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #607, from hmccracken, 168 chars, Wed May 22 23:08:02 1991
This is a comment to message 606.
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We had a nice turnout of old and new participants and ended
up discussing the Rocketeer movie, behind-the-scenes secrets
of Disney World, and other stuff.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #608, from bsoron, 223 chars, Thu May 23 01:00:54 1991
This is a comment to message 605.
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Ha! I guess I’ll have to invent wilder stories each week. “Well, the
rhino got one leg, but fortunately I clung to the biplane’s landing
gear with my teeth long enough to get back home *just* in time to
miss it again.”
==========================
animation/inkwell #609, from hmccracken, 352 chars, Thu May 23 21:43:03 1991
————————–
TITLE: _Home Alone_
This is the third most popular movie of all time? (I just saw it
tonight.) It’s worth mentioning here for the facts that it
includes a snippet of Chuck Jones’s _How The Grinch Stole
Christmas_, and that the climactic fight between the little
kid and the robbers was full of cartoon-style gags of the
Road Runner sort.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #610, from davemackey, 391 chars, Mon May 27 23:57:44 1991
This is a comment to message 592.
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Once and for all… the founders of the Sons Of The Desert were: the late Al
Kilgore, John McCabe, Chuck McCann, John Municino, and Orson Bean. (My
brother had the elusive information notebook.)
Besides his involvement with the Sons, Kilgore was also a talented
artist whose work included the cover to the original “Tex Avery: King Of
Cartoons.”
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #611, from hmccracken, 548 chars, Tue May 28 09:17:36 1991
This is a comment to message 610.
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Kilgore also drew the little-seen _Bullwinkle_ newspaper comic
strip, which was excellent. As has been noted, the Jay Ward
characters looked better there than they ever did in a Jay
Ward cartoon. He (Kilgore) was also a very serious animation
fan and scholar who wrote an early (1960s) article on obscure
animation studios titled “What, No Mickey Mouse?” and an
excellent negative review of Richard Schickel’s _The Disney
Version_. The latter was written for Leonard Maltin’s _Film
Fan Monthly_, and the former may have been as well.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #612, from davemackey, 427 chars, Wed Jun 5 00:32:08 1991
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TITLE: So what happened?
“BIX will be down for system maintenance until 22:00 EST. We apologize for
the inconvenience.”
I didn’t get onto BIX until midnight! No lie. By that time everyone else
probably gave up. So I guess our weekly session went down the toilet. I’m
just wondering how many others went through the same “inconvenience,” and
when they decided to throw in the towel.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #613, from hmccracken, 309 chars, Wed Jun 5 09:12:06 1991
This is a comment to message 612.
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Yep, BIX was down for almost the entire day yesterday. I gave up trying
to get on for the CBIX a little after 11. BIXen Mscoville and I had a
very nice phone discussion from around 10 til 10:30 (he called to see what
was up), but unfortunately it was just a two-way conversation, unlike the
CBIX.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #614, from bferg, 99 chars, Wed Jun 5 10:22:19 1991
This is a comment to message 612.
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————————–
That is the longest I have ever seen Bix down since I have had
an acct, been a year, now.
Barbara
==========================
animation/inkwell #615, from hmccracken, 167 chars, Wed Jun 5 10:49:44 1991
This is a comment to message 614.
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To compensate for the lost CBIX, I’ll drop into the animation CBIX area
tonight at 10 or so for an even less formal CBIX than usual. Everybody’s
invited…
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #616, from switch, 121 chars, Wed Jun 5 15:12:30 1991
This is a comment to message 612.
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I gave up at 10:30, and regretted not going to the British Animation
Invasion. Oh, well.
Did anyone make it on?
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #617, from bsoron, 209 chars, Thu Jun 6 01:55:37 1991
This is a comment to message 614.
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I didn’t even get the “down for system maintenance until 2200” message
until 11:30 p.m., or 2330. Not happy about it. Bix seems to be down a
lot more these last few months than in the two years preceding.
==========================
animation/inkwell #618, from hmccracken, 231 chars, Thu Jun 6 11:30:22 1991
This is a comment to message 617.
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————————–
We had a small but pleasant make-up CBIX yesterday night. Next
week’s CBIX will be interesting and a little out of the
ordinary, so I particularly hope that there are no
technical problems. Details shortly.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #619, from davemackey, 447 chars, Thu Jun 6 19:56:43 1991
This is a comment to message 618.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
Was there anyone else there besides myself and Mike and Pam? Sorry for
cutting out early, but Bob rolled in from work with some new Trivial Pursuit
cards tucked under his arm.
In case anyone wants to throw in their two cents worth about the recent
BIX downtimes, Tony Lockwood is hosting a special section in General CBIX
tomorrow evening at 10 p.m. Est (in case you haven’t seen the system
bulletin).
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #620, from hmccracken, 62 chars, Fri Jun 7 00:26:52 1991
This is a comment to message 619.
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No, Dave, the CBIX broke up shortly after you left.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #621, from davemackey, 335 chars, Mon Jun 10 20:22:23 1991
————————–
TITLE: A thought.
Between the big parade held in New York City to welcome back our troops, the
final episode of “Twin Peaks,” and the James Brown pay per view concert
tonight, I hope there’s some videotape left in the stores tomorrow! This
could well be one of the biggest VCR taping days ever!
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #622, from davemackey, 973 chars, Mon Jun 10 20:22:44 1991
This is a comment to message 619.
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About those “Trivial Pursuit” cards… I wonder just how well researched they
really are.
The card set is the new Television edition, which is only available as a
Master Game (with board and playing pieces). In the Classics category there’s
a question about “what fine feathered friends had voices by Frank Welker?”
The answer is Heckle and Jeckle, but the question is at best vague, since I
am more inclined to associate Dayton Allen with H&J. (Roy Halee, later
producer of most of Paul Simon’s records with and without Garfunkel, took
over in the 60’s, but Frank Welker did in fact do the magpies in 1979.)
I’ve found so many more little discrepancies and questions that could
have more than one answer, that I’m considering writing in with corrections
(gee, Dave, where have we heard THAT one before?). I guess I’m just so
spoiled by the quality of the facts presented on “Jeopardy!” whose viewers
can be a picky bunch.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #623, from hmccracken, 901 chars, Sun Jun 16 12:29:40 1991
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: _FLAKE_ is billed as “Scott Bruce’s Cereal Box Collecting
Magazine,” which describes this odd little periodical well.
(Bruce is also an expert on lunchbox collecting and has published
a couple of books on that subject.) _FLAKE_, which comes out
quarterly, is full of great illustrations of old cereal boxes
and articles on topics like Jay Ward’s animated cereal commercials
and the twenty-five greatest cereal boxes of all time. There’s
also aa series of editorials relating to some strange feud that
Bruce is having with a fellow cereal box collector.
I wish there was more hardcore information in the magazine and
fewer self-promoting pieces by the editor, but even so this
is material you’re not going to find anywhere else. If you’re
as into weird old forgotten popular culture as I am, you’ll
love it. Subscriptions are $20/year from FLAKE, PO Box 481
Cambridge, MA 02140.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #624, from davemackey, 331 chars, Sun Jun 16 21:43:54 1991
This is a comment to message 623.
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We were discussing this today, given the fact that a number of the lots at
Christie’s auction this week will be cel set-ups from Jay Ward commercials,
including the Cap’n Crunch family, Quisp and Quake.
Tell me, Harry, are there cereal box collectors who collect old boxes
with cereal?
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #625, from hmccracken, 358 chars, Sun Jun 16 22:01:10 1991
This is a comment to message 624.
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I was just wondering about that. From what I can tell from
_FLAKE_, emptying out the boxes and flattening them for
storage seems to be common. I have an unopened box of
Lucky Charms which I bought and saved circa 1985 for some
reason. (I must have been going through a food-storing
phase — I also bought a case of old Coke which I still
have.)
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #626, from bsoron, 432 chars, Sun Jun 16 23:59:04 1991
This is a comment to message 625.
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Lucky Charms Classic?
I think I remember reading an interview with the Flake publisher, whose
name has scrolled out of my buffer, in which he said he started collecting
lunch boxes for the single purpose of establishing that one person could
start a collecting industry. This explains his self-promotion; now, any
activity in the “hobby” can be traced back to him. It wouldn’t surprise
me if Flake were for the same purpose.
==========================
animation/inkwell #627, from hmccracken, 397 chars, Mon Jun 17 00:31:18 1991
This is a comment to message 626.
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I think it is — Bruce even dubs himself “Mr. Cereal Box” in the
magazine’s pages. But if you’re like me, it’s worth dealing
with that to get through to the solid information and great
illustrations in the magazine. This is virgin territory —
how many fictional characters have been around so long and
are as familiar as, say, the Trix Rabbit, without being written
about *anywhere*?
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #628, from bsoron, 413 chars, Mon Jun 17 10:36:47 1991
This is a comment to message 627.
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Forgive my cynicism, but gee, how much is there to say? Aside from
exploring the animators who did the commercials, most of whom are likely
to be already well known to us, what makes the Trix Rabbit any more
interesting than Madge (“You’re soaking in it!”) or Mr. Whipple?
(To some extent, I’m playing devil’s advocate here… I have to admit
I’d rather read about the Trix Rabbit than about Mr. Whipple.)
==========================
animation/inkwell #630, from davemackey, 138 chars, Mon Jun 17 19:47:45 1991
This is a comment to message 625.
There are additional comments to message 625.
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That was probably when they decided that New Coke was going to be the wave of
the future. Uh-huh.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #631, from rcrook, 189 chars, Mon Jun 17 22:50:22 1991
This is a comment to message 623.
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Cereal box collecting?!? I’ve heard of collecting some
strange/unusual things, but cereal boxes??? (Reminds me of the
box-top bit on the 5th Rocky & Bullwinkle videotape…)
= Argosy =
==========================
animation/inkwell #632, from hmccracken, 1268 chars, Mon Jun 17 23:34:42 1991
This is a comment to message 628.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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Bob, I have no illusions about this — the Trix Rabbit is not
even a character so much as a one-dimensional conceit created
to sell pre-sweetened cereal to youngsters. He ain’t Shake-
speare; more to the point, he ain’t Disney, Chuck Jones, or
Tex Avery.
I’m still interested, though, and I guess it has as much to
do with nostalgia (when *weren’t* characters like the Trix
Rabbit part of my life?) as well as a continuing interest
in stuff that’s pervasive in American society but never
gets written about. Cereal characters aren’t art, but they
are a significant bit of advertising history, too…Gee, it
sounds like I’m as interested in Madge and Mr. Whipple as
cereal characters, which I am, sort of., except that the
fact that cereal characters are animated makes them more
interesting to me.
It’s late and I’m rambling here. I guess my interest in stuff
like cereal characters is not so far removed from whatever it
is that makes grown men build toy train layouts or sixty-year-old
men (or women, for that matter) try to date people young enough
to be their grandchildren. We devote a lot of time here in
America to trying to recapture our childhoods — come to think
of it, that’s probably why animation art collecting has become
so popular…
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #633, from richard.pini, 835 chars, Wed Jun 19 18:34:04 1991
This is a comment to message 625.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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Well, this may qualify, albeit peripherally – but I tend to put away an
unopened box or can or bag of any foodstuff that hits the shelves, that
has a space theme. Got them Ronzoni macaroni moon boggies from *years*
ago, as well as various other things. I suspect that anything in a can I
probably never want to open, after a year or two. (Agh, this just brought
to mind an experience with a can of stew that we cooked in Germany. Smelled
funny…like liver. I knew enough German at that point to read the ingredients
and discover that there was no liver in it. *Then* I noticed the expiration
date of September 1989 on the label…) Pasta will probably last forever.
But I really ought to seal some of this stuff up better…a couple of
space shuttle lollipops “evaporated” over 3-4 years, whether to the air or
to bugs I don’t know.
==========================
animation/inkwell #634, from richard.pini, 115 chars, Wed Jun 19 18:35:29 1991
This is a comment to message 633.
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Uh, that’s “Macaroni moon BUGGIES.” Boggies, if memory serves, lived in
Harvard Lampoon’s “Bored of the Rings.”
==========================
animation/inkwell #635, from davemackey, 1012 chars, Wed Jun 19 19:06:16 1991
This is a comment to message 632.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
There’s not much time for character development in a 30 second spot in which
you have to show the product so many times and still leave room for the line
“part of this nutritious breakfast.” This is easy for us to say now, as
thirtysomething scholars of animation.
When we were stupid kids, we probably laughed as hard at the continuing
failures of the Trix Rabbit as we did the eternal triumphs of Bugs Bunny. We
played pirates with Cap’n Crunch and his gang of kids; we went on space
adventures with Quisp. The cereal characters were a breed apart from the
usual cartoon stars who appeared in the programs that were interrupted by
them.
This is no longer true. In many cases, the stars of the shows and the
commercials are one and the same. There’s no distinction between a half-hour
episode of “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventures” and Bill and Ted’s Excellent
Advertisement for their cereal. And that is wherein the magic of the lost
cereal characters lies.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #636, from hmccracken, 89 chars, Wed Jun 19 23:33:46 1991
This is a comment to message 635.
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————————–
Do you have any Space Food Sticks or whatever they were called
hanging around?
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #637, from bferg, 56 chars, Thu Jun 20 08:46:26 1991
This is a comment to message 635.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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“Can’t get enough of Super Sugar Crisp…”
Barbara
==========================
animation/inkwell #638, from davemackey, 188 chars, Thu Jun 20 20:20:49 1991
This is a comment to message 636.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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Wow, that was going to be my next comment. No, I don’t, and I don’t know if
Richard does, either… they were those soft, long pink candies, right?
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #639, from davemackey, 264 chars, Thu Jun 20 20:20:58 1991
This is a comment to message 637.
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Yes, but now it’s called Super Golden Crisp and the point of Sugar Bear’s
impression of Bing Crosby is now lost on a generation. I don’t even think
today’s kids know he’s really singing “Joshua fit the battle of Jericho”…
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #640, from switch, 186 chars, Thu Jun 20 21:54:44 1991
————————–
TITLE: Now be good, kids…
…I’ll be gone until next Wednesday, though I may drop in if
I’m near a computer armed with a modem. Try not to get popcorn
all over the place, okay?
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #641, from bferg, 264 chars, Thu Jun 20 23:52:26 1991
This is a comment to message 639.
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Yeah, Dave, I realize, but for some reason, when I think of
cereal commercials, that little tune *pops* into my head, next
being the famous, “Snap, Crackle, Pop, Rice Chrispies.” I probably
will remember those little “catch” phrases for a long time.
Barbara
==========================
animation/inkwell #642, from richard.pini, 126 chars, Fri Jun 21 17:19:03 1991
This is a comment to message 638.
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Nope, those don’t jog the ol’ memory. AStronaut Ice Cream, et all…but
no Space Sticks. Gad, not another bizarro quest…
==========================
animation/inkwell #643, from richard.pini, 69 chars, Fri Jun 21 17:19:46 1991
This is a comment to message 641.
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You are exactly what Madison Avenue wants you to be, Barbara…
,
==========================
animation/inkwell #644, from sharonfisher, 106 chars, Fri Jun 21 17:42:42 1991
This is a comment to message 642.
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Oh, I remember Space Food Sticks. Loved them, too. Basically a kind of
long flavored toffee-like thing.
==========================
animation/inkwell #645, from bferg, 121 chars, Fri Jun 21 19:10:22 1991
This is a comment to message 643.
There are additional comments to message 643.
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Yeah, I know, I am not sure if that is fortunate or unfortuneate.
Seems always a tune in my head, always.
Barbara
==========================
animation/inkwell #646, from bferg, 193 chars, Fri Jun 21 19:13:58 1991
This is a comment to message 643.
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Hum, thinking, it seems to me I have more storage space in
my head than you do on your shelf for the “collectable” cereal
boxes and I do not have pests to come and chew things up.
Barbara
==========================
animation/inkwell #647, from bsoron, 87 chars, Fri Jun 21 20:41:33 1991
This is a comment to message 644.
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I remember Space Food Sticks too — something like a softer Tootsie
Roll, I think.
==========================
animation/inkwell #648, from richard.pini, 40 chars, Sun Jun 23 15:47:45 1991
This is a comment to message 646.
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I’m letting it be a challenge to me.
==========================
animation/inkwell #649, from switch, 58 chars, Thu Jun 27 18:34:55 1991
————————–
TITLE: Hey!
I’m back! Are the chairs still intact?
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #650, from davemackey, 329 chars, Sun Jun 30 10:37:06 1991
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
TITLE: That voodoo that Disney does so well
The new Disney World resort Dixie Landing, scheduled to open next year, plans
to serve its patrons Dixie Blackened Voodoo Lager Beer — a beer that has
been banned from the state of Texas due to its mystic name and label design.
Go figure.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #651, from adunkin, 58 chars, Sun Jun 30 21:18:12 1991
This is a comment to message 650.
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————————–
Dixie Landing is going to be in Texas?
— Alan Dunkin
==========================
animation/inkwell #652, from hmccracken, 82 chars, Sun Jun 30 23:45:51 1991
This is a comment to message 651.
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Disney World is awfully big, but I don’t think it extends
into Texas…
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #653, from davemackey, 185 chars, Sun Jun 30 23:59:22 1991
This is a comment to message 651.
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No, the Dixie Landing is in the Disney World resort in Orlando. It seems a
little odd that Disney would lend credence to a beer banned in Texas.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #654, from adunkin, 104 chars, Mon Jul 1 20:34:13 1991
This is a comment to message 653.
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Oh, darn. I thought there would be one in Texas, instead of going to either
coast
— Alan Dunkin
==========================
animation/inkwell #655, from hmccracken, 156 chars, Wed Jul 10 09:19:12 1991
————————–
TITLE: Henson bio
Ron Powers, former TV critic for CBS’s _This Morning_, is working
on a biography of the late father of the Muppets, Jim Henson.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #656, from davemackey, 191 chars, Wed Jul 10 21:30:01 1991
This is a comment to message 650.
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According to adunkin in a message in elfquest/dreamberries, the state of
Texas has legalized Dixie Blackened Voodoo Lager Beer. So that mootifys that.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #657, from davemackey, 274 chars, Thu Jul 11 19:05:57 1991
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TITLE: What’s going on here?
Demi Moore, very nude and very pregnant, on the cover of “Vanity Fair”?
A woman who suffers epileptic seizures when she hears Mary Hart’s voice?
Geez, you’d think there was an eclipse or something…
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #658, from adunkin, 173 chars, Thu Jul 11 21:22:37 1991
This is a comment to message 657.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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From what I hear all of it is true, including the eclipse … by two
o’clock local Dallas news said there were 140 retina burn cases from the
elcipse ..
— Alan Dunkin
==========================
animation/inkwell #659, from bferg, 101 chars, Fri Jul 12 19:09:36 1991
This is a comment to message 658.
————————–
And, Alan, folks are warned and warned…just seems they will
not take heed to the danger.
Barbara
==========================
animation/inkwell #660, from sje, 270 chars, Tue Jul 16 23:35:09 1991
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
TITLE: CBIX 1991.07.16, TYMNET Strikes Out (Again)
Even now, over an hour and a half since the animation cbix was
scheduled, I still cannot get anything out of Tymnet other than that
wonderous “host shut”. (I am dialing direct to post this.)
I am miffed. — Steve
==========================
animation/inkwell #661, from hmccracken, 340 chars, Wed Jul 17 09:30:37 1991
This is a comment to message 660.
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————————–
Unfortunately, yesterday night’s animation CBIX was the
second one to get zapped by BIX technical problems. I
can’t make it tonight, but how about a make-up session
tomorrow at 10:00pm EDT? I really wanted to discuss all
the _Fantasia_ news — supposedly a sequel called
_Fantasia Revisited_ or somesuch is in the works for 1997.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #662, from sje, 115 chars, Wed Jul 17 18:19:09 1991
This is a comment to message 661.
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Thanks, but I’d rather wait til next week. Could we rescedule the
cbix at an earlier time, like 19:00? — Steve
==========================
animation/inkwell #663, from adunkin, 132 chars, Wed Jul 17 20:23:39 1991
This is a comment to message 660.
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————————–
It’s because they were doing maintenence … all of us got warnings around
7:30 central to get off in five mins.
— Alan Dunkin
==========================
animation/inkwell #664, from davemackey, 322 chars, Wed Jul 17 21:11:05 1991
This is a comment to message 660.
————————–
You aren’t alone in your frustration, Steve. I tried for a half hour, gave
up, and logged in sometime around 11:15 to find the CBIX over, or never
happening.
I had never gotten “host shut” with such rapidity before, I think there
was something seriously wrong with the system.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #665, from hmccracken, 158 chars, Thu Jul 18 00:04:42 1991
This is a comment to message 662.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
I’ll open the floor to comments
on this. Would more folks be able
to attend if we started holding
the CBIXes earlier or on another
day of the week?
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #666, from hmccracken, 284 chars, Thu Jul 18 00:09:50 1991
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Funny, nasty commentary on
the Disney company has become a
regular part of _Spy_ magazine that
I look forward to. This month’s
issue has a page devoted to Disney-
bashing, the highlight of which is
the description of their negotiating
style as “Bad cop, Antichrist.”
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #667, from sje, 147 chars, Thu Jul 18 00:33:02 1991
This is a comment to message 665.
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Yes for earlier; possible yes if same time on Saturday. — Steve
(I am up late because I need an all-nighter occasionally to catch up on stuff.)
==========================
animation/inkwell #668, from sje, 123 chars, Thu Jul 18 00:34:10 1991
This is a comment to message 666.
There are additional comments to message 666.
————————–
Maybe they’ve learned the finer points of said behavior by observing
it in those who’ve been suing them lately. — Steve
==========================
animation/inkwell #669, from davemackey, 139 chars, Fri Jul 19 00:34:15 1991
This is a comment to message 661.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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Gee, Harry, that sounds like a great idea! Now if only the system could have
been up at that time!
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #670, from hmccracken, 177 chars, Fri Jul 19 09:26:11 1991
This is a comment to message 669.
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Yep, another animation event zapped by technical problems. Since
we’re halfway to the next CBIX anyway, perhaps we ought to just
cancel this week’s session…*sniff*
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #671, from grekel, 128 chars, Sat Jul 20 00:40:51 1991
This is a comment to message 666.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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ooooooo! Harry!
check the message number in which you mentioned “the Antichrist”!
some things are just too scary to imagine…
==========================
animation/inkwell #672, from hmccracken, 206 chars, Mon Jul 22 09:09:43 1991
This is a comment to message 671.
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I noticed that as I posteed the message, and almost decided to add
another message mentioning it…I decided not to, and to see if
any observant conference member would catch it. Congratulations!
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #674, from davemackey, 185 chars, Sun Jul 28 09:34:45 1991
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: No comment
Paul “Pee-wee Herman” Reubens was arrested on Friday in Sarasota, Florida, on
charges of exposing himself in an adult theatre.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #675, from sje, 979 chars, Sun Jul 28 14:14:10 1991
This is a comment to message 674.
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I heard a report on CNN that Mr. Reubens was, ah, “enjoying himself”
excessively while watching a pornographic film in the theater. I feel a bit
sorry for Mr. Reubens; perhaps he has just fallen on hard times with the
demise of his TV series.
What is more interesting is the changing in reporting standards from
years ago. The recently released _A Question of Character_ (a well documented
biography of John Kennedy) tells of a remarkably similar tale occuring back
in 1960. It seems that on the evening of the West Virginia presidential
primary, the “clean family man” candidate JFK was also “enjoying himself”
in a Washington, DC pornographic movie house. This item was well known among
some of the big media powers, but was kept quiet because of the infamous
“Kennedy Pull”, an echo of which exists to this day and can be seen in Florida
among other places. Maybe if Pee Wee’s last name was Kennedy instead of
Reubens, he might not be having these problems. — Steve
==========================
animation/inkwell #676, from kermitwoodall, 218 chars, Sun Jul 28 15:55:15 1991
This is a comment to message 675.
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>was kept quiet because of the infamous
>”Kennedy Pull”, an echo of which exists to this day and can be seen
>in Florida among other places.
I don’t think it was a “Kennedy Pull” in action down in Florida…
==========================
animation/inkwell #677, from hmccracken, 435 chars, Sun Jul 28 19:50:48 1991
This is a comment to message 674.
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Alas poor Pee Wee. I’ve been meaning to mention that the Star Tours
ride at Disney World, unlike the original Disneyland one, has
someone other than Reubens doing the voice of the robot who runs
the spaceship you ride about in. This was presumably done because
Pee Wee’s voice got too familiar; does anyone know if the Disneyland
ride replaced Pee Wee’s voice, too, or does the robot have different
voices at the two parks?
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #678, from davemackey, 613 chars, Mon Jul 29 00:30:10 1991
This is a comment to message 675.
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————————–
Let’s remember, though, that the decision to discontinue “Pee-wee’s
Playhouse” was entirely that of Reubens himself and not CBS, so I doubt that
his actions were the result over falling on hard times. I’m sure CBS would
have liked to have Pee-wee on its schedule for another couple of years,
despite the production troubles he had with the show.
I don’t think the charge was all that major (would something like
this be classified a misdemeanor?) — Reubens posted bail of $200 and change
— but it’s because the man is a kid-associated celebrity, it’s page two
news.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #679, from hmccracken, 279 chars, Mon Jul 29 09:21:35 1991
This is a comment to message 678.
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Yes, the news reports I’ve heard have quite incorrectly reported
that “Reubens’ show had already been canceled by CBS,” as if his
new problem was the last straw. Unfortunately, it is true that
apparently CBS may now drop the reruns immediately as a result of
all this.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #680, from rcrook, 92 chars, Mon Jul 29 19:35:48 1991
This is a comment to message 675.
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————————–
Well, that’ll kill any chance he might of had of resurrecting the
TV series…
= Argosy =
==========================
animation/inkwell #681, from rcrook, 160 chars, Mon Jul 29 19:36:23 1991
This is a comment to message 676.
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Re Kennedy pull:
William Kennedy Smith to his date “Do what I want, or I’ll have
my Uncle drive you home!”
(Joke heard on the radio a while back)
= Argosy =
==========================
animation/inkwell #682, from davemackey, 249 chars, Mon Jul 29 21:19:06 1991
This is a comment to message 679.
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And were the radio bad boys in New York having a field day with this! Both
Don Imus and Howard Stern made it the focus of bits, erroneously commenting
that “CBS shouldn’t have canceled his show” or some such.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #683, from bsoron, 317 chars, Mon Jul 29 21:51:45 1991
This is a comment to message 680.
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Not necessarily — remember the great scene in Kyle Baker’s immortal
“The Cowboy Wally Story” when the network decided that since kids weren’t
watching CW’s show, they’d make it even more gross and lewd and put it on
during prime time, and the ratings skyrocketed? (Of course, this was in
the first few pages…)
==========================
animation/inkwell #684, from mscoville, 146 chars, Mon Jul 29 22:51:24 1991
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Alex Lovey ?
Does anyone know the whereabouts of Alex Lovey? Is he still alive? Last heard
that he was working at Hanna Barbera. mscoville
==========================
animation/inkwell #685, from mscoville, 328 chars, Mon Jul 29 22:53:58 1991
————————–
TITLE: Hanna Barbera
The rumors are flying in the trade papers about the “for Sale” sign on the
Hanna Barbera company. It seems that the company that bought them has a high
debt problem and that they need the money to continue their other operations.
The publicity department response to this has been “No Comment.” mscoville
==========================
animation/inkwell #686, from hmccracken, 142 chars, Tue Jul 30 09:50:44 1991
This is a comment to message 684.
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Lovy was working at Hanna-Barbera about ten years ago; don’t know what
he’s up to now. I’m pretty sure he’s still among the living.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #687, from hmccracken, 226 chars, Tue Jul 30 13:50:23 1991
This is a comment to message 678.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
It should also be noted that a TV network that employd Richard Pryor
as the host of a kids show (a show that was in some respects similar
to _Pee Wee’s Playhouse_) probably shouldn’t be too quick to
condemn Reubens.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #688, from davemackey, 508 chars, Tue Jul 30 19:30:50 1991
This is a comment to message 683.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
It worked in reverse for Pee-wee, though: he took what was essentially an
adult parody of a kids’ show and turned it into an honest-to-God kids’ show.
If you don’t believe me, the tape of his original cable special “The Pee-wee
Herman Show” should be sought out. It includes some of the cast members who
eventually went on to “Pee-wee’s Playhouse” such as Phil “Cap’n Carl” Hartman
and Lynne “Miss Yvonne” Stewart. “Pee-wee’s Playhouse” was a diluted version
thereof.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #689, from davemackey, 360 chars, Tue Jul 30 19:31:03 1991
This is a comment to message 686.
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Still there and still working for them as of the 1990-1991 season, primarily
as story director. Alex Lovy has been with Hanna-Barbera since the beginning
and hasn’t strayed (except for when he moonlighted as a Warner Bros.
director). Having come up with Lantz in the 30’s, he’s one of the more
durable men of animation.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #690, from davemackey, 357 chars, Tue Jul 30 19:31:13 1991
This is a comment to message 687.
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I think “Pryor’s Place” had a bit more heart. I think this show had happened
after he had mellowed out some (after that horrible freebasing fire
incident). It is nice to see him back on the big screen (in “Another You”
with Gene Wilder) in light of some recent health problems that had many
people extremely worried.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #691, from bferg, 204 chars, Wed Jul 31 10:46:06 1991
This is a comment to message 688.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
Pee Wee started out as mainly adult entertainment, later
stemming to childrens circle of entertainment. The first
time *I* ever saw Pee Wee was on HBO, and it was definitely
NOT for children!
Barbara
==========================
animation/inkwell #692, from hmccracken, 344 chars, Fri Aug 2 10:48:10 1991
————————–
TITLE: The Pee Wee Implosion Continues
The Philadelphia Zoo, which had shown a film in which Pee Wee Herman
explains how a caterpillar becomes a butterfly, has discontinued
showings of the film in light of Mr. Herman’s present troubles.
Likewise, a Japanese brokerage house which used Pee Wee as its
TV spokesman (!) has let him go.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #693, from davemackey, 787 chars, Sat Aug 3 03:06:59 1991
This is a comment to message 691.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
Lest anyone think that all Reubens is is Pee-wee, a few reminders: there were
several movies he did early on in which he played different characters; such
as “Meatballs” and “Cheech And Chong’s Nice Dreams.” The latter of which he
was the guy from the HAMMMMMBURGERS. Reubens’ first TV appearance as Pee-wee
may have been a late-70’s episode of “The Dating Game” where he was one of
three bachelors. Concurrently, he also made several appearances on “The Gong
Show” as Indian lounge singer Jay Long Toe (with his sidekick Whitey Walker
on the talking tom-toms), even winning the $516.32 on the daytime version.
I think he got his start as a member of the Groundlings, which was
probably where he beta-tested the earliest versions of Pee-wee.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #694, from hmccracken, 110 chars, Sat Aug 3 11:43:49 1991
This is a comment to message 693.
There are additional comments to message 693.
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More Pee Wee info: Bill Cosby, Cyndi Lauper, and Joan Rivers
have all come out in defense of Mr. H.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #695, from sorourke, 73 chars, Sat Aug 3 13:10:34 1991
This is a comment to message 693.
There are additional comments to message 693.
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Paul Reubens also had a bit part as a waiter in “The Blues
Brothers.”
==========================
animation/inkwell #696, from bsoron, 128 chars, Sun Aug 4 11:18:47 1991
This is a comment to message 693.
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Hm. I’ll have to drag out my Gong Show tapes and see if I can find him.
Got a little over a hundred of the daytime shows…
==========================
animation/inkwell #697, from hmccracken, 302 chars, Sun Aug 4 17:36:07 1991
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Pick up today’s _New York Times_ for a dandy article
in the Business section on Pixar and its plans to make a
computer-animated film for Disney, to be directed by John
(_Tin Toy_, _Luxo Jr._) Lasseter. Good stuff whether you’re
an animation fan, a computer industry follower, or both.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #698, from grekel, 438 chars, Mon Aug 5 08:32:10 1991
This is a comment to message 697.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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Okay, Harry — what gems were in this article? At SIGGRAPH rumors were
flying that Pixar was going to have to hire a fuge staff of animators
and the release date for the film would be in about 4 years…
BTW, Pixar and Lasseter debuted a couple of new “Luxo Jr.” shorts at
the Electronic Theatre. They were designed for Sesame Street, and the
best of the pair was called “Light and Heavy”, featuring a beach ball and
a bowling ball.
==========================
animation/inkwell #699, from hmccracken, 501 chars, Mon Aug 5 09:28:24 1991
This is a comment to message 698.
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Well, Lasseter will be directing a feature computer-animated film
for Disney, which may be the first of several that Disney and
Pixar will do together. Since the article said that recent layoffs
put Pixar at something like 40 employees (I don’t remember the
exact figure), I would imagine the staff will need to be beefed
up for the feature. Besides discussing Pixar’s cartoons and Lasseter’s
career, the article talked about the company’s origins, RenderMan,
Steve Jobs’s involvement, etc.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #700, from bsoron, 379 chars, Wed Aug 14 23:08:11 1991
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: See y’all in a while
Having just rejoined the workforce after seven months of unemployment,
the financial picture isn’t rosy enough yet to keep me on Bix during the
early part of the Bixnet switchover… I reckon I’ll be back around the
end of this year or early next once I have a bank account again, but
’til then, it’s been a blast. See you as soon as I can…
Bob
==========================
animation/inkwell #701, from hmccracken, 89 chars, Thu Aug 15 00:43:49 1991
This is a comment to message 700.
There are additional comments to message 700.
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If you happen to read this, Bob — we’ll miss you and hope you
come back soon!
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #702, from switch, 56 chars, Thu Aug 15 09:23:20 1991
This is a comment to message 700.
————————–
Sorry to hear that Bob. Hope you return soonest!
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #703, from snowbear, 89 chars, Sat Aug 17 23:26:14 1991
This is a comment to message 552.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
And, of course, you’d have the advantage, in a live action movie, of playing
Adar…
==========================
animation/inkwell #704, from richard.pini, 60 chars, Sun Aug 18 19:03:29 1991
This is a comment to message 703.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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You *always* go back 4 months for questions to answer..?
==========================
animation/inkwell #705, from davemackey, 347 chars, Tue Aug 20 19:23:25 1991
————————–
TITLE: The opposite of Dalmatian
The opposite of Dalmatian is Accordion. These are the two words that are
spelled rather interchangeably with particular respect to the penultimate
letter in each word. If you need to remember how each word is spelled, I
offer the simple mnemonic “A dalmatiAn On accordiOn.”
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #706, from snowbear, 36 chars, Sun Aug 25 21:05:31 1991
This is a comment to message 704.
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No, sometimes I do it in a week! :p
==========================
animation/inkwell #707, from davemackey, 331 chars, Wed Aug 28 19:29:27 1991
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
TITLE: We are not alone
Did anybody else read today’s William F. Buckley column in which he not only
mentions BIX by name but reprints several messages from the tojerry/russia
topic chronicling recent events there? A good plug for electronic
communications in general and BIX in particular.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #708, from hkenner, 45 chars, Wed Aug 28 22:10:26 1991
This is a comment to message 707.
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Yup, I read it before it was published.
–HK
==========================
animation/inkwell #709, from sje, 124 chars, Wed Aug 28 22:29:23 1991
This is a comment to message 707.
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————————–
I missed it. Which messages were reprinted? If it included any of
mine, I’d like to get a copy of the article. — Steve
==========================
animation/inkwell #710, from hmccracken, 109 chars, Thu Aug 29 09:25:33 1991
This is a comment to message 707.
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The column was great, but I can’t understand why he didn’t quote the
animation conference at all!
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #711, from hmccracken, 429 chars, Thu Aug 29 14:22:36 1991
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Merchandise for Films That Never Were
While browsing in a store that specializes in odd bargains yesterday,
I came across a selection of plastic toys inspired by the Filmation
animated feature _Happily After After_. This was odd, because the
film was never released! Whoever manufactured the toys must have
taken quite a bath (or do you get your licensing fees back if the
movie never gets released, I wonder?).
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #712, from davemackey, 119 chars, Thu Aug 29 19:30:16 1991
This is a comment to message 710.
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————————–
I’ll have to make sure my posts from here on out are “politically correct”!
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #713, from hkenner, 111 chars, Thu Aug 29 19:54:46 1991
This is a comment to message 712.
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No, Dave, that’s not the problem. The problem is that the HRooshians are
just beginning to get animated.
–HK
==========================
animation/inkwell #714, from hmccracken, 282 chars, Thu Aug 29 21:38:27 1991
This is a comment to message 712.
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————————–
As far as I know, Bill Buckley isn’t interested in animation,
unfortunately. Hkenner would be in a better position than
I to know; so would my father (look up “McCracken, Samuel”
in the index of Buckley’s _Overdrive_ for information
on the great Buckley-McCracken linke).
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #715, from hkenner, 155 chars, Thu Aug 29 22:22:19 1991
This is a comment to message 714.
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Alas, animation is one of the topics WFB hasn’t sufficient patience to
take an interest in. Let us be grateful for what he *does* pay attention
to.
–HK
==========================
animation/inkwell #716, from hmccracken, 285 chars, Fri Aug 30 09:19:09 1991
This is a comment to message 715.
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Agreed. (Although seeing Chuck Jones on _Firing Line_ *would* be
nifty.)
It should also be noted, as a related matter, that the _National Review_
has a fine selection of political cartoons, which I take as evidence
of at least a slight interest in cartooning on WFB’s part.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #717, from davemackey, 162 chars, Sat Aug 31 16:57:02 1991
This is a comment to message 709.
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Steve, I am sorry for not answering this earlier. The messages in the column
were tojerry/russia #1135, #1168, and #1188.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #718, from morganfox, 59 chars, Mon Sep 2 18:36:26 1991
This is a comment to message 711.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
A store with odd bargains? What? Where? Is a Building 19?
==========================
animation/inkwell #719, from hmccracken, 234 chars, Mon Sep 2 21:14:48 1991
This is a comment to message 718.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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Nope. This is a place in the Billerica Mall called “All For
a Dollar,” or something very close to that. Full of stuff
that people didn’t want at higher prices (as the name
suggests, everything in the store is $1.00 apiece).
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #720, from davemackey, 512 chars, Tue Sep 3 19:41:42 1991
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: The Last Picture Show come to life
New Jersey’s last drive-in theatre, the Route 35 Drive In in Hazlet, is
closing tomorrow night with the 50’s double bill of “The Fly” (the original
version) and “The Girl Can’t Help It” (directed by everyone’s favorite
cartoon director turned live action director, Frank Tashlin). $10 a carload,
and it benefits the Raritan High School Booster Club. After tomorrow night,
the night of the “ozoner” is no more in the Garden State.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #721, from richard.pini, 576 chars, Wed Sep 4 07:33:27 1991
This is a comment to message 719.
There are additional comments to message 719.
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We have one of those here, in fact. I was in there yesterday and saw a bunch
of plastic-wrapped little Warner Bros figures that apparently were given
away at Shell service stations. I was ready to buy a few – they were made
my Applause, which makes some nice little figurines – when I noticed that
the quality was not so hot. Then I recalled that I had already bought a couple
of them at a greeting cards store. The difference was that the $1 ones must
have failed the Q/A cut, as the paint jobs were not nearly as tight as the
ones that sold for $2.50 or more. Recycling…
==========================
animation/inkwell #722, from bferg, 615 chars, Wed Sep 4 11:27:12 1991
This is a comment to message 719.
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————————–
Since Doug is a collector of sorts of little figurines, I usually
find the ones he shows interest in at places I do not expect, like
airport gift shops, filling stations along the road (there I found
some Bugs Bunny drinking glasses for the anniversary), at Six Flags
Over Texas souvenir shops, etc. After reading Richard’s post on
the quality, I am very picky about the quality of the figurines, I
look them over real good, look at the detail, making sure that I get
the best. NOW, if you can find figurines for a $1 that show good
quality, then that is a rare find.
Always with my eyes open…
Barbara
==========================
animation/inkwell #723, from hmccracken, 920 chars, Wed Sep 4 11:43:11 1991
This is a comment to message 722.
————————–
Yes, cartoon character figuirines vary a lot in quality — both
in the quality of the painting and in the fidelity of the designs
to the original characters. If you go into a Disney Store and
check out the gigantic supply of figurines they have, you’ll
find both some very nice-looking stuff and some weird looking
little critters who bear only a slightly, vaguely dyspeptic
resemblance to Mickey, Donald, and Minnie.
Six or seven years ago, I collected cartoon character figures
quite seriously, but I found a lot of the fun went out of
the hobby when such figures became as common as they have been
in recent years. I still try to collect at least one character
from each Disney film, and it’s always fun to get an oddball
character whom you wouldn’t expect would appear in such a form.
(I have figures of Jack Kirby’s Darkseid and of Carl Barks’s
Second Richest Duck, whose name escapes me at the moment.)
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #724, from davemackey, 545 chars, Wed Sep 4 22:00:29 1991
This is a comment to message 720.
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An unqualified success: the drive-in was packed full two hours before the
show, which began an hour early since darkness fell a little early due to
lack of sunshine. It made all the major news broadcasts in the area, and the
RHS Booster Club made lots of money.
Forgive the nostalgia, but I miss the Eatontown Drive-In and the Shore
Drive-In more. And I have a soft spot in my heart for the Laurelton Circle
Drive-In a few miles to the south of me, since that was where I saw “Bugs
Bunny Superstar.”
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #725, from davemackey, 291 chars, Wed Sep 4 22:00:40 1991
————————–
TITLE: Miffed at CBS
That CBS, I’m telling you. First they promise six episodes of “Bullwinkle”
and only give us three. Then they promise six episodes of “Police Squad!” and
only give us five. Hoo boy. What yard apes they have for program executives.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #726, from davemackey, 143 chars, Wed Sep 4 22:00:46 1991
This is a comment to message 719.
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I must live in the high-rent district: one of the local malls has a store
called “The $1.29 Store.”
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #727, from hmccracken, 486 chars, Thu Sep 5 09:49:16 1991
————————–
TITLE: Fun Fact
Did you know that Mr. Peabody and Sherman, Jay Ward’s time-travelling
characters from _The Bullwinkle Show_, were created by Ted Key,
best known for being the writer and artist of the _Hazel_ newspaper
comic feature? I wouldn’t have known either, but Key is presently
suing the Ward studios for unpaid royalties relating to the
characters (as is Alex Anderson, Ward’s original partner, who
was instrumental in the creation of Rocky and Bullwinkle themselves).
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #728, from hmccracken, 361 chars, Thu Sep 5 09:51:07 1991
————————–
TITLE: Fun Fact #2
Did you know that in France, Disney’s _TaleSpin_ cartoon is known
by the name _Super Baloo_? I think I like that title better.
(Actually, I’m not sure if the _TaleSpin_ TV series airs in
France; I gleaned this information from a _Super Baloo_ story
in a copy of _Le Journal de Mickey_ that a friend brought back
from a Paris trip.)
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #729, from sje, 1388 chars, Thu Sep 5 14:58:10 1991
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Final Farewell
Due to problems on the part of Byte and McGraw-Hill giving out my name
and address after being told not to do so, I am now permanently resigning from
BIX. I feel that a complete severence of all connections between me and Byte/
McGraw-Hill is the only way to clear up these problems. If any of you readers
are current subscribers to the magazine, I can only state that you have my
sympathies if you have asked to have your name/address held in confidence —
because they have not been able to comply. Regrettably, these types of
problems have been going on for months, and I have little faith that they
can be corrected soon. I have wasted enough of my time on this matter and must
return to other tasks.
This is really a shame as I have been a Byte reader since the early
days (I have issue #1 Sep/1975). I have just run out of patience with the
poor management of McGraw-Hill.
I feel bad about leaving the animation conference as I know it was
the best part of my BIX experience. I thank all of you for the helpful
information you’ve provided; I hope that my comments have been worth reading.
For those with Internet access, I can still be reached as:
“sj*@xy***.com“.
May your cartoons never suffer post-production edits, and may the
fortunes of all the great animation producers increase.
Thh–hhhh-aaaa-ttttttt’s All, Folks! — Steve
==========================
animation/inkwell #730, from davemackey, 246 chars, Thu Sep 5 19:37:30 1991
This is a comment to message 729.
There are additional comments to message 729.
————————–
You are certainly going to be missed around here. I don’t know of any more
fervent Disney fan on this network, and your contributions were never short
of interesting. Best of luck in your future endeavors!
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #731, from switch, 107 chars, Thu Sep 5 22:38:46 1991
This is a comment to message 729.
There are additional comments to message 729.
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I’m truly sorry to hear you’re leaving, Steve. I hope to run into
you on the Net one of these days.
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #732, from adunkin, 131 chars, Thu Sep 5 22:50:20 1991
This is a comment to message 729.
There are additional comments to message 729.
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Manomanoman …. we are going to miss you! Will try to send you some
mail over Internet when I get the chance.
— Alan Dunkin
==========================
animation/inkwell #733, from adunkin, 165 chars, Thu Sep 5 22:51:16 1991
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TITLE: hey… didn’t I just see…
Launchpad McQuack on a commercial for Darkwing Duck on ABC? Is it my
imagination or is that really Launchpad?
— Alan Dunkin
==========================
animation/inkwell #734, from hmccracken, 82 chars, Fri Sep 6 00:22:35 1991
This is a comment to message 733.
There are additional comments to message 733.
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Launchpad is one of the supporting characters on _Darkwing_,
I believe.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #735, from hmccracken, 298 chars, Fri Sep 6 00:35:10 1991
This is a comment to message 729.
There are additional comments to message 729.
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Steve! You must do what you must do, but you will be missed
here enormously. I can only hope that you return someday,
somehow, and that you at least sign on one last time
to read the messages here of regret at your leaving.
A thousand thanks for all you’ve contributed to the
conference.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #736, from paulr, 112 chars, Fri Sep 6 13:42:38 1991
This is a comment to message 733.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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It’s really Launchpad. They have been showing DarkWing duck
on the Disney Channel for some time now.
-Paul
==========================
animation/inkwell #737, from davemackey, 559 chars, Fri Sep 6 22:58:15 1991
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: MTV VMA Gossip
The latest chapter in the Pee-wee Herman saga was his surprise appearance at
the MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles last night. “Heard any good jokes
lately?” he asked an appreciative crowd.
I didn’t see too much of the VMA (chalk it up to my indifference toward
a lot of the music being produced today), but Paula Abdul’s musical selection
was called to my attention, merely because she seems to have put on a more
than a few pounds! Has she been putting away the cheeseburgers, or what?
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #738, from adunkin, 95 chars, Sat Sep 7 23:38:48 1991
This is a comment to message 736.
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Well, I don’t have Disney, so what would I know?
This is a scarey thought.
— Alan Dunkin
==========================
animation/inkwell #739, from hmccracken, 156 chars, Sun Sep 8 20:37:06 1991
————————–
TITLE: Projector Plea
If anyone out there has an 8mm/Super 8 silent projector they’re
willing to sell, please drop me a note via BIXmail. Thanks!
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #740, from davemackey, 338 chars, Thu Sep 12 00:02:59 1991
————————–
TITLE: Sorry, Tennessee
Wouldn’t it be funny if in the middle of that Dreyfus Chalk Talk commercial,
when the guy says the fund is “free of state and local taxes in 49 states…
sorry Tennessee!” they dubbed in a clip of Chumley saying those last two
words clipped from a Tennessee Tuxedo cartoon?
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #741, from rcrook, 291 chars, Fri Sep 13 22:51:24 1991
This is a comment to message 737.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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>… putting away the cheeseburgers …
Yeah, I noticed. I saw only about 5 minutes of the VMA (Video
Music Awards for those of you that don’t/can’t watch MTV), most
of which was ‘portly’ Paula’s performance. I guess she doesn’t
drink Diet Coke, just does ad’s for it! Sigh!
= Argosy =
==========================
animation/inkwell #742, from sharonfisher, 83 chars, Sat Sep 14 12:32:45 1991
This is a comment to message 741.
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Yes, but how well did she sing and dance?
That is why she was on tv, wasn’t it?
==========================
animation/inkwell #743, from dcolton, 6 chars, Sun Sep 15 22:15:53 1991
This is a comment to message 742.
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Nope.
==========================
animation/inkwell #744, from hmccracken, 210 chars, Sat Sep 21 16:58:06 1991
————————–
TITLE: Animation Celebration
Does anyone out there happen to know when the Los Angeles
Animation Celebration is scheduled for this year? I think it’s
sometime at the end of October, but I’m not sure.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #746, from davemackey, 870 chars, Tue Sep 24 21:07:30 1991
————————–
TITLE: “Toy Shop”
I know this belongs better in either tie.ins or sources, but I’ve noticed
lots of talk about cartoon collectibles in this topic. So I must pass along
word of “Toy Shop,” a monthly indexed adzine (no editorial whatsoever) jam
packed with ads from dealers and collectors of all sorts of toys: dolls, box
games, cartoon character tie-ins and model/diecast cars. It’s the best place
to gauge what’s available in the way of toy tie-ins for your favorite
characters. If you’re interested in subscribing ($18.95/yr) or a sample
issue, the address is 700 E. State St., Iola, WI 54990. If the address
sounds familiar, it’s because “Toy Shop” is published by the same folks who
put out “Comics Buyers Guide,” Krause Publications, and adheres to the same
rigid advertising standards all Krause publications are noted for.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #747, from hmccracken, 888 chars, Tue Oct 1 09:27:05 1991
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Keith Robertson RIP
With the discussion here of the passings of Dr. Seuss and Miles
Davis, it is not too out-of-place to mention the recent death
of Keith Robertson, author of the “Henry Reed” series of childrens’
books, including _Henry Reed, Inc._, _Henry Reed’s Big Show_, and
several others. I read and loved all these books in my youth —
they have to be some of the least patronizing books for children
ever written. I was astonished earlier this year to discover that
a new book in the series had been published fairly recently;
the previous one appeared in 1970.
Since the books are still in print and haven’t aged much, Henry,
Midge, and the other characters will probably go on entertaining
children for quite a while. Any other Henry Reed fans out there?
— Harry
(Oh, and to tie this into this conference’s theme: in _Henry
Reed’s Journey_, Henry visits Disneyland.)
==========================
animation/inkwell #748, from davemackey, 220 chars, Wed Oct 2 07:15:48 1991
This is a comment to message 747.
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I vaguely remember Keith Robertson and his Henry Reed books; they aren’t as
fondly remembered as the many other books I fed my brain as a youth, but I
was certainly aware of them.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #749, from davemackey, 1719 chars, Wed Oct 2 07:16:18 1991
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Where is Carmen? On PBS
As we don’t really have a place to discuss other kids’ programming in the
Animation conference, here is where I must note the fact that PBS has
premiered a series based on the computer game “Where In The World Is Carmen
Sandiego?” It airs daily at 5 p.m. in many cities; check your listings.
It has the look and feel of one of those post-slime Nickelodeon game
shows like “Make The Grade” or “Get The Picture,” shows with a little more
respect for their youthful contestants. The contestants here are quizzed on
their knowledge of geography, the questions cleverly wrapped around a caper
perpetrated by one of Carmen’s gang of thieves.
To win the game you have to answer enough questions to get to the next
round, then find the loot, the arrest warrant and the thief (in that order)
on a “Concentration” type game board. And in the bonus round you have to
catch Carmen herself by identifying countries on one of the world’s
continents on a floor map. Watching several episodes of this show has
convinced me that I need to brush up on my geography.
Since I’m one of the few people who’s never played a Carmen game, I
don’t know how faithful this is to the original Broderbund software version,
but I found it very entertaining. The ex-host of “Total Panic,” Greg Lee, is
in charge here, with Lynne Thigpen as chief of Acme Crimenet. The doo-wop
music by Rockapella is a welcome change from the heavily synthesized scores
typical of these shows. And there’s even computer animation of Carmen and her
gang that reminds one of the character’s silicon origins.
In summary, a remarkable show. (Tinar)
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #750, from paulr, 82 chars, Wed Oct 2 17:05:45 1991
This is a comment to message 749.
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My kids (and if the truth be told, Karen and I also) love the at show.
-Paul
==========================
animation/inkwell #751, from davemackey, 938 chars, Sat Oct 12 01:21:30 1991
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Redd Foxx
It might have gotten lost in the news coverage given to the Clarence Thomas
hearings today, but Redd Foxx has died of a heart attack at the age of 69.
This is particularly sad, since in recent years Mr. Foxx had fallen on
financial hard times, and at one point had a large amount of his holdings
auctioned off to pay debts to the IRS. This season, he returned to television
for CBS in a new show called “The Royal Family.” It’s a shame that death took
him when he was just getting back on his feet and be able to enjoy life once
more.
Though he spent years on the black nightclub circuit and released
seemingly hundreds of “dirty” comedy albums, he’ll be best remembered for
“Sanford & Son,” as irascible junkman Fred Sanford, and ironically, it was in
this role where he would often feign a heart attack and yell “This is the big
one, Elizabeth, I’m coming to join ya!”
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #752, from bcapps, 162 chars, Sat Oct 12 01:37:14 1991
This is a comment to message 751.
There are additional comments to message 751.
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Now his troubles are truly over. May he rest peacefully.
Seems CBS is not having a good year, either. First, Michael Landon and now
Redd Foxx.
Bob
{‘.`}
==========================
animation/inkwell #753, from bferg, 188 chars, Sat Oct 12 06:57:44 1991
This is a comment to message 751.
There are additional comments to message 751.
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It was just the day before yesterday I watched an episode of
“Sanford and Son,” not a usual for me. He was very funny in
that role, he will be a loss to the humor of this world.
Barbara
==========================
animation/inkwell #754, from davemackey, 192 chars, Sat Oct 12 07:44:16 1991
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Dave AFK
I’ll be incommunicado from BIX from October 24 through 27, due to a weekend
trip to Chicago to participate in this year’s Pinball Expo.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #755, from hmccracken, 255 chars, Sat Oct 12 13:34:43 1991
This is a comment to message 751.
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May Redd Foxx (nee John Sanford) R.I.P. He was a very funny man.
If he had to go, it’s kind of nice that he did so after sorting
out his financial problems to some degree and returning to TV,
rather than directly on the heels of his money woes.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #756, from hmccracken, 400 chars, Sat Oct 12 13:39:46 1991
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: BIXen gets railroaded
I’ve learned that animation conference member Dave Mackey has
recently contributed some photographic work to two train/bus
publications. Congratulations, Dave, and why don’t you tell us
a little bit about your work? (I’m pleased to point out that
Dave’s nice photograph of Maurice Noble was published earlier
this year in _Animato_ #21, edited by yours truly.)
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #757, from davemackey, 775 chars, Sat Oct 12 19:16:09 1991
This is a comment to message 756.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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Okay, you’ve nudged the truth out of me. I have a photograph in the “Railroad
News Photos” section of the November “Trains” magazine (the nation’s
highest circulation train magazine) of a couple of restored E-8 first
generation diesel locomotives that recently pulled the Racetrack Special into
Monmouth Park on its biggest race day of the season. I also will have a
picture in the Winter 1991-1992 “Bus World” of one of the New Jersey Transit
Eagle buses that was turned over to Suburban Trails and painted in
orange-and-white Suburban colors. This is the first time my color photo work
has appeared in national magazines, and though I’m quite proud of my work,
I’m still modest enough to wait to be cajoled into telling you this.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #758, from bferg, 57 chars, Sat Oct 12 22:15:20 1991
This is a comment to message 757.
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Congrats, Dave, I feel I know a celebrity!
Barbara
==========================
animation/inkwell #759, from hmccracken, 347 chars, Mon Oct 14 22:40:47 1991
This is a comment to message 754.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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This is as good a place as any to mention that I’ll be heading
west for a trip to COMDEX and brief vacation from October
20th to 28th; I plan to be equipped with notebook computer
and modem, so I shouldn’t be absent from this conference.
If I do disappear, either my computer or modem failed me
(which is what happened on my last trip).
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #760, from hmccracken, 2587 chars, Sat Oct 19 15:41:25 1991
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: My Luncheon With Chuck E.
Today I finally accomplished one of my few remaining goals in life:
I dined at Chuck E. Cheese’s. For those not in the know, Chuck E.’s
is a chain of pizza restaurants aimed wholeheartedly at the kid
market. The places are filled with video games, skee ball alleys,
huge robotic animal characters who sing to pre-recorded soundtracks,
and the like. Actually, the food is probably the least important
aspect of the entire place. (As an interesting sidelight, the chain
was founded back in the mid-to-late 1970s by Nolan Bushnell, better
known as the founder of Atari. Like Atari, Chuck E.’s suffered
financial problems; it was eventually purchased by Show Biz Pizza,
a competing chain of very similar restaurants.)
Anyhow, there aren’t all that many Chuck E. Cheese’ses, at least
around here. I’ve seen them advertised on TV from time to time,
and once came across one in Hyannis that had shut its doors a
week before I found it. But it was only recently that I discovered
that the chain had a location about ten minutes from where I work,
in a tacky shopping plaza that also includes a K-Mart, a liquor
store, a donut shop, and several other cheesey (pun unintended)
businesses.
I made my visit today with one of my few friends crazy enough to
go to such a kid-oriented place without any youngsters in tow;
we were the only such adults in the place, and the only ones
who didn’t look bored out of their minds. Chuck E.’s is a
popular birthday-party location, and maybe a third of the kids
there seemed to be birthday partiers. We ordered our food (I
had a small onion pizza and some salad; she had a salad and
some breadsticks) and entered the theatre area of the restaurant,
where the aforementioned robots sang Beach Boys songs, tunes
about manners and traffic safety, and childhood standards like
“This Old Man.” When you order food, you’re given tokens which
can be used in the various entertainment devices located in
the place; these devices dispense tickets which can be redeemed
for prizes. We both chose yoyos.
Chuck E.’s has a definite 1970s feel about it; I imagine
it hasn’t changed much since its founding. I’m glad I
finally had an opportunity to visit the place, even if
I was probably close to five times as old as the average
visitor. (This point struck home when the singing
robots announced that they were going to do a medley
of nostalgic songs, then broke out into several hit
tunes from 1983. When your patrons tend to be five,
six, and seven years old, that’s like playing
“Alexander’s Ragtime Band.” and “Swanee.”)
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #761, from morganfox, 104 chars, Sat Oct 19 21:41:51 1991
This is a comment to message 760.
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Great! Sounds like you had fun. I guess there is hope for me. I also
would love to go to a Chuck E’s!
==========================
animation/inkwell #762, from hmccracken, 69 chars, Sun Oct 20 08:33:03 1991
This is a comment to message 761.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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These kinds of things are important to admit to ourselves.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #763, from davemackey, 164 chars, Mon Oct 21 08:23:22 1991
This is a comment to message 762.
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Of course, we all know that the song from about a decade ago, “Chuck E.’s In
Love,” really was about Chuck E. Cheese….
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #764, from dave.f, 270 chars, Tue Oct 22 09:30:06 1991
This is a comment to message 760.
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re:
Time Theater” with the premise being showing movies and/or cartoons? I
could have sworn that Steve Wozniac had some sort of connection with the
outfit, as well, but that could be memory fade.
D=
==========================
animation/inkwell #765, from bcapps, 164 chars, Tue Oct 22 19:57:27 1991
This is a comment to message 760.
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————————–
I just saw a place where a new Chuck E’s is going up in Herndon, VA in a
new shopping center. Can’t be doing too poorly if they’re still opening
new units.
Bob
==========================
animation/inkwell #766, from dferg, 399 chars, Tue Oct 22 22:40:10 1991
This is a comment to message 765.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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To add to that, the local Showbiz Pizza Place outlet (in a revived shopping
center with a K-Mart, grocery store, sporting goods store and post office
…drug store, and family owned single-outlets) converted, oddly enough
to a Chuck E. Cheese unit.
Variety, my instincts tell me, was needed to pull the kid trade back after
it had become bored with Billy Bob. I’ll let you know if it survives…
==========================
animation/inkwell #767, from davemackey, 198 chars, Wed Oct 23 19:05:50 1991
This is a comment to message 759.
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That probably also explained the absence of the CBIX on Tuesday night. I
would have arrived forty minutes late anyway due to circumstances beyond my
control.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #768, from hmccracken, 216 chars, Wed Oct 23 22:40:18 1991
This is a comment to message 764.
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That’s right — it was Pizza Time Theater originally. I hand’t
heard of Steve Wozniak being involved with the chain, although
of course he and Steve Jobs worked for Atari in the mid-1970s.
— Harry (from Las Vegas)
==========================
animation/inkwell #769, from hmccracken, 270 chars, Wed Oct 23 22:42:02 1991
This is a comment to message 766.
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While I hand’t been to Chuck E.’s, I have visited the
Showbiz location in Des Moines. Personally, I think I
prefer Billy Bob to Chuck E. (How much work does it take
to convert a Show Biz to a Chuck E.’s? It can’t be much
more than changing the robots, right?)
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #770, from hmccracken, 468 chars, Wed Oct 23 22:44:40 1991
This is a comment to message 767.
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Right, while I have a notebook computer and modem here with
me in Vegas, I wasn’t free at the time the CBIX would have
been held. If truth be told, I {was at a chili cook-off
party/charity benefit sponsored by Micrografx. It was fun,
but I discovered that Spanky McFarland — one of my all-time
idols — had been at the party but left before I got there.
*sniff!* I did, however, spot Rich Little strolling through
our hotel (the Mirage) earlier this week.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #771, from switch, 74 chars, Wed Oct 23 22:54:23 1991
This is a comment to message 767.
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Yikes! I thought Harry would be gone *next* week! Sorry, folks…
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #772, from davemackey, 89 chars, Wed Oct 23 23:26:12 1991
This is a comment to message 770.
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Chili Cookoff Party? Hey, bring me back some!
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #773, from dferg, 218 chars, Thu Oct 24 03:09:17 1991
This is a comment to message 769.
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Heh…right! Though, they did convert the facade decor and re-sign the
whole mess with new hardware…
…as I haven’t been inside (does that make me an outsider?), I cannot
comment on what happened to the decor.
==========================
animation/inkwell #774, from grekel, 544 chars, Fri Oct 25 00:41:58 1991
This is a comment to message 760.
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I remember when OKC’s first Showbiz Pizza opened — I actually toured the
place and saw what ran the robots (multi-track audio tape). Now, almost
ten years later, I have two girls who adore the place. The location about
three blocks from my house was recently changed to a Chuck E. shop.
They put new skins on the robots and changed the backdrops, but not
much has changed, as you observed, since that first tour.
Kids don’t care.
The pizza has not improved, either. They once featured a pizza
topped with, among other things, corn.
ackpth.
==========================
animation/inkwell #775, from olson, 1409 chars, Sat Oct 26 03:21:10 1991
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TITLE: What Thinkest Thou
I’m not an animator, although I have written animation scripts,
nor an I a programmer, although I have designed (not yet sold)
educational programs, so I wonder of any of you in hyperspace
can assist me with this idea.
In writing animation, I was asked not to have more than two
main focuses of action going on simultaneously because it was
just too expensive. I watch quite a bit of beautiful old
animation, so much of it labeled “PD”. It occurred to me
that a program could be designed to “lift” animation cell
loops off these old cartoons and store them, similar to
layering images in an editing bay. Let’s say you wanted
a scene like the opening to Savage Steve’s “Better Off Dead”,
with lots and lots of happyu, happy creatures, flowers,
trees, birdies, all dancing under a smiling sun etc.
It seems like it might be a novel and memorable animation
style for a show to integrate various loops in the
bg or fg of various scenes, loops that have been lifted
from old cartoons with different styles. The program woukldld
allow the loops to expand or contarct to the allotted
space desired in the frame, speed up or slow down the
action (dancing in a circle, for example), and allow
virtually as many different motion foci in one scene as
the animator/director desired.
Does this sound feasible and has it been done in one
way or another? Or if it is not feasible, why?
==========================
animation/inkwell #776, from switch, 629 chars, Sat Oct 26 10:14:03 1991
This is a comment to message 775.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
I’ve done that a few times with an Amiga and a FrameGrabber, for various
purposes. Simply, I digitize one frame, then the next, then the next, then
the next. I got through said frames one at a time after and extract the
part I want, and make an ANIM brush (simply put, a localized animated “sprite”)
out of that segment. However, this is fairly time-consuming as I have to
extract the element I want and delete the rest of the picture from the
background, one frame at a time. It’s a little easier with cartoons than
live-action because you have solid delineations between objects, but it’s
still a lengthy process.
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #777, from hmccracken, 177 chars, Tue Oct 29 15:25:28 1991
This is a comment to message 771.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
Well, I’m back (as of an hour ago), and I’ll be in the CBIX
area tonight with what should be a reasonably interesting
report on my Los Angeles animation activities…
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #778, from hmccracken, 169 chars, Tue Oct 29 17:40:38 1991
This is a comment to message 774.
There are additional comments to message 774.
————————–
I don’t think folks go to Check E.’s for the food — the menu
is limited and features only kid-oriented grub. Which makes
sense given their market, of course.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #779, from davemackey, 200 chars, Wed Oct 30 19:20:00 1991
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Plea-wee
Pee-wee Herman is expected to plead no contest to his indecent exposure
charge, which would entail the penalty of a fine and community service.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #780, from davemackey, 170 chars, Wed Oct 30 19:20:09 1991
This is a comment to message 774.
————————–
Never, ever eat pizza with corn on it. The only thing worse than that is when
they put corn in the taco meat at the local Sizzler.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #781, from morganfox, 280 chars, Wed Oct 30 20:03:29 1991
This is a comment to message 779.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
I read about this today. Seems he was offered the chance to enter a no
contest plea, pay a fine and do 50 hours of community service (to be done
locally) in exchange for a non-recording of charges. he will have a clean
record, legal wise. He is being advised to accept the deal.
==========================
animation/inkwell #782, from davemackey, 1090 chars, Thu Oct 31 19:42:20 1991
This is a comment to message 777.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
I’m sure those of you not in CBIX (and where were you?) would like to hear of
your trip to Las Vegas, but first, about my trip to Chicago….
I tag along with my brother when he goes to the annual Pinball Expo in
Chicago. This is a show for everyone interested in pinball, from industry
professionals to arcade owners to players to collectors. Last year the big
news was the “Simpsons” machine by Data East. Again this year Data East was
the talk of the convention with its new “Star Trek 25th Anniversary” machine.
The exhibit hall opened on Friday with over 100 new and classic
machines on display and for unlimited play by attendees. The Saturday session
after the dinner banquet lasted all through the night, until 6 a.m. (not
taking into consideration the time change that took place at 2 a.m.). And
Sunday’s session featured an auction at which several hundred more games, old
and new, were on the auction block; my brother picked up two machines at the
auction, a Bally “Dolly Parton” and “Viking” both from the early electronic
era.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #783, from bcapps, 353 chars, Fri Nov 1 01:03:36 1991
This is a comment to message 782.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
There are additional comments to message 782.
————————–
Now, I’ve seen a Simpsons video, but not a Simpsons pinball unit. Where is
this or has it yet to be released? Also, there’s a ST 25th machine? Honest
to God pinball Trek? (Current fav machine in OK right now is T2, with The
Machine: Bride of Pinbot running second [somewhat distant]) A good Trek
machine would receive many quarters from me!
Bob
==========================
animation/inkwell #784, from hmccracken, 648 chars, Fri Nov 1 09:43:29 1991
This is a comment to message 782.
————————–
My trip to COMDEX and Las Vegas was extremely busy and quite
productive, despite the fact that I covered maybe 5% of the
COMDEX territory that I would have liked to have seen.
While I am not under normal circumstances a gambler, I
visited the casinos and ended up the trip down a bit, although
I got pretty good at blackjack. Nothing at all animation-related
happened on the Las Vegas leg of my trip (I’ve covered the
California section in other messages), although I did visit
the Excalibur, a new casino housed in a building with a facade
that looks so much like the Disneyland castle that I’m surprised
Disney hasn’t sued the owners.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #785, from hmccracken, 675 chars, Fri Nov 1 17:04:13 1991
————————–
TITLE: ASIFA Cel Sale
Another thing I did while in Los Angeles was to attend a cel
sale put on by the Hollywood branch of ASIFA, the international
animation society. ASIFA holds these sales quite frequently
(this one was at the Hollywood Studio Museum, across the street
from the Hollywood Bowl), and they seem to be a great opportunity
to pick up nice animation artwork at reasonable prices. Most of
the cels offered for sale were from TV commercials of fairly
recent vintage, and the prices were almost all in the $15-$40
range. I picked up a marvelous cel and animation drawing of
Elsie the Cow, which I will give my mother as a Christmas
present (don’t tell!).
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #786, from davemackey, 177 chars, Sat Nov 2 01:42:28 1991
This is a comment to message 783.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
The Simpsons machine has been out for about a year. There had also been a
“Star Trek” machine released back in the late 1970’s by Bally.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #787, from bcapps, 136 chars, Sat Nov 2 15:49:41 1991
This is a comment to message 786.
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I remember the earlier Trek machine. Hmm. Have to go hunt around for the
Simpsons pinball. Ah, nothing like a search mission…
Bob
==========================
animation/inkwell #788, from davemackey, 559 chars, Sat Nov 2 23:06:05 1991
This is a comment to message 781.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
On a lighter note, there is a brief blurb in the current Playboy stating that
they got a hold of one of the films Mr. Reubens was watching, “Nurse Nancy,”
and that you’d be better off watching an episode of “Pee-wee’s Playhouse.”
As a side trivia note, Channel 11 last night aired “Pee-wee’s Big
Adventure” and it had totally escaped me that Pee’s love interest was played
by Elizabeth Daily. Now known as E.G. Daily, among her many credits is the
voice of Tommy, the leader of the “Rugrats.” Small world or what?
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #789, from davemackey, 384 chars, Fri Nov 8 07:36:10 1991
This is a comment to message 788.
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And though it may seem like they were capitalizing on Mr. Reubens’ current
infame, Comedy Central’s airing Tuesday of a 1985 “Saturday Night Live”
episode hosted by Pee-wee was within the show’s normal rotation and is merely
a coincidence. (There was one scene with Pee-wee in jail with Jon Lovitz’s
liar character which was downright spooky.)
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #790, from davemackey, 207 chars, Sat Nov 16 03:42:48 1991
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: You know you’re getting old when…
…you go back to your old school for a football game and your former
teachers insist they call you by their first name.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #791, from hmccracken, 99 chars, Sat Nov 16 14:52:16 1991
This is a comment to message 790.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
Come again, Dave? Did Old Mrs. Weatherbottom keep calling you
“Helga” instead of “Dave?”
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #792, from davemackey, 297 chars, Sat Nov 16 23:58:53 1991
This is a comment to message 791.
————————–
No, I think I may have worded the message badly. Actually it was my old high
school band director. He just went on sabbatical this year, and when I saw
him at last night’s game, he insisted on being called “Phillip” rather than
“Mr. Moore.” (So I obliged.)
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #793, from hmccracken, 223 chars, Wed Nov 27 17:41:53 1991
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
Just a quick note to wish everybody a happy and safe
Thanksgiving. If you don’t hear from me here for a
few days, you’ll know that the place I’m going for the
holidays had modem-unfriendly telephone connections.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #794, from davemackey, 155 chars, Wed Nov 27 19:23:53 1991
This is a comment to message 793.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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Same to you, sir. And I hope where you’re going is connected to TNT for those
fourteen straight hours of cartoons!
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #795, from hmccracken, 429 chars, Fri Nov 29 14:29:18 1991
This is a comment to message 794.
————————–
Oddly enough, this place (Mohonk House in New Paltz, NY) has cable…
but not TV! It’s an old-fashioned sort of resort where they’d really
rather you were out mountain climbing instead of holed up in your
room staring at the tube. But if you bring your own television\
set (I didn’t), you can hook it up to a cable input in your room.
The good news is that it’s easy to BIX here, which it isn’t always
in a hotel room.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #796, from olson, 330 chars, Mon Dec 2 04:45:54 1991
This is a comment to message 776.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
Any ideas on designing a program which would group these separate actions
into one program command? Seems like you could make some money by
designing a demo and then bringing it to a producer and showing him
how an entirely new “look” can be made for a particular series,
using “loops” from various pd cartoons. Sound feasible?
==========================
animation/inkwell #797, from switch, 147 chars, Mon Dec 2 08:56:22 1991
This is a comment to message 796.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
Not that I can see. The problem is automating the isolation process
— how will a computer recognize Bugs Bunny from one frame to
another?
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #798, from ianl, 461 chars, Mon Dec 2 14:08:30 1991
This is a comment to message 797.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
It depends on the individual animation sequence. If Bugs Bunny was drawn in
different colors than the rest of the frame throughout the sequence, then
Ani Pro’s OverTime processing feature could automatically extract him from
each frame{, creating a new flic that had just Bugs without all the background.
However, if some of Bugs’ colors also showed up in other characters, or in
the backgrounds, you’d have some manual cleanup to do after the extraction.
==========================
animation/inkwell #799, from olson, 762 chars, Thu Dec 5 05:08:02 1991
This is a comment to message 798.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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re: shape recognition from frame to frame>
How does the shape recognition program work in the “smart” bombs?
I remembering reading the basic approach of the program in Scientific
American, and thinking that if the program can recognize targets from
satellite photos, then it can read letters from a book for the blind,
find weapons efficiently in airport security x-ray screens, and lots
of interesting applications. Have “pop” versions of the military
shape recognition programs hit the market yet? Wouldn’t this
be one way to design a program to “lift” b.g. animation loops from
pd cartoons?
You set the parameters for the shape you want to track from frame
to frame within certain areas, which you can mark off on a series of
frames, and so on. Comments?
==========================
animation/inkwell #800, from rcook, 159 chars, Fri Dec 6 02:33:48 1991
This is a comment to message 799.
————————–
A combination of contrast and processing power.
In some ways the problem is more difficult when you’re trying
to pluck a shape out of an animated film.
–RC
==========================
animation/inkwell #801, from hmccracken, 354 chars, Sat Dec 7 23:09:40 1991
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
TITLE: Interesting Tidbit
Did you know that Johnny Williams, the father of composer/
Boston Pops conductor John Williams, was the drummer in
the Raymond Scott Quintet? Scott is the offbeat musician
whose works were often incorporated into Carl Stalling’s
Warner Bros. cartoons. Two different record labels will
be releasing Scott CDs shortly.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #802, from bcapps, 68 chars, Sun Dec 8 02:08:26 1991
This is a comment to message 801.
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Oooh! You mean the original Powerhouse is forthcoming?
Drool!
Bob
==========================
animation/inkwell #803, from davemackey, 906 chars, Thu Dec 12 00:05:49 1991
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
TITLE: Empathy with Popeye…
For all the victories that Popeye the Sailor Man has had over Bluto and other
formidable opponents, I find it fascinating that on two occasions he’s been
absolutely stymied by common houseflies (“Flies Ain’t Human,” 1940; “The
Fly’s Last Flight,” 1949).
I am reminded of this because I have spent the last hour and a half
chasing a fly around my room. We aren’t supposed to have flies in New Jersey
in December, but somehow I got one, and I can’t seem to send him to his final
resting place. He’s even alit on my computer screen yet I still couldn’t get
rid of him. Hopefully he’ll be ant food before too long, or else I’ll just
get a rifle and start blasting the place — like Popeye did.
Just heard that the fly as died of natural causes. I guess he was
reading this over my shoulder and wanted to take the easy way out.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #804, from hmccracken, 59 chars, Thu Dec 12 00:33:56 1991
This is a comment to message 803.
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————————–
Just as long as it wasn’t Fearless Fly, Dave….
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #805, from hmccracken, 541 chars, Thu Dec 12 00:44:58 1991
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Idle Thought Dept.
I think I’ve mentioned before that every once in a while I try to
cast live-action performers as all of the classic Warner Bros.
cartoon characters (in my mind, I mean; I’m not on the phone offering
Jack Nicholson big bucks to play Henery Hawk).
Anyhow, I just got back from seeing _The Fisher King_, and the
most redeeming part of the whole experience is that I can add
another performer to my imaginary cast. Amanda Plummer, who plays
Lydia in the film, was definitely born to play Sniffles the Mouse.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #806, from davemackey, 268 chars, Thu Dec 12 18:52:35 1991
This is a comment to message 805.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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Amanda Plummer as the “gee whillikers” Sniffles of the 30’s or the “are you
reeeeeeeally Robin Hood” Sniffles of the 40’s? or both?
Good actress from good lines (Christopher Plummer and Tammy Grimes).
Scary chick, though. –Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #807, from davemackey, 640 chars, Thu Dec 12 18:53:24 1991
————————–
TITLE: “Last Prom”
Here’s something truly scary: there is now a newsletter about driver’s
education films. You probably remember seeing one or more of these in
driver’s ed class or traffic school, films that graphically display the
consequences of bad driving.
“The Last Prom” covers such genre classics as “Red Asphalt”
and “The Last Date”, and such driver’s ed auteurs as Kemp Milton and Earl J.
Deems Jr. — “the true fathers of shock cinema” according to an ad in “the
Big Reel.”
Available for $1 + 39c postage from The Last Prom, 137 S. San Fernando
Blvd., Box 243, Burbank, CA 91502.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #808, from hmccracken, 70 chars, Thu Dec 12 21:06:38 1991
This is a comment to message 806.
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She’s versatile enough that I could see her in either role.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #809, from davemackey, 310 chars, Sat Dec 14 00:06:32 1991
This is a comment to message 804.
————————–
Naah, I don’t think this Fly was very Fearless. He lived in fear of me,
because if he stood still for at least five seconds, he knew his little fly
butt was MINE.
I should have known I was setting myself up for a reply with a Hal
Seeger reference included…
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #810, from hmccracken, 309 chars, Mon Dec 16 21:35:31 1991
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
TITLE: Fun Fact
In 1952, _Newsweek_ published a story on the Disney studio that
reported two potential sources for the story of the next Disney
animated feature after _Peter Pan_. The two story ideas were
_Pogo_ (I wonder what a Disney Pogo film would hae been like?) —
and _Beauty and the Beast_.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #811, from davemackey, 218 chars, Tue Dec 17 02:47:27 1991
This is a comment to message 810.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
I don’t think a Disney Pogo film would be out of the question, since Walt
Kelly had worked at Disney’s in the 30’s and 40’s… but was Kelly involved
with the strike in any way?
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #812, from hmccracken, 594 chars, Tue Dec 17 09:42:11 1991
This is a comment to message 811.
————————–
As I understand it, Kelly left during the strike, but primarily
because he had tired of animation and California, and wished to
return to the East. In fact, he crossed the picket line to ask
for Walt’s help in getting work for Dell Comics, the publishers
of Disney comic books at the time.
I think that Disney could have done a wonderful job with Pogo
in some ways — Kelly’s style is really quite close to early
1940s Disney, and the Pogo characters cry out for full
animation. But somehow I think that Disney would have decided
to “improve” on Kelly’s work in one way or another.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #814, from davemackey, 342 chars, Mon Dec 23 19:05:50 1991
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Merry Christmas
For those of us who will be too busy to BIX on Christmas Eve (including that
little-known BIXen username ‘kkringle’), let me take a several-days-early
opportunity to wish one and all a very Merry Christmas!
What’ll I be doing on Christmas Eve? Watching the toons on TNT!
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #815, from hmccracken, 60 chars, Wed Dec 25 01:26:03 1991
This is a comment to message 814.
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Merry Christmas, Dave! Merry Christmas, everyone!
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #816, from davemackey, 722 chars, Thu Dec 26 21:22:17 1991
————————–
TITLE: Pop goes the culture
Anyone with any interest whatsoever in any area of popular culture is urged
to pick up a copy of “The Whole Pop Catalog” compiled by the Berkeley Pop
Culture Project and published by Avon Books ($20.00).
Besides information and sources for many areas of pop culture, from toys
to TV to fast food to consumer products, there are several sections on
animation and animated characters including Betty Boop, Bugs Bunny, Disney
and Rocky & Bullwinkle. The section on Animation itself includes plugs for
such well-known enterprises as Whole Toon Catalogue, Animato! and Animation
Magazines, the Animation Art Guild, and ASIFA. (TINAR)
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #817, from switch, 159 chars, Sun Dec 29 17:29:42 1991
————————–
TITLE: Vacation
I’m going to be gone from tomorrow until the 4th, so everyone have
a happy new year and please leave the furniture in here intact,
okay?
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #818, from davemackey, 902 chars, Tue Jan 7 05:27:26 1992
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Career shift
Five weeks ago I was let go from my job as traffic manager for a New Jersey
radio station. As sometimes happens, these things turn out to be blessings
in disguise. That weekend I sent out a number of resumes, one of which went
to Riverview Cablevision Associates in Hoboken, New Jersey, which was looking
for a traffic coordinator.
I started work on Monday and I couldn’t be happier about the job. The
money and opportunity are both far better than that which I got from radio,
and with unemployment and severance I came out a little ahead than I would
have otherwise.
BIX kept me sane the last five weeks, and I’ll always be grateful to
my friends from here for the support and assistance that they gave me during
my brief period of unemployment.
To borrow a phrase from Bugs Bunny… “Hoboken? Ooooh, I’m LIVIN’
again!”
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #819, from hmccracken, 300 chars, Tue Jan 7 09:38:38 1992
This is a comment to message 818.
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Congratulations, Dave! Tell us a little bit more about what you’re
going to be doing…And while I think you told me you won’t be
anywhere near vast cable-tv libraries of animated cartoons, I can’t
help but wonder if you can’t *somehow* get involved with TV cartoon
showings in this job…
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #820, from bferg, 70 chars, Tue Jan 7 11:58:00 1992
This is a comment to message 818.
There are additional comments to message 818.
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Dave, I am pleased that you have landed a job you like..Hugs
Barbara
==========================
animation/inkwell #821, from paulr, 75 chars, Tue Jan 7 11:59:32 1992
This is a comment to message 818.
There are additional comments to message 818.
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Hey! COngradulations there Dave!! COuldn’t happen to a nice guy!
-Paul
==========================
animation/inkwell #822, from davemackey, 672 chars, Tue Jan 7 23:39:40 1992
This is a comment to message 819.
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Sure I’ll be involved with TV cartoon showings… the first thing I’m gonna
do when I get to work each day is watch “Pink Panther Parade” on TNT!
(first job I ever had where I could watch TV!)
Actually the job entails coordination of the local insertions on a
number of different cable channels. These are the commercials for, say, Bob’s
Dry Cleaners in your home town that sometimes show up on CNN or ESPN, for
example.
As part of my job, I will have advance notice on interesting events that
will be taking place on the channels we carry. So the things I report here
regarding Cable TV will be that much more timely.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #823, from bcapps, 73 chars, Wed Jan 8 00:08:59 1992
This is a comment to message 818.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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Nothin’ like finding the right person for the job! Congrats, Dave!
Bob
==========================
animation/inkwell #824, from davemackey, 91 chars, Wed Jan 8 21:05:11 1992
This is a comment to message 823.
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Thanks, Bob, and everyone else for the kind words.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #825, from davemackey, 387 chars, Tue Jan 14 19:32:04 1992
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Happy birthday…
I’m sure Harry will post a more detailed tribute message, but let me be the
first animation member to publicly wish a happy 100TH birthday to one of the
pioneers of Live-Action Film Comedy, Hal Roach!
While we’re celebrating birthdays, happy 40th to “The Today Show.” I
grew up watchin’ Hugh and Barbara in the 60’s.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #826, from hmccracken, 505 chars, Wed Jan 15 00:42:03 1992
This is a comment to message 825.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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Happy birthday indeed to Mr. Roach, who was instrumental in
the careers of Laurel and Hardy, Harold Lloyd, Our Gang,
Harry Langdon, Charley Chase, and other great silent comedy
stars — and who was Charlie Chaplin’s roommate before Charlie
became famous! He never had anything to do with animation, but
he was responsible for as much laughter as Disney, Chuck Jones,
or Tex Avery.
— Harry
(In case you didn’t know, Hal is alive and very well, and
travels frequently to film festivals and other events.)
==========================
animation/inkwell #827, from dferg, 109 chars, Wed Jan 15 02:55:53 1992
This is a comment to message 826.
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Goodness! Wouldn’t it be interesting to get Hal Roach on BIX!
…but I suppose that’s asking too much!
==========================
animation/inkwell #828, from davemackey, 622 chars, Wed Jan 15 06:13:47 1992
This is a comment to message 826.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
That is true… if he were dead I’d have said it was the 100th anniversary of
the birth of Hal Roach… Willard Scott even wished him a happy 100th
birthday!
I wonder if any of the Sons Of The Desert tents had special observances.
If so this probably explains your absence from animation/cbix last night!
About the only animation connection I can think of for Hal Roach is that
in the 1930’s he had a young gag writer on staff named Frank Tashlin. (That,
plus the peripheral fact that Warner Bros. wanted to make a cartoon animal
series based on Our Gang in the 30’s.)
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #829, from hmccracken, 107 chars, Wed Jan 15 09:41:08 1992
This is a comment to message 827.
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Getting Hal on BIX might not be possible, but he *will* be on the
Larry King radio show tonight.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #830, from hmccracken, 429 chars, Wed Jan 15 09:44:20 1992
This is a comment to message 828.
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Sorry to have missed the CBIX last night (and curious about what I
missed). I had a late dinner with my sister, who flew into town last night.
I thought I’d just miss the first part of the CBIX, but her plane was
late.
Our local chapter of the Sons of the Desert — the Boston Brats —
did have a meeting earlier this month, which marked the 100th
birthdays of Mr. Roach and Oliver Hardy (also born in January, 1892).
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #831, from mscoville, 864 chars, Wed Jan 15 23:58:09 1992
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TITLE: Claude Coats
It is with regret that I report the death of Claude Coats. He died on January
9th of the year after a brief illness. It is sad in the just a few months ago
he had received the Disney Legends Award from Michael Eisner and Roy Disney.
Before retiring, he held the record as the longest employee at the company.
After graduating from college he attended art school and then went to work at
Disney doing the marvelous backgrounds which he became known for . In the 50’s
he went to work for WED now know as Imagineering. He worked on the Pirates of
The Caribbean as well as other parts of the park. He worked on Walt Disney
World and Epcot. I believe he retired in the mid 80’s. Though he will be missed,
his legacy will last with each release of the films that he worked on. He was
a very special and unique. A true gentleperson…..
mscoville
==========================
animation/inkwell #832, from hmccracken, 510 chars, Tue Jan 21 21:32:28 1992
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: _FPS_
Just got the first issue of our own Emru (Switch) Townsend’s _FPS_ in
the mail, and it’s am extremely nicely-done animation fanzine with
contributions by several BIXen including Dave Mackey, Hugh Kenner,
Kermit Woodall, and myself. Since Emru is both too polite and too
abiding of BIX rules to go about huckstering his zine without
prompting, I’ll formally ask him here to post information on how
to get what is really a fine little magazine…and take a bow
while you’re at it, Emru!
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #833, from switch, 172 chars, Wed Jan 22 11:20:20 1992
This is a comment to message 832.
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Aw, shucks. Actually, you can find said information in /sources
#159.
Thanks for the kudos — the second issue should be better than
the first
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #834, from hmccracken, 153 chars, Wed Jan 22 16:43:44 1992
This is a comment to message 833.
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Well, the first issue is very nice as is. How did you do those
scanned frames from cartoons? Were they taken off video or from
still pictures?
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #835, from switch, 465 chars, Thu Jan 23 21:40:54 1992
This is a comment to message 834.
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All the images accompanying Dave’s article plus the shot from
“Duck! Rabbit, Duck!” accompanying Hugh’s article were grabbed from
a Progressive Peripherals FrameGrabber at MITE AVISTA, Concordia
University’s multimedia lab. They were scanned on the fly from
commercial tapes. Next issue’s framegrabbed images will mostly
come via the Video Toaster setup at AVISTA. They’re perceptibly
sharper onscreen — how they translate to print should be interesting.
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #836, from davemackey, 341 chars, Fri Jan 24 05:59:12 1992
This is a comment to message 834.
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They look like they’re scanned to me… many of the natural color gradations
are reduced to uniform areas of greyscale.
I am very impressed with the first issue, but Emru… you cut Hugh
Kenner off in mid-sentence at the end of his article… could you or Hugh
post the last part of the article?
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #837, from hmccracken, 61 chars, Fri Jan 24 09:34:37 1992
This is a comment to message 835.
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And was the output done on a 300dpi laser printer?
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #838, from switch, 502 chars, Fri Jan 24 22:14:03 1992
This is a comment to message 836.
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Yes — the FrameGrabber is limited to sixteen shades of grey.
With the Toaster I can get more, but I do have a limit on memory.
And my apologies to the Professor on cutting him off — I forgot
to change the text bounding-box underneath to “transparent”, and
it obscured the last few bits. The sentence (from memory) should
read:
“Chuck would back me up” because Chuck held that a director
who attempted his own designs, like the lawyer who pled his
own case, had a fool for a client.
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #839, from switch, 152 chars, Fri Jan 24 22:14:45 1992
This is a comment to message 837.
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Yup. And just two weeks later, a friend told me he’d had access
to a 1200 dpi laser, for free. “Got anything you want at 1200
dpi?” Aaaaaargh!
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #840, from hkenner, 32 chars, Fri Jan 24 23:18:20 1992
This is a comment to message 838.
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Your memory is good, Emru.
–HK
==========================
animation/inkwell #841, from switch, 179 chars, Sat Jan 25 01:01:56 1992
This is a comment to message 840.
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Your contribution was most memorable. The example of the amount
of work that goes into generating a comma on a computer screen
serves quite well in my classes, by the way.
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #842, from davemackey, 386 chars, Sat Jan 25 03:30:49 1992
This is a comment to message 838.
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The best writing I’ve ever read on Jones (besides Jones’ own words) has been
that of Hugh Kenner… only another person with the same intellectual bent
can capture that which defines Jones in the written word. I will be first in
line to buy a copy of this book when it is completed, and thank you Emru and
Hugh for sharing this work in progress.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #843, from hmccracken, 134 chars, Sat Jan 25 20:11:14 1992
This is a comment to message 842.
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Here, here! It’s great to get previews of the book here on BIX and
in _fps_, but I’m looking forward to the completed work.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #844, from davemackey, 1640 chars, Thu Feb 6 04:50:20 1992
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TITLE: The adventures of DAVE, Computer Techie
Almost five years ago, I purchased my first “real” computer, a Commodore
PC-10. The best computer $1400 could buy back then. Lots of memory, 640K, a
spacious 20MB hard disk and a state of the art 8088 microprocessor.
A few weeks ago, considering how far I stretched this investment, and
having heard too many “my hard disk is bigger than yours” stories in CBIX, I
decided it was time for new iron. Having seen prices of PC componentry go
down drastically in the past several years, I decided it would be fun to put
together my own system. (After all, I had to install the hard disk on my old
Commodore PC myself… what a trial by fire that was! I since learned more
than enough about the insides of a computer.)
The Commodore was deemed “not upgradeable” due to several factors
including non-standard motherboard layout, so I had to literally rebuild from
the ground up, maybe using some parts from the old machine if I could get
away with it.
After two and a half weeks of picking up bits and pieces at area
computer fairs (with only one defective item in the whole bunch), and a few
nights of panic over hard drive compatibility (follow the trail of tears to
ibm.drives/install for the story), I finally completed a sporty new 386SX-16
computer, with 2MB of memory, and a 1.44MB Teac floppy, and was using this
system in last night’s animation/cbix. It is not entirely necessary for me to
have Windows or a VGA monitor or more spacious hard disk yet, so those items
will come in time. Total cash outlay for this system was about $400.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #845, from hmccracken, 140 chars, Thu Feb 6 09:16:57 1992
This is a comment to message 844.
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Congratulations, Dave! May your new system serve you so well that
by the time you retire it, you do so in favor of a ‘786 system!
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #846, from hmccracken, 323 chars, Fri Feb 21 21:37:37 1992
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TITLE: _Beauty and the Beast_ fever hits _The McLaughlin Group_
On this week’s episode of that public-TV shouting match _The
McLaughlin Group_ (which, I must admit, I never miss), moderator
John McLaughlin’s prediction at the end of the show was that
_Beauty and the Beast_ would take the Oscar for Best Picture!
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #847, from davemackey, 219 chars, Thu Feb 27 19:42:56 1992
This is a comment to message 829.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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Update on Hal Roach… Jami Bernard reported in the New York Post today that
he received an honorary award at the Berlin Film Festival, but was “too weak”
to attend the ceremony.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #848, from hmccracken, 362 chars, Fri Feb 28 09:35:43 1992
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TITLE: Elizabeth Taylor Has Good Taste
You’ve probably heard reports of this everywhere already, but for her
sixtieth birthday, Elizabeth Taylor did what every Disney fan would
like to be able to do — she rented Disneyland for the night to hold
a huge party! Presumably, her friend Michael Jackson — a Disney fan
of gigantic proportions — attended.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #849, from davemackey, 197 chars, Sun Mar 1 17:07:38 1992
This is a comment to message 848.
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I doubt it. I didn’t see him in the news footage I saw of the event (and
for all I know, he might be overseas right now). Her hubby Larry was there,
though.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #850, from hmccracken, 441 chars, Sun Mar 1 18:22:37 1992
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TITLE: He’ll Be Painting the Heavenly Gates Now
Earl Scheib, cheap car-painting king, has passed away in Beverly Hills.
He was 85. Since this is the animation conference and not the car-
painting conference, I’ll refrain from a full obituary and simply
woner if Earl was any relation to Phil Scheib, the long-time composer
at the Terry-Toons studio who might be said to have been to music
what Earl was to automotive decoration…
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #851, from davemackey, 231 chars, Sun Mar 1 20:57:04 1992
This is a comment to message 850.
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Most animation fans probably remember Earl Scheib in this context: “Ready to
rumble, Sherwin-Williams?” “Er, Bunga-Kowa, Earl Scheib!” (from the
“Slugfest” episode of “Tiny Toon Adventures”)
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #852, from davemackey, 632 chars, Thu Mar 5 19:27:10 1992
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TITLE: Syracuse-bound
This is the weekend of Syracuse Cinefest, so after tonight don’t look for me
around BIX anywhere until next week sometime. (Unless Harry, who’s also
going, manages to bring a computer with him…)
The Cinefest is one of the largest memorabilia/film shows in the
country, and in fact it has already started as of this evening; it runs
through Sunday at the Quality Inn north of Syracuse where I-81 and I-90 meet.
An enterprising animation buff can pick up some nice reels for his collection
if he’s so inclined (and I’ll let you know if I found any more treasures).
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #853, from hmccracken, 780 chars, Sun Mar 8 21:15:00 1992
This is a comment to message 852.
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Well, Dave and I are back from the Cinefest safe and sound. Dave
found some nice reels for his 16mm collection (I’ll let him give
everyone a full report); I found some nice ones for my collection,
then suddenly realized that I didn’t *have* a 16mm collection or
projector. Fortunately, I was able to pick up a 16mm projector at
a good price, and then a bunch more interesting cartoons at dirt-
cheap price. I’ll probably report on them in later messages.
Friday and Saturday nights, we had cartoon parties, joined by
former BIXen Tom Shim. I showed some videos informally on Friday
night, and on Saturday Dave showed some terrific films from
his 16mm collection.
A good time was definitely had by all — maybe next year, even more
BIXen can get together at the show!
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #854, from davemackey, 2154 chars, Mon Mar 9 06:28:25 1992
This is a comment to message 853.
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First, I picked up about a half dozen “Batfink” cartoons (some of
which had really nice color — good prints of “Batfink” cartoons aren’t
easy to find), and half as many “Out Of The Inkwell” cartoons from the 60’s
which were also produced by Hal Seeger. These look and sound an awful
lot like 1960’s Paramount cartoons, due to the fact they used many of the
same artists — one episode credited Myron Waldman with animation direction
— and music by Winston Sharples.
We also stumbled upon an episode of an obscure 1959 cartoon series
called “Bucky And Pepito” which was produced by Sam Singer’s Trans-Artists
Productions, the same outfit that did “Courageous Cat.” These cheapie
cartoons included the animation talents of Reuben Timmins (ex-Fleischer) and
George Kriesl (ex-Disney). Seems like the best thing about those
Trans-Artists cartoon series is their theme songs, and “B&P” certainly had
one of those.. “Buckyyyyyyyyyyy.. and Pepito… such a funny funny pair!”
I also picked up a beautiful print of “Snow-White” (the Betty Boop
cartoon, not the Disney feature unfortunately), a few Warner Bros. cartoons
(including a really nice copy of “Dog Daze”), some Lantz cartoons, some of
the Hanna-Barbera Laurel & Hardy cartoons, a great episode of “The Fantastic
Four” entitled “It Started On Yancy Street,” a terrible print of a great
George Pal Puppetoon called “The Little Broadcast,” and a Flintstones
episode, “Superstone.”
My only concession to live action: a print of a little-known Our Gang
comedy from 1929 called “Moan And Groan, Inc.” This one is where they’re in
the haunted house (more dirty than scary) with this lunatic who makes himself
howl by pulling hairs out of his beard. Edgar Kennedy is in this one, and he
has quite a bit of business not directly related to the main plot.
I also picked up a Bell and Howell Filmosound 385 projector. What’s so
great about this projector? Back in 1966, when I was in first grade, this was
the first projector I ever learned how to operate. And this was back before
autoload projectors! It took me 26 years but I finally own one.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #855, from hmccracken, 1118 chars, Mon Mar 9 12:04:25 1992
This is a comment to message 854.
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I’m still sorting through my purchases, but among them are two more episodes
of Bucky and Pepito, a pilot for a series called “Billy Cartoon and his
Magic Storybook Land” (which was created by Bob Kane of Batman fame), two
episodes of the Flintstones in great color, a episode of Bullwinkle in
less-berautiful shape, and an Underdog episode I haven’t screened yet.
I also picked up a whole passel of Lantz cartoons including black-and-
white prints of several Oswald the Rabbit and Andy Panda cartoons and
the little-seen _Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company C_ (or is it Company B?),
and a few late Famous Studios and UPA cartoons. Also a couple of Warner
Bros. shorts and a Paul Terry “Puddy the Pup” cartoon, and a few live-
action shorts about animals that I actually bought thinking they were cartoons.
The great thing is that most of what I bought was so oddball and obscure
that it was available at dirt-cheap prices. A good print of a classic
Warner Bros. cartoon can run you ninety dollars, but much of what I
picked up was in the form of large reels of five or six cartoons at
five dollars a reel.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #856, from davemackey, 678 chars, Mon Mar 9 19:33:55 1992
This is a comment to message 855.
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When I do this sort of film buying I immediately go for the more obscure
stuff, which can be found side by side for the same price as the more common
items of the same series. If I stumble upon something that’s almost
impossible to find otherwise, nine times out of ten I’ll grab it.
It should be noted that Syracuse Cinefest is primarily a festival of old
films, and the dealer’s room seems to be an afterthought — the place was
practically barren on Sunday, most of the dealers having either packed up or
in the process of, due to the fact that Sunday’s film programs were held in
Rochester, by my reckoning a good 70 miles away.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #857, from hmccracken, 316 chars, Mon Mar 9 21:14:36 1992
This is a comment to message 849.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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Check out the current issue of _Entertainment Weekly_ for a spread
of photos from Liz Taylor’s Disneyland birthday bash. There are
some meetings of film greats you’re unlikely to ever see again,
like Goofy with Geena Davis and Winnie-the-Pooh with Dennis Hopper
(A.A. Milne must be spinning in his grave).
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #858, from davemackey, 259 chars, Tue Mar 10 06:30:07 1992
This is a comment to message 857.
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Forgot to mention that Michael Jackson was not at the Liz Taylor birthday
extravaganza. Cindy Adams in the NY Post reported that he spent that day in
(of all places) Paramus, NJ, at an amusement park called Sportsland.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #859, from hmccracken, 250 chars, Tue Mar 10 10:02:53 1992
This is a comment to message 856.
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Well, in this day and age, one of the main reasons to collect stuff
on 16mm is to pick up obscure films that aren’t available elsewhere.
Videotapes and discs are just so much easier to deal with, and a lot
less expensive for the most part.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #860, from davemackey, 535 chars, Wed Apr 1 04:58:14 1992
This is a comment to message 847.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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Update (again) on Hal Roach.
Mr. Roach was at the Academy Awards last night, and Billy Crystal had a
little surprise for him: a doctored copy of the dance number from “Way Out
West” in which Crystal danced along with Laurel and Hardy!
As “Way Out West” is one of my favorite L&H features, I thought it was a
hilarious and fitting tribute. But I really would rather have seen Billy’s
eyes bug out and roll as Petey’s did after he saw the skunk at the end of
“Readin’ And Writin'”…
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #861, from davemackey, 254 chars, Fri Apr 3 19:11:44 1992
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Birthday Toast
“Happy Birthday To My Pal
To My Pal
To My Pal
Happy Birthday To My Pal
My Pal-la-la-la-la-la-la-laaaaaaaaaa….
HARRY!”
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #862, from hmccracken, 667 chars, Fri Apr 3 22:52:20 1992
This is a comment to message 861.
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Gee! Thank you! As I have already told Dave, I marked my birthday
(which was actually yesterday) with a visit to Denny’s for my
free birthday lunch. As my friend and I were waiting to settle
the bill, we wondered out loud whether one could travel from
Denny’s to Denny’s on one’s birthday scarfing free food, and if
so, how far one would have to travel to do so (Massachusetts
has only a few Denny’s). “Lawrence,” piped up a voice from behind
us, “and then you’d have to go all the way to Fitchburg.” The voice
turned out to be that of a *real* die-hard Denny’s fan, also there
for his birthday meal, having been born on April 2nd a few years
before I was.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #863, from ianl, 146 chars, Fri Apr 3 23:20:44 1992
This is a comment to message 862.
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Your birthday is April 2nd? Interesting…so’s mine.
Denny’s — Gee, here in Denver you could hit about 50 of them on a single
tank of gas.
==========================
animation/inkwell #864, from bcapps, 47 chars, Sat Apr 4 01:24:46 1992
This is a comment to message 862.
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Happy Happy Boithday Boithday, Harry!
Bob 8-D
==========================
animation/inkwell #865, from switch, 29 chars, Sat Apr 4 15:15:42 1992
This is a comment to message 862.
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Happy birthday, Harry!
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #866, from switch, 35 chars, Sat Apr 4 15:16:27 1992
This is a comment to message 863.
There are additional comments to message 863.
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And a happy birthday to you!
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #867, from hmccracken, 121 chars, Sat Apr 4 19:25:57 1992
This is a comment to message 863.
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Well, happy belated birthday, Ian! I seem to know more people who
were born within a few days of me each year.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #868, from olson, 414 chars, Sat Apr 4 21:50:51 1992
This is a comment to message 860.
There are additional comments to message 860.
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I’m glad you posted this; it turned me around a bit. I was actually
ticked off at Crystal’s “jam” with The Boys (also my fav. L&H scene),
but didn’t really articulate to myself why. After reading yr post
I realized it was a great tribute and was great of Crystal to take the
time to learn those hilarious steps. I dislike Crystal personally so
it blurred my otherwise impeccable judgement. thnx dave -olson
==========================
animation/inkwell #869, from olson, 46 chars, Sat Apr 4 21:52:03 1992
This is a comment to message 863.
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interesting. my b-day’s April 2nd as well.
==========================
animation/inkwell #870, from hmccracken, 57 chars, Sun Apr 5 00:34:48 1992
This is a comment to message 869.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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We should have all gotten together at Denny’s!
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #871, from davemackey, 48 chars, Sun Apr 5 03:15:33 1992
This is a comment to message 870.
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Lenny’s.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #872, from ianl, 167 chars, Sun Apr 5 03:59:55 1992
This is a comment to message 870.
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> all gotten together at Denny’s
Man, that would screw them up, huh? About a dozen folks show up with proof
that it really is birthday for *all* of them.
==========================
animation/inkwell #873, from hkenner, 97 chars, Thu Apr 9 00:10:42 1992
This is a comment to message 860.
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There’s a verbatim snatch of dialog from *Way Out West* quoted in
Beckett’s *Waiting for Godot*.
==========================
animation/inkwell #874, from olson, 46 chars, Sun Apr 12 00:31:34 1992
This is a comment to message 873.
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That floors me! What dialogue did he lift?
==========================
animation/inkwell #875, from mscoville, 141 chars, Sun Apr 12 21:55:09 1992
This is a comment to message 867.
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Happy Belated Birthday to both Ian and Harry. May you not have suffered
from the gastronomical surprises at Denny’s. The Best..Pam & Mike.
==========================
animation/inkwell #876, from hmccracken, 393 chars, Wed Apr 29 12:26:53 1992
————————–
TITLE: We’re Back
The big BIX move from Lexington to Cambridge seems to have gone well, but
unfortunately it pre-empted the weekly Tuesday Animation CBIX session.
For those folks who can’t let a week go by without our weekly get-
together, I’ll be opening up the animation CBIX area tomorrow
(Thursday) at 10pm EDT. Perhaps some folks who can’t make it on Tuesdays
can join us, too!
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #877, from switch, 75 chars, Thu May 7 22:42:40 1992
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TITLE: YES!!!!!!!
Peanut butter M&Ms have finally made it to Quebec!
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #878, from davemackey, 148 chars, Sat May 9 14:29:02 1992
This is a comment to message 877.
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Good deal, Emru… and I regret not bringing you some when I visited Montreal
last summer. Congratulations!
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #879, from davemackey, 1216 chars, Sat May 9 14:29:27 1992
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: The littlest toon fan
Parents of any almost-three-year-old will tell you the best way to keep a kid
quiet is to set him/her down in front of cartoons.
Having just recently concluded an eight-day visit, my almost-three niece
Brittany seems to have developed quite a taste for cartoons. She brought her
very own copy of “101 Dalmatians” to watch on our VCR, and also watched “The
Little Mermaid” during her stay.
There is a giant rack of cartoon videos in my living room, and she would
pick out tapes at random and I would play them for her. She seemed
particularly fascinated by an old public-domain videocassette of Little Lulu
cartoons from the 1940’s. I checked with her Uncle Bobby, who also showed her
cartoons when she was here, and he too testifies that it was the older
non-Disney stuff that she seems to have a curiosity about.
Home video has been a boon to toon fans. The kids of the generation yet
to come will have a keen awareness of the animated film with access to the
right material. It is an opportunity I didn’t quite have to study genres,
studios, characters, at will and at random, and it makes me wish I had been
born 20 years hence.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #880, from hmccracken, 326 chars, Sat May 9 18:48:16 1992
This is a comment to message 879.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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I may have some more information on little kids liking older animation
shortly: I recently lent a baby-sitting friend videos of Max
Fleischer’s _Gulliver’s Travels_ and _Hoppity Goes to Town_, and
some Famous Studios Raggedy Ann cartoons, for showing to a couple
of toddlers who have been weaned on Disney features.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #881, from hmccracken, 429 chars, Thu May 14 17:56:01 1992
————————–
TITLE: From All Walks of Life
On May 31st, I will be participating in From All Walks of Life,
the annual 10-kilometer pledge walk in Boston that benfits
AIDS prevention and care.
If any of you are interesting in donating to this most worthy
cause, I would be delighted to give you details — just drop me
a BIXmail note. My company will match all my pledges, so it’s
an easy way to double the power of your donation.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #882, from hmccracken, 352 chars, Thu May 14 18:09:00 1992
This is a comment to message 880.
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Here’s the promised update on little kids and older, more obscure animation:
the test subjects, who were a boy and girl of roughly four and three
years of age respectively, enjoyed Max Fleischer’s _Hoppity Goes to
Town_ very much, and liked the early parts of _The Three Caballeros_ a
lot more than the later, stranger sections of that film.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #883, from eofn, 979 chars, Mon May 25 20:51:30 1992
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TITLE: CNBC Smart Money feature on Animation Art
I just finished watching a feature on CNBC’s _Smart Money_ program on
Animation Art. It discussed collecting and investing in animation art
including pencil sketches, background art and cels with guest collector,
Peter Merolo. They showed photos of some of his collection including a
Mickey Mouse background and cell combo from the _Band Leader_ cartoon
appraised at over $1,000,000.00, a black and white background and 2 cel
combo featuring Mickey and Minnie Mouse valued at $500,000.00 as well as
many other beautiful pieces from _Snow White_, _Pinochio_, _Fantasia_,
_Sleeping Beauty_, _Peter Pan_, come to think of it – I think they were
all from Disney.
They mentioned that part of Peter Merolo’s animation art collection
will be on exhibit at The Staten Island Art Institute [New York City area]
in June. Maybe someone here has more details for those who might be
interested.
-Eofn-
==========================
animation/inkwell #884, from hmccracken, 840 chars, Mon May 25 21:30:16 1992
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Toy Trains
The Summer 1992 edition of Wireless, a catalog of videos, sweatshirts
and other miscellaneous stuff, offers “Great Toy Train Layouts of America,”
a series of three videotapes about toy train collectors and their
collections. Why is this worth mentioning in the animation conference?
Because volume one features the collection of Ward Kimball, the great
Disney animator (and one of Walt’s “Nine Old Men”) who is also a
legendary toy train collector. Kimball not only collects toy trains,
but real ones as well — and has a track layout at his California
home with actual running steam engines on it. Model train collecting
was very popular at the Disney studio; Walt himself was a very serious
builder of model railroad equipment. (The fad even inspired a Disney
cartoon in which Donald Duck takes up the hobby!)
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #885, from hmccracken, 1023 chars, Thu May 28 23:31:29 1992
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TITLE: _Together Again_
This isn’t animation releated at all, but I just got back from seeing
Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca in _Together Again_, a wonderful stage
show made up of some of their classic skits. If you live in Boston,
it’s a must-see (it’s playing at the Charles Playhouse); if not,
keep an eye out in case it comes to your city.
Sid and Imogene have aged wonderfully and are just as capable of
broad, physical comedy as they ever were. In fact — tying this
into animation — the Imogene Coca of today is far closer to the
classic Imogene Coca of the 1950s than the Bugs Bunny and Mickey
Mouse of recent times are to their classic selves. And Imogene
is almost twenty years older than Mickey and more than thirty years
older than Bugs!
One other tip for any Bostonians out there who happen to go: if you
wait outside, you’ll find both Sid and Imogene most willing to sign
autographs and chat after the show. In fact, Sid exits through the
theatre lobby immediately after the show in order to do so!
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #886, from mscoville, 502 chars, Sat May 30 00:10:25 1992
This is a comment to message 883.
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The exhibit is at the Staten Island Institute of Arts and Sciences, 75 Stuyvescent Place, Staten Island. Their phone nu
mber is 718-727-1135. It will be on
display through June 7th, 1992. As to the appraised value, well it is the value
that Mr. Merolo would like to sell them at, not what the present market
would buy them at. He has a large publicity campaign which is trying to suggest
that this may happen in the future, but at the present the market is not in the
million dollar range. mscoville
==========================
animation/inkwell #887, from davemackey, 558 chars, Mon Jun 1 23:15:11 1992
This is a comment to message 884.
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One of my favorite railroading cartoons of all time is the Fleischer cartoon
“Play Safe”, with animation by Dave Tendlar and crew. The turntable
backgrounds are used at one point with an actual model train.
The video sounds like an extension of the “Great Model Railroad Layouts”
series produced by Allen Keller Productions. Besides Wireless, you should be
able to order the video through Kalmbach Books, publisher of “Model
Railroader” and “Trains” magazines, at (800) 533-6644, and have your credit
card ready.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #888, from eofn, 529 chars, Mon Jun 8 00:03:43 1992
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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*** Moved from animation/coming.soon #614 of Sun Jun 7 22:20:21 1992
I am the farthest thing from a UN*X guru, but a friend of mine
suggested I use gnuemacs to read news. Try this:
– Start up gnuemacs. [ I think in most cases, just type: emacs ]
– From inside emacs, type:
– esc-x gnus
– From inside gnus, type:
– ctrl-h ctrl-h m [ to get gnus mode specific help ]
– follow help instructions and you are in business.
Good luck. Now you know more about UN*X than I do.
-Eofn-
==========================
animation/inkwell #889, from sharonfisher, 123 chars, Mon Jun 8 00:03:43 1992
This is a comment to message 888.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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*** Moved from animation/coming.soon #615 of Sun Jun 7 23:34:07 1992
Or use nn.
What sort of ‘hassles’ is rn giving you?
==========================
animation/inkwell #890, from switch, 754 chars, Mon Jun 8 19:03:29 1992
This is a comment to message 889.
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I wonder if we have nn… what are the differences?
With rn, I was getting an error – “too many lines in .newsrc”.
I looked at the file and discovered it was peppered with control
codes. I edited them out, and deleted any duplicate newsgroup
entries. In some cases I eliminated any entry that was too mangled
by control characters to read (in truth, there were a few hundred
such entries).
Fine. I went and did my usual ‘rn -g rec.arts.anime’, and rn
told me it was checking for new newsgroups, and I went through
the routine of saying “no” to a bunch of “new” newsgroups. At
a certain point – fj.rec.something or other – everything just
stops dead. I left it for half an hour and the cursor didn’t
budge. So now the question is: now what?
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #891, from hmccracken, 237 chars, Mon Jun 8 22:54:15 1992
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Lost Chaplin Film
Tonight’s CNN news had a report on a lost Chaplin film that will
be restored and released soon that was just long enough to be
tantalizing. Anyone heard anything about this?
(I’m a *big* Chaplin fan.)
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #892, from elfhive, 281 chars, Mon Jun 8 23:32:32 1992
This is a comment to message 891.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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Saw the same thing on Prime News (CNN). The film was never previously
released because of scenes depicting priests victimizing the homeless.
I believe it is coming out under the title “Chaplin’s Puzzle,” though
I might have heard that wrong. I don’t know how it is being released.
==========================
animation/inkwell #893, from hmccracken, 403 chars, Tue Jun 9 00:38:21 1992
This is a comment to message 892.
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I thought they said “Chaplin’s Puzzle,” too. I found some of the
report vague on details. For instance, they said it was a 40-minute
film made in 1915, and offhand I don’t think Chaplin was making
films that long that early. Also, lots of Chaplin films have
potent social commentary; I’m a little dubious that the religious
material alone would have been enough to prevent the film’s release.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #894, from hmccracken, 271 chars, Mon Jun 15 22:30:31 1992
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TITLE: In the great tradition of _101 Dalmations_ (sic)
…It’s worth noting here that Disney’s recent TV ad campaign for
the Disney Channel had the name of a significant Disney character
spelled wrong. Donald’s nephew is “Dewey,” not “Duey,” as the ad
had it.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #896, from hmccracken, 766 chars, Wed Jun 17 15:20:09 1992
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TITLE: Here’s a message from Delphi…
from a guy who’s trying to sell some comics. It’s posted here in case
anyone’s interested…
— Harry
I have approximately 300-400 MArvel comics from the 60’s and 70’s I would like
to sell. I DO have quite a few key issues, as well as some run-o-the-mill 04-
107, 180, 181, 161, Daredevil #6, Avengers 29, Spectacular Spiderman #1 (2
copies near mint +), Thor, Spiderman, Defnders, Doc Savage (Black and Whites
too), Iron Man & SubMariner #1, and lots more. Sorry ALL my issues of the XMEN
$old for TOP DOLLAR !! (I had 94-112)and they went fast. NO DC or any others.
MArvel Only !!!. I live in southern California, so if you are in the area and
are interested, call and leave a message. Ask for Tony (818-837-7135) Thankx.
==========================
animation/inkwell #897, from hmccracken, 462 chars, Wed Jun 17 23:20:33 1992
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TITLE: Boston BIXbash
Boston-area BIXen should know that over in new england/massachusetts,
we’re planning an early July BIX get-together centered around an
animation festival at the Coolidge Corner Theater. It should be a
great opportunity to meet fellow BIXfolk and watch cartoons at the
same time — a rare and rewarding event! I’ll post more details here
when they’re finalized, but you can get in on the planning stages by
dropping in over there.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #898, from hmccracken, 547 chars, Sat Jun 20 23:49:41 1992
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Weird new commercials
For the first time in quite awhile, I watched Saturday morning
TV, and was especially struck by two weird commercials:
in one, Ronald McDonald sings the Lovin’ Spoonful’s “Do
You Believe in Magic?” (but without the line “…in a young
girl’s heart”), giving the effect that he’s an aging hippie.
The other ad that made an impact was a Rice Krispies ad
in which Snap, Crackle and Pop gleefully torture a live-
action, middle-aged man; the malicious expressions on their
faces are remarkably out of character.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #899, from davemackey, 1384 chars, Sun Jun 21 02:45:54 1992
This is a comment to message 898.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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I have two big problems with the use of “Do You Believe In Magic” as the new
tag tune for McDonald’s youth campaign. (1) I have long been opposed to this
practice, since it ruins perfectly good songs by turning them into vehicles
to sell french fries — which is probably not what John Sebastian et.al. had
in mind when they wrote and performed the song in the 1960’s. and (2) it sets
up kids with the false hope that a belief in magic will be enough to carry
them through life, when that is simply not the case. Magic don’t pay for no
Big Macs.
As for the Rice Krispies commercial, I have noticed S, C & P’s
out-of-character performance. Didn’t Don Messick used to voice one or more of
those guys? (SNL a few years ago did a very funny sketch in which the Rice
Krispies boys, played by Brad Hall, Christopher Guest and I think Harry
Shearer, were playing the small-club circuit and were mercilessly heckled by
Jim Belushi. Now THAT was out of character.
And now I have a weird commercial for you too: in the current Northwest
Airlines campaign, in which Aaron Neville sings “Some People Just Know How To
Fly” and various celebrities comment on it, one such celebrity is Astro, with
footage that seems to be from a 60’s episode of “The Jetsons.” The voice
sounds strangely different. Didn’t Don Messick used to do his voice, too?
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #900, from hmccracken, 180 chars, Sun Jun 21 04:00:08 1992
This is a comment to message 899.
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Don Messick was (and is?) the voice of Astro, but Paul Frees was
the long-running voice of all three Rice Krispies elves. He
has proven hard to replace in all his roles.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #901, from davemackey, 640 chars, Sun Jun 28 19:44:16 1992
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: For those leaving us…
If what I hear about a mass exodus come Wednesday is true, then we will lose
the presence of many of our friends here on BIX. Should some of you animation
participants still care to contact me, my address is
Dave Mackey
180 Whalepond Road
Oakhurst, NJ 07755-1352
By the end of the year I should finally have moved out of here, and from that
point onward you can try me at
Dave Mackey
c/o Riverview Cablevision Associates
360 First Street, Second Floor
Hoboken, NJ 07030
Hope to hear from those of you who will no longer be with us.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #902, from dcolton, 95 chars, Mon Jun 29 01:18:41 1992
This is a comment to message 901.
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Dave, how bad is the attrition going to be?
I have heard some scary percetnages thrown around.
==========================
animation/inkwell #903, from hmccracken, 640 chars, Tue Jul 21 21:03:57 1992
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TITLE: Perot/Crusader Rabbit: Separated at birth?
This week’s _New Republic_ (August 3rd, 1992 issue) has a letter from
a reader that compares H. Ross Perot to Crusader Rabbit, the cartoon
character invented by Jay Ward who starred in the first made-for-TV
cartoon series. The letter writer (actually writers: Daniel Moloney
and Joseph Hochschild) say that Crusader was “a do-gooder with
authoritarian tendencies;” a do-gooder he was, but I don’t remember
him being an authoritarian. The letter writers don’t mention another
Crusader/Perot similarity: there is a certain physical resemblance.
Both are short with oversized ears.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #904, from hmccracken, 518 chars, Tue Jul 21 21:06:02 1992
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: More Perot/Cartoon News
Two newspaper comic strips — _Kudzu_ and _Zippy the Pinhead_ —
are currently running stories that lampoon the candidacy of H.
Ross Perot. Obviously, the stories were written and drawn long
before Perot dropped out of the race last Thursday; newspaper
comics are generally done several weeks before publication. The
one strip that has a very short lead time is _Doonesbury_, but
I think Trudeau is still on vacation, and probably won’t be able to
deal with Perot’s departure.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #905, from peabo, 153 chars, Wed Jul 22 01:59:35 1992
This is a comment to message 904.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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Today’s editorial page cartoon in the Boston Globe also has a Perot theme …
that of Ross hawking his new book about chickening out of the race.
peter
==========================
animation/inkwell #906, from dcolton, 125 chars, Mon Jul 27 22:56:03 1992
This is a comment to message 905.
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Heh. An item on the news today said that bookstores are shipping back
Perot books to the publishers en masses.
er, en masse.
==========================
animation/inkwell #907, from mrs.doughboy, 677 chars, Tue Jul 28 01:08:00 1992
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Dunno if I should ask here or not.
So shoot me if I’m in the wrong place. I’m interested in learning the name
of a television show that ran in the early to mid seventies. It was *not*
animated, but I thought I’d ask here anyway.
Basically what I can remember of it was that the main character (male) fell
into a magicians hat and was transported elsewhere and was forever trying
to return. The magician that the hat belonged to was also trying to retrieve
the hat. It was musical.
I’m afraid that’s about all I can remember about it.. I was just a kid at the
time.
Thanks much, and if there’s a better place for this, point me in the right
direction.
susan
==========================
animation/inkwell #908, from dnagamine, 486 chars, Tue Jul 28 03:25:03 1992
This is a comment to message 907.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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>television show about magician’s hat
I think the name of the show was “Liddsville”, but I’m not sure since it’s
been years since I last saw it. I believe the evil magician was played
by Charles Nelson Reilly and that he wore some green colored makeup. The
teenager who starred in the show may have been Butch Patrick who had
previously appeared on another show with a green character — “The Munsters”.
I also remember that it was in the Sid and Marty Krofft vein.
Daryl Nagamine
==========================
animation/inkwell #909, from davemackey, 314 chars, Tue Jul 28 19:04:13 1992
This is a comment to message 908.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
There are additional comments to message 908.
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Well, it should have been in the Sid and Marty Krofft vein, because they were
the producers of “Liddsville.”
As I’ve said before, I was pretty cool to all those S&MK shows, with the
exeception of “The Bugaloos,” which was funny (and they had that cute girl
bug too)
–Dave
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animation/inkwell #910, from dcolton, 220 chars, Tue Jul 28 23:13:25 1992
This is a comment to message 909.
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Acck! Eeek! S&MK — a foul memory to be sure. Maybe some kind of
spoiler alert might be in order for thsi discussion — my mood
for the evening has been damaged :=) Next, H.R. Puffenberg or whatever . . .
aaaahhhhgg.
/
==========================
animation/inkwell #911, from mrs.doughboy, 167 chars, Wed Jul 29 01:57:26 1992
This is a comment to message 908.
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Thanks! That’s it! My family just looked at me funny when I brought it up
and my oldest brother said it sounded like I dabbled in drugs a little young.
;->
Susan
==========================
animation/inkwell #912, from davemackey, 526 chars, Fri Aug 7 19:20:37 1992
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TITLE: Drink Fris
After years of seeing billboards in Warner Bros. cartoons advertising
something called “Friz” (usually in Freleng-toons with Paul Julian as
background painter), I would think we’ve come as close as we can to actually
having a product called “Friz” being advertised.
There is a new brand of vodka from Scandanavia called Fris that is
currently being advertised on outdoor billboards. They show a bottle of Fris
and have the words “Vodka Scandia” as the only copy.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #913, from davemackey, 496 chars, Wed Aug 12 19:04:12 1992
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Whither Paul Tripp?
Does anyone know whatever became of Paul Tripp? This gentleman, a children’s
entertainer not unlike the late Danny Kaye, was known for television, film
and children’s stories. He wrote the story for “Tubby The Tuba” (adapted for
a George Pal Puppetoon in 1946), hosted the television programs “Mr. I.
Magination” and a local New York show called “Birthday House,” and starred in
the 1970 film “The Christmas That Almost Wasn’t.”
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #914, from davemackey, 112 chars, Wed Aug 12 23:58:54 1992
This is a comment to message 913.
There are additional comments to message 913.
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I can already tell you I erred.. “The Christmas” etc. came out in 1966.
–Dave
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animation/inkwell #915, from peabo, 179 chars, Thu Aug 13 02:12:42 1992
This is a comment to message 913.
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I dunno what has happened to him, but those titles sent me right back
to my childhood (I had records of “Tubby” and “Mr. I-Magination” which
I played for hours and hours).
peter
==========================
animation/inkwell #916, from davemackey, 814 chars, Fri Sep 4 19:25:51 1992
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TITLE: Landmark anniversary
Though it was quietly celebrated (since the show is in repeats until
mid-September), today was the 20th anniversary of the premiere of the current
version of “The Price Is Right,” which premiered on CBS at 10:30 a.m. on
Monday, September 4, 1972 (two other shows premiered that day, “The Joker’s
Wild” and “Gambit”). It is the longest-continuously running game show ever,
day or night.
I remember what I was doing that day: I was playing pool, getting ready
for the horrors of the sixth grade, when Mother called me and my brother in
to the living room to see these phenomenal new game shows that had replaced
three old sitcom repeats on CBS’ morning schedule. All three shows became
instant hits and ushered game shows into the modern era.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #917, from hmccracken, 338 chars, Wed Sep 30 00:04:23 1992
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TITLE: Original Art for Sale
A friend of mine is offering a number of pieces of original art
for sale, including work by Otto Messmer, Milt Caniff, Grim
Natwick, C.C. Beck, Frazetta, Gahan Wilson, and a Walt Disney
autograph. Prices range from $200-$1000. If you’re interested,
let me know via BIXmail and I’ll forward details.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #918, from davemackey, 596 chars, Sat Oct 31 10:05:30 1992
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Something to remember…
…next time your favorite cable service cuts one of your favorite shows.
(This is good to remember if, say, TNT ever dumps “Captain Planet”,
f’rinstance. ::grin::)
The Lifetime channel recently cut the long-running exercise program “It
Figures” from its schedule and replaced it with an extra half-hour of
infomercials. Lifetime was inundated with telephone calls and letters from
angry exercise freaks who missed their daily workout with Charlene.
End result: “It Figures” is back on the schedule effective immediately.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #919, from hmccracken, 219 chars, Sat Oct 31 19:39:11 1992
This is a comment to message 918.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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Does that mean I can hold out hope that Lifetime will reinstate _It’s Garry
Shandling’s Show_, which they bumped off the schedule at the same time as
they did _It Figures_? I miss my daily workout with Garry!
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #920, from davemackey, 187 chars, Sun Nov 1 08:11:11 1992
This is a comment to message 919.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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Possibly, Harry. However, you might want to get one of your female friends to
cast your vote for you. After all, Lifetime Television is targeted to women.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #921, from hmccracken, 54 chars, Sun Nov 1 12:24:57 1992
This is a comment to message 920.
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You don’t know about my twin sister Harriet?
– Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #922, from davemackey, 168 chars, Tue Nov 3 09:05:29 1992
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: In case you haven’t heard
Hal Roach died yesterday of cardiac arrest complicated by pneumonia at the
age of 100.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #923, from hmccracken, 719 chars, Tue Nov 3 09:57:10 1992
This is a comment to message 922.
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It’s sad to see Hal go. His was the least premature of passings, but
his death really does mark the end of an era (considering that Laurel
and Hardy, Harold Lloyd, Charley Chase, Thelma Todd and Zasu Pitts,
Harry Langdon and others who worked at the Roach Studios died anywhere
from three to five decades ago, for the most part).
It’s nice to know that Hal’s death was not a lingering one, or the
result of some nagging condition — as recently as last August, he
attended the convention of the Sons of the Desert (the Laurel and
Hardy appreciation society) in Las Vegas, where he attended convention
events all day, gambled and made merry all night, and left immediately
afterwards for a European vacation!
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #924, from davemackey, 163 chars, Wed Nov 11 22:26:14 1992
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TITLE: Dave AFK
I will be away until Monday, and will not be on BIX at all. (Once again, it’s
the annual Pinball Expo in Chicago!)
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #925, from davemackey, 429 chars, Thu Nov 19 00:40:13 1992
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Oh-oh, Chongo!
Hey, does anyone remember the “Danger Island” segment of “The Banana Splits
Adventure Hour”? Particularly that guy Chongo? That wild jungle man?
Well, Chongo is still around, but a little older, grayer and paunchier.
Kim Kahana, who played Chongo, runs the Florida-based Kahana Stunt School and
is still visible on television as stunt coordinator on “Nickelodeon Guts.”
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #926, from hmccracken, 143 chars, Thu Nov 19 14:32:54 1992
This is a comment to message 925.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
There are additional comments to message 925.
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…And didn’t Dick Donner, who later directed The Omen, Superman, the Leathel
Weapon movies, etc. direct the Danger Island segments?
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #927, from doughboy, 151 chars, Fri Nov 20 03:34:09 1992
This is a comment to message 925.
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Oh my gosh!
I remember.
I remember Bannana splits.
I remember Danger Island.
Why can’t I remember my drivers license number?
Kevin Doughboy Kissman
==========================
animation/inkwell #928, from davemackey, 95 chars, Fri Nov 20 06:29:52 1992
This is a comment to message 926.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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Absolutely correct!! You gotta learn to direct somewhere…
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #929, from hmccracken, 666 chars, Mon Nov 23 22:23:21 1992
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Someone Up There Knows I’m An Animation Fan…
After attending COMDEX in Las Vegas last week, I took a sidetrip to
Arizona to visit the Grand Canyon. On the way back from that trip,
while driving through the Arizona desert at night, I saw something
streak over the highway past my car. Turning my highbeams on,
I found that the streak seemed to be a coyote.
Now, I can’t say for certain that it wasn’t really a wolf or some
other similar animal…and I didn’t see just what it was that he was
chasing, if anything…but as far as I’m concerned, I saw Wile E.
himself! I only wish I had stopped long enough to look for empty
Acme packing crates!
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #930, from hmccracken, 518 chars, Mon Nov 23 22:26:05 1992
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TITLE: More Grand Canyon News
On my way *to* the Grand Canyon, I came across Bedrock City, a small
amusement park based on a Flintstones theme. The place seems to have
been around since at least 1972 (which is the copyright date on some
signs), and is pretty weather-beaten; it looks like it’s seen better
days. I didn’t have time to go in, but I did investigate the
gift shop,and peered over a fence into the park, where I saw
some Hanna Barbera-esque dinosaurs. Has anyone actually visited
the place?
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #931, from hmccracken, 863 chars, Mon Nov 23 22:30:17 1992
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: News From COMDEX
Samtron, a manufacturer of computer monitors, has been using Mr. Magoo
as its spokesman for some months. Whether or not Mr. Magoo is an
appropriate fellow to advise on computer display purchases is an issue
I’ll leave for others to ponder, but I should mention here that
Samtron went whole hog at COMDEX with the Mr. Magoo theme. Probably
the majority of Las Vegas bus stops sported Magoo ads (which were rather
jarringly juxtaposed with ads for topless bars, etc.). At Samtron’s
booth at the show, a huge gigantic Magoo floated above the area,
and most of the many monitors on display featured computer-generated
Magoo animations. Add to that the Mr. Magoo bags which were given
away, and the many Magoo banners around the show, and it’s fair to
say that the guy was more visible at COMDEX than Bill Gates or Philippe
Kahn!
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #932, from ianl, 294 chars, Mon Nov 23 22:49:33 1992
This is a comment to message 929.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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I think it was probably a coyote; I don’t think there are many wolves
as far south as Arizona. If you saw it running, there’s an easy clue:
wolves run with their tails up, coyotes with their tails down.
Of course, Acme detritus would have been the best clue, if you had
spotted any.
==========================
animation/inkwell #933, from hmccracken, 195 chars, Tue Nov 24 10:28:20 1992
This is a comment to message 932.
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It was dark, so I couldn’t tell if his tail was up or down. He was
wearing aviator goggles and roller skates, and had a gigantic firecracker
strapped to his back — is that any help?
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #934, from hmccracken, 1766 chars, Sat Nov 28 21:17:42 1992
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TITLE: Million Year Picnic Down, Not Out
The Million Year Picnic, the Boston area’s oldest and best comic store,
was the victim of a fire last week. The fire, which was caused by
a space heater in another store, gutted the small Harvard Square
building which held the Picnic and several other stores. The damage
to the Picnic — apparently virtually the entire stock was destroyed —
was caused more by water damage than fire (the store was located in
the building’s basement).
The Picnic, which has been around for at least sixteen years, since I
started shopping there in early 1976, has always been Boston’s best-
stocked, most eclectic comics shop (even though the store as it stood
before the fire had only about half the floor space it did at its peak).
There are a lot of places you can go to get the current issue of
_Superman_ or _Spider-Man_, but the Picnic always had the bound volumes
of _Pogo_, _Li’l Abner_, and lesser-known but worthwhile classic strips,
as well as a good selection of imported publications. And the Picnic’s
second-hand and out-of-print offerings — which, sadly, are irreplacable —
were outstanding. You could find everything from a long run of 1960s
issues of the British humor magazine _Private Eye_, to a record album of
speeches by Al Capp, to fanzines published twenty or more years ago.
The good news is that the Picnic was properly insured, and plans to
open up shop again at its 99 Mount Auburn home as soon as the building
is repaired. Until then, the store is making a temporary home at the
Galleria mall in Harbard Square, which is only a block away. The temporary
store lacks the breadth of selection that the Picnic has traditionally had,
but carries a good selection of new and recent publications.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #935, from davemackey, 269 chars, Tue Dec 1 12:17:26 1992
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TITLE: “Times” article
Nice article in today’s New York Times about computer services. William Grimes
needs to be taken out to the woodshed and be taught what BIX is because ther
is absolutely NO mention of BIX in his article!
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #936, from davemackey, 727 chars, Sun Dec 13 05:00:49 1992
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Where have I been?
Well, perhaps you’ve been wondering where the hell I’ve been the last couple
of days. The fact of the matter is, I’ve been a victim of these severe storms
that have been hitting the Jersey Shore. (Some are calling it “Noreaster ’92”
and others are calling it “the storm with no name”).
The power has been off in this house since 10 a.m. Friday, and it has
just now come back, at about 10 minutes until 5 a.m. on Sunday. The bad
weather also made my work day a real trial, with buses the only really
reliable mode of transportation (the Hoboken Terminal turned into the Hoboken
Natatorium, and the Path trains totally stopped running due to flooding in
the tubes).
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #937, from hmccracken, 269 chars, Sun Dec 13 15:29:16 1992
This is a comment to message 936.
There are additional comments to message 936.
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Yikes! Hope no lasting problems resulted from the bad weather, Dave.
We’re suffering from it down here, too — the foundation of my parents’
house suffered serious damage as a result of the storm (although granted,
said foundation dates to 1850 or before).
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #938, from switch, 154 chars, Sun Dec 13 16:54:34 1992
This is a comment to message 936.
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Toronto and Ottawa had severe storms on Friday and Saturday as well.
I though we’d be in for the same thing, but it was actually quite
balmy today.
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #939, from davemackey, 123 chars, Tue Dec 15 19:16:10 1992
This is a comment to message 928.
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And Richard Donner also directed something called “Philbert.” (The live
portions, anyway.)
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #940, from davemackey, 441 chars, Tue Dec 15 21:42:56 1992
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Letterman may need a new announcer
Something people are overlooking when considering David Letterman’s impending
move to CBS: his announcer, Bill Wendell, is an NBC staff announcer (has been
for almost 40 years) and may not be able to come with him.
Just a thought. Letterman without Wendell? Hard to imagine, since the
two have worked together since Letterman’s daytime show in the early 1980’s.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #941, from ianl, 188 chars, Tue Dec 15 22:53:18 1992
This is a comment to message 940.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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I was wondering the other day whether Paul would move to CBS with Dave.
Personally, I think Paul is dull, dull, dull; it would prolly be a benefit
if Dave were to lose him in the move.
==========================
animation/inkwell #942, from davemackey, 127 chars, Thu Dec 17 19:27:09 1992
This is a comment to message 941.
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I cannot imagine Dave without the Shaf Man, either. Hell, I remember when
Shaffer had hair.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #943, from davemackey, 55 chars, Fri Dec 25 08:03:41 1992
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Merry Christmas
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #944, from switch, 68 chars, Sun Dec 27 14:08:55 1992
This is a comment to message 943.
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…and a belated Merry Christmas to the animation conference!
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #945, from davemackey, 343 chars, Mon Dec 28 20:19:19 1992
This is a comment to message 931.
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I saw an ad for Samtron with Magoo in the premiere issue of Windows Sources,
and he’s got his dog McBarker with him (who only appeared in the “What’s New,
Mr. Magoo” series of 1977 vintage).
Wonder if Samtron is thinking of doing television commercials. Of
course, they’d have to find a new Magoo voice…
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #946, from davemackey, 369 chars, Mon Dec 28 20:35:00 1992
————————–
TITLE: “Little Rosey” voice actress in an Amy film
It’s nice to see former “Little Rosey” voice Kathleen Laskey working again…
she is featured in tonight’s NBC tv-movie about Amy Fisher, in the role of
the shooting victim, Mary Jo Buttafuoco. (It’s cheaper and quicker to film
these things in Canada, hence the casting of Ms. Laskey.)
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #947, from davemackey, 212 chars, Thu Dec 31 03:14:17 1992
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Here’s to ’93…
To all who frequent the BIX animation.conference… heartiest wishes for a
1993 filled with peace, prosperity, and lots o’ toons…
See you next year!
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #948, from mscoville, 192 chars, Thu Dec 31 21:26:14 1992
This is a comment to message 947.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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Here…Here…
Let’s raise the glasses high and wish good cheer to all. It is hoped that 1993
will bring each of you good health, happiness, peace and prosperity. The best
always…Pam & Mike
==========================
animation/inkwell #949, from hmccracken, 86 chars, Fri Jan 1 22:47:23 1993
This is a comment to message 948.
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Happy new year’s, everyone@ Here’s to happiness and good cartoons
in 1993!
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #950, from davemackey, 816 chars, Fri Jan 8 20:16:35 1993
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: ELVIS KARMA IS THE DEATH OF ME
The Postal Service is too busy selling Elvis stamps to get my mail through. I
haven’t gotten my Christmas card from my girlfriend yet, and TV Guide has
threatened to put me in cement shoes because they didn’t receive my check for
$37.88 that I know I mailed on December 24.
When the Postal Service was soliciting opinion on this stamp, my mail
was screwed up back then too. One friend never received a Nurse’s Day Card I
mailed her.
While you’re waiting for that important mail, rack up these Elvis-toons:
“Pink-A-Rella” (in which the young lady wins a date with Pelvis
Parsley thanks to) the intervention of The Pink Panther)
“Dog Tales” and “Hare-Abian Nights” have brief Elvis homages
And, of course, “Rock-A-Doodle.”
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #951, from davemackey, 230 chars, Mon Jan 18 21:05:26 1993
This is a comment to message 950.
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Update: Still no Christmas card from my girlfriend, but TV Guide has received
both checks.
I mailed some checks out with Elvis stamps, and some of them have even
arrived at their destinations!
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #952, from switch, 767 chars, Sat Jan 23 01:50:01 1993
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Emru finds something to do
Last night I got to do something I’ve wanted to do for a long time —
I helped narrate a Dr. Seuss book. Angela, a friend of mine, had
to work on a sound project involving the reading of Seuss’ Green
Eggs and Ham. From 10:30 PM to 2:00 AM, Angela, her actor friend
Steve, and I fretted in a sound studio, as I (Sam) convinved Steve
(Alex) of the merits of green eggs and ham.
After all that, my roommate played the Moxy Fruvous version of
Green Eggs and Ham this morning, which can only be described as
side-splitting. (Moxy Fruvous — umlauts over the first ‘u’ — ‘ can
be considered Canada’s answer to They Might Be Giants, but with
better voices and music. Their Green Eggs and Ham is quite musical,
and quite wacky.)
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #953, from ianl, 192 chars, Sat Jan 23 14:06:34 1993
This is a comment to message 952.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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> Their Green Eggs and Ham is quite musical
If you think about, the original Dr. Seuss is quite musical — the Dr.
was doing rap way before there ever was an Ice T or Public Enemy.
==========================
animation/inkwell #954, from switch, 136 chars, Sat Jan 23 22:07:19 1993
This is a comment to message 953.
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I agree. When we were warming up, Steve and I did a few different
musical version of Green Eggs and Ham. It flowed very easily.
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #955, from davemackey, 388 chars, Tue Feb 16 20:23:57 1993
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Here’s another one you may or may not remember.
From the graveyard of lost kiddie shows, I offer you this one to try and
remember. Anyone else remember a show that was on ABC in the early 70’s
called “The Double Deckers”? It seemed to be about a gang of urchin kids who
lived in London, sort of a Brit version of Our Gang. And, yes, they had a
dog.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #956, from hmccracken, 563 chars, Tue Feb 16 21:52:36 1993
This is a comment to message 955.
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I remember the show, the theme song (“fun and laughter/are what we’re
after/on a London something double decker bus”) and even, if I’m not
mistaken, that Peter Firth — later to be fairly successful as a grown-
up actor — was on the show.
In a somewhat related vein, kiddie show scholars should seek out the current
issue of _Film Threat_ magazine for an article on the TV programs of
Sid and Mary (_H.R. Pufnstuf_, _Lidsville_) Krofft. It’s hardly the
definitive article on the topic that someone will someday write, but it’s
still worth reading.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #957, from davemackey, 412 chars, Fri Feb 19 19:05:24 1993
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Happy anniversary.
Twenty-five years ago, on February 19, 1967, NET broadcast the first national
episode of a Pittsburgh-based children’s series called “Misterogers.”
Today, what was NET is now known as PBS, the series is now known as
“Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” and Fred Rogers is an internationally known
television personality. Happy anniversary, Mister Rogers!
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #958, from davemackey, 105 chars, Fri Feb 19 19:16:12 1993
This is a comment to message 957.
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Ooops. That should have been 1968. Keep forgetting what year it is…
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #959, from hmccracken, 1058 chars, Sun Mar 21 22:44:13 1993
This is a comment to message 272.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
As a follow up to our discussion, nearly three years ago, of the
Downey, California original McDonald’s — do a search mcdonald
for more information if you don’t recall it — it is my painful
but necessary duty to report that I just heard on CNN that
this McDonald’s — a gloriously unremodeled, red-and-white tile
location with no inside seating — will soon be torn down.
According to CNN, the location is the last remaining McDonald’s
location of its type.
CNN did not specify when the Downey location will be
demolished, so I cannot say how much time it has left.
I can only hope that it’s still standing in August,
when I plan to be in southern California, so I can
make a final pilgrimage. Or if it’s been knocked —
*sob* — to the ground by then, perhaps I can stop
by to pick up a red-or-white tile shard or two.
(I cannot remember if I chronicled here my trip to
an original McDonald’s in Pennsylvania, where I
arrived several hours after it was demolished, but in’
time to preserve some of the remains for my personal
collection.)
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #960, from davemackey, 583 chars, Mon Mar 29 22:17:17 1993
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Yet another kids show memory filtering back
Seeing Peter Bonerz on a repeat of “The $25,000 Pyramid” (which recently
celebrated its 20th anniversary on television) reminded me of a show he used
to be part of called “Story Theatre.” This show involved a troupe of actors
who performed little playlets aimed at a youth audience.
Apart from “Electric Company” regular Judy Graubart and Mr. Bonerz, I
can’t quite recall who else was in the troupe. Anyone have access to the
Woolery guide to live-action children’s programming and can tell me?
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #961, from hmccracken, 206 chars, Mon Mar 29 22:32:23 1993
This is a comment to message 960.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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According to Woolery, the cast included Alan Alda, Bonerz, Hamilton
Camp, Melinda Dillon, Bob Dishy, Graubart, Richard Libertini,
Paul Sand, Avery Schreiber, and several others I hadn’t heard of.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #962, from davemackey, 269 chars, Thu Apr 1 20:37:57 1993
This is a comment to message 961.
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Thanks! I remember some of those other people from shows they’ve been on.
Paul Sand had a halfway decent show on about 20 years ago called “Paul Sand
In Friends And Lovers” in which he played a cellist for (I think) the Boston
Symphony.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #963, from davemackey, 137 chars, Thu Apr 1 20:38:03 1993
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: You say it’s your birthday
Okay, gang. Tomorrow’s Harry’s birthday, so let’s give it to him good.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #964, from ianl, 77 chars, Thu Apr 1 21:08:22 1993
This is a comment to message 963.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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Tomorrow is Harry’s birthday? The 2nd? How odd, that’s my birthday too!
==========================
animation/inkwell #965, from hmccracken, 166 chars, Thu Apr 1 22:28:26 1993
This is a comment to message 964.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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Well, happy birthday, Ian! Aren’t you glad we weren’t born a day
earlier? (oddly, I know a ton of people who were born within
two days of me either way.)
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #966, from switch, 127 chars, Thu Apr 1 23:10:27 1993
This is a comment to message 965.
There are additional comments to message 965.
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That’s too bad — I’ve always wanted to be born on April 1st.
Much more appropriate, I thought.
Happy b-day to ya both!
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #967, from ianl, 162 chars, Fri Apr 2 02:33:49 1993
This is a comment to message 965.
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> born a day earlier
I just missed being an April Fool. I was born on the 2nd, but it was
four seconds after midnight, according to the birth certificate.
==========================
animation/inkwell #968, from davemackey, 207 chars, Tue Apr 6 11:27:35 1993
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TITLE: Another kids show veteran says goodbye, kids
Pinky Lee has died at the age of 85. His NBC show was second only to Howdy
Doody in popularity during the 1950’s.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #969, from davemackey, 444 chars, Mon Apr 19 19:05:59 1993
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Whatever happened to…
Look for former “Punky Brewster” (which included an animated version) star
Soleil Moon Frye on the cover of this week’s People. The former child star,
now 15, has had a number of cosmetic surgeries, including a nose job, thigh
reduction and breast reduction.
Ms. Frye has more recently appeared in selected episodes of “Tiny Toon
Adventures” as Elmyra’s older sister, Amanda.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #970, from davemackey, 168 chars, Tue Apr 20 21:17:31 1993
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Vacation
I will be AFB (Away From Bix) from Tuesday, May 4, through Saturday, May 8.
Little business trip to Beautiful Colorado!
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #971, from davemackey, 643 chars, Wed Apr 21 20:39:51 1993
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: R.I.P., Cantinflas
The Spanish-speaking film world has lost one of its giants with the death
last night of Mario Moreno, better known as Cantinflas. His effect on film
comedy among Latin audiences is equal to that of, say, Jerry Lewis or Bob
Hope to American audiences.
Though he worked mainly in Spanish-language films, two American films
which Cantinflas appeared in were “Pepe” (starring opposite Shirley Jones),
and “Around The World In 80 Days.”
The Spanish-language television news network ECO (equivalent to CNN)
gave extensive coverage today to the film actor, who died in Mexico City.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #972, from switch, 88 chars, Wed Apr 21 23:30:57 1993
This is a comment to message 970.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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Enjoy the trip, Dave! Tell us what ‘toons are on the available
hotel channels
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #973, from ianl, 133 chars, Thu Apr 22 01:08:41 1993
This is a comment to message 972.
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The best bet for toons you don’t see all the time will probably be
channels 2 & 20 here. They’re the local independant stations.
==========================
animation/inkwell #974, from hmccracken, 91 chars, Thu Apr 22 09:12:31 1993
This is a comment to message 971.
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…And wasn’t there a series of animated Cantinflas TV films made at some
point?
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #975, from hmccracken, 133 chars, Sun Apr 25 22:03:27 1993
This is a comment to message 969.
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Unless my eyes deceived me, the former Punky was also credited in
Saturday’s new episode of _Ren and Stimpy_ for voicework.
– Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #976, from davemackey, 356 chars, Mon Apr 26 19:48:55 1993
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Familiar voice on stage
George S. Irving, who’s perhaps best known as many voices on “Underdog” and
“Go Go Gophers,” has been found treading the boards at the Paper Mill
Playhouse in Millburn, New Jersey. He is bringing down the house as Eliza’s
father in a wonderful production of Lerner and Loewe’s “My Fair Lady.”
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #977, from davemackey, 677 chars, Sun May 9 01:04:39 1993
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: “Wonder” no more
This coming Wednesday, ABC will air the series finale of “The Wonder Years,”
a series I watched on and off during the five seasons it was on the air.
More off than on of late. I will watch the finale because we’re finally
supposed to find out what has happened with the characters, particularly the
romance of Kevin and Winnie that has fueled most of the series’ plotlines.
What I don’t want to see is a fakeout ending! Remember, “Newhart” was a
dream that Bob Hartley had, and “St. Elsewhere” existed only in the mind of
an autistic child. Could “The Wonder Years” be merely the delusion of the
adult Kevin Arnold?
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #978, from davemackey, 448 chars, Sun May 9 01:04:50 1993
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: I need to vent.
Emru, Harry, will you allow me to use the /inkwell to vent my spleen? While I
await your answer, I’ll go ahead and do so…
To the three television networks: ENOUGH ALREADY of the fact-based TV
networks and their “true story” follow ups for your affiliates’ local news
use, which all exist only to manipulate your viewers and hype your ratings.
It’s called “fiction.” Look into it.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #979, from srider, 1094 chars, Sun May 9 03:37:46 1993
This is a comment to message 978.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
There are additional comments to message 978.
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The kind of TV journalism I liked best (read, at all) went away in the
1960s. Walter Kronkite, at a desk, reading the fact-sheets. If they would
today just return to reciting the facts of news matters, the world would be
much better off.
The problem is this: network news groups used to provide a public service
in an efficient, factual manner. Then, it was discovered that when treated
as a profit venture, $$$ came piling in. Take tonight: I wanted to know
the score of the Pirates vs. Expos game, so I turned on the TV to ESPN, which
puts up the line scores every 15 minutes or so for every game played that
day. It took 40 minutes for anyone (I tried other channels, too) to
state the score. I saw the end of a good hockey game, saw the local
weather forecast four times, etc., etc….the point is that a channel
dedicated to sports is so rigged with the delivering of information in
such a way that we must needs watch the commericials first is intolerable.
This is of course a small, not even important, example. Sad fact is much
more important stuff is treated same way.
==========================
animation/inkwell #980, from switch, 99 chars, Sun May 9 13:42:09 1993
This is a comment to message 977.
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Yeah, that kind of cop-out is really horrible. I’ll have to remember
to catch the finale…
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #981, from switch, 234 chars, Sun May 9 13:44:13 1993
This is a comment to message 979.
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Yup; television’s been declining steadily. That’s why I pretty
much stopped watching it altogether for a few years. My best
source for news has to be our two weekly free newspapers, combined
with the daily news on CBC radio.
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #982, from ianl, 210 chars, Sun May 9 14:03:43 1993
This is a comment to message 978.
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I like what Leno said about it a few days ago. He mentioned the upcoming
NBC true-story movies about Waco and the Trade Center bombing, then said
“NBC, where the movies are true and the news is fictional.”
==========================
animation/inkwell #983, from switch, 147 chars, Mon May 10 22:17:22 1993
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Birthdays…
Entertainment Tonight declared that today is Homer Simpson’s 38th
birthday, making him exactly 14 years older than me.
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #984, from davemackey, 63 chars, Mon May 10 22:35:51 1993
This is a comment to message 983.
There are additional comments to message 983.
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Well, Happy Birthday, Emru!
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #985, from hmccracken, 42 chars, Mon May 10 22:53:19 1993
This is a comment to message 983.
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Happy birthday, Emru and Homer!
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #986, from hmccracken, 1217 chars, Sun May 16 15:15:41 1993
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: The Return of Goofy Grape
Other folks spot Elvis hiding out at the local Burger King. Leave it
to me to find a long-dead junk food product unexpectedly lurking
near the produce section at Foodmaster.
The product in question is Funny Face, which probably needs no
re-introduction to anyone roughly my age. A pre-sweetened,
powedered softdrink (originally loaded with Cyclamates),
Funny Face was a soft of Pepsi to Kool-Aid’s Coke in the late
1960s, up until the mid-1970s when it disappeared from grocery
shelves.
Well, it’s back — at least at my local supermarket. I’d
actually heard rumors that the product has been manufactured
all along, by a small company which purchased the rights after
Pillsbury, the original manufacturer discontinued it.
I discounted the rumors, but they seem to be true — the
manufacturer listed on the packet of Lefty Lemonade I bought
is Brady Enterprises, located in South Weymouth, Mass.
Except for the change in source, the packets and cans of
the powdered stuff look unchanged from early-1970s vintage
Funny Face — down to the offer on the back for plastic
Funny Face mugs. Speaking of which, can anyone out there
name all the Funny Face characters for me?
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #987, from peabo, 71 chars, Mon May 17 12:36:46 1993
This is a comment to message 986.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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Did you check the expiration date on the Funny Face packets ;-?
peter
==========================
animation/inkwell #988, from hmccracken, 115 chars, Mon May 17 21:33:32 1993
This is a comment to message 987.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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Funny Face doesn’t have an expiration date, silly — the stuff
has a half-life you wouldn’t believe.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #989, from peabo, 67 chars, Tue May 18 12:18:21 1993
This is a comment to message 988.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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Well, nothing beats a grape Fizzy, right out of the packet!
peter
==========================
animation/inkwell #990, from hmccracken, 32 chars, Tue May 18 15:09:10 1993
This is a comment to message 989.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
What’s a grape Fizzy?
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #991, from hmccracken, 497 chars, Tue May 18 15:33:22 1993
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Kenneth, What is the Frequency?
Dan Rather being joined by Connie Chung as co-anchor of the CBS Evening
News doesn’t have much to do with animation, of course. But as a diehard
Rather fan — rarely has a public figure so often been able to do the
completely unexpected — I was reminded of a convention broadcast
(I think), during which Dan inexplicably referred to one of his
colleagues as “Deputy Dawg.” Let’s see Connie make references to
obscure Terrytoons out of the blue!
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #992, from peabo, 525 chars, Tue May 18 16:14:49 1993
This is a comment to message 990.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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It’s a purple disk about an inch in diameter and an eighth of an inch thick
which comes in a foil wrapper. You’re S’POSED to unwrap it and drop it into
a glass of water to produce a drink similar to Kool Aid or Funny Face, except
carbonated (hence the name Fizzy). However, the preferred method of ingestion
is to unwrap it and pop it right in your mouth, where it fizzes like crazy
and turns your mouth purple and frothy.
(I don’t know if you can still buy Fizzies, since I haven’t looked for them
in many years.)
peter
==========================
animation/inkwell #993, from hmccracken, 148 chars, Tue May 18 17:06:17 1993
This is a comment to message 992.
There are additional comments to message 992.
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That sounds almost as frightening as a favorite snack (not of mine)
of my high school days: eating a box of instant pudding mix straight.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #994, from davemackey, 476 chars, Tue May 18 19:26:29 1993
This is a comment to message 991.
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Rather was once interviewed by Don Imus on his radio program in New York, and
at the conclusion of the interview Rather said something that vaguely sounded
like “Tamp up the solid.” Imus and crew had fun with that one for days. And
they never DID find out what the hell he said!
Rather is fun because he does things Uncle Walter would never get away
with. (Ditto Peter Jennings, for his alleged extramarital dalliance with
Sheena Easton.)
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #995, from switch, 90 chars, Tue May 18 20:54:34 1993
This is a comment to message 992.
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Hey, I remember those – they disappeared from stores here about
15 years ago or so.
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #996, from tshim, 83 chars, Tue May 18 23:39:12 1993
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
What was apparently the reason for Dan being forced to share airtime with Connie?
==========================
animation/inkwell #997, from davemackey, 206 chars, Fri May 21 02:54:30 1993
This is a comment to message 996.
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Well, I wouldn’t call it “forcing” Dan to share his seat. Apparently he
welcomes the opportunity to get out into the field more. Once a reporter,
always a reporter, I guess.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #998, from davemackey, 342 chars, Fri May 21 02:54:39 1993
————————–
TITLE: Gilda
Yesterday (Thursday) was the fourth anniversary of the death of that funny
lady, Gilda Radner. Most remember her for “Saturday Night Live” and her
movies with hubby Gene Wilder in the 1980’s, but animation fans could hear
her give voice to such projects as “Witch’s Night Out” and “Animalympics”.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #999, from hmccracken, 247 chars, Sun May 23 15:09:59 1993
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Off to Atlanta
I’ll be in Atlanta for Spring Comdex from tomorrow through Thursday —
so if I’m scare around here, that’s why. (I do plan to check in, though.)
The Tuesday night CBIX should go on as usual, presided over by Emru.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1000, from davemackey, 122 chars, Sun May 23 21:43:14 1993
This is a comment to message 999.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
Have a nice trip, Harry, and do tell us if you get to visit the Turner
cartoon vaults!
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1001, from hmccracken, 140 chars, Sun May 23 23:31:38 1993
This is a comment to message 1000.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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Well, the convention center is across the street from CNN Center, I’m
told — I wonder how far it is from Cartoon Network Center?
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1002, from hmccracken, 331 chars, Mon May 24 21:19:37 1993
This is a comment to message 1001.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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Update from Atlanta: CNN Center has a Turner Gift Shop which has
a few Cartoon Network-related products and quite a few Hanna-
Barbera ones (mostly Flintstones-themed). You can take a tour
of the CNN facilities; wonder if you can do the same for the ‘Toon
Network (in fact, is the network headquartered at CNN Center)>
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1003, from davemackey, 265 chars, Tue May 25 20:16:49 1993
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: MST3K w/o Joel?
A report in the cable trade press this week notes that Joel Hodgson will no
longer host “Mystery Science Theater 3000” on Comedy Central. Mr. Hodgson
will turn the reins over to one of the writers next season.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1004, from ianl, 461 chars, Tue May 25 20:20:55 1993
This is a comment to message 1003.
There are additional comments to message 1003.
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I had heard a rumor to that effect too. Supposedly Joel will still be
very involved with the show in a creative sense, but just won’t be doing
on-camera work anymore.
Actually, if true, that suits me just fine. The man may be a comic
genius, but he’s not much of a performer. He constantly blows his lines,
stumbles over unfamiliar words (which others have apparently written for
him), and he can’t sing worth a damn yet he’s always trying to anyway.
==========================
animation/inkwell #1005, from srider, 258 chars, Tue May 25 22:01:52 1993
This is a comment to message 1003.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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The gossip I’ve heard says Mike Nelson, head writer, will take Joel’s
theatre seat and live skits while Joel apparently wants to do more
behind the camera work. I personally don’t mind this as Crow and
Servo are yards better than Joel in wisecracking.
==========================
animation/inkwell #1006, from davemackey, 1993 chars, Thu May 27 22:25:19 1993
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: More thoughts on the Daytime Emmys
Though it was distressing to be privy to Susan Lucci’s 14th loss in the
Outstanding Actress category, it was heartening to see her “All My Children”
co-star David Canary win for Outstanding Actor. Mr. Canary, who old-time TV
fans may remember as Ponderosa cook Candy on “Bonanza”, plays twin brothers
Adam and Stuart Chandler on the soap. As a twin it’s interesting to see
Canary give nuance to each of the two brothers — Adam, who’s rich, powerful,
and one who always gets what he wants no matter who gets hurt in the process,
and Stuart, who’s not quite so well off but extremely gentle and
good-hearted.
One wonders if the game show categories really belong in the Daytime
Emmys, since they’re more of a prime access phenomenon (or, in the case of a
stinker like “You Bet Your Life” with Bill Cosby, more of a wee-hours one).
In fact, the only nominated host present was Ray Combs of “Family Feud.” (He
didn’t win; Pat Sajak did, while “Jeopardy!” won for best show.)
But generally, game programming got short shrift: the same awards
ceremony that honored the achievements of the late soap writer Douglas
Marland with a lengthy tribute made absolutely no reference to Mark Goodson,
who also passed away since the last Daytime Emmy ceremony and whose company
has probably been responsible for more hours of daytime television
than any of the soap producers.
It was also good to see “Reading Rainbow” take home the prize for
outstanding children’s series, and special went to something called “Shades
Of A Single Pigment” which featured kids talking about why racism is such a
stupid idea. The biggest cheers of the night seemed to go to the big purple
dinosaur Barney, who got up on stage and joked around with co-host Walt
Willey before presenting his award.
The only question that begs to be asked, all things considered, is where
can I get a red bow tie and cummerbund like Tom Ruegger’s?
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1007, from switch, 166 chars, Thu May 27 22:40:18 1993
This is a comment to message 1006.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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No, the real question that begs to be asked is “Why Barney?”
I keep wanting to write letters to the show reminded them that
dinosaurs died out. Agonizingly.
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #1008, from peabo, 68 chars, Fri May 28 03:54:02 1993
This is a comment to message 1007.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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Not only that, there were never any bright purple dinosaurs.
peter
==========================
animation/inkwell #1009, from switch, 172 chars, Fri May 28 09:23:23 1993
This is a comment to message 1008.
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————————–
Maybe there were for a short while, but their bright purple skin
(and inability to use their teeth for anything other than grinning)
had them thinned out in no time.
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #1010, from hmccracken, 898 chars, Sat May 29 17:31:27 1993
This is a comment to message 1002.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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Well, it turns out that Atlanta, despite being a nice city and home
of the Cartoon Network, doesn’t offer all that much of interest
Studio Store, and I was startled to find the Jimmy Carter Presidential
Library using videos of 1970s Schoolhouse Rock segments to explain
how a bill is passed, but that was about it.
The city does, however, boast one of the neatest pop culture landmarks
I’ve ever seen: The World of Coca-Cola. This is a enormous, three-
story museum devoted to the Real Thing (which was invented and is
headquartered in Atlanta), and it’s wonderfully well done. At the
end of the tour, you enter a Willy Wonka-like room in which you can
drink all the Coke products you like — not only every domestic brand,
but many foreign ones, too. It’s probably the only place on the
continent where you can sample “Cappy,” a sour cherry-flavored drink
from Japan, for instance.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1011, from switch, 221 chars, Sat May 29 23:23:20 1993
This is a comment to message 1010.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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Wow! I wonder how Cappy tastes in comparison to Pocari Sweat
(a slightly sour drink that sports a Coke-like can, and tastes
like very watered down Gatorade.)
I think I’d happily rot my teeth in a place like that.
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #1012, from hmccracken, 239 chars, Sun May 30 10:47:47 1993
This is a comment to message 1011.
There are additional comments to message 1011.
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I left the place after having downed about fifteen tiny cups of
different flavors, feeling full and slightly wired. The only
beverage I tried that I didn’t like was something from Italy
that was described as a “bitter apertif.”
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1013, from hmccracken, 259 chars, Sun May 30 13:23:16 1993
This is a comment to message 1011.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
I also forgot to mention that Coke is using Gumby in billboard ads, at
least in Atlanta — a big picture of ol’ Gumbo with the slogan, ”
“Always Flexible/Always Coca-Cola.” I’m not sure what it means,
but it’s nice to see Gumby getting work again.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1014, from davemackey, 162 chars, Mon May 31 23:07:46 1993
This is a comment to message 1013.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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It’s a play on the current Coke slogan, “Always Coca-Cola.” Its common usage
is “Always (fill in the blank)… Always Coca-Cola.”
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1015, from hmccracken, 169 chars, Mon May 31 23:11:01 1993
This is a comment to message 1014.
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Yup, I know. Incidentally, speaking of that campaign, there’s been
talk of giving the computer-animated polar bears who appear in one
ad their own TV series.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1016, from jodle, 669 chars, Fri Jun 4 11:47:38 1993
This is a comment to message 1005.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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I know this is a belated comment but I just got around to joining this conf-
erence.
I received my “Satellite of Love” newsletter 2 days ago and can report that
it is now official. MST3K will not feature Joel Hodgeson in front of the
camera. The transition will take place between shows #512 and #513. With
the new season premiering July 17th, that means we’ll see the changeover maybe
sometime in… November?
As a side note, Gypsy’s column in the recent newletter attributes a film role
to Richard Basehart in a 1981 film named “Bix.” That’s good for a chuckle.
Well, I’m off to pack my official MST3K lunchbox with Joel on the front in a
vacuum-sealed vault.
==========================
animation/inkwell #1017, from jodle, 126 chars, Fri Jun 4 11:49:45 1993
This is a comment to message 1015.
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Hmmm… maybe the computer-animated polar bears could appear on telivision
for 22 1/2 minutes a week watching “The Simpsons.”
==========================
animation/inkwell #1018, from hmccracken, 439 chars, Sun Jun 6 19:16:24 1993
This is a comment to message 1016.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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Welcome to the conference, Jerry! Feel free to introduce yourself over
in the /characters topic.
As I’ve mentioned here before, Arlington, Mass., where I live, is a
splendid town except for one nightmarish defect — the cable company
doesn’t carry Comedy Central, which means I can’t get Mystery Science
Theater 3000. My few exposures to the show (which I love) have come
in the form of care package-videotapes from a friend.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1019, from number6, 248 chars, Sun Jun 13 19:34:12 1993
This is a comment to message 1008.
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Actually, nobody know WHAT color the dinosaurs were. Skin doesn’t
fossilize at all. They might have been punk pink with purple crests,
for all we know. Just because alligators are grey-green doesn’t mean
the rest of the saurians were so boring.
==========================
animation/inkwell #1020, from number6, 48 chars, Sun Jun 13 19:35:37 1993
This is a comment to message 1009.
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Either that, or saurian HIV. Ooooh, scarrr-ry.
==========================
animation/inkwell #1021, from hmccracken, 381 chars, Sun Jun 13 20:35:28 1993
————————–
TITLE: The King of Pop is a Disney Fan
The June issue of _Life_ has a photographic tour of Michael Jackson’s estate
that’s pretty incredible. (Jackson owns his own at-home theme park.) What
makes the feature worth mentioning here is that it says Jackson has seen
_Aladdin_ six times — a reminder that he is a very serious fan of Disney
films and animation in general.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1022, from hmccracken, 928 chars, Sun Jun 13 22:09:14 1993
This is a comment to message 959.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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I don’t know if anyone else here except me is a devotee of vintage
fast-food architecture, but just in case, here’s an update on the
Downey, Calif. McDonald’s that the chain is trying to tear down.
I was heartened by a CNN report tonight that showed the location,
still standing and the site of a 100-person protest lead by a
Downey politician. We can only hope that there’s still time to
save this cultural landmark (the third McDonald’s ever, and perhaps
the last standing original red-and-white tile McDonald’s).
Curiously, even as they try to knock down the real thing, McDonald’s
seems to be constructing some faux 1950s locations. The Washington
D.C. train station has a McD.’s, inside the station, that has a
stylized red-and-white tile facade and golden arches. And when in
Atlanta recently, I visited what was either a very well-maintained
early McDonald’s or (I suspect) a retro one of recent vintage.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1023, from davemackey, 1178 chars, Sun Jul 4 16:10:23 1993
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Last of the Stooges passes on…
The sole surviving member of the Three Stooges, Joe DeRita, passed away
yesterday. He was to have turned 84 on July 12.
A burlesque performer since the age of 7, Mr. DeRita performed in the
group under the name “Curly Joe” and was recruited after the team had retired
from making short subjects in the late 1950’s. (A previous attempt by Stooge
leader Moe Howard to bring DeRita to the group after the death of his brother
Shemp in 1955 failed since DeRita couldn’t get out of his contract with
Harold Minsky. Joe Besser joined the team instead.)
Curly Joe appeared with his cohorts Moe and Larry in a series of 156
color cartoons produced by the late Dick Brown’s Cambria studio in 1965.
These films, still in distribution, had the added appeal of live-action
wraparounds of the Stooges; longtime Stooge foil Emil Sitka also participated
in this revival.
Of the other Stooges, Curly Howard died in 1952, six years after
suffering a crippling stroke that forced him to leave the team. Shemp Howard
passed away in 1955, Larry Fine in 1974, Moe Howard in 1975, and Joe Besser a
few years ago.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1024, from hmccracken, 172 chars, Sun Jul 4 23:35:50 1993
This is a comment to message 1023.
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…And we should have mentioned here that Spanky McFarland of the Our Gang
shorts passed away recently as well, one of the last of the best-known
Little Rascals.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1025, from davemackey, 239 chars, Mon Jul 5 21:08:27 1993
This is a comment to message 1018.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
It will interest you to know that MST3K is going to soon be on every
weeknight at midnight on Comedy Central.
Have you read the newsgroup on the Usenet (which I think is
alt.tv.mst3k or alt.fan.mst3k)?
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1026, from jodle, 436 chars, Tue Jul 6 15:42:27 1993
This is a comment to message 1025.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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I’ve lost track of the MST3k newsgroup but my last MST3k newsletter said that
the “new season” (there really is no such thing as they tape all year round
and start new episodes with fits and starts every few months) starts
July 10/11/something. I guess that’s this Saturday.
The weeknight showings are Midnight Eastern. I guarantee I won’t be seeing
many of them, but it might be a good opportunity to fill out that tape library.
==========================
animation/inkwell #1027, from srider, 193 chars, Tue Jul 6 21:05:17 1993
This is a comment to message 1026.
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They begin this season on the 17th. I’ve got a big post from usenet
around here somewhere that has the movie list from the previous seasons,
plus a bunch of other neat stuff. %grep mst3k
==========================
animation/inkwell #1028, from hmccracken, 746 chars, Sat Jul 10 06:22:25 1993
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Celebs Online
Thursday’s _Boston Globe_ had an entertaining article on famous people who
have accounts on the Internet and other electronic discussion-places
(unfortunately, there was no mention of BIX). While the emphasis was on
folks like Demi Moore (who may or may not hang out on America Online) and
Jerry Seinfeld, one cartoon-related celeb and one semi-cartoon-related one
were mentioned.
The cartoon-related one is Scott Adams, author of the _Dilbert_ comic strip,
whose E-mail address is sa****@ao*.com. The other one is Bob West — the
voice of the ever-loving Barney the Dinosaur — whom the article notes
spent years as a computer consultant before becoming Barney. No mail
address is given for him, unfortunately.
– Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1029, from switch, 51 chars, Sat Jul 10 21:43:26 1993
This is a comment to message 1028.
There are additional comments to message 1028.
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Unfortunately? You mean, “lucky for him”
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #1030, from switch, 70 chars, Sat Jul 10 21:43:54 1993
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TITLE: On this day…
…four years ago, Mel Blanc passed away.
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #1031, from davemackey, 150 chars, Sun Jul 11 00:20:42 1993
This is a comment to message 1028.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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Wonder if Bob West has ever stumbled upon alt.sex.bestiality.barney late one
evening poking around the Internet…
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1032, from switch, 97 chars, Sun Jul 11 13:00:56 1993
This is a comment to message 1031.
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He’s probably an active participant in the “We are Barney – you
will be assimilated” wave.
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #1033, from davemackey, 472 chars, Thu Jul 15 16:13:15 1993
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Obituary: Ruth Krauss
Ruth Krauss, two-time winner of the Caldecott Medal for children’s
literature, died on Saturday in Westport, CT, age 91. Ms. Krauss was
the author of “A Hole Is To Dig”, the first of eight books she
collaborated with Maurice Sendak. Another illustrator she worked with
was her husband, David Johnson Leisk — better known as Crockett
Johnson, who was also the creator of “Barnaby.”
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1034, from hmccracken, 303 chars, Thu Jul 15 16:58:54 1993
This is a comment to message 1033.
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Krauss and Johonson did a book, about a little boy who goes fishing,
that was one of the first books (or maybe *the* first book) that
I ever read myself. I can’t recall the name of the book, but I can
envision the cover — and the little boy looked just like Barnaby.
Any Barnaby fans here?
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1035, from davemackey, 459 chars, Mon Jul 19 11:01:35 1993
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: The Noisiest Laser Printer Ever…
…is on display in the current Tom Cruise film “The Firm.” At one point
in the movie, Cruise requests printouts of some financial data, and we can
clearly see on the computer’s screen that the destination printer is a
Apple LaserWriter. When he clicks OK, you can hear the clatter characteristic
of a dot-matrix printer! Perhaps Sydney Pollack needs a computer literacy
course… –Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1036, from switch, 72 chars, Mon Jul 19 20:59:31 1993
This is a comment to message 1035.
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————————–
That must have been when I was dozing. I missed that completely.
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #1037, from davemackey, 234 chars, Tue Jul 20 21:13:00 1993
This is a comment to message 1036.
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————————–
I don’t blame you for dozing! That film is about 2-1/2 hours long, and at one
point, I turned to Rhonda and said, “How many days have we been watching this
film?” (Despite its length it was very good.)
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1038, from switch, 64 chars, Tue Jul 20 22:19:12 1993
This is a comment to message 1037.
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Good? I hated it. I thought it wasted some good actors.
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #1039, from hmccracken, 131 chars, Tue Jul 20 22:50:30 1993
This is a comment to message 1038.
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I fell asleep for what seemed to be a crucial five minute stretch — then
was utterly consufed by the rest of the movie.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1040, from jodle, 549 chars, Thu Jul 22 11:20:46 1993
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: MST3K Article in TV Guide
For anybody that’s interested (is anybody interested or am I just bothering
y’all? I’m not touching you, does this bother you? I’m still not touching
you…) there is an article in July 24-30 TV Guide about Mystery Science
Theater 3000 that has the usual fluff about how it’s the miracle cult hit.
It also has some info on the Joel Hodgeson -> Jim Mallon changeover.
Apparently Gypsy will mastermind some plot that gets him off the satellite.
Are puppets fabricated from garage-sale mulch really “animation?”
==========================
animation/inkwell #1041, from number6, 176 chars, Thu Jul 22 18:41:23 1993
This is a comment to message 1040.
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Well, they’re animated. How about Claymation? Puppetry or animation?
How about Thai shadow puppets? You see an animated image of the puppets
but not the puppets themselves.
==========================
animation/inkwell #1042, from davemackey, 588 chars, Tue Aug 3 20:37:48 1993
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Bear with me
You’ve heard of the man without a country? How about the man without a
computer?
Since I moved about five weeks ago, I have been more or less
computerless. This is because due to my brother’s business records being
on this computer, it can’t go with me yet. So until either of us gets another
computer, I will try to say hi whenever I can but I won’t be around too much.
Fortunately, animation/cbix coincides with my roommate’s Tuesday night
committment serving Ice Cream to young and old, so I’ll always be here for
that.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1043, from davemackey, 199 chars, Thu Aug 5 22:21:53 1993
This is a comment to message 1042.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
Problem solved: just went out and got a Compaq ProLinea 486-DX33, with
a great big hard drive, and an NEC MultiSync monitor. Probably the last
computer I’ll ever buy. –Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1044, from hmccracken, 260 chars, Fri Aug 6 00:03:12 1993
This is a comment to message 1043.
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Congrats, Dave! But I doubt that your Compaq (or any current PC) will
run the nifty software you’ll want to be running five or ten years down
the road. (OTOH, my mother is still happily using the Radio Shack
Model 200 she got nearly a decade ago.)
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1045, from hmccracken, 1038 chars, Thu Aug 12 19:03:33 1993
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: My Theory of Life
I’ve long had a pet peeve which, I’ve only recently realized, is actually
based on some fundamental beliefs I hold. I’ve come to the conclusion
that the world can be divided into two groups of people: those who
can tell Daffy Duck from Donald Duck, and those who can’t.
Now, I’m not going to make any value judgements about these two groups
of folks. (It wouldn’t be polite — and I assume everyone who reads
this conference falls into the “can” group, anyhow.) But I will say
that since I recently started wearing a Daffy Duck wristwatch, I’ve
learned a lot about lots of people I know or meet. (Everybody compliments
me on it, but some people call it my “Donald Duck watch” — or at least
hem and haw before coming up with the name “Daffy.”
Anyhow, with all the talk of cultural literacy tests these days, it might
be fun to come up with a cartoon/comics cultural literacy test.
Knowing Donald from Daffy would certainly be a pretty basic question
for such a test. Any thoughts on others?
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1046, from jodle, 55 chars, Thu Aug 12 19:20:42 1993
This is a comment to message 1045.
There are additional comments to message 1045.
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Daffy or Donald really is a matter of black and white.
==========================
animation/inkwell #1047, from switch, 176 chars, Fri Aug 13 07:37:38 1993
This is a comment to message 1045.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
Sure. How about the ability to recognize different anime characters on a
police lineup?
Hmmmn. Maybe a visual/written “who does not belong in this group” test.
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #1048, from hmccracken, 212 chars, Sat Aug 14 11:13:42 1993
This is a comment to message 1047.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
Well, since I’m not very well versed in anime characters, I’d probably be
opposed to including them in a cartoon literacy test. If you’re talking
about Astro Boy, Speed Racer, Kimba, or Lum, that’s OK.
– Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1049, from switch, 198 chars, Sat Aug 14 22:05:12 1993
This is a comment to message 1048.
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————————–
Actually, I was just making a jab at the folks who say that “all anime
characters look the same.” Seriously, though, a group association quiz
with different cartoon characters could be fun.
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #1050, from hmccracken, 1175 chars, Sun Aug 15 00:58:39 1993
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Hamburgers…
have nothing at all to do with cartoons (except that they’re Wimpy’s favorite
food), but long-time members of this conference may remember my interest in
the history and folklore of America’s favorite sandwich. It was with pleasure,
then. that I picked up a new book: _Hamburger Heaven_, by Jeffrey
Tennyson (kin to Lord Alfred?), a beautiful art book that chronicles the
world of the burger, from its lowly origins to its omnipresent presence today.
There are tons of great color illustrations of fast-food outlets and an
informative text — the only problem with the book is that the text is typeseytr
in a weird san-serif boldface typeface that’s tough to read.
To give this message at least some relevance to the world of comics and
cartoons, the book is published by Hyperion, the publishing arm of the
Walt Disney Company. Hyperion specializes in well-done books on popular
culture, including ones on the Disney studio itself. The company’s latest
effort in that area is the paperback edition of John Culhane’s _Aladdin:
The Making of an Animated Film_, a nicely-done book on the production of
Disney’s most recent animated feature.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1051, from elfhive, 90 chars, Sun Aug 15 13:19:31 1993
This is a comment to message 1050.
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> well-done books on popular culture
Like good hamburgers, I prefer mine medium-rare
==========================
animation/inkwell #1052, from hmccracken, 453 chars, Sun Aug 15 19:59:01 1993
This is a comment to message 1049.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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On _60 Minutes_, Andy Rooney just did a schtick about comic strips that
suggsted to me that he’d have to do a lot of brushing up before taking
a comics literacy test. He said he rarely reads the comics and doesn’t
get the point of about half those he does read. He also called _Mother
Goose and Grimm_ a “new strip” (it’s been around since around 1984)
and wondered when _Little Orphan Annie_ changed its name to _Annie_
(in 1979, I think).
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1053, from switch, 274 chars, Sun Aug 15 22:19:16 1993
This is a comment to message 1052.
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Well, that’s two strikes for the Roon. Three if you consider the fact that
he rarely reads the comics.
Tsk. This is where our society is going wrong.
Musicians, on the other hand, seem to be more comic/cartoon aware — this
brings me to my question over on /main.
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #1054, from hmccracken, 158 chars, Sun Aug 15 22:34:03 1993
This is a comment to message 1053.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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‘Dja ever notice how people who don’t read the comics regularly get
unusually cranky and drone on about all the things in life that
irritate them?
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1055, from switch, 63 chars, Mon Aug 16 06:46:41 1993
This is a comment to message 1054.
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Yup. And they don’t live as long because of the stress.
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #1056, from davemackey, 362 chars, Tue Aug 17 05:05:21 1993
This is a comment to message 1052.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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The strip became known as “Annie” when the Chicago Tribune-New York News
Syndicate (now Tribune Media Services) resurrected the strip due to
the success of the Broadway musical “Annie.” They later decided to can the
Harold Gray reprints and go with all new strips done by Leonard Starr, and
that is when the name change occurred.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1057, from hmccracken, 149 chars, Tue Aug 17 09:01:07 1993
This is a comment to message 1056.
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Gee, since “Annie Warbucks” (a sequel to the Broadway play) is now
playing in New York, does that mean the strip’s name will change
again?
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1058, from hmccracken, 1571 chars, Sat Sep 4 21:45:17 1993
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Changes and Reflections
As many of you have been reading elsewhere on BIX, General Videotex is
being purchased by a company headed by Rupert Murdoch. What changes does
this promise for the animation conference? None whatsoever. But in the
spirit of this conference, it’s fun to remember that Murdoch once controlled
the News America syndicate and thus was in the business of bringing Andy
Capp, Dennis the Menace. B.C. and many other comic strips into millions
of homes. His ownership of the syndicate, combined with his ownership of
the Boston Herald, led to what remains for me a great moment in comics
history: in the mid-1980s, News America pulled all its comics from the
pages of the Boston Globe and placed them in the Herald, meaning that
the Herald suddenly had a vastly better comics section and the Globe
unexpectedly introduced scads of new strips to replace the ones it lost.
It was a golden moment for comics readers, as the event made Boston a far
better comics city and put the event, as a news story, on the front pages
of both papers. Both the Globe and the Herald announced plans to add
*even more* strips to their pages. Unfortonately, the excitement died down
and eventually, the Herald shed some of the strips it had gained. But it
was wonderful to watch — particularly because it forced the Globe, which
generally seems to treat its comics section as an embarassing kiddie feature
it can’t quite bring itself to drop — to admit that the comics pages are
somne of the best-read, best-loved ones in the newspaper.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1059, from switch, 197 chars, Sat Sep 4 22:14:05 1993
This is a comment to message 1058.
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I remember reading the Globe during my stat in Boston in the mid-80s — it
was a wonderful time, indeed. But then, most metropolitain US papers have
better comics than the Montreal Gazette.
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #1060, from hmccracken, 1408 chars, Sun Sep 5 11:53:07 1993
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TITLE: Unexpected Inheritances
As I have had reason to mention here before, I have the ability to discover
animation-related stuff in the darndest places, at the darndest times.
The most recent example came yesterday.
My grandmother passed away recently; it happened very unexpectedly, at the
age of 90, one month after a huge birthday party that all her friends and
family attended — and if you’ve got to go, that’s about the best way to
do it that I can imagine. Yesterday, the family gathered in her apartment
to read the will and determine what to do with everything that wasn’t
mentioned in it, and as part of the job I went to her storage area in the
basement of the building to see what occupied it.
The first thing I picked up was a book, which turned out to be a 1954
volume of square-dance calls that had belonged to a late great-aunt.
Looking more closely, I discovered that the introduction to the book
was by Chuck Jones! I was aware that Jones was a square-dancing
enthusiast that and had contributed cartoons to square-dancing magazines, but
I hadn’t known he had *written* about the past-time.
Oddly, the introduction is credited to “Chuck Jones, Hollywood, U.S.A.”
but makes no mention of his involvement with animated cartoons. Perhaps
Jones was such a well-known individual in the square-dancing community
that his cartooning career was considered somewhar secondary.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1061, from davemackey, 117 chars, Sun Sep 5 15:52:36 1993
This is a comment to message 1060.
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I am sorry to hear of your grandmother’s passing. But what an interesting
discovery!
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1062, from switch, 664 chars, Sun Sep 5 21:55:41 1993
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: J. Lyle
Today at the Montreal World Film Festival was the world premiere of Bill
Plympton’s second feature film, _J. Lyle_. Plympton and the two main stars
were on hand for the event, as well (not surprising — th Fest is a good place
to shmooze if you want to get into the biz but can’t afford air fare to
Hollywood.)
Anyway, the film is a live-action offering, but it has more than a few
cartoony moments. Plympton’s offbeat humour is present throughout the film,
but _J. Lyle_ suffers from the same problem as _The Tune_: not-so-hot pacing,
and dwelling too long on gags and odd little tangents. It’s better than _The
Tune_, but not by much…
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #1063, from hmccracken, 145 chars, Sun Sep 5 22:31:05 1993
This is a comment to message 1062.
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You didn’t like _The Tune_? I loved it — it might have been my favorite
animated film of 1992, in fact. Either that or _Aladdin_…
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #1064, from switch, 131 chars, Mon Sep 6 09:15:43 1993
This is a comment to message 1063.
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It was funny, yes, but it didn’t work as a feature-length film. It *felt*
like a bunch of disparate shorts strung together.
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #1065, from hmccracken, 571 chars, Mon Sep 27 00:11:46 1993
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Ralph’s Brother?
Being a cartoon fanatic can have strange side-effects. I just saw the
1960s Peter Sellers film _The Party_ — quite funny, by the way — and
spent the whole film pondering the fact that Sellers’ character (a native
of India) is named Bakshi. The only other instance of that name I’ve
heard is Ralph Bakshi, the legendary animation director, and I wonder if
the folks who wrote the film (Blake Edwards and a couple of others) knew
of Ralph. And, for that matter, if Ralph is of Indian extraction — maybe
Bakshi is a common Indian name?
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1066, from hmccracken, 219 chars, Tue Oct 19 18:18:23 1993
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TITLE: Happy Birthday!
This conference was created on October 19th, 1989, which makes today
our fourth birthday. Happy birthday, everyone, and many thanks
for all the interesting information and conversation!
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1067, from hmccracken, 265 chars, Thu Oct 28 23:15:35 1993
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TITLE: Iwerks Entertainment…
is the name of a company, involved in theme-park development, that gets
mentioned a lot on TV financial shows as a hot investment. Anyone know
if it’s really related somehow to the great Ub Iwerks, Mickey Mouse’s
other dad?
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1068, from elfhive, 378 chars, Thu Oct 28 23:24:51 1993
This is a comment to message 1067.
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There was a long article about it in the Wall Street Journal relating
to the new Pyramid hotel in Vegas. It is a very hot investment with
shares selling at up to eight times the original offering price on
the day they are issued. The article did state that the partners had
relations to Disney animators but did not specify who or Ub Iwerks
by name. I’m nearly 100% sure it is.
==========================
animation/inkwell #1069, from hmccracken, 287 chars, Thu Oct 28 23:56:54 1993
This is a comment to message 1068.
There are additional comments to message 1068.
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Yup. The virtual-reality rides at Luxor sound neat — I’m definitely
going to check them out when I’m in Las Vegas for Comdex next month.
It would be neat to think that such high-tech entertainment had
a relation to Ub (whose son, Dave, also worked at Disney for many
years).
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1070, from hmccracken, 910 chars, Sun Nov 7 11:10:05 1993
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TITLE: A Mystery
A few times lately, I’ve seen TV ads for Kellogg’s Apple Jacks cereal based
around the fact that it doesn’t taste like apples, and how kids find this
to be very hip but adults don’t just get it. I found this odd, since (although
I haven’t had any for maybe fifteen years) Apple Jacks used to be my
favorite breakfast food, and I distinctly remembered that it *did* taste
like apples. And I checked out a box in the grocery store the other day,
and the packaging describes it as an “apple and cinnamon flavor cereal.”
So what’s the deal?
(Oh, and I realize that this isn’t strictly animation-related, but I’ve
always felt that breakfast cereal, toys, and any other product that’s
heavily advertised on Saturday-morning TV is fair game for this
conference. If it wasn’t for such products, there might not *be*
any Saturday-morning TV — not that that would be a bad thing, mind you.)
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1071, from davemackey, 540 chars, Fri Nov 12 19:02:37 1993
This is a comment to message 976.
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Proving that I can’t get away from Mr. George S. Irving, no matter how I try:
I was at a performance of “Cinderella” mounted by the New York City Opera
last night; who do you think played the King to the hilt?
Other notables in the cast included Sally Ann Howes as the Fairy
Godmother and Nancy Marchand — best known as Mrs. Pynchon from “Lou Grant”
— as Cinderella’s stepmother. The show was based on the original by Rodgers
and Hammerstein, but the book has been punched up somewhat by Steve Allen.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1072, from hmccracken, 119 chars, Fri Nov 12 21:56:25 1993
This is a comment to message 1071.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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Rodgers and Hammerstein “punched up by Steve Allen?” I am an Allen fan,
but that sounds ominous. How was it?
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1073, from hmccracken, 619 chars, Sat Nov 13 21:19:38 1993
————————–
TITLE: How to torture a little kid…
While up early this morning, I watched _Captain Bob_, a kids’ show that
teaches views to draw animals. It’s been on Boston TV (channel 5) for
umpteen years. At the end of each show, Captain Bob shows off drawings
sent in by viewers, lavishes praise on them, and urges the viewer to send
in his or her drawings for use on future epsidoes. All of which is fine,
except that the show hasn’t had a new episode in nineteen years! Those
are 1974-era drawings that Bob showcases, and I wonder how many of today’s
kids send in their drawings and wait for Bob to show them on TV.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1074, from davemackey, 142 chars, Sun Nov 14 22:40:20 1993
This is a comment to message 1072.
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Weird, in that Steve Allen sort of way. I almost expected the Prince to say
“Schmock! Schmock!” at one point.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1075, from davemackey, 143 chars, Wed Nov 17 22:11:32 1993
This is a comment to message 1070.
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How about a new topic, then? animation/kidvid? Dealing with any other issues
related to children’s television.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1076, from hmccracken, 1392 chars, Sat Nov 20 22:23:18 1993
This is a comment to message 1068.
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I went to the Luxor hotel while in Vegas, and experienced the three
attractions that Iwerks Entertainment had a hand in. The first thing
that comes to mind to describe them is that they’re very, very
unusual — technically quite incredible, but very idiosyncratic
as entertainment. (This sets them apart from the Disney park attractions,
which do such an expert job at pushing an audience’s buttons.)
The attractions include a Star Tours-like outerspace simulator
(a lot of fun — the first and best attraction), a simulated live
talk show that’s really on film (which really does look about 98% like]
it’s really happening), and an Omnimax-like big-screen movie (the
last and least interesting of the three). All of this is tied together
by a sometimes incomprehensible plotline involving space (or was it
time travel?),a pyramid, clairvoyancy, a stereotyped hero and heroine
who reminded me of Flash Gordon and Dale Arden, and a G. Gordon Liddy/
Ollie North-style villain.
Oh, there’s also a nifty three-dimensional animated sequence as part of
the talk show. The whole thing is definitely worth doing if you’re in
Vegas (total cost is $14, which also includes a boat tour of the hotel),
but don’t expect to be enthralled by the storytelling. It’s a lot like
a 1970s Jack Kirby comic book — spectacular and imaginative, but marching
to its own offbeat drummer in a lot of ways.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1077, from davemackey, 575 chars, Mon Nov 22 19:03:44 1993
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Bill Bixby
In case you haven’t heard, Bill Bixby passed away yesterday, losing his long
battle with cancer.
Besides his long running television series (which included “My Favorite
Martian” and an animated adaptation thereof in the 70’s which he may or may
not have been involved with — I can’t remember at this point), it’s worthy
of mention in the animation conference, because Bixby shortly before his
death married the widow of cat cartoonist Bernard Kliban.
Most recently, Bixby was the director of the series “Blossom.”
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1078, from hmccracken, 179 chars, Mon Nov 22 19:18:46 1993
This is a comment to message 1077.
There are additional comments to message 1077.
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Bixby was also, of course, the alter-ego of the Incredible Hulk in what must
have been one of the four or five most successful prime-time TV series
based on the comics.
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #1079, from peabo, 179 chars, Tue Nov 23 02:03:53 1993
This is a comment to message 1077.
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He also was the star of a detective series “The Magician” in which he always
solved the case, or defeated the bad guys, by some sort of misdirection, and
never used a gun.
peter
==========================
animation/inkwell #1080, from hmccracken, 336 chars, Tue Nov 23 23:51:13 1993
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Time for a CBIX change?
Participation levels in our Tuesday night CBIXes have dropped off lately.
Maybe it’s time to change to another night and/or time — anyone have
any nominations? Should we make them monthly rather than weekly? Your
feedback would be very helpful. And look for our next Trivia Night,
coming soon!
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1081, from elfhive, 213 chars, Wed Nov 24 00:04:47 1993
This is a comment to message 1080.
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Monthly might be a good idea, apparently I can’t make it every week and
having it just once a month would be a stronger incentive. Actually,
Tuesday is as good as any other weeknight for me, in fact, I prefer it.
==========================
animation/inkwell #1082, from linkster, 114 chars, Mon Dec 20 00:26:18 1993
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: It’s official
I’m now an official letterhack. My first published letter is in DHP #80.
LInk
==========================
animation/inkwell #1083, from hmccracken, 46 chars, Mon Dec 20 09:12:52 1993
This is a comment to message 1082.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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Congratulations! What was it about?
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1084, from linkster, 663 chars, Mon Dec 20 20:39:08 1993
This is a comment to message 1083.
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It was general comments about the issue, especially the art. Charles Vess
had the cover story(Jane Yolen had adapted a renaissance ballad).
I commented that the other stories were almost overpowered by
Vess’ art. Eddie Campbell’s are “suffered” the most in comparison.
Randy Stradley replied that they were different and one was not
necessarily better than the other. I agree with his point, but I
_prefer_ Vess’ artwork to Campbell’s art. (His _Eyeball_Kid_ and
_Deadface_ books are on my backissue to buy list.)
I’d prefer it if people would just read the letter. (Had to
get a plug in for one of my favorite comics )
LInk
==========================
animation/inkwell #1085, from hmccracken, 1299 chars, Thu Dec 30 22:34:43 1993
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: X-Ray Specs Revisited
I finally found (at a reasonable price, I mean) something I’ve wanted for
years — an original Johnson Smith catalog. If you’ve ever read a comic
book, you know J-M as the folks behind those ads crammed with novelty
items like whoopie cushions, x-ray specs, hot gum, disappearing ink,
joy buzzers, and the like. It’s safe to say that the company (which is,
last time I checked, still in business) has been responsible for more
bad jokes being pulled on more people than any other organization in
history.
My copy of the catalog is the 1950 edition, which must have been right
in the middle of J-M’s heyday. It is a hardcover (!) volume that runs
approximately 500 pages, and which is overflowing with stuff I wish
I could place an order for, like:
* Rhesus monkeys, delivered to your door for $50 a piece
* A book on building and flying your own airplane in ten easy steps
* A toy .45 caliber pistol which the catalog touts with the words
“BOYS…we call it the SCARE’UM GUN because it fools most people…
May even frighten burglars away.”
* Imitation bed bugs
* A whole section of bugs on free masonry
The magic nose flute
… and about 6,995 other items, most of which run no more than fifty
cents. Whatever happened to old fashioned American ingenuity?
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1086, from davemackey, 258 chars, Sat Jan 1 09:07:14 1994
This is a comment to message 1085.
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The spirit of the old Johnson Smith catalogues is alive and well in a company
called Archie McPhee. I don’t have their address handy, but they offer much
the same caliber and quality of merchandise that J-S did in its heyday.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1087, from davemackey, 319 chars, Sun Jan 2 23:52:18 1994
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: He’s here
Some of you may have noted my frequent references to my brother, Bob.
Well, he’s here. As of today, he is a member of BIX under username
‘robairmackey’. Drop him some E-mail and invite him to the animation
conference, someone! I’m too dang busy to do it myself!
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1088, from hmccracken, 83 chars, Mon Jan 3 00:00:48 1994
This is a comment to message 1087.
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Welcome, Bob, if you’ve found your way here yet! If so, please say “Hi!”
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1089, from davemackey, 148 chars, Fri Jan 7 19:08:06 1994
This is a comment to message 729.
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Wonder if Steve knows that BIX is no longer under McGraw Hill control. If so,
come home, Steve, all is forgiven!
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1090, from kipw, 497 chars, Sat Jan 8 20:20:39 1994
This is a comment to message 1050.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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Until recently, there was a family-owned burger joint called
“Wimpy’s.” I was fond of their clam platters. Once they were
gone (replaced by Rally’s), I bitterly cursed the fact I had
no memento of their existence. Then, my good pal Gecko (who
introduced me to the place) presented me with a Wimpy’s t-shirt,
battered (though not fried) but serviceable. Apparently, King
Features Syndicate didn’t ever sue them or anything–unlike Disney,
KFS seems to have a lower size limit on such things.
–Kip
==========================
animation/inkwell #1091, from kipw, 42 chars, Sat Jan 8 20:21:44 1994
This is a comment to message 1065.
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I think Bakshi is an Armenian name.
–Kip
==========================
animation/inkwell #1092, from kipw, 622 chars, Sat Jan 8 20:25:58 1994
This is a comment to message 1067.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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A recent “Nova” concerning roller coasters talked about Iwerks
Entertainment. A director’s chair with a picture of Mickey Mouse
is prominent in several shots. I left with the impression that the
boss there is “Son of Ub,” but without dragging it out and watching
it again, I can’t be sure if there’s any reason for this belief. (In
fact, I’m not sure I kept the recording. I was somewhat disappointed
that they found it better to show about two seconds of point-of-view
coaster action, then cut away to show idiots screaming in the cars.
As if it’s a thrill to look at the outside of a car on a track or
something.)
–Kip
==========================
animation/inkwell #1093, from hmccracken, 427 chars, Mon Jan 10 19:56:51 1994
————————–
TITLE: Last night, we held our third Trivia Night…
and a grand time was had by all, I think. Nine of us played
(counting your obedient servant, who presided over the event).
After all twenty-five questions had been asked and answered,
the final tally showed Kip Williams (kipw) on top, Bob Mackey
(robairmackey) in second place, and Dave Mackey in third.
Congratulations, guys, and thanks to everyone who attended!
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1094, from davemackey, 278 chars, Mon Jan 10 20:47:17 1994
This is a comment to message 1090.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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Wait a minim! I know you! Why don’t you introduce yourself to us, Kip? And
if not, I’ll have to do the honors… (The place to do that is in the
/characters subtopic.)
I didn’t make the connection until you mentioned “my good pal Gecko”.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1095, from linkster, 403 chars, Mon Jan 10 21:16:39 1994
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Overwhelmed….
I’m just a bit overwhelmed by the response I got from a single letter to a
comics creator. I got *2* signed comics, one of which is the one I wrote the
letter about, one comic from the creators’ partner, a signed promo sheet, and a
handwritten letter. Brian Michael Bendis is quite generous. Oh, the name of
the book I wrote about is Fire Book One.
LInk
==========================
animation/inkwell #1096, from hmccracken, 482 chars, Mon Jan 10 21:25:30 1994
This is a comment to message 1095.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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Gee, it’s nice that they care! You must have had high praise indeed in your
letter.
It’s tough being a comics fan these days, I think. When I was a lad attending
comics cons (*adapting cranky old man voice*), artists cheerfully cranked out
sketch after sketch for fans, always for free. You got the feeling that
the cartoonists felt honored that anyone cared enough about their work
to *want* a sketch. These days, don’t you have to pay an arm and a leg to
get a sketch?
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1097, from linkster, 197 chars, Tue Jan 11 21:45:18 1994
This is a comment to message 1096.
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I trie to be positive and not mention the bad except in a positive light so
that they can improve. I don’t feel that my letter was especially high praise.
But appaently he did.
LInk.
==========================
animation/inkwell #1098, from kipw, 597 chars, Tue Jan 11 23:42:15 1994
This is a comment to message 1094.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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Dave, I’ve been deftly floundering here for a few dollars… I mean
minutes… and can’t access the fershlugginer /characters subtopic. Now
I wish I’d learned to read. Anyway, I had lots of fun Sunday, and it was
nice to meet Bob. You’ll be glad to know I’ve got my logo ready for the
next APATOONS. Why, the rest should practically write itself (the only
hitch being that I’m at war with WordPerfect 6.0).
For anyone’s info, I’m 37 (but I look 35), like to draw and play piano,
watch TV and similar antisocial stuff. More detailed bio when I find
the aforementioned subtopic.
–Kip (Williams)
==========================
animation/inkwell #1099, from elfhive, 164 chars, Thu Jan 13 00:00:43 1994
This is a comment to message 1098.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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Good luck on your battles with WP 6.0, I’m hopin the Windows version
will fix it. In the meantime, may I suggest you use something from
the Acme Supply Company
==========================
animation/inkwell #1100, from hmccracken, 119 chars, Thu Jan 13 00:19:53 1994
This is a comment to message 1099.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
Unsolicited (and non-animation-related) plug: Microsoft Word
for Windows 6.0 is wonderful. Despite the bugs.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1101, from elfhive, 51 chars, Thu Jan 13 00:22:13 1994
This is a comment to message 1100.
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Well, Harry, it was related. You did mention Bugs!
==========================
animation/inkwell #1102, from linkster, 147 chars, Thu Jan 13 20:57:32 1994
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TITLE: Two months i a row….
I’ve had a letter in _Dark Horse Presents_. Does this mean I’ve arrived? Or is
it justa fluke?
LInk
==========================
animation/inkwell #1103, from hmccracken, 445 chars, Mon Jan 17 19:23:35 1994
This is a comment to message 1092.
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Don Iwerks, the head of Iwerks Entertainment, is indeed Ub’s son, as
well as a long-time Disney employee himself, according to a stock report
on the company I got in the mail today. I think that Ub, who was responsible
not only for Mickey Mouse’s design but also many technological advancements
in animation, would be delighted that his offspring is venturing forth
into new worlds of entertainment technology under the Iwerks banner.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1104, from davemackey, 1169 chars, Thu Jan 20 21:43:28 1994
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Finally
Within a few weeks, I will finally have Cartoon Network on my cable at home.
When I finally moved out of my family’s house last summer, I did not realize
that Cartoon Network would be added to the local cable (Monmouth Cablevision,
a system recently purchased by Cablevision) that fall. Had I known that I
would have stayed. The place where I moved to and lived for about two and a
half months did not offer it on its cable system, which was Storer Cable.
When I moved in with Nancy in mid-September, I walked into a 36-channel
Adelphia system that did not offer Cartoon. (There also wasn’t room for
Lifetime on this pathetically small system.) But there was hope: Adelphia was
rebuilding its Toms River, NJ system into a 66-channel behemoth on which
Cartoon had the honor of being Channel 66.
They strung up the fiber optic cable in our neighborhood last week, and
Nancy and I got the official notice of the changeover today. Scenes like last
night, where I could find absolutely nothing to watch on the cable, will
likely never be repeated again, with the imminent arrival of Cartoon Network
in our household.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1105, from robairmackey, 446 chars, Fri Jan 21 21:15:11 1994
This is a comment to message 1104.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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Welcome to Vegetable land.
I use the Cartoon Network in much the same way a six-year-old uses a
night light.
BTW, I had my hair cut last night and the stylist says to me, “That
Cartoon Network? I’m a little ashamed to say this, but my husband and I
have gotten hooked on the Banana Splits!”
–Bob
P.S. The Splits haven’t been the same since Drooper married that
performance artist.
==========================
animation/inkwell #1106, from hmccracken, 393 chars, Tue Feb 1 20:36:18 1994
————————–
TITLE: Time Takes Note of Toons
_Time_ magazine has grown frivolous since its recent redesign, but
this is crazy. This week’s issue features “Milestoons,” a parody
of its own “Milestones” section, except that all the news is about
comic-strip characters. Dick Tracy’s divorce is covered, along with
news about Batman, the X-Men, and Green Lantern. I assume this is
a one-time thing.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1107, from davemackey, 228 chars, Sun Feb 6 11:00:38 1994
This is a comment to message 1105.
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The Cartoon Network is in da house. It was wired up a few days ago, and I
now have it. But Nancy is making me get my own converter box, since the TV
that’s hooked up to my VCR doesn’t have a box.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1108, from davemackey, 411 chars, Tue Feb 8 11:17:10 1994
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: “Power Boy” loses his Power
Due to changes requested by Fox Children’s Network head Margaret Loesch over
similarities to the “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers”, DIC is changing the name
of its live-action ripoff of “MMPR” from “Power Boy” to “Superhuman Samurai
Syber-Squad!” They are also changing the name of the lead character, Zack
Jason, because those are the first names of two Power Rangers. –Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1109, from davemackey, 546 chars, Wed Feb 16 09:05:50 1994
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: TBS salutes the late Hal Smith…
…with a special episode of “The Andy Griffith” show this Friday. In the
episode, Smith’s character Otis rides out a bender at the Taylor house and
is nursed back to relative sobriety by Aunt Bee. It was said to be one of
Smith’s favorite episodes of the series.
Smith, who died a few weeks ago at the age of 76, was also a prolific
animation voice who can be heard frequently on episodes of “The Flintstones”
(also on TBS) doing supporting characters.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1110, from hmccracken, 112 chars, Wed Feb 16 09:44:51 1994
This is a comment to message 1109.
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…But his greatest role in animation was, of course, that of
Goliath in the Davey and Goliath films.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1111, from davemackey, 159 chars, Thu Feb 17 22:10:35 1994
This is a comment to message 1108.
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Trade ads this week in the broadcast industry journals note that the retitled
show has been “Samurai-zed for your protection.”
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1112, from hmccracken, 735 chars, Wed Feb 23 18:28:08 1994
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Farwell, Spy
No, I’m not talking about any news involving Washington D.C. or Moscow.
_Spy_ magazine has ceased publication, and I think I’m going to miss
it (although it had been going downhill for years, ever since it stopped
calling itself “The New York Monthly”).
_Spy_ wasn’t a comic, but it published some nice cartoon illustrations
by Drew Friedman, among others. And at its best, it was the funniest
American magazine around.
Curiously, I got an envelope in the mail yesterday from them,
with a picture of some broken eyeglasses and the question
“Have you seen your last Spy?” It turned out to be a plea for
me to renew my subscription, mailed, presumably, before the
decision was made to stop publishing.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1113, from davemackey, 581 chars, Thu Feb 24 19:04:10 1994
This is a comment to message 1112.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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I was about to post my own farewell to Spy, but you beat me to it. I guess
Walter Monheit (TM), Separated At Birth? and Naked City will all have to find
a new home.
Spy was also notorious for frequent and brutal Disney-bashing. I agree
with you that it used to be a very funny and interesting magazine, and it was
off its game by the time I let my subscription run out. It’s the last of a
breed of magazines that hit its peak in the early 1970’s with National
Lampoon, which published a liberal selection of comic strips and panels in
its day.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1114, from hmccracken, 529 chars, Thu Feb 24 19:39:05 1994
This is a comment to message 1113.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
I had decided to let my subscription lapse, too. As it turns out,
_Spy_ will owe me two issues’ worth past the final issue.
(Wonder what I’ll get?)
_Spy_ did indeed have some similarities to the _Lampoon_, but
oddly enough, as it added _Lampoon_ veterans to its staff
during the last year (publisher Gerald Taylor and editor
Tony Hendra among them), it seemed to lose its focus very
quickly. Too much of what it published lately, like the
extended comic book-format parodies, seemed like warmed-
over _Lampoon_ stuff.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1115, from hmccracken, 901 chars, Sun Feb 27 15:12:05 1994
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
TITLE: Talk About Weird Subliminal Messages
Sega’s ads for its various videogames are getting more and more creepy.
For awhile, all the ads have had two strange components: the words
“Welcome to the Next Level,” arranged in a square, are flashed very
briefly at some point in each commercial, so you can see that
*something* has just appeared — but it’s tough to tell what.
Also, each ad ends with someone shreiking “Sega!” in an agonized
voice.
Now, they have an ad for a new Sonic the Hedgehog game that’s really
perverse: it shows a man and boy flying a bomber plane and dropping
Sonic cartridges on a suburban neighborhood, where they explode
into a mushroom cloud and destroy everything, leaving a family
looking disheveled but happy.
This metaphor would give me the willies under any circumstances, but
considering that Sega is a Japanese company, it’s ten times more
disturbing.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1116, from elfhive, 277 chars, Sun Feb 27 16:49:51 1994
This is a comment to message 1115.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
There are additional comments to message 1115.
————————–
Harry, it makes sense to me. For the past twenty years or so, Japanese
animators (as well as monsters in rubber costumes) have been devastating
Tokyo and other major Japanese cities in countless numbers of ways.
They must figure it’s time to give us a taste of their medicine.
==========================
animation/inkwell #1117, from ollie, 232 chars, Sun Feb 27 18:58:32 1994
This is a comment to message 1116.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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————————–
Consider also that Sega was orignally an American comapny,
founded in 1954 by David Rosen (who is still active at Sega).
Try to pick up the December ’93 issue of Wired magazine for a
good article on the electronic giant…
-Oliver
==========================
animation/inkwell #1118, from hmccracken, 140 chars, Sun Feb 27 19:36:34 1994
This is a comment to message 1117.
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True! The book _Game Over_, which is mostly about the rise of
Nintendo, also tells the interesting story of the founding
of Sega.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1119, from jodle, 1396 chars, Mon Feb 28 16:10:34 1994
This is a comment to message 1116.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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There is no question that the A-bomb deeply scarred the national psyche of
Japan. Consider that they enjoyed centuries of virtual isolation as an
island nation (much like Great Brittain) and marauding empire for
centuries. Even to the end of World War II they were able to maintain at
least a semblance of isolation. The U.S. air raids were damaging, to be
sure, but it at least seamed feasible that a defense could put in place.
Two atomic bombs changed the world forever, but left the deepest physical
and mental scars in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
The way the bomb changed the U.S. is more subtle. We were the guardians
of the peace and all that. But having the ultimate power to destroy the
planet didn’t help us a whit in Korea and Viet Nam and dozens of smaller
conflicts. The more elaborate the preparations and ambitious the plan,
the more disastrous the failure. Watch any Roadrunner cartoon to
determine if that affected the way we look at other facets of reality.
The coyote approaches the problem of capturing the roadrunner with a
constantly spiraling escalation of technology and effort, only to be
foiled anew at every turn. Worse, he was foiled not by the roadrunner,
but by the very machinery he employed toward the demise of his opponent.
The coyote was merely a metaphor for the military industrial complex and
its failure to bring peace or drive back the red menace.
==========================
animation/inkwell #1120, from hmccracken, 859 chars, Mon Feb 28 22:10:14 1994
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Deprived of _The Simpsons_?
I just got my cable TV bill, and there’s a curt notice at the bottom
informing me that as of mid-April, they will no longer be able to
carry Boston’s Channel 25. (There’s a new law going into effect
that forbids cable companies to carry any broadcast channel
without getting the permission of the channel.)
Channel 25 is our FOX station, and in the case of about 95% of
FOX’s programs, it’s almost a public service for the cable
company not to transmit them. But this means I won’t have easy
access to _The Simpsons_ — the only prime-time series I make
a point to watch each week. I guess I’ll have to dig out some
rabbit-ears and figure out a way to switch between cable
and antenna reception.
Any of you out there with cable might want to investigate if
you’ll be losing any of your broadcast stations, too.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1121, from switch, 146 chars, Tue Mar 1 07:22:28 1994
This is a comment to message 1115.
————————–
To be honest, what went through my mind when I first saw that ad was DR.
STRANGELOVE. I expected the kid to ride the riding the, ah, bomb.
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #1122, from davemackey, 365 chars, Tue Mar 1 10:40:15 1994
This is a comment to message 1120.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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————————–
You may not be without the “Simpsons” for long, Harry. It’s going
into syndication this fall, but in the cases of the Fox owned-and-
operated stations, they’ll be on those same stations. In markets
where your Fox station is not owned by Fox (such as in Philadelphia,
which will soon be changing its affiliation anyway), it won’t
necessarily be on the same station.
==========================
animation/inkwell #1123, from jodle, 1391 chars, Tue Mar 1 10:58:59 1994
This is a comment to message 1122.
There are additional comments to message 1122.
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Don’t give up -any- hope yet. Our local cable company was making the same
kinds of noises about the 1993 Cable act and sent out these massive mailers
that said, in effect “[BOLD PRINT] BECAUSE OF THE 1993 CABLE ACT WE ARE
FORCED TO MAKE THE FOLLOWING CHANGES. We will no longer carry channels 13,
11, 2 and 20 [all over-the-air broadcast channels]. The [BOLD AGAIN] 1993
CABLE ACT requires us to obtain permission from these stations to carry
their signal. Each of these stations has refused to grant permission without
financial reimbursement. In order to keep your cable costs low, we will
be dropping these stations on [I forget the date].”
The mailer went on to insinuate that the 1993 CABLE ACT was forcing them to
add 2 more pay-per-view stations, an additional pey-per-view preview channel,
another home shopping channel and drop CSPAN, Comedy Central and VH-1. It’s
interesting to note that about 4 months have elapsed since the first
deadline. Since that time, TCI received a number of letters and phonecalls
(some of which were from mayors of cities they serve in this area), sent
out a survey, kept the OTA broadcast channels, CSPAN, VH-1 and CC, added one
PPV channel and in effect just rearranged all the channels.
Our cable provider is TCI. I shed no tears when I heard their merger with
Bell Atlantic fell apart. I hold them in the same regard as barber’s
leeches.
==========================
animation/inkwell #1124, from robairmackey, 688 chars, Tue Mar 1 18:28:44 1994
This is a comment to message 1120.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
Actually, there was a small change in our cable broadcast lineup here
at Monmouth Cablevision, regarding the Philadelphia independents:
WTXF (29), also a Fox affiliate, was scrapped in favor of WPHL (17).
Which stunk because 29 carried Phillies baseball.
Which was great because PHL carries 76ers games.
Which stunk because if there was a local preemption
on, say, BTAS, you could always watch it on 29.
Which was great because after Animaniacs, Simps,
BTAS and Married…With Children, what else is there
on Fox?
I’d call it an even trade…
–Robair
==========================
animation/inkwell #1125, from kipw, 706 chars, Wed Mar 2 21:37:16 1994
This is a comment to message 1119.
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That’s one way of looking at it–makes sense. I would just add that the
Coyote cartoons (well, he was the star) were also part of the wave of
anti-intellectualism that found its voice in popular culture at that
time. Where the brainy character is evil, and the lovable dumb ox is
the hero (like Li’l Abner). I think the purest manifestation of this
was the musical “Damn Yankees.” The biggest schemer was Applegate
(aka Satan); the biggest musical number was “Heart,” which said “oh,
it’s fine to be a genius, of course, but keep that old horse before
the cart … first you’ve gotta have Heart.” Note that true wisdom
is contained in old bromides, rather than original thought.
But I digress…
–Kip
==========================
animation/inkwell #1126, from kipw, 147 chars, Wed Mar 2 21:42:34 1994
This is a comment to message 1124.
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BTAS? Que? I find Fox indispensable for Simps, Star Trek:TNG, and the
best Saturday Morning show of the last couple decades, “Eek! the Cat.”
–Kip
==========================
animation/inkwell #1127, from hmccracken, 2292 chars, Mon Mar 14 17:42:57 1994
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: San Francisco: A Cartoon Fan’s Tour
I just got back from a brief trip to San Francisco, and as I always do when
taking a journey, I was on the outlook for cartoon-related stuff.
I didn’t have too much success this time out, though. My big plans were to
visit the Cartoon Art Museum, which was located a few blocks down Third
Avenue from my hotel. Getting there was easy, but when I arrived I found
that it was closed. More specifically, no exhibits were going on; I later
discovered that the gift shop, located on another floor, had been open.
Moral: call the museum before visiting. I think the lack of any exhibits
is temporary, but I’m not positive.
Later, I made another ill-fated attempt to visit a museum — the Discovery
Museum, which was holding a show devoted to the art of the Muppets. I
found out about it from a large banner at a pier from which ferry boats to
Sausalito left Fisherman’s Wharf; the banner said that the museum was in
Sausalito, and its location seemed to suggest that taking a ferry was an
easy way to get to the museum. When I got to Sausalito, though, I
discovered that the museum was actually nearby but not in Sausalito
proper, and nowhere near the pier. So while I had a good time visting the
city (which is not only a Nuclear-Free Zone but claims to be a
Cholesterol-Free Zone as well), I ended up missing the Muppet show.
I did, however, get to the Warner Bros. Studio Store in Union Square.
(Bought myself a spiffy Bugs Bunny jacket, too.) The store is very much
along the lines of the others in the chain, except larger than the ones
I’ve visited — it had two floors of stuff, and was about 50% bigger than
the other half-dozen locations I’ve seen.
On the plan coming home, I got a final cartoon-related treat: the movie
was _Mrs. Doubtfire_, a truly terrible film except for about three minutes
of Chuck Jones-produced animation at the start, which is the best-looking
stuff Jones has been involved with in many years. (Robin Williams plays a
voice artist who gets in trouble for ad-libbing dialogue while recording a
script for a cartoon; the scene shows him performing his script *after*
the animation has been produced — something that is practically never
done, and hasn’t been since the very early days of sound cartoons.)
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1128, from hmccracken, 666 chars, Mon Mar 28 20:16:37 1994
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Is Don Bluth Hooked on Phonics?
Don Bluth’s _Thumbelina_, his long-delayed animated feature, is finally
reaching theatres this Friday. One of the marketing tie-ins is something
I don’t think Disney would ever consider: current TV ads for Hooked on
Phonics, the weird kit that’s supposed to let anyone from six months
to eighty in age learn to read instantly, feature a little girl
reading from a _Thumbelina_ storybook, accompanied by scenes from
the Bluth movie. What’s next — a tie-in with the Club or Garlique?
Bluth was also spotted recently promoting the film during a personal
appearance at the Warner Bros. Studio Store in downtown Boston.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1129, from hmccracken, 610 chars, Mon Mar 28 20:19:16 1994
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Welcome Back Grampy
Garfield promotes Embassy Suites hotels. The Peanuts gang touts
Met Life insurance and Chex cereals. Mickey Mouse has been known
to plug Oreo cookies.
Grampy — Betty Boop’s beloved grandfather, last seen nearly
sixty years ago in his own series of Fleischer Studio cartoons —
can now be spotted in a guest appearance in a TV ad for Care
Free chewing gum. Grampy is visible only briefly, in a clip from
an old cartoon that may have been colorized. No one other than
a cartoon nut would recognize him — but it’s nice to see he’s
still alive and working in show business.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1130, from hmccracken, 736 chars, Mon Mar 28 20:22:12 1994
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: _Wild Cartoon Kingdom_…
the offbeat animation magazine and sister publication to _Film
Threat_, is out with its third issue. The cover story is an
interview of Mike (_Beavis and Butthead_) Judge by John
(_Ren and Stimpy_) Kricsalusi, and there’s also an interesting
article on the history of puppet animation.
Much the most enjoyable feature as far as I’m concerned, though,
is a lengthy and definitive piece on Schoolhouse Rock — those
educational cartoon shorts that ran on ABC, which has recently
revived them. Anyone child of the 1970s who finds themselves
breaking out in song whenever someone mentions nouns, conjunctions,
or adverbs will find the magazine worth the $3.95 cover price for
this article alone.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1131, from switch, 162 chars, Mon Mar 28 22:14:04 1994
This is a comment to message 1130.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
You know, I like WCK’s information content, but I really really really dislike
the tone. It almost makes me want to stop getting it whenever I look at it.
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #1132, from hmccracken, 146 chars, Mon Mar 28 22:29:05 1994
This is a comment to message 1131.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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Yeah, me too. It’s superficial and smarmy — and intentionally so.
But would would you expect from a magazine published by Larry
Flynt?
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1133, from switch, 125 chars, Mon Mar 28 22:42:51 1994
This is a comment to message 1132.
————————–
Yeah. And Chris Gore’s Speilberg-is-evil-Kricfalusi-is-God routine wore thin
after the first five minutes. Ah, well.
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #1134, from davemackey, 550 chars, Tue Mar 29 22:19:08 1994
This is a comment to message 1127.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
I’m going to be seeing “Mrs. Doubtfire” sometime this week, since it’s
getting to my local $2.00 theatre now. I will make sure I get there in plenty
of time to see the Chuck Jones animation.
I think the illustration of “post-synched” animation, although not very
accurate, is better looking on film to get a grasp of what it is that
Williams’ character does. I don’t think him talking into a mike to a bunch of
voice directors and engineers on the other side of the glass makes for a very
interesting film scene.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1135, from davemackey, 270 chars, Tue Mar 29 22:19:34 1994
This is a comment to message 1022.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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Just read not long ago that the Downey McDonald’s closed in late January,
owing to earthquake damage. The Golden Arches and big neon sign will possibly
be used in other McDonald’s retro-projects like the ones referred to in
message 1022.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1136, from davemackey, 268 chars, Tue Mar 29 22:20:55 1994
This is a comment to message 1122.
————————–
Hold off on that Fox affiliation change in Philadelphia: they have cancelled
their proposed purchase of WGBS-TV, Channel 57, which would have become the
Fox affiliate in that city. For now Fox’ outlet there remains WTXF-TV,
Channel 29.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1137, from hmccracken, 224 chars, Tue Mar 29 22:26:44 1994
This is a comment to message 1134.
There are additional comments to message 1134.
————————–
_Mrs. Doubtfire_ only includes bits and pieces of the Chuck Jones-
directed cartoon — but I’m told he produced an entire, six-minute
short for the purpose. Maybe they’ll include the entire thing on
the videotape.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1138, from hmccracken, 639 chars, Tue Mar 29 22:31:12 1994
This is a comment to message 1135.
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Right, I meant to mention the closing of the Downey’s McDonald’s.
This is pathetic. It’s apparently clear that the place suffered little,
if any, damage in the quake. (Downey is nowhere near where the
epicenter was.) McDonald’s seems to have latched onto the disaster
as a tidy excuse for closing down the location, which they’ve been
looking to do for many years. I can’t remember if I’ve mentioned
here that the company tells Big Lies about its history that
Stalin would admire: they claim the chain was started in a different
decade, in a different state, by a different person, than the true
circumstances of its origin.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1139, from davemackey, 351 chars, Thu Mar 31 00:07:30 1994
This is a comment to message 1134.
————————–
The Chuck stuff in “Mrs. Doubtfire” looked great. Chuck’s daughter, Linda
Jones Clough, co-produced the piece, and two of the animators were very
familiar names: Bill Littlejohn, the veteran MGM animator, who’s been in the
business God knows how many years, and Tom Ray, one of Jones’ WB colleagues
back in the 1960’s.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1140, from davemackey, 294 chars, Fri Apr 1 18:14:48 1994
This is a comment to message 1128.
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I saw the commercial. Even more impressive than the Thumbelina clips: the
carpeting in the library. The hopscotch-pattern rug is instantly recognizable
to game show cognoscenti as Jorges “Games People Play” carpeting, a popular
prize on shows of the early 70’s.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1141, from davemackey, 1103 chars, Fri Apr 1 18:15:32 1994
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: We haven’t discussed food lately
One of the healthier benefits of my current relationship is that my
girlfriend insists on eating healthy, using reduced fat or fat-free foods.
But lots of the foods we like don’t have low-fat versions. We also try to
restrict our intakes of sodium and caffeine — about a month ago, I stopped
drinking dark colas and coffee with caffeine, and I find myself quite more
energetic and able to relax as a result.
We received some heartening news this week. Two of the big cookie makers
— Nabisco and Sunshine — are going to roll out reduced fat versions of
their most popular cookies over the next two months. Can you imagine low fat
Oreos or Cheez-Its? They’re coming. (Think about this concept: low fat
unsalted Cheez-Its. Yum.)
Nabisco, of course, already markets a whole line of healthy cookies and
crackers called Snackwells, and there are always boxes of them on hand. We
especially like the Devils Food Cookie when we can get them, which has been
more frequently of late, and the Fudge Cookies and Cheddar Crackers.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1142, from switch, 276 chars, Fri Apr 1 18:18:01 1994
This is a comment to message 1141.
There are additional comments to message 1141.
————————–
I hate to admit it, but I’ve been gradually reducing my junk food intake as
well. My family has a history of diabetes, so I’ve cut down on my sugar
intake; and low-fat foods and veggies are finding their way to my plate more
often.
Sigh. What’s the world coming to?
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #1143, from sharonfisher, 245 chars, Sat Apr 2 11:01:54 1994
This is a comment to message 1141.
————————–
I’d heard so much about the Devil’s Food Snackwells that I was very happy
to find a box in the store, hiding behind some other things. But I was distressed to learn
that they have *marshmallow* in them! Yuck!
I much prefer the double fudge.
==========================
animation/inkwell #1144, from davemackey, 123 chars, Sat Apr 2 15:04:37 1994
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
TITLE: Gee, I almost forgot
Today is Harry McCracken’s Birthday. So here’s to a happy one!
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1145, from hmccracken, 21 chars, Sun Apr 3 00:03:59 1994
This is a comment to message 1144.
There are additional comments to message 1144.
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Thank you!
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1146, from switch, 77 chars, Sun Apr 3 00:31:06 1994
This is a comment to message 1144.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
It’s not anymore, but I think I can squeak in. Happy birthday, Harry!
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #1147, from robairmackey, 51 chars, Sun Apr 3 11:40:33 1994
This is a comment to message 1146.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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I’m as late as anyone…buy happy birthday, Harry.
==========================
animation/inkwell #1148, from hmccracken, 23 chars, Sun Apr 3 13:22:46 1994
This is a comment to message 1147.
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Thanks, all!
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1149, from davemackey, 389 chars, Sat Apr 9 19:09:32 1994
————————–
TITLE: Hal Roach remembered
If you have the Disney Channel, there’s a pretty interesting retrospective on
the work of Hal Roach running. It premiered a few nights ago. Narrated by
Penn Jillette, it’s an overview of his life’s work, with emphasis on Harold
Lloyd, Laurel And Hardy and Our Gang. Former Our Gang kid Dorothy DeBorba is
among the interviewees.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1150, from davemackey, 390 chars, Sat Apr 9 23:50:29 1994
This is a comment to message 1129.
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I’m too close to the situation to make a big deal about this — after all,
our cable system has to run 500 spots for them a week — but this year’s
creative for Six Flags theme parks prominently feature Marvin The Martian.
Their new tagline is “A world of fun — and not a world away.” (Continuing
the positioning that their parks are closer than Disney’s.)
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1151, from hmccracken, 310 chars, Fri Apr 15 09:34:50 1994
————————–
TITLE: Nice work if you can get it…
Euro Disney may be losing a lot of money, but don’t feel bad for
Disney Chairman Michael Eisner; according to a BBC broadcast, he
received a salary of $203 million last year — breaking a record
which, I believed, he had established himself in an earlier year.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1152, from hmccracken, 119 chars, Mon Apr 18 16:52:18 1994
————————–
TITLE: Our Next Animationc CBIX Event…
…will be this Sunday, April 24th, at 9pm. Stay tuned for
details!
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1153, from hmccracken, 190 chars, Sun May 1 20:40:32 1994
This is a comment to message 1114.
————————–
Update on the _Spy_ magazine situation: the publisher of
_Psychology Today_ and _Mother Earth News_ is said to be
negotiating to acquire the magazine and begin publication
again.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1154, from hmccracken, 477 chars, Wed May 4 22:55:55 1994
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
TITLE: And Starring Sam Neill as Chuck Jones
I saw the movie _Sirens_ tonight, which — being live-action —
wouldn’t normally warrant mention here. But as an animation
fan, I was struck how much Sam Neill, who plays an artist
in the film, looked like the young Chuck Jones — right down
to favoring a bow tie. If they ever make a movie based on
the golden age of the Warner cartoon studio (and weren’t
they going to at one point?), Neill would make a perfect
Jones.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1155, from switch, 111 chars, Fri May 6 16:46:10 1994
This is a comment to message 1154.
————————–
Harry, you beat me to it. I was looking at a promo for _Sirens_ today, and
was thinking the same thing.
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #1156, from hmccracken, 340 chars, Mon May 16 20:27:52 1994
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
TITLE: Is Willard a Caveman?
A current TV ad for the Days Inn motel chain has Willard Scott opening
his medicine cabinet and finding Fred Flintstone on the other side,
a la the famous 1960s commercial (what was it for, again?).
This leads me to wonder: what are Fred and Willard doing in the same
era, let alone the same motel?
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1157, from robairmackey, 222 chars, Tue May 17 18:37:21 1994
This is a comment to message 1156.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
There are additional comments to message 1156.
————————–
The original ad was for Right Guard Anti-perspirant and featured Son of the
Desert Chuck McCann. (Willard could pass for McCann iff he dresses up like
Ollie.)
–Robair
==========================
animation/inkwell #1158, from hmccracken, 184 chars, Tue May 17 21:09:05 1994
This is a comment to message 1157.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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Right! McCann is also known to cartoon fans as the voice of Sonny,
the Cocoa Puffs Cuckoo Bird. (I’m not sure if he does it any more,
but I believe he originated the voice.)
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1159, from davemackey, 230 chars, Wed May 18 18:25:56 1994
This is a comment to message 1156.
————————–
I believe those common medicine cabinet commercials were for Right Guard
deodorant. “One shot and I’m good for the whole day.” The more portly
medicine cabinet patron in those ads was Chuck McCann.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1160, from davemackey, 196 chars, Thu May 19 20:06:32 1994
This is a comment to message 1158.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
There is also an animation film editor named Chuck McCann, who’s worked at
DePatie-Freleng and Bill Melendez Productions. I don’t think it’s the same
guy, however.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1161, from hmccracken, 241 chars, Thu May 19 21:36:38 1994
This is a comment to message 1160.
————————–
Nope, it isn’t. One of the Charlie Brown features — A Boy Named
Charlie Brown_, I think — shows pictures of the filmmakers
as their names roll by in the credits. Chuck McCann the film
editor doesn’t look anything like the actor.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1162, from davemackey, 564 chars, Sun Jun 5 08:35:44 1994
————————–
TITLE: That Rita voice!
Last evening I saw a wonderful performance by one of the sweetest singing
voices around, Bernadette Peters. (Some may know her as the voice of Rita the
cat on “Animaniacs.”)
She didn’t sing any songs from the show, however. Backed by a full
orchestra under the direction of Marvin Laird, Bernadette mostly sang
Broadway show tunes, and ballads. Between numbers she joked with the audience
in her little-girl voice. “I love Atlantic City. It’s so healthy. Except for
the gambling, drinking and smoking.”
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1163, from davemackey, 324 chars, Sat Jun 11 00:12:52 1994
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Social announcement
Seldom do I ever blow my own horn around here, but allow me this
indulgence but once.
Wednesday, I proposed to my girlfriend of nine months, and she
accepted.We haven’t set a date yet, but I’m deliriously happy.
We’ll let you know when the wedding is.
Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1164, from hmccracken, 71 chars, Sat Jun 11 10:03:05 1994
This is a comment to message 1163.
There are additional comments to message 1163.
————————–
Congratulations, Dave! That’s great news for you and Nancy.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1165, from switch, 54 chars, Sat Jun 11 14:23:43 1994
This is a comment to message 1163.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
There are additional comments to message 1163.
————————–
Congratulations, Dave! Can I be the worst man?
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #1166, from davemackey, 251 chars, Sat Jun 11 20:12:32 1994
This is a comment to message 1165.
————————–
You certainly are the worst man, Emru. No, in fact, in case you
are wondering, I have already asked my brother to be best man,
and he has accepted. We are planning an extremely small ceremony
for family only.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1167, from kipw, 104 chars, Mon Jun 20 20:41:34 1994
This is a comment to message 1163.
There are additional comments to message 1163.
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Congratulations, pal! Good luck! Marriage is swell: I’ve had no
problems in thirteen years of it.
–Kip
==========================
animation/inkwell #1168, from davemackey, 164 chars, Sun Jul 3 09:10:34 1994
This is a comment to message 1163.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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The date has been set, and it’s really quite logical: October 15, 1994. Nancy
and I will be will be in Las Vegas for our honeymoon.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1169, from robairmackey, 135 chars, Sun Jul 3 23:43:34 1994
This is a comment to message 1168.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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Sir, please, as the best man, may I ask how October 15, 1994 is a
logical date to get married? Is this numberology at work again?
==========================
animation/inkwell #1170, from davemackey, 210 chars, Mon Jul 4 18:06:08 1994
This is a comment to message 1169.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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We had already planned a Lo$$ Vega$ vacation to begin the week of the 17th,
so it’s now becoming our honeymoon. Naturally, I plan to lose Nancy in a
poker game to James Caan.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1171, from peabo, 85 chars, Tue Jul 5 03:30:47 1994
This is a comment to message 1170.
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No, Nancy plans for you to lose that game. Hawaii is terrific in October
peter
==========================
animation/inkwell #1172, from hmccracken, 638 chars, Mon Jul 11 22:25:24 1994
————————–
TITLE: Notable Quote
Jackie Gleason on _The Flintstones_, quoted in _Playboy_, August, 1986:
“We thought of suing them. But I said, ‘Oh, s—, let’s not go through
with that.’ We’ve never done anything about it. It’s a good show.
In fact, that guy who did Fred’s voice dubbed in things for me in
motion pictures, whenever they were looping and I couldn’t make the
session. I forget what the hell his name was. Nice guy.”
(No, I haven’t been reading old issues of _Playboy_ — I’ve been using
the new _Playboy Interviews_ CD-ROM, which includes the text of several
hundred interviews from the magazine — thirty years’ worth.)
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1173, from hmccracken, 669 chars, Thu Jul 14 18:31:36 1994
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: OK, OK
Coca-Cola has introduced a new soft drink called OK that’s meant
to appeal to Generation X type folks in their twenties. The packaging
is covered with elaborate, intentionally blase artwork and copy
(which screams of having been created by middle-aged advertising men,
not twenty-somethings, although that’s neither here nor there).
Several can designs are available, and one features a large drawing of a
bored young man that looks like it was drawn by new-wave cartoonist Dan
Clowes (_Eightball_) — hence this report.
Coke, by the way, has started up an 800 number, and encourages calls to it
to report OK happenings. It’s 1-800-I-FEEL-OK.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1174, from ianl, 137 chars, Thu Jul 14 21:48:43 1994
This is a comment to message 1173.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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I like the TV ads for OK cola. Wouldn’t ever drink the stuff though, anymore
than I’d drink any other sugar-water marketing concept.
==========================
animation/inkwell #1175, from ianl, 1163 chars, Thu Jul 14 21:57:42 1994
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Not directly animation-related, but…
Since I know we have folks here who grok the TV/cableTV industry, I have a
question. A few months ago, Comedy Central and VH-1 went from being a pair
of 24-hour channels to being a single channel that splits the day 12/12 here.
(It’s a TCI-owned system.) I could have sworn I read at the time that TCI
was freeing up channels to accomodate new things (the new fox channel, Starz,
and some other worthless thing). Recently I talked to a TCI customer service
rep (I complain a lot!) and I mentioned that I was still PO’d about them
cutting Comedy Central to half time. She said “Oh, that wasn’t our decision,
Comedy Central decided to do that. You see, they buy space on our network,
and they decided to start buying only 12 hours a day instead of 24.”
Could that possibly be true? I thought cable systems paid programming
providers, not the other way around. (CourtTV is always mentioning things
like “Brought to you, in part, by fees paid by your local cable operator.”
CourtTV also got cut to half-time when CC did, but within 2 weeks it was
back to full-time, probably due to complaints I suspect.)
==========================
animation/inkwell #1176, from hmccracken, 200 chars, Thu Jul 14 23:58:01 1994
This is a comment to message 1174.
————————–
I haven’t seen OK’s TV ads.
As far as the taste of the stuff — well, the product is aptly
named. It’s OK — sort of like a tarter Mountain Dew or a
sweeter Fresca. A generic citrus taste.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1177, from dondumitru, 1415 chars, Fri Jul 15 02:41:55 1994
This is a comment to message 1175.
————————–
>I thought cable systems paid programming providers, not the
>other way around.
I’m not anything like an “industry insider”, but it seems to me
that this is too much of a blanket statement. Let’s consider
“Comedy Central”: This channel wouldn’t exist except for cable,
since Comedy Central is not a broadcast station. If not for
cable, nobody could watch it. Comedy Central is also a channel
that makes their money by advertising.
Now, it’s clear that no advertiser is going to pay bucks to run
an ad on a channel that nobody gets. So, maybe Comedy Central
has to “prime the pump” – maybe they initially have to pay cable
companies in order to carry the channel. (There’s probably a lot
of competition for the limited amount of space in the average
cable line-up.) Then, if things go right, Comedy Central will be
a big hit with the viewers, and subscribers will *demand* that
the cable companies include the channel – at which point, Comedy
Central can get away with paying less money to the cable
companies in order to get space. And, maybe (in Comedy Central’s
dreams?
Central for the *privelege* of being able to carry it.
As I said, I really don’t know anything about how this actually
works. But it seems reasonable to me that a channel that is
exclusively carried on cable might need to pay cable providers in
order to get carried.
–Don
==========================
animation/inkwell #1178, from davemackey, 1142 chars, Sat Jul 16 07:42:04 1994
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: The Rascals are back
Not Felix Cavalieri and the Young Rascals. Spanky, Alfalfa,
Buckwheat, Darla, and the rest. And they have never looked
so good.
Cabin Fever Entertainment has just released a 12-volume
set of “The Little Rascals.” Each tape includes three 2-reel
and one 1-reel episode, culled from those produced by Hal
Roach between 1929 and 1937. There’s a brief introduction
on each tape by Leonard Maltin, co-author of “The Little
Rascals: The Life And Times Of Our Gang” (shamelessly plugged
at the end of the tape).
The best news of all, for those of us who have had
to suffer through the severely edited King World prints
circulating on television until recently: RHI Entertainment,
which now holds the rights to the shorts, has gone back and
restored every one of the Our Gang comedies to its original
condition, with original MGM main titles and credits, and
absolutely nothing has been cut out of any short.
Cabin Fever, in my mind, has done a great service to
Little Rascals fans everywhere, and therefore I must give
this series of tapes my highest recommendation.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1179, from hmccracken, 325 chars, Sun Jul 17 09:19:53 1994
This is a comment to message 1178.
There are additional comments to message 1178.
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In a similar vein, the American Movie Classics is holding a Laurel and
Hardy marathon right now. (It goes until about 6am tomorrow.) The
prints I’ve seen are from RHI, and they’re clean and crisp. I’m going
to tape at least half the marathon; it’ll be great to have that
much classic Laurel and Hardy in one place.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1180, from hmccracken, 215 chars, Tue Aug 9 19:40:13 1994
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
TITLE: New Job for an Old Friend
Congratulations are due to Dave Mackey, who recently accepted a new
position in his real-life career in the cable TV field. Care to tell
us a bit about your new gig, Dave?
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1181, from davemackey, 1111 chars, Tue Aug 9 23:30:48 1994
This is a comment to message 1180.
————————–
Yes, Harry. And thank you for spilling the proverbial beans. I am going to
be working for Comcast, trafficking five cable TV systems serving Northern
and Central New Jersey. Most attractive aspect of this new job is that it’s
only a half hour from where I am now living. The commute to Hoboken just
killed me, especially when I moved to Toms River. With my marriage now just
two short months away, it’s important that I be able to eat dinner at a
decent time and spend quality time with my wife-to-be in the early evenings.
I enjoyed my two and a half years working for Riverview Cablevision
and I wish them well in the future: as of today, they’re now part of Chuck
Dolan’s wide-ranging cable empire (as is the Framingham Cablevision system
not far from where you live, and Comcast’s chief competitor for cable ad
dollars in Monmouth County, Monmouth Cablevision).
Not forty days ago, I discussed Comcast’s offer to purchase QVC
elsewhere on this board. Never did I dream that I would be going to work for
them someday. But that’s how quickly things happen sometimes.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1182, from hmccracken, 128 chars, Tue Aug 16 22:19:01 1994
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Hello out there!
Boy, this conference has been quiet the last few days. Have we all
stopped watching cartoons?
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1183, from switch, 22 chars, Tue Aug 16 23:57:39 1994
This is a comment to message 1182.
There are additional comments to message 1182.
————————–
Nope — moving!
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #1184, from davemackey, 219 chars, Thu Aug 18 20:26:42 1994
This is a comment to message 1182.
There are additional comments to message 1182.
————————–
No, I have been busy making various wedding arrangements, running APATOONS
and getting ready for my new job. Beginning on October 15, if I’m lucky, my
wife will let me watch cartoons.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1185, from davemackey, 949 chars, Sun Aug 21 23:28:54 1994
This is a comment to message 1178.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
I feel compelled to respond to my earlier message about the “Little Rascals”
videos, vis a vis the current feature film now running.
Mind you, I have yet to see the new film, but from what I have heard, I
probably won’t be too happy about it. Hiring dead ringers who look, dress,
and even smell like Spanky, Alfalfa, Buckwheat, Darla, and the rest, and
putting them into the 1990’s? I hope the heirs of these original children are
getting some compense for the use of their images.
And if you’re going to resurrect these 30’s kids, why not resurrect the
30’s? Some may suggest building sets that look like those charming real-life
locations Hal Roach bussed his kids to and let them loose. But you couldn’t
build sets that authentic if you tried.
So we’ve got kids that look like they have stepped right out of a Roach
two reeler and into a slick big-budget Hollywood production. Worth spending
$8 on?
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1186, from hmccracken, 1335 chars, Sun Aug 28 13:23:02 1994
————————–
TITLE: Nifty ASCII Art
Maybe this should go in best.of.net — it’s something I ran across
while net-surfing just now. The message had nothing to do with
comics or cartoons, so I’m just preserving the signature:
Ken
—
(#########) Pretty cool!
(#########) /
(#########) /
(#########) /
__&__ (#########))
/ \ (#########) |\/\/\/| /\ /\ /\ /
| | (#########) | | | V \/ \—. .—-/ \—-.
| (o)(o) (o)(o)(##) | | \_ / \ /
C .—_) ,_C (##) | (o)(o) (o)(o) <__. .--\ (o)(o) /__.
| |.___| /____, (##) C _) _C / \ () /
| \__/ \ (#) | ,___| /____, ) \ > (C_) <
/_____\ | | | / \ /----' /___\____/___
/_____/ \ OOOOOO /____\ ooooo /| |
/ \ / \ / \ / \ | |
Ken Ursic <KU****@UO******.CA>
Cliff Ecology Research Group
Dept. of Botany, University of Guelph
Guelph, Ontario, CANADA
________________________________________________________
Pretty cute, eh?
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1187, from ianl, 262 chars, Sun Sep 4 00:23:56 1994
This is a comment to message 1182.
————————–
> have we all stopped watching cartoons?
Not me. I still watch Bullwinkle and Animaniacs daily, Beavis and Butthead
and Tiny Toons occasionally. The problem, I have so little free time these
days I spend more of it watching cartoons than I do on bix.
==========================
animation/inkwell #1188, from davemackey, 193 chars, Wed Sep 7 23:29:19 1994
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Why October 15 is a good date to get married
October 15 is exactly six months away from April 15. Therefore you are as far
from Tax Day as you can be.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1189, from hmccracken, 106 chars, Wed Sep 7 23:40:47 1994
This is a comment to message 1188.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
Unless you’re self-employed (like me), in which case you get to celebrate
four Tax Days a year!
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1190, from davemackey, 195 chars, Fri Sep 9 23:48:42 1994
This is a comment to message 1189.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
If October 15 is one of your tax days, then you may have to bring some
paperwork with you to the wedding. Worry not though: you can use our
computers if you like.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1191, from hmccracken, 406 chars, Fri Sep 9 23:57:41 1994
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
TITLE: If Walt Were Alive…
He’d be rolling over in his grave at “Movie News” a series of ads for
Disney (and Touchstone and Hollywood Pictures) movies that poses as
a thirty-second news programs. (In Boston, it’s even shown during the
news.) The current episode somehow manages to use footage of the
O.J. Simpson police chase to promote _Quiz Show_, a movie about the
1950s game show scandals.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1192, from hmccracken, 149 chars, Sat Sep 10 21:36:46 1994
This is a comment to message 1190.
————————–
Dave —
Fortunately, I don’t have to file an estimated tax payment on October
15th.
(Unfortunately, I do have to file one next Thursday.)
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1193, from davemackey, 1930 chars, Sun Sep 11 09:41:47 1994
This is a comment to message 1191.
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————————–
I don’t endorse the promotional techniques that Disney uses, but I will be
definitely seeing “Quiz Show”, which is directed by Robert Redford (his last
movie as director was a little something called “Indecent Proposal”, though
Redford himself doesn’t appear in “Quiz Show”).
It’s bascially the story of Charles Van Doren, the handsome contestant
who became an overnight celebrity after his appearances on “Twenty-One”.
Little did the public know that Van Doren was being supplied with answers in
advance by producers Dan Enright and Jack Barry. Van Doren and others were
told how to react to each question, right down to how many times they were
supposed to pat their sweaty brow with a handkerchief as they stood in the
poorly-ventilated isolation booth.
John Turturro plays Herb Stempel, whom Van Doren defeated to become
champion of “Twenty-One” and also the man who blew the whistle on Barry and
Enright when he found out that a similar program called “Dotto”, a
connect-the-dots game show hosted by Jack Narz, was under investigation by
the New York City district attorney for possible improprieties.
Anyone who’s ever read any sort of television history knows the fallout
of these scandals (in a nutshell, it drove big-money quizzes off the air
and put Barry and Enright out of business for a long time, though they did
successfully re-emerge in the 1970’s), but I think the film’s main drawing
card will be Redford’s painstaking recreation of the era. The movie
painstakingly recreates the set of “Twenty-One” right down to the GERITOL
sign in front of host Jack Barry’s podium.
Perhaps Redford, who’s also the film’s producer, waited for most of the
antagonists in this drama — the game show producers — to pass on before
even thinking about this project. Jack Barry died in 1985 of a heart attack
while jogging, and Dan Enright died about a year and a half ago.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1194, from hmccracken, 239 chars, Sun Sep 11 18:41:49 1994
This is a comment to message 1193.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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————————–
I’m planning to see _Quiz Show_ too, but Redford didn’t direct
_Indecent Proposal_ — Adrian Lyne did. Redford’s most
recent directorial project was _A River Runs Through It_.
(This information confirmed courtesy of _Cinemania_.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1195, from davemackey, 329 chars, Sun Sep 11 19:08:17 1994
This is a comment to message 1194.
————————–
You are correct. I was just reading a piece on Redford, and it said that
he had only directed four films. His first, of course, was “Ordinary
People” back in 1980.
BTW, Hank Azaria, voice of Barney on “The Simpsons”, is in “Quiz Show”
— I’m not sure, but I think he plays Jack Barry.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1196, from davemackey, 1169 chars, Tue Sep 13 22:42:51 1994
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
TITLE: The Adventures Of Trombone Man
Back in 1991, I mentioned my bemusement and chagrin when my former band
director in high school insisted I call him by his first name. It was the
first time a former teacher looked me as a peer rather than a student, which
was the point I was trying to make way back in message 790 of this topic.
It’s three years later, and I decide to pick up the trombone and try to
join up with a civic or community band. Not long ago I learned my local
college concert band was under the direction of Dr. Phillip Moore (since our
1991 meeting, he’s earned his doctorate). I learned of the open call for
members not long ago, and I just got back from my first rehearsal.
It’s kind of wierd playing in a band again after a layoff of more than
ten years, but it’s just the kind of once-a-week hobby a man needs sometime.
And I had no trouble falling back into the routine of being a band person.
The other trombonists praised my playing, so I think I’ve still got the
chops. The other players think very highly of Dr. Moore — er, Phil — as a
leader of musicians. I’m looking forward to the experience.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1197, from davemackey, 350 chars, Tue Sep 13 23:17:48 1994
————————–
TITLE: Hank Azaria and “Quiz Show”
“Simpsons” voice Hank Azaria is indeed moonlighting in the film
“Quiz Show.” But he does not play Jack Barry. Instead, he plays
an associate to the show’s producer, Dan Enright, who is played
by David Paymer. Jack Barry is played by Christopher McDonald.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1198, from switch, 255 chars, Tue Sep 13 23:56:55 1994
This is a comment to message 1196.
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Gad, a band.
I never really played in a band, unless you count by elementary school
experiences. The one time I started getting really interested in music
class in high school, the class was switched over into the then-new
computer science class.
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #1199, from switch, 418 chars, Tue Sep 13 23:59:28 1994
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: CD-ROM titles
After reading all the talk on CD-ROMs here and elsewhere, I decided yesterday
that I need one of the beasties. But how? I haven’t the spare cash.
Cut to this morning — the editors at the weekly newspaper I occasionally
write for want a big article on CD-ROMs, and a bunch of reviews — and it
looks like they’ll effectively be buying me a drive. Sigh. There goes more
of my free time.
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #1200, from hmccracken, 762 chars, Wed Sep 14 22:11:24 1994
————————–
TITLE: Kids’ Letters to Scooby Doo
The Cartoon Network recently initiated a campaign to encourage its viewers
to write letters to their favorite cartoon characters, c/o the network.
The results? The Flintstones, who have received 1,891 letters, appear
to be the most popular characters among ‘Toon Network viewers. In second
place is Space Ghost, who has gotten 1,067 missives. Other recipients
include the Jetsons (486 letters), Bugs Bunny (259), and Secret Squirrel (255).
Apparently, sending a letter to your favorite character will eventually get
you a response. If you’re itching to pen a mash letter to Elmer Fudd
(or whomever), try sending it to the following address:
The Cartoon Network
1050 Techwood Dr. NW
Atlanta, GA 30318
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1201, from robairmackey, 437 chars, Thu Sep 15 00:15:48 1994
This is a comment to message 1191.
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I didn;t read the replies here, so I may be echoing…you have nonsense
like the O.J. chase on TV largely because of the quiz show scandals. It’s
exploitation of the famous for network/sponsor self-aggrandizement. If it
had been Sammy Baugh in 1957, someone would have figured out a way to put
“GERITOL” on the getaway car and hook up Jack Barry for a live remote.
–Robair
==========================
animation/inkwell #1202, from dgh, 94 chars, Fri Sep 16 03:25:24 1994
This is a comment to message 1199.
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Heh, heh!
Be sure to get the upcoming _The Mask_ CD-ROM game to review.
,
|) /\ \/ | +)
==========================
animation/inkwell #1203, from hmccracken, 698 chars, Sun Sep 25 19:18:05 1994
————————–
TITLE: It Runs in the Family
Did you know that John Williams — the esteemed film composer and former
Boston Pops maestro — is the son of Johnny Williams, a long-time member
of the Raymond Scott Quintet? It’s nice to think that Scott — the
recently-rediscovered musician whose quirky compositions added much to
many a Warner Bros. cartoon — may have had some influence on the
young Williams.
This trivia tidbit is courtesy of a local radio station that’s playing
some Scott music as I write; the DJ gave a nice introduction that
discussed Scott’s career but didn’t mention his cartoon connection.
(That’s not a criticism, but a sign of how diverse and interesting
Scott’s work was.)
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1204, from switch, 189 chars, Tue Sep 27 13:02:17 1994
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Ottawa ’94
In a few hours, I’ll be off to this year’s Ottawa International Animation
Festival. I’ll still be in touch with BIX, though, and I’ll try to post daily
highlights.
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #1205, from switch, 620 chars, Thu Sep 29 16:27:59 1994
This is a comment to message 1204.
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My first report will be brief, as I’m typing from a Dvorak keyboard.
Opening night: Disney Feature Animation has set up a display with preproduction
artwork from their titles that are in various stages of development. SoftImage
has set up a demonstration of Creative Toons, their 2-D animation software. Ran
into Linda Simensky, Gabor Csupo, Abby Terkuhle, Jerry Beck, Chris Hinton, Wendy
Tilby. From a distance: Paul Driessen. Great party at the Blue Cactus thrown by
Cinar last night; I think tonight’s party is by Warner Feature Animation.
More later (like after I get used to this razznfrackn keyboard.)
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #1206, from switch, 3277 chars, Fri Sep 30 00:46:21 1994
————————–
TITLE: Day Two
Just got in from day two of the festival, and boy are my arms tired.
Let’s see: we started off with a presentation of African animation.
The person responsible for the film selection — I think his name was
Bruce Edera — apologized for the lack of time to show everything he
liked, but we got nice program books that discussed African animation
in greater detail.
There was a panel on women animators, but the first half hour was mostly
talking about life as an independent animator in general — little if
any gender issues. I stepped out to drop off some _fps_ fliers and talk
to a few people, then came back in towards the end (which, according to
my friend who stayed, is just when it got interesting.)
We skipped a few things, and went to an art gallery to see a display/sale
of work from women animators. Very good wine and hors d’oeuvres, and the
artwork was varied and interesting. I wish there had been more there.
We skipped the Gerald Potterton retrospective, because we met an
experimental animator, born in Vancouver but living in Los Angeles the
last eight years, as she toils at CalArts in the experimental animation
program. Her first film, _The Janitor_, comes up tomorrow morning.
It’s already won two awards, one in the US and one in Edinburgh, Scotland.
She’s a very energetic and charming person; we’ll be spending most of the
next two days together.
After a lovely crepe dinner, it was off to the second competition
screening. Lots of good stuff in there, I’ll mention it when I give my
overview of the films themselves once I’m back home.
Other stuff: Disney is working on an adaptation of _Tarzan_ — I think
it’s for the small screen — and the _Legend of Fa Mulan_ feature, an
adaptation of a Chinese folk tale, is set to be the first feature
completely done at the Florida studio. Amblimation’s _Cats_ should be
due in early ’95, about the same time as they start production on
_Bolto_, a feature based on a true story about a dog sled team in Nome.
Hey, get this — _Bolto_ will have =no songs=. The people I talked to
don’t figure they’ll be doing many musicals. I asked about other genres,
and they said that Spielberg is interested in doing an animated action
movie. SoftImage’s Creative Toonz 2-D animation software (which I had
the opportunity to beta-test last year, but alas could not) is being used
by Amblimation for their features. Or rather, Creative Toonz is the base,
and they’ll be modifying it for their needs. Toonz is also being used for
the production of _Asterix in America_, currently being produced in
Germany, due for North American release early next year.
Oh, yeah — Jerry Beck, in case I didn’t mention it last night, is now
VP in charge of animation — feature, that is — at Nickelodeon. I’ll
hope to catch up with him before Sunday.
Cute anecdote: during the attempted screenings of _The Dangwoods_, the
video had no accompanying sound, but the people in the booth didn’t
realize it. The audience spontaneously started filling in the sound
effects, screaming, crowing, and making tooth-brushing noises where
appropriate. We all had a good time.
Tomorrow and Saturday there’ll be no time for breaks — everything is
happening back to back. We’ll see how reports go.
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #1207, from hmccracken, 329 chars, Sun Oct 2 19:07:01 1994
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Happy Anniversary Month!
October, 1995 marks the fifth anniversary of BIX’s animation conference!
We’ll shortly be announcing the date of a big CBIX Trivia Night — with
lots of prizes — to commemorate the event. (It will be late in the month,
around October 19th — the precise day the conference was formed.)
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1208, from davemackey, 170 chars, Sun Oct 2 21:29:12 1994
This is a comment to message 1207.
————————–
Of course, if you have it October 19th, your chances of winning
will be much greater because I will be on my honeymoon then!
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1209, from hmccracken, 515 chars, Tue Oct 4 22:39:58 1994
This is a comment to message 1193.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
_Quiz Show_ is a very good movie — more for the 1950s TV atmosphere than
the narrative, which is a bit stereotyped and one-dimensional. I also
took a perverse pleasure in something Mark Van Doren (Charles’s dad,
played by Paul Scofield) says at one point: “Cheating on a game show
would be like plagiarizing a comic strip!”
_The Simpsons_’ Hank Azaria is terrific in his role as producer Albert
Freedman, by the way. One of the nice things about the _Simpsons_
cast is that its actors can really *act*.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1210, from davemackey, 489 chars, Tue Oct 4 23:25:34 1994
This is a comment to message 1209.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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I didn’t think Azaria had much to do as Freedman — for most of his
scenes he just stood next to Dan Enright and nodded — but he was
very good doing it.
Let us also remember that Dan Enright and his accomplice Jack
Barry also succeeded in corrupting the youth of our country by
encouraging them to draw pictures on television screens. If they
didn’t have the “Winky Dink” magic screen set, that was the kids’
problem, I guess.
da********@bi*.com / Dave Mackey
==========================
animation/inkwell #1211, from hmccracken, 197 chars, Tue Oct 4 23:30:08 1994
This is a comment to message 1210.
————————–
That can be Redford’s next directorial effort: _Kids’ Show_, an expose
of _Winky Dink_! the only question is, who will play Spinner and
Paddlefoot (or am I thinking of a different show)?
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1212, from davemackey, 1161 chars, Sat Oct 8 04:32:19 1994
————————–
TITLE: Getting married should be real easy now…
As most of you know, one week from today I will be getting married. I should
now have no reason to be nervous about walking down the aisle, because I used
up all my nervousness yesterday when I had to face the dentist’s drill for
the first time in my life.
When we were kids, our parents didn’t put any great emphasis on our
dental health, so we felt no need to do so in our adult lives. But, things
happen. And this particular thing was a Jordan almond. An unfortunate
meeting between said Jordan almond and the second molar on the bottom right
left the molar with a major gash taken out of it. After moments of panic (and
the welcome reinstatement of dental insurance from my previous employer), I
walked into the dentist’s office.
Two shots of novocain, what seemed like interminable drilling and
scraping, and 45 minutes later, the gash has been replaced by a nicely
sculpted silver filling. There’s a little residual pain, but I attribute
that to holding my jaw open for the dental work. Hopefully, it should go
away by next Saturday. And that should be a snap.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1213, from davemackey, 1697 chars, Sat Oct 8 04:32:43 1994
————————–
TITLE: SNL: the book
Since our conference co-moderator, Harry McCracken and I are frequent
contributors to the Usenet newsgroup alt.tv.snl, I’d like to say a few words
about the just-published “Saturday Night Live: The First Twenty Years”,
edited by Michael Cader and published by Houghton Mifflin.
Those few words are GET THIS BOOK. If you’ve ever had any appreciation
for SNL in any of its incarnations, the Chevy Chase years, the Eddie Murphy
era, or the just-ended Phil Hartman regime, you are sure to be satisfied.
It’s lavishly illlustrated with over 500 photographs, mostly by SNL’s
longtime resident photographer, Edie Baskin. As a reference book, it’s
unparalleled. The staff of Broadway Video has opened up the archives and
provided complete lists of shows with hosts, musical guests AND the numbers
they performed, something that’s eluded most of the contributors to the SNL
newsgroup. Most of the major recurring sketches, like “The Nerds”, “Mr.
Bill”, “Gumby”, “Mister Robinson’s Neighborhood,” “Nick The Lounge Singer”,
“The Sweeney Sisters,” “Wayne’s World” and “Coffee Talk” (to name just a very
few) have synopses of every installment.
There’s also a section which takes viewers behind the scenes of a
typical week of SNL production, spotlighting a show from last season hosted
by Alec Baldwin and Kim Basinger. We see the Tuesday and Wednesday writers
meetings, the later week blocking and rehearsals, and the frantic Saturday
scramble to get the show ready for its 11:30 airtime.
A book like this certainly helps take the sting out of the fact that the
first couple of SNL shows this season haven’t been all that great, IMHO.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1214, from davemackey, 271 chars, Wed Oct 12 18:35:43 1994
————————–
TITLE: Dave Disappears… for good reason
As most of you may already know by now, on Saturday I am going to
be getting married. I will not be on BIX from sometime on Friday
evening until the following Sunday, October 23.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1215, from davemackey, 1484 chars, Sat Oct 22 20:18:50 1994
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Bet on Betty in Vegas!
Who’d have thought that pure, sweet Betty Boop would wind up being
spokesperson for a major hotel/casino in Las Vegas?
At the MGM Grand, one of the newest on the Strip (opened December 1993)
and the largest hotel in the world (5015 rooms), Betty is featured
prominently in the merchandise shops and casino promotion. She even stars in
the casino’s Keno brochure that explains the mysteries of multi-race and way
tickets, and even offers the Betty Boop Keno Special: 20 spots for $5 with a
potential aggregate payoff of $100,000 for picking from 17-20 numbers. (Nancy
and I had a small victory amidst many small defeats the first morning we were
there: we won $100 playing Keno at the breakfast table.)
Betty is also featured in a “Streetmosphere” type show (to borrow a
phrase from Disney/MGM Studios) at the theme park on the MGM premises, which
is less expensive than Disney (you can get in for free to look around, shop
or eat) and just as much fun. Betty is played by a pretty petite singer, not
more than five feet tall and with a voice similar to the original.
We note that the copyrights on Betty indicate King Features Syndicate
and Fleischer Studios, Inc. Is this still a viable corporate entity?
My wedding ceremony and reception were fabulous. The rest of my
honeymoon/vacation was enjoyable, except somewhere between Monday and
Wednesday I caught a cold which remains with me at this time.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1216, from hmccracken, 698 chars, Sat Oct 22 20:24:10 1994
This is a comment to message 1215.
There are additional comments to message 1215.
————————–
Congratulations on getting hitched, Dave, and it’s good to have you back.
Thanks for the report on Betty Boop’s employment as a casion spokesperson.
Somehow, it seems appropriate (and note that the idea of a Disney character
touting gambling is unthinkable). But wouldn’t it make more sense if
she endorsed the Paramount Grand, not the MGM Grand?
King Features and Fleischer co-own the Boop copyrights. I don’t think the
Fleischer Studios (which I think are more of a revival than a continuation
of the classic studio) do anything much except license Betty products.
They also have an archives, which lent material to the Museum of Cartoon
Art for its Fleischer exhibit some years ago.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1217, from davemackey, 343 chars, Mon Oct 24 22:34:15 1994
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Internet Junk Mail
Beware of tm*****@ao*.com, who is flooding cybermailboxes everywhere
with ‘important’ information on how to get your trademark registered.
I have received three messages from this entity within the last 24 hours
and have just sent him a reply to knock it off.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1218, from ianl, 391 chars, Mon Oct 24 22:48:34 1994
This is a comment to message 1217.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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I keep hearing more and more about internet junk mail and usenet advertising.
I’m wondering why I don’t hear more about formal boycotts. It’s sooo easy…
everyone just agrees publically to shun any company that sends out cyberjunk.
Those companies that don’t take the hint get shunned, everyone else quickly
learns that sending cyberjunk is a fast route to zero income, problem solved.
==========================
animation/inkwell #1219, from hmccracken, 319 chars, Tue Oct 25 21:07:03 1994
This is a comment to message 1218.
————————–
I just got a message from the trademark guy, too. Wonder where he’s getting
names from?
(I sent him back a polite message telling him that it was obvious that he
was an Internet newcomer, and informing him that he’ll find that people
consider it incredibly rude to send unsolicited sales pitches by e-mail.)
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1220, from hmccracken, 880 chars, Fri Nov 18 23:20:51 1994
This is a comment to message 1215.
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Just got back from my annual Las Vegas trip for COMDEX, where I stayed
at the MGM Grand and saw all the Betty Boop stuff you mention. Besides
Betty, the casion also features the Popeye characters and Tom K. Ryan’s
Tumbleweeds, plus King Looey, a cartoon lion who seems to have been
created strictly to promote the place. There’s a great Warner Bros.
Studio Store-style gift shop with large statues of Betty and Popeye,
plus some excellent merchanside featuring characters like Bimbo,
Koko the Clown, and Eugene the Jeep.
I can’t agree with you about the theme park though; I found it a
big disappointment, with very little imagination or showmanship.
(The street performer who plays Betty does a great job of imitating
Mae Questel’s voice, however.) I was also disappointed that a touted
attraction involving explaining how animation is created wasn’t
actually there.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1221, from hmccracken, 318 chars, Wed Nov 23 22:11:42 1994
————————–
TITLE: Happy Thanksgiving, Everybody!
Just a quick note to wish every member of this conference the happiest of
Thanksgivings. (I realize that tomorrow is a U.S.-only holiday, but I’m
thankful for the participation of each and every member, so I’m certainly
not going to leave anyone out of my good wishes!)
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1222, from hmccracken, 611 chars, Sun Nov 27 11:43:24 1994
————————–
TITLE: Well, it seemed like a good idea…
Some of you may have seen news reports about a man in Somerville, Massachusetts
(one town over from my home) who recently undertook a hunger strike to force
his local cable TV company to carry, for free, a Portugese-language station he
wanted to watch. (The cable company offered to carry the station as a premium
channel, but that wasn’t good enough.)
I’ve just heard that this fellow has called off his protest, and that it
was unsuccessful.
Darn it! I was considering doing the same thing to convince
*my* cable company to carry the Cartoon Network…
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1223, from hmccracken, 670 chars, Mon Dec 5 13:36:15 1994
————————–
TITLE: Popeye’s Boston Home
If you’re in the Boston area and happen to be doing some Christmas
shopping downtown, stop by Filene’s. Two of the store’s windows are
devoted to a display of gingerbread houses decorated by famous
people; you can bid on any house, with the proceeds going to charity.
Among the noted decorators are F. Lee Bailey, Joan Rivers, Julia
Child, Wesley Snipes, Mr. Rogers — and George Wildman, a cartoonist
who has done many _Popeye_ comic books. His house, naturally, has a
Popeye theme. (The identification card calls him “George Wildman,
Creator of Popeye” — but he’s only one of many artists who have
drawn E.C. Segar’s creation.)
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1224, from davemackey, 721 chars, Fri Dec 16 18:24:56 1994
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Christmas Movie We’re Sick Of — 1994 Edition
Now that Republic Pictures has taken the crafty step of restoring copyright
status to “It’s A Wonderful Life”, meaning an end to the seemingly endless
public domain showings thereof on most every broadcast and cable TV outlet,
the mantle of Most Overexposed Christmas Movie has passed to… (drumroll)…
“A Christmas Story.” This tale of a young boy who wants a BB gun for
Christmas, based on the writings of humorist Jean Shepherd, has been run into
the ground this season courtesy of Turner Entertainment. It’s been played
quite a bit on all of his cable channels (or most of them, anyway — I
haven’t seen it on Headline News yet).
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1225, from hmccracken, 474 chars, Fri Dec 16 20:26:42 1994
This is a comment to message 1224.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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I’ve only seen _A Christmas Story_ once this year — but I don’t think
it’s a movie I’d easily get sick of seeing. It’s one of my favorites,
and Shepherd is one of my favorite American humorists. (Seeing him
perform in person was an experience I’ll never forget.)
A sequel to _A Christmas Story_ was supposed to come out last Summer —
_It Runs in the Family_, starring Charles Grodin and a youg Culkin
(not Macauley). It never appeared; I wonder happened to it?
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1226, from davemackey, 148 chars, Sat Dec 17 20:44:18 1994
This is a comment to message 1225.
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I’m wondering that, too: it was supposed to have a new Pink Panther
theatrical cartoon attached to the front of it.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1227, from davemackey, 168 chars, Sun Dec 25 21:26:52 1994
————————–
TITLE: On December Five And Twenty, Fum Fum Fum
It’s Christmas Day, so Merry Christmas to one and all here in the Animation
Conference!
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1228, from hmccracken, 886 chars, Thu Dec 29 17:58:42 1994
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: What Would Walt Say?
Now that magazines and newspapers are publishing top-ten movie lists for 1994,
_Pulp Fiction_ looks like it might be the most highly-praised film of the year.
Oddly enough, the film — which blends chic violence, bad language, and black
humor into a startling experience — is a Walt Disney movie. To be more
specific, it was released by Miramax, which is a division of Disney these
days.
I’m still not sure what my feelings are about the movie, but I’m sure that
Uncle Walt would be revolted by the thought of his company releasing it;
it’s about the least Disneyesque film I’ve ever seen from a major motion
picture studio. (It does, however, have a few cartoon references —
including a scene with a clip of the _Q.T. Hush_ TV show (in Synchro-Vox)
and the fact that co-star Samuel Jackson wears a Krazy Kat T-shirt through
much of the film.)
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1229, from hmccracken, 559 chars, Thu Dec 29 18:01:14 1994
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Will _The Lion King_ Get the Nod?
The Las Vegas bookmakers are laying odds on the Oscar nominations for 1994,
and according to Bally’s, Disney’s _The Lion King_ stands a 2:1 chance of
getting a nomination as Best Picture. (The studio’s _Beauty and the Beast_
was the first and only animated film to get that honor.)
Whether or not _Lion_ gets a Best Picture nomination, it’s a pretty safe
bet that it will get one or more nominations in the musical categories.
Disney cartoons have nearly monopolized the Best Song category in recent
years.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1230, from switch, 84 chars, Thu Dec 29 21:48:33 1994
This is a comment to message 1229.
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Gad, I hope not. The songs seemed particularly unmemorable this time around.
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #1231, from hkenner, 75 chars, Thu Dec 29 23:27:09 1994
This is a comment to message 1228.
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I know what *I* felt about *Pulp Fiction*. I disliked it end to end.
–HK
==========================
animation/inkwell #1232, from hmccracken, 378 chars, Sat Dec 31 22:32:40 1994
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Happy 1995!
Just a quick note to wish everyone here a hapy and healthful 1995.
The return of _Calvin and Hobbes_ is the first piece of good
cartoon-related news for the year; lets hope that lots more follow. Since
1995 is the hundredth anniversary of the American comic strip, it would be
fitting if it was an unusually good year for comics and animation fans.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1233, from mikester, 169 chars, Sun Jan 1 15:33:51 1995
This is a comment to message 1232.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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Re: Happy 1995!
>The return of _Calvin and Hobbes_ is the first piece of good
>cartoon-related news for the year
When????
—Mike (A more than satisfied Galahad user)
==========================
animation/inkwell #1234, from hmccracken, 261 chars, Sun Jan 1 18:42:59 1995
This is a comment to message 1233.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
Today. But as you might expect given Watterson’s conservative
attitude towards his strip and characters, there’s no indication
that this is the first new _Calvin_ episode in ages. It’s merely
a funny and superbly drawn, typical Watterson Sunday page.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1235, from switch, 90 chars, Sun Jan 1 23:04:28 1995
This is a comment to message 1234.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
Yesterday, for us. That’s probably the only good thing about the Montreal
Gazette.
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #1236, from robairmackey, 238 chars, Sun Jan 1 23:27:13 1995
This is a comment to message 1235.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
And we can’t let it pass without honoring the very last installment of “The
Far Side”. The Asbury Park Press will redesign its weekday comic page to
make the crossword puzzle bigger; on the weekends “Dilbert” will replace
“The Far Side”.
==========================
animation/inkwell #1237, from davemackey, 411 chars, Fri Jan 13 19:00:36 1995
This is a comment to message 1236.
————————–
And of course, with every new year, a new round of curses for comics
syndicates that do not properly date the first few comics of the new year —
that is, they do not change the copyright date in the indicia to correspond
to the year of publication. The Bill Blackbeards of the future are never
happy when this happens, because it then becomes a bitch to try to date the
strips.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1238, from hmccracken, 280 chars, Mon Jan 30 09:38:59 1995
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday!
Unless I’m mistaken, today is the birthday of Dave Mackey — which I
deduce to mean that it’s also the birthday of Robair Mackey.
Happy birthday, guys, and a million thanks for all your contributions to
the animation conference!
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1239, from davemackey, 155 chars, Mon Jan 30 21:48:24 1995
This is a comment to message 1238.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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A humble thank you from this corner. Nancy and I just got back from a couple
of days in Atlantic City. We’re not rich yet.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1240, from hmccracken, 434 chars, Tue Jan 31 14:12:17 1995
This is a comment to message 1239.
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Dave —
I haven’t been to Atlantic City lately (actually, I’ve only been there
once, and I came away $75 richer). But I have been to both Las Vegas
and Disney World in recent weeks, and I much prefer the latter.
WDW has as many gift shops as Vegas has casinos, and while I left Orlando
a poorer man, I at least had a snazzy new Mickey Mouse wristwatch and
some other goodies. And my slot machine-pulling arm wasn’t sore.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1242, from davemackey, 215 chars, Wed Feb 22 23:34:35 1995
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Mercedes Benz
Well, now we know there is no segment of pop music that is immune from
advertising agencies. Mercedes Benz has appropriated the old Janis
Joplin tune “Mercedes Benz” for use in its commercials.
==========================
animation/inkwell #1243, from peabo, 73 chars, Thu Feb 23 01:32:30 1995
This is a comment to message 1242.
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Appropriated, or licensed from the estate of the late Ms. Joplin?
peter
==========================
animation/inkwell #1244, from davemackey, 1657 chars, Fri Feb 24 18:36:00 1995
This is a comment to message 1185.
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Worth spending $8 on? Maybe not. But the other night, Robair, my wife and
myself went to a special screening of “The Little Rascals” to celebrate the
opening of the new Sony 15-plex near where Robair lives. It only cost us 50
cents to see the film, plus another 50c each for popcorn and soda.
And do you know what? “The Little Rascals” turned out to be a rather
charming recreation of the 1930’s shorts. It’s obvious that director Penelope
Spheeris watched lots of the old two-reelers to get the direction style of
Gus Meins, Robert McGowan, and the other “Our Gang” directors.
The kids were as funny, if not funnier, than their black-and-white
forebears, and they were given material to work with that was at times
derivative of particular “Our Gang” episodes (such as “Hook And Ladder” and
“Rushin’ Ballet”), and at other times venturing into new territory such as
double-entendre and toilet jokes (Pete The Pup helps put out the clubhouse
fire by peeing on it). There were enough big-star cameos to keep things
interesting, such as John Goodman as a lumberyard owner, or Reba McEntire as
the soapbox derby emcee, or Daryl Hannah as Miss Crabtree (!), or the Olsen
Twins (gag) as two of Darla’s little friends.
But the best surprise of all was that the film did not have all that
much to do with the 1990’s. We didn’t see the kids watching television or
playing Nintendo. They were being kids, just like in the old days. They built
their clubhouses, racing cars, and other gadgets out of other people’s
castoffs. Perhaps the only concession to modern times: Waldo has a cellular
phone in his soap box racer.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1245, from hmccracken, 535 chars, Sat Mar 4 21:09:18 1995
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: An Animated Outrage
When I watch CNN’s _Capitol Gang_ (a _McLaughlin Group_ knockoff),
I expect to hear about Clinton, Dole, and Gingrich, not cartoons.
But on tonight’s “Outrage of the Week” segment, panelist Mona
Charren’s outrage was the new _Lion King_ video, which (as
has been noted here) has five commercials for other Disney products
before the film itself gets underway.
Charren advises purchasers of the tape to fast-forward nine minutes
and thirty-two seconds into the tape to bypass the promotional
stuff.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1246, from hmccracken, 697 chars, Sat Mar 4 21:19:46 1995
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TITLE: I don’t think I’ll make the trip, but thanks anyway…
If you go to the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, Colorado later
this month, you can attend an event in which Mike Judge — creator
of Beavis and Butthead — presents his favorite animated films.
(I’d be curious to know what they are, mainly so I can be sure and stay
away from them — and boy, do I ever hope that Judge and I don’t share any
favorite cartoons.)
The Comedy Arts Festival actually has some other sessions that sound very
appealing — most notably, a salute to the films of Albert Brooks that
will feature Brooks himself. I’d almost be tempted to go for that alone,
if it wasn’t quite so far from Boston.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1247, from davemackey, 303 chars, Sun Mar 5 23:03:55 1995
This is a comment to message 1245.
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Wonder if Mona Charren is any relation to You-Know-Who. Better still, open up
the videocassette and physically remove the offending sections of tape.
Better yet, tape over it with an old Bucky And Pepito cartoon so the kids can
be entertained for those several minutes.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1248, from hmccracken, 659 chars, Sun Mar 12 21:20:13 1995
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Off to England, Possibly Off BIX
On Tuesday, I’ll be leaving on a trip to England — my first visit
there since 1973, when I lived there. I’m looking forward to it, and
hope to bring back comics- and animation-related news. But I’m not
sure if I’ll be able to tap into BIX from London or not.
So if you don’t hear from me for awhile, that’s why. ,. (I’m hoping
that one of the benefits of spending a bit of time outside of
the U.S. will be that it will be a vacation from 24-hour O.J.
Simpson coverage…Even if the TV is as O.J.-heavy in England
as it is here, I may not have access to a TV in the London flat
I’m borrowing (if I’m lucky!).
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1249, from switch, 65 chars, Sun Mar 12 21:43:46 1995
This is a comment to message 1248.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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Let us know if _Beano_ is =still= running the same comics!
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #1250, from hmccracken, 426 chars, Fri Mar 24 10:25:11 1995
This is a comment to message 1249.
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Yup, _The Beano_ is *still* running the same basic lineup of comics,
including _Dennis the Menace_ (the British version, unrelated to
Hank Ketcham’s creation) and _Korky the Cat_ (who has appeared in
every issue since the first, in 1937 — something like 2500 strips,
which may be a record).
I’ll be posting more British comics news in the days to come —
or come to our CBIX session on Sunday night for a report.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1251, from hmccracken, 732 chars, Fri Mar 24 20:36:48 1995
————————–
TITLE: Reviewing Yourself
If you read movie ads closely, you’ve probably noticed that in recent
years, the glowing quotes they feature tend more and more to come
from little-known critics — many of whom appear to believe that
every movie that comes out is an instant classic that deserves to
be showered with Oscars.
The ad campaign for Disney’s new live-action film _Tall Tale_ takes
this a step further. Along with quotes from a few obscure critics,
the commercials for the film feature a rave review from _Disney
Adventures Magazine_ which — you guessed it — is published by
Disney itself.
What a great idea! Why sit around and hope that reviewers like your
movie when you can come up with your own boffo quotes.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1252, from hmccracken, 473 chars, Sat Mar 25 13:23:37 1995
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Disney-Inspired Terror
Dagobert has been sentenced to almost eight years in a Berlin jail. The
terrorist has become a folk hero after carrying out a series of Disney-
inspired crimes involving department store bombings and an attempt
to extort more than 300,000 marks.
That’s all I know about Dagobert — except that I believe the name
“Dagobert” is the one given to Uncle Scrooge in Germany. I’d love
to know just how his crimes were inspired by Disney.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1253, from switch, 155 chars, Sat Mar 25 21:09:26 1995
This is a comment to message 1252.
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I have two articles on Dagobert here somewhere — I don’t remember any mention
that his crimes were Disney-inspired, save perhaps their flamboyance.
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #1254, from davemackey, 820 chars, Mon Mar 27 23:46:11 1995
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: “Now it’s time to say goodbye…”
Sometime in the middle of April 1995, I will be leaving BIX. I want to assure
everyone here in this conference that it was nothing any of you said or
did…
I have nothing but fond memories of this conference. We had some great
CBIX sessions, some marvelous trivia contests, and I think all of us learned
just a little bit more about animation by just our being here. And before the
great Implosion of 1992, BIX was humming every night with conversations
everywhere in General CBIX. After that July, BIX was never the same.
For the time being, if you have any urgent E-mail correspondence, please
deposit it at my alternate address, 71*******@co********.com. Pretty soon, I
will advise everyone of a new primary Internet address.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1255, from hmccracken, 180 chars, Tue Mar 28 20:29:06 1995
This is a comment to message 1254.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
There are additional comments to message 1254.
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Extremely sorry to see you go, Dave, and thanks for your incredibly large
contributions to the conference over the past five years.
Let’s have a CBIX bash before you go!
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1256, from hmccracken, 626 chars, Tue Mar 28 20:37:17 1995
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Farewell, Opus
Berkeley Breathed’s _Outland_ ended last Sunday — and with it, the Bloom
County characters have left the nation’s comics pages for the second time.
_Outland_ never lived up to the great moments of the original _Bloom
County_ in the 1980s, but I’ll miss Opus, Binkley, and the rest of
the gang.
Breathed seems to have lost interest in newspaper cartooning, so we
probably won’t see his creations return to the funny pages anytime
soon. But he’s active in animation, multimedia, and children’s book
publishing, and it’s a safe bet that Opus and company will continue
to visit us in those media.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1257, from hmccracken, 2910 chars, Tue Mar 28 20:51:40 1995
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: London Report
I had a great time during my recent vacation in London. In the space
of seven days, we did four plays, the Tower of London, several museums,
Harrods, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, a bunch of interesting
restaurants, Portobello Road, Picadilly Circus, and the incomprable
Madame Tussauds.
I also did my best to partake of animation and comics-related activities,
but London really isn’t a big cartoon town. The UK’s fascination with
things American extends to its cartoon culture, and I saw a lot more
signs of U.S. cartoon characters than English ones during my travels.
The Disney characters are everywhere in London (oddly enough, _The
Aristocats_ is already available there on home video, though _The
Lion King_ isn’t), and the Warner gang is nearly as omnipresent.
The British comics industry has evolved strikingly from its state
when I used to live in London — there are a lot of comics, but
most of them are American-style ones that star American characters.
(Even Calvin and Hobbes appear in a weekly comic book over there.)
I thought I might get a real taste of British comics by visiting
Forbidden Planet, London’s biggest comics shop, but no such luck.
The place is huge, but it devotes no more space to home-grown,
English comics that you’d find in a U.S. comics store — maybe less,
as a matter of fact. It’s full of American comic books, Star
Trek merchandise, and videos of Hollywood films.
I did discover one place that was truly devoted to British cartooning —
the National Museum of Cartoon Art. Despite the grandiose name, this
turned out to be a smallish gallery; they’re working on funding to
build a more ambitious museum. Still, it housed an excellent exhibit
of WWII cartoons by the wonderful newspaper cartoonist Giles, and
I happened to visit on a day when a meeting was going on of cartoonists
and others interested in reviving _Punch_ magazine, which ceased
publication a couple of years ago after 150 years. Cartoonist Bill
Tidy presided, and explained that seven or eight media companies
have turned down his proposals for jump-starting _Punch_. He’s still
working on the project, and if any wealthy BIXen want to invest
a few million pounds in the idea, he’d love to hear from them.
The museum’s bookshop featured a decent number of volumes, but nearly
all of them were either by or about Giles; he seems to be the one
British cartoonist that the British take seriously. It’s a little like
the old days in the U.S., when there were lots of books on Disney and
almost none on any other sort of animation.
Come to think of it, the British just aren’t very serious about
appreciating their own pop culture. The fact that the Beatles are
recording some new songs, which was announced while I was there,
merited only minor newspaper coverage, but Elvis Presley is everywhere
you turn in London.
Even so, I can’t wait to go back again!
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1258, from elfhive, 417 chars, Tue Mar 28 22:22:38 1995
This is a comment to message 1257.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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Well, Wallace and Gromit are pretty popular in the UK. I think you’ll
also find more animation in their television ads. There is another
animated series I wish would become available in the US, that’s
Terry Pratchett’s _Truckers_.
Did you catch the PBS special of Nick Parks’ _The Wrong Trousers_ along
with _Inside The Wrong Trousers_. That’s finally available on VHS here.
Now if only they would make a laserdisc!
==========================
animation/inkwell #1259, from hmccracken, 506 chars, Wed Mar 29 07:20:50 1995
This is a comment to message 1258.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
That’s right — I should have mentioned that there was a lot of Wallace and
Gromi-related merchandise around, including videos, books, and T-shirts.
(Also a lot of interesting Tintin stuff, by the way.) I didn’t watch
too much TV, but the ads I did catch were an assortment of brilliant
animated ones and fake American-style ones (including one for
“American-style chocolate-chip cookies” in which a typical youngster
who’s allegedly from Vermont bits into a cookie and exclaims,
“Thanks, mum!”).
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1260, from elfhive, 319 chars, Wed Mar 29 10:46:27 1995
This is a comment to message 1259.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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You, uh, didn’t bring back a box full of Wallace and Gromit stuff? Not even
the wonderful “Have yo
u seen this Chicken?” wanted poster on a t-shirt!
I forgot to do that when I was in London over New Year’s. I should see
some of that at Intersection, the World Science Fiction Convention in Glasgow
this August, though.
==========================
animation/inkwell #1261, from hmccracken, 193 chars, Wed Mar 29 11:10:11 1995
This is a comment to message 1260.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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I did bring back a Gromit T-shirt for a friend. But if I had brought
back everything I was tempted to purchase, my descendants would
be paying off my debts for the next hundred years!
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1262, from elfhive, 77 chars, Wed Mar 29 21:12:32 1995
This is a comment to message 1261.
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Guess you haven’t heard about deficit spending then? It’s all the vogue!
==========================
animation/inkwell #1263, from switch, 87 chars, Wed Mar 29 21:20:30 1995
This is a comment to message 1254.
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Sad goodbyes from here, Dave. Your contributions to ‘animation’ will be
missed.
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #1264, from switch, 18 chars, Wed Mar 29 21:20:41 1995
This is a comment to message 1255.
————————–
Great idea!
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #1265, from davemackey, 262 chars, Sat Apr 1 07:03:10 1995
This is a comment to message 1256.
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Opus is better off shooting flying toasters. I agree with you that “Outland”
was never as good as Bloom County. Moral: if it’s signed “B. Breathed”, don’t
read it. If it’s signed “BREATHED” written backwards, it’s ok to do so.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1266, from davemackey, 2231 chars, Mon Apr 10 06:38:24 1995
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
TITLE: Closing Thoughts
As I prepare to pack up and leave BIX, I marvel at how my life and my
animated tastes have changed since I posted my first message, way back on
November 14, 1989. I said at the time, “If I can be of some help, so be it.”
I hope I helped someone here. I don’t know the exact count, but I figure
that of the 14,994 messages posted to the animation conference in the last
5-1/2 years, I think I authored about 11,000 of them. It has been my pleasure
and my privilege to be able to impart my knowledge of animation to others.
Back in November of 1989, I was still working in radio, living at home
with my family, still single. Now, I work in Cable TV, I’m out on my own now,
and I’m married now. But I still have that cartoon bug. In the time since
joining BIX, I have built up a resume of published animated criticism and
joined — and eventually became central mailer of — APATOONS. I’ve also
watched my tastes in animation change from being a follower of the
fad-of-the-moment animated series of the time to more of an expert in several
specialized areas. These will be the focus of a series of pages I am
currently developing for use on the World Wide Web.
The man I have to thank for any success I’ve ever had in animation
fandom is Harry McCracken. It was Harry who suggested I join BIX in the first
place, and also encouraged me to try my hand at contributions for “Animato!”,
which he was editing at the time. When he decided he didn’t want to run
APATOONS anymore, he felt confident enough in my skills to hand it off to me.
I feel honored and privileged to know Harry. He has a knack of bringing any
enterprise he’s associated with into that much classier an operation; witness
“Animato!”‘s peak years when he was editing it.
It’s been a hell of a five and a half years, and I hate to see it end.
But in the words of Arsenio Hall, “it’s time.”
Whenever the game-show emcee Bob Eubanks closed down a show, he would
invariably say during the last moments of the final episode, “There are no
goodbyes in this business. Just ‘until next time”s.” Those are my sentiments
exactly. Stay animated, everyone… and see you next time on the Internet.
–Dave
==========================
animation/inkwell #1267, from hmccracken, 319 chars, Mon Apr 10 16:39:25 1995
This is a comment to message 1266.
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Dave — Thanks for the kind words, and many more thanks for all you’ve
contributed to this conference. Please let us know when and how we’ll
be able to visit your web pages, too.
We masy be losing Dave, but we won’t be entirely Mackey-less, since
Robair (also an excellent contributor to the group) wil still be here.
==========================
animation/inkwell #1268, from hmccracken, 671 chars, Sat Apr 15 11:38:53 1995
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: The Coyote Joins the NBA
I’ve mentioned McDonald’s current promotional campaign which
features the Looney Tunes characters, and which includes some
nicely-done live-action/animation commercials.
The campaign also involves keepsake drinking cups that show
the Warner characters playing basketball against NBA stars,
and one of the cups features Wile E. Coyote going one-on-one
with Larry Johnson. As a purist, I object to this cup —
one of Chuck Jones’s rules about Road Runner cartoons is
that they should include only the Road Runner and the Coyote.
It just doesn’t seem right to show Wile E. with another
character, let alone a real live human being.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1269, from mikester, 423 chars, Sat Apr 15 21:16:53 1995
This is a comment to message 1268.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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Re: The Coyote Joins the NBA
>one of Chuck Jones’s rules about Road Runner cartoons is
>that they should include only the Road Runner and the Coyote.
>It just doesn’t seem right to show Wile E. with another
>character, let alone a real live human being.
But Wile E. _has_ done cartoons with Bugs. He’s also doubled as “Ralph the
Wolf” in the wolf vs sheepdog co-worker cartoons.
—Mike (Running Galahad and Windows 95)
==========================
animation/inkwell #1270, from hmccracken, 220 chars, Sun Apr 16 01:43:57 1995
This is a comment to message 1269.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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I know — Jones has broken his own rules. But except for _Operation
Rabbit_, it never worked that well. (I think the wolf in the
sheepdog cartoons is a different fellow. His personality certainly
is different.)
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1271, from ddsnell, 165 chars, Tue Apr 18 01:53:15 1995
This is a comment to message 1270.
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[hmccracken on 16-Apr-1995]
Nahh. It just shows that Wile E. has a greater acting range than
he ever gets to show in those Road Runner cartoons.
–dds
==========================
animation/inkwell #1272, from hmccracken, 836 chars, Mon Apr 24 02:05:58 1995
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TITLE: Wondercon 9
This afternoon, I went to Wondercon 9 here in San Francisco
(or actually next door in Oakland, to be more specific).
It was a nice, medium-sized comic book convention (which
I would have mentioned here earlier, except I just found
out about it).
Among the events I attended were an interesting panel discussion
on humor in comics, with Sergio Aragones, Donna Barr, and
Don Rosa, and a Summer movie preview that included the trailer\
for _Casper_ and short movies about _Pocahontas_ and _Batman Forever_.
_Casper_ looks like it will have great special effects — it’s in
live action, except for the ghosts, who are done with 3-d computer
animation. _Batman Forever_ didn’t look too promisig, though.
(You might be more interested in the film than I am if you can
stand Jim Carrey, who plays _The Riddler_.)
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1273, from hmccracken, 550 chars, Mon May 1 22:24:10 1995
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TITLE: Updike on Cartooning
The third issue of _Hogan’s Alley_ magazine will feature some
cartoons that John Updike drew as a Harvard student in the 1950s,
plus Updike’s thoughts on his life-long interest in cartooning.
The distinguished novelist and essayist reports that he can
still draw “a serviceable Mickey Mouse,” and says that it wasn’t
until he was well through college that he became fairly sure that
he wanted to be a writer rather than a cartoonist. Writing, Updike
says, “required fewer ideas, and I seemed to be better at it.”
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1274, from hmccracken, 1156 chars, Sun May 21 14:10:23 1995
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TITLE: Los Angeles Trip
I made a very short trip to Los Angeles yesterday, and have the
following animation-related items to report:
* I had been wondering here in the conference recently whether
the Dudley Do-Right Emporium, the store devoted entirely to
Bullwinkle merchandise, was still open. I happened to drive
past it when it was open (it has very limited operating hours),
and stopped in, so I can confirm that it’s still alive and well.
The store is operated by Jay Ward’s widow, and has a very
eccentric collection of offering, some of which seem to have
been lingering on the shelves for twenty or more years.
Two doors down, in front of the building that once housed the
Jay Ward Studios (it’s now a fortune teller’s shop) is the
Bullwinkle statue, a marvelous monument that I always try to
visit when in LA. It’s as wonderful as ever, but looks like
it could use some repair — the moose is suffering a rather
large hole in his ankle.
* Not too long ago, we were discussing which cartoon characters
and cartoonists have stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. I
came across one yesterday whom I don’t think we mentioned —
Snow White.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1275, from robairmackey, 110 chars, Fri May 26 21:30:26 1995
————————–
TITLE: Friz Freleng is Dead
Friday, May 26, 1995.
Friz Freleng passed away this morning.
He was 88.
==========================
animation/inkwell #1276, from hmccracken, 297 chars, Mon May 29 01:28:43 1995
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TITLE: From Walt to Kato
Now in bookstores is a volume purportedly based on a series of taped
interviews with O.J. Simpson’s buddy Kato Kaelin. The author,
Marc Eliot, is the same guy who wrote _Walt Disney: Hollywood’s
Dark Prince_, which accused Disney of being a drug-abusing FBI
spy.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1277, from hmccracken, 456 chars, Tue May 30 01:40:07 1995
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Fast Food Fistfights
In a current McDonalds’ TV ad, Spiderman and several of his arch enemies
are seen at a McDonalds; in a similar one for Hardee’s, the X-Men
are shown slugging it out with some super villains on the premises of
a Hardee’s.
Of course, the ads are meant to promote toys aimed at kids. But I find
them a little creepy — I have these visions of innocent, hamburger-
chewing bystanders being slaughtered by the crossfire…
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1278, from switch, 55 chars, Tue May 30 22:02:40 1995
This is a comment to message 1277.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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But that adds to the excitement of eating there!
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #1279, from hmccracken, 445 chars, Wed Jun 14 01:50:00 1995
This is a comment to message 1278.
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Arrrgghh! Superhero fights at fast-food places continue, at least
in commercials. McDonald’s latest ad not only shows Batman stopping
at the Drive-Thru in the Batmobile (which would scare the heck out
of me), but also depicts the Riddler purchasing a meal inside.
First question: Does McDonald’s really want to show a murderous, insane
super-villain habituating its restaurant?
Second question: Wouldn’t the Riddler *steal* his food?
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1280, from hmccracken, 500 chars, Wed Jul 5 22:44:59 1995
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TITLE: Italian boy dives from window, “just like Bugs”
For decades, there have been reports — possibly unfounded —
of kids jumping off buildings, in emulation of Superman, and
meeting untimely deaths.
On today’s newswire, there’s a similar story about an Italian
lad, but with a couple of twists. First, he survived his leap
from a second-story window unscathed. Second, the boy was imitating
Bugs Bunny, not Superman.
So in what cartoon does Bugs Bunny leap from a second-story window?
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1281, from hmccracken, 346 chars, Mon Jul 24 19:23:27 1995
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
TITLE: Gee, It’s Quiet in Here…
Anyone seen any interesting animation (or read any interesting comics)
lately?
I must admit that I haven’t, but that will change later this week, when
I travel down to San Diego to attend the gigantic Comicon there — my
first one in five years. Naturally, I’ll be posting reports from the
show here.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1282, from dgh, 963 chars, Tue Jul 25 00:59:49 1995
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Hmmmm… Ok, I’ll talk.
I recently watched La Blue Girl (the uncensored version from Anime 18, the
US Manga Corps “adult” label). Wow! A strange combination of martial arts,
demons, and sex. The violence is graphic. Sex between humans is tame (on a
par with Showtime’s Red Shoe Diaries). However, sex between humans and
demons is *very* graphic. Plot? Oh, yeah! I guess there was a plot…
One Ninja clan has stayed in power by controlling the demons with an
ancient agreement and a control device. Another Ninja clan has been trying,
with zero success, to wrest away that control. After hundreds of years,
they finally succeed when they kill our heroines grandmother. Then the
demons accidentally kidnap her sister in her place and she must rescue the
sister. However, the rival clan still has the control device (she never
went after it, so it’s not like I’m giving anything away), so there’s
undoubtedly a sequel…
,
|) /\ \/ | +)
==========================
animation/inkwell #1283, from dgh, 181 chars, Tue Jul 25 00:59:54 1995
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————————–
I also recently watched Project A-Ko Final. And here I thought it couldn’t
get any lamer than the first three… I will *not* be renting the 2nd series.
,
|) /\ \/ | +)
==========================
animation/inkwell #1284, from dgh, 338 chars, Tue Jul 25 01:00:01 1995
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————————–
I also recently watched “Otaku No Video”, which is an animation story of how
a boy falls in with the Otaku crowd and becomes Otaking (King of all Otaku).
Interspersed with the animated plot are profiles of actual Otaku. The anime
plot was very good and the profiles were very interesting.
Highly recommended.
,
|) /\ \/ | +)
==========================
animation/inkwell #1285, from dgh, 4177 chars, Tue Jul 25 01:00:51 1995
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————————–
I’ve been renting two or three anime a week for a while now (at only $2.50
for full-length tapes and $1.25 for short ones, it’s very affordable).
Unless otherwise noted, all tapes are in Japanese with subtitles.
“Oh My Goddess” is a love story in five (short) volumes.
Highly recommended.
“Urusei Yatsuru”, unoffically knows as “Lum”, is available in three formats,
all of which I highly recommend. This is what can only be called wierd
humor. The three formats are as follows: 1) Japanese TV episodes, packaged
four to a tape in 15 volumes; 2) Movies, packaged one per tape in 6 volumes;
and 3) Direct video releases, called OVAs, packaged two to a tape (except
for volume 1) in 6 volumes.
Highly recommended.
“Bubblegum Crisis” is a “fighting babes in robo-armor” series in 8 volumes
(a second series is called “Bubblegum Crash”). I’ve seen the first two
volumes, which were very good. However, I made the mistake of watching the
2nd one in the English-dubbed version. What lousy voice-acting! Stick to
the original Japanese with subtitles.
Recommended.
“Orange Road” is another love story in 5 volumes (long ones, though, with
two episodes per tape, except for the final volume which is a “movie”).
Others may tell you that you can safely skip the first volume and may even
call it “boring”, but I won’t go that far. It’s not as interesting as the
other volumes, but it is required watching, because it lays the foundation
upon with the excellent character devleopment is built. Don’t skip Vol. 1.
Highly recommended.
“Dominion Tank Police” is a 4-volume series about a post-modern tank police
squad in a big city. This is comedy of the highest order, with an overall
plot that is subtly sustained throughout the series, leading to a tear-
jerker of an ending.
Recommended.
“New Dominion Tank Police” is a new series with the same characters from
“Domintion Tank Police”. I’ve only seen Volume 1, which was *excellently*
dubbed in English.
Recommended.
“Gall Force” is a 3-volume series about two ancient space-faring races,
each from a different galaxy, battling it out for supremacy. I’ve only
been able to find the first two volumes, but it sure looked like volume
2 ended the series (with an ironic, but not unexpected, twist).
Recommended.
I’ve seen two other “Gall Force” videos. The first of these two was “Gall
Force: Earth Chapter 1”. The label on the tape actually said “Gall Force:
Gairath” (or something like that), which confused both me and the comic
store lady, but it turned out to be “Earth Chapter 1” when I watched it.
Recommended.
The other is “????? Gall Force” (I can’t recall what the first word was)
that turned out to actually precede “Gall Force: Earth Chapter 1”. Wierd
naming, I tell you. (There was *nothing* in this volume that tied it to the
original “Gall Force” series, other than the animation style, but “Earth
Chapter 1” just barely managed to tie into the original series at the very
end).
Recommended.
Available soon, according to “The Right Stuff” catalog (February 1995) are
“Gall Force Shinseikihen” 1 and 2 and “Gall Force Earth Chapter” 2 and 3.
“A Wind Named Amnesia” is an interesting fairy tale about the fall of the
earth and its possible salvation by a persistent young man. It’s hard to
describe, so I won’t even try it, but I think it’s well worth watching, as
it’s quite thought-provoking.
Recommended.
I’ll mention just one more: Imagine a father and son fleeing from a
ruthless corporation. Imagine that the son finds a cat (“neku” in
Japanese). Imagine that a crack fighter squadron (ok, so it’s just
one jet and a pair of bickering hench-women who couldn’t hit the broad
side of a barn) manages to kill the cat (quite by accident and without
even knowing that they did it). Imagine that the father is a crack
robo-scientist (no, really) who happens to have a nearly-completed
android in the back of the Land Rover. Well, then you end up with
the hilariously funny “Cat Girl Nuku Nuku” about a strange family.
So, is there any connection between “neku” (cat) and “Nuku Nuku” (the
name of the cat girl)? Don’t ask me, ’cause I don’t know!
Highly recommended.
,
|) /\ \/ | +)
==========================
animation/inkwell #1286, from elfhive, 245 chars, Tue Jul 25 12:44:55 1995
This is a comment to message 1284.
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Otaku no Video is a thinly veiled self-parody of the boys who created Gainax
Studios and brought you Wings of Honneamise, Gunbuster and Nadia. It’s more
fun for those “in the know” as it were, but certainly an amusing video
for any anime lover.
==========================
animation/inkwell #1287, from switch, 1307 chars, Tue Jul 25 22:13:54 1995
This is a comment to message 1281.
————————–
I’ve been busily watching and reviewing stuff for fps #6, watching tapes
from a friend who gets FOX, and trying to catch up on my own backlog.
The short version:
Hello Kitty (FHE): They’re cute, they’re lovable, and I really enjoy
watching them. I don’t know why. But they’re fun.
Keroppi and Friends (FHE): Kitty’s frog pal. See above.
Batman: TAS: Since my buddy got FOX, he’s been taping some shows for me
as fast as I can feed him tapes. As a result, I’ve been catching up on
the Batman episodes I missed when my other FOX-equipped friend lost the
use of his VCR. Having just watched “Second Chance”, “Lock Up”, and both
parts of “Shadow of the Bat”, I must say I am constantly impressed. I
would really like to see another shot at an animated movie, but with TMS
or Spectrum handling the animation.
The Tick: I *love* this show. Don’t get me started.
Dangaio: Re-watched this one for a review to go in Sci-Fi Entertainment.
This is a very cool mecha action flick. A real no-brainer, but it brings
together all the cliches and tweaks everything to perfection. Lots of
fun for us old-school types.
Pocahontas: Loved it. Can’t wait for Toy Story.
Crying Freeman: Streamline’s dubs are improving. And I found myself
liking this more than when I first saw it in ’89 or so.
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #1288, from switch, 217 chars, Tue Jul 25 22:17:41 1995
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————————–
Actually, “neko” is the word for cat. And I suspect “nuku nuku” is some
form of onomatopaeia.
As for Gaiarth — are you referring to Genesis Survivor Gaiarth? I wasn’t
aware that it was linked to Gall Force.
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #1289, from dgh, 176 chars, Thu Jul 27 01:48:27 1995
This is a comment to message 1288.
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I may have that word wrong, but I’m pretty sure it started with G. There’s
no connection between it and Genesis Survivor Gaiarth as far as I know.
,
|) /\ \/ | +)
==========================
animation/inkwell #1290, from dgh, 89 chars, Thu Jul 27 21:23:40 1995
This is a comment to message 1285.
————————–
That word I couldn’t recall was Rhea (as in Rhea Gall Force).
,
|) /\ \/ | +)
==========================
animation/inkwell #1291, from hmccracken, 927 chars, Sun Aug 6 18:51:49 1995
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
————————–
TITLE: _Animato_ #32 is out…
…and features, among other things:
* A lengthy article about censorship in animation
* An article about the upcoming _Gumby_ theatrical film
* A look at _Pocahontas_
* A profile of Goofy
* A piece about Bluto, Popeye’s nemesis
* An episode guide to _Swat Kats_
* An article about the animated special effects in the _Power Rangers_
film
* The truth behind the creation of Casper
* An interview with Space Ghost
* An article about current comic-book adaptations of animated films
* A column on Canadian animation
* A department about cartoon voices
* A special section of anime reviews
* Reviews and news
* A column by me on the San Francisco animation scene
* A reprint of a tribute to Friz Freleng I wrote in 1988
* And more
Whew! _Animato_ #32 weighs in at 72 pages, costs $4.50, and is available
at comic shops and book stores (including the Borders and Barnes and
Noble chains).
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1292, from hkenner, 185 chars, Sun Aug 6 19:14:39 1995
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————————–
Harry–
I’ve just encountered, on a local newsstand, *Animation*
magazine.
Help me. Who’s it for? I normally get such info from the
ads, but they make no sense whatsoever.
–HK
==========================
animation/inkwell #1293, from elfhive, 297 chars, Sun Aug 6 19:47:16 1995
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[C*Animation* is pretty much aimed at the industry. The articles seem to
focus on new technological developments and once in a while on the
philosophy of various animators. It doesn’t do much in the way of historical
coverage. It has a big section at the end on collecting cels and backgrounds.
==========================
animation/inkwell #1294, from hmccracken, 488 chars, Tue Aug 8 22:47:00 1995
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————————–
Hugh, as Elf says, _Animation_ is largely a trade journal for the
animation industry, full of articles on studio executives, news
about awards, and the like. It does carry some reviews and
historical material, but it’s mostly a cheerleader for the
animation business such as it currently stands, not a critical
journal.
It’s been around for close to ten years — it’s the second oldest
mainstream American magazine about animation, after _Animato_
(which was founded in 1983).
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1295, from elfhive, 229 chars, Tue Aug 8 23:41:30 1995
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————————–
I believe Terry Thoren is behind Animation, the man who brings us the
International Animation Festival shorts in theatrical release?
Also, wasn’t there a hiatus in the publishing continuity for _Animation_
about four years ago?
==========================
animation/inkwell #1296, from hmccracken, 369 chars, Wed Aug 9 00:00:16 1995
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————————–
That’s right — Terry founded _Animation_, and is the producer
of the Animation Tournees and other touring festivals. In fact, the
magazine began as a promotional tabloid for his film shows.
I’m not sure if there was ever a lengthy time when _Animation_
went unpublished, but Thoren sold it to a company that closed,
then bought it back about four years ago.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1297, from hkenner, 162 chars, Wed Aug 9 13:33:12 1995
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————————–
Thanks, Elf & Harry! Main puzzlement for was the ads, which tended
to use up a quarter-page providing some small studio’s name, address
and phone number.
–HK
==========================
animation/inkwell #1298, from switch, 169 chars, Wed Aug 9 18:45:11 1995
This is a comment to message 1296.
————————–
Thoren himself is now president of Klasky-Csupo, so I don’t think he has much
time for the Tournees (there isn’t one this year, though that may be a
coincidence.)
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #1299, from elfhive, 262 chars, Thu Aug 10 01:10:35 1995
This is a comment to message 1297.
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I actually have been noticing a dramatic increase in ads from major studios
seeking illustrators and animators. This is very different that from even
two years ago. There appears to be a serious amount of activity in animation
in the US. It is very encouraging.
==========================
animation/inkwell #1300, from hmccracken, 401 chars, Sun Sep 17 00:12:59 1995
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————————–
TITLE: Snoopy on the Shuttle
It’s a tradition for NASA’s grounds crew to wake up the shuttle astronauts
with a bit of appropriate music? Today’s selection for the astronauts
aboard the Endeavor? Vince Girauldi’s _Linus and Lucy_, the classic tune from
the _Peanuts_ specials. Apparently, for some reason the Endeavor crew is
known as “the dog crew,” and the mujsic was a reference to Snoopy.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1301, from peabo, 257 chars, Sun Sep 17 00:21:08 1995
This is a comment to message 1300.
————————–
Well, the end of summer is often called “the dog days”, a reference to Sirius,
Orion’s faithful hound (probably because the constellation is especially
prominent in the Northern hemisphere this time of year).
Perhpas medtek or petemanly would know?
peter
==========================
animation/inkwell #1303, from hmccracken, 523 chars, Sun Sep 24 00:07:52 1995
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————————–
TITLE: Margaret Makes the News
Margaret, Dennis the Menace’s red-haired friend/sparring partner, usually
isn’t terribly controversial. But surprisingly enough, she was recently
banned by Wal-Mart.
To be exact, Wal-Mart stopped selling a Margaret T-shirt — on which
she says that “Some day a woman will be president” — after complaints
that this sentiment was anti-family values (?). When word of this got
out, the company was further criticized for withdrawing the shirt —
so Margaret is now back at Wal-Mart.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1304, from switch, 34 chars, Sun Sep 24 17:19:28 1995
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————————–
“Anti-family values?”
Woo.
Emru
==========================
animation/inkwell #1305, from peabo, 52 chars, Mon Sep 25 00:35:10 1995
This is a comment to message 1304.
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It’s enough to make you want to cry “uncle”.
peter
==========================
animation/inkwell #1306, from hmccracken, 368 chars, Sat Sep 30 21:05:02 1995
————————–
TITLE: Grampy is Back
As we’ve discussed here before, there’s a current trend going on — using
brief, almost subliminal clips from old cartoons in TV commercials.
A current example: An ad for MCI’s computer-related services uses a quick
piece of animation starring Grampy, Betty Boop’s inventing grandfather,
who appeared in many of the later Boop cartoons.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1307, from hmccracken, 599 chars, Sat Sep 30 21:08:18 1995
————————–
TITLE: Reddy Turns Lobbyist
Grampy isn’t the only retired cartoon character who has reappeared.
Reddy Kilowatt, the fellow with a light bulb for a head and a lightning-bolt
body, appears in a current magazine advertorial protesting the Rio treaty,
which has something to do with the environment and which is opposed, apparently,
by electric companies.
Reddy, who used to spend his time appearing in electric company ads touting
the wonders of electrical power, was always a favorite of mine. I’m not sure
how I feel about his present activities, but it *is* good to see him up and
about.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1308, from hmccracken, 517 chars, Tue Nov 7 01:29:13 1995
————————–
TITLE: Happy Birthday, Mr. Fresh
Tuesday is the thirtieth birthday of Poppin Fresh, known to you
/and me as the Pillsbury Doughboy. As reported in a nice
_USA Today_ story, the Doughboy is one of the most enduringly
popular TV spokescharacters. After a period of relatively
little prominence in the 1980s, the Doughboy is once again
the center of attention in Pillsbury ads.
So here’s to Poppin Fresh, along with Tony the Tiger, Charlie
the Tuna, Punchy, and the other veterans of TV commercial
/animation.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1309, from hmccracken, 513 chars, Tue Nov 7 01:33:10 1995
————————–
TITLE: Mutt and Jeff: Not P.C.
Today’s (Monday’s) _New York Times_ has an article on the
U.S. Post Office’s comics stamps, which says that Mutt and
Jeff didn’t get a stamp because it proved impossible to
find any artwork of them in which they weren’t hitting
each other. (A pretty poor excuse — I could have provided
/them with 500 examples.)
The story also explains that the image used of Popeye was
not drawn by E.C. Segar, his creator, for similar reasons:
Segar’s art was too violent and grotesque.
–Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1310, from mikebryant, 376 chars, Tue Jan 16 23:40:41 1996
————————–
TITLE: Dirty Pair: Fatal but not serious
This book has supposedly been out since November but I just picked up the
last issue #5 tonight.
Possible SPoilers…
I’m confused. Adam apparently left the clone Yuri alive while killing off
the original Yuri. What happend to all the self-destruct measures mentioned
in issue #2 to ensure that the clone killed herself off?
==========================
animation/inkwell #1311, from hmccracken, 1466 chars, Mon Mar 18 13:21:41 1996
————————–
TITLE: This has nothing to do with animation, but…
…it’s too funny not to share.
I go to the Barnes and Noble bookstore in downtown Boston to
browse at lunchtime. Alan Dershowitz is there to sign copies
of his new book on the O.J. Simpson trial. He’s standing behind
a table piled high with copies of the book.
Unfortunately, none of the customers in the crowded bookstore
seem remotely interested in buying a copy of Dershowitz’s book. In fact,
nobody cares enough to even stop and gawk at him as a celebrity. He simply
stands there, wearing his jacket and clutching some papers, talking
nervously to a B&N employee.
Eventually, Dershowitz wanders off towards a nearby display of books (not
his) and begins to browse. Then he disappears altogether — perhaps to
another section of the large store.
Then, finally, a customer appears who’s interested in Dershowitz’s book.
It’s a very small, very elderly man wearing a trenchcoat and fedora. He
walks with a cane. He begins to flip through the book, then asks a B&N
employee if it would be all right if he sat down in the chair behind the
table — the one that was meant for the absent Dershowitz. It’s okay, so
the elderly man sits down behind the stacks of the O.J. book.
At that point I left, but I’d love to think that some Dershowitz fan
arrived at that point and had the little old man sign a copy of the book
— wondering all the while why the famed attorney looked so much older in
person.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1312, from hmccracken, 1030 chars, Sat May 18 20:54:42 1996
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————————–
TITLE: What do Chuck Jones and the Big Boy have in common?
The Big Boy being, of course, the small boy, clad in checked overalls,
who is the mascot of the hamburger chain that began in Los Angeles in
the 1930s?
What they have in common is Ben Washam, who was an animator for Jones
for many years and a high school chum of Bob Wian, the founder of
the Bob’s Big Boy chain. Wian devised a double decker sandwich and
named it after the nickname of a chubby youngster who hung around
his hamburger stand; Washam drew a cartoon version of the kid,
and the rest is history. (Washam’s drawing doesn’t look quite
like the Big Boy we know and love today — the original version
was, believe it or not, a little more portly, and his overalls
drooped a bit more.)
I gleaned this bit of trivia from _Car Hops and Curb Service_, a new
book by Jim Heilman about the golden age of the American drive-in
restaurant. Heilman has Washam’s name as “Benny Woshum,” but I am
indebted to him for the information. And the book is excellent.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1313, from hmccracken, 586 chars, Sat May 18 21:15:45 1996
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————————–
TITLE: Trivia Night in the Works
It’s high time that we had another BIX Animation Conference Trivia
Night! As usual, we’ll have a competition that tests your animation/
comics knowledge (though it’s all multiple-choice, so intelligent
guessing also works). As usual, we’ll have prizes — interesting
books and magazines.
All we need is a date. If you’re interested in participating —
and Trivia Nights are always a lot of fun — please feel free
to mention a day of the week or time of day/night. We’d like
to schedule it so that as many members as possible can
participate.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1314, from lkaplan, 657 chars, Sun May 19 13:13:50 1996
This is a comment to message 1312.
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————————–
Re: What do Chuck Jones and the Big Boy have in common?
Neat bit of information, thanks for posting that! How far back do drive-in
restaurants date?
There seem to be a bunch of good “history of popular culture” books out
there … I’ve got John Baeder’s books on diners, gas stations, and motels,
and I’ll probably pick up one of the books on gas stations at some point.
Of course, you’ve just gotten me to add another book to my list
(BTW, we have a 30-year-old “A&W” drive-in a half-hour south of here …
you still order from your car, the girls hang a tray off your window, and,
if you’re inside, you order using a telephone at your table)
-Len
==========================
animation/inkwell #1315, from hmccracken, 2377 chars, Mon May 20 22:11:49 1996
This is a comment to message 1314.
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I’m not entirely sure why, but I have a deep interest in drive-in
restaurants and their history and lore. I’m too young to remember the’
Golden Age of the drive-in, but there were still quite a few of them
when I was growing up in Portland, Oregon in the 1970s. We lived near
a fine one called the Arctic Circle, part of a chain which featured
a Foghorn Leghorn-like rooster as its mascot. And I also have memories
of a Kentucky Fried Chicken drive-in that bore a HUGE neon sign reading
“SPECK” on its roof. (Speck, no relation to the mass murderer that I
know of, was the man who was the local franchisee for KFC.)
There are a surprising number of books about drive-in restaurants and
related topics, and what’s even more surprising is that most of them
are quite good, with little overlap with each other. A brief bibliography
of ones other than this new one I mentioned:
Orange Roofs and Golden Arches: The Architecture of American Chain
Restaurants (Philip Langdon, 1986): Despite the title, this book is
the closest thing to an all-encompassing history of American fast
food that I know of. It’s also one of the best bookd that I’ve
ever read on any topic, somehow striking the right balance between
seriousness and informality.
Googie: Fifties Coffee Shop Architecture (Alan Hess, 1985): Another
wonderful book, one that focuses on the coffee shops of 1950s
Southern California. It features a guide to those that were still
standing as of its publication date — it would be invaluable if it
wasn’t for the sad fact that so many of them have been torn down
in the last ten years.
Hamburger Heaven (Jeffrey Tennyson, 1993): This book claims to be the
“Illustrated History of the Hamburger,” but it’s mostly about
fast-food chains of the past. The text is a little fluffy, but
the illustrations are fine.
The American Drive-In: History and Folklore of the Drive-In Restaurant
in American Car Culture (Michael Karl Witzel, 1994): The text here
is a disorganized hodgepodge, but there’s lots of interesting information
and the lavish color photos are hard to beat.
There’s also a fine book on the White Tower chain — one of the first
fast-food organizations. I’ve misplaced my copy, so I can’t provide
details.
Oh, as for your question: this new book on drive-ins traces their
origin to the Pig Stand, a wonderfully-named Texas chain that
started in 1921.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1316, from hmccracken, 143 chars, Mon May 20 22:13:02 1996
This is a comment to message 1313.
————————–
What, is nobody interested in a Trivia Night? Will we have to
distribute our prizes to starving orphans rather than to
brainy BIXen?
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1317, from hmccracken, 1245 chars, Mon Jul 8 21:50:28 1996
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————————–
TITLE: The Return of Freberg
In 1961, comedian and sometime voice actor Stan Freberg released an album
entitled _Stan Freberg’s History of the United States of America, Part I_.
You can be forgiven if you gave up waiting for part two, but thirty-five
years later, it’s finally here. (I heard both parts as a Fourth of July
special on my local public radio station, but they’re also available on
CD.)
The quick way to review part two is to say that if you loved part one,
you’ll love part two. And if you’ve never heard Freberg but are a fan of
Jay Ward’s Fractured Fairy Tales and Mr. Peabody’s Improbable History,
you’ll undoubredly be a fan of Freberg’s fractured approach to U.S.
history, too. In fact, the two parts comprise a remarkably seamless whole;
Freberg’s voice and sensibility really haven’t changed much over the
years, and the humor and music are consistent throughout. I’d love to know
when he began writing part two — much of it has an early 60s feel to it,
but there are also references to the Internet and other tipoffs that it’s
a new piece.
Between parts one and two, you’ll hear the acting of several fine cartoon
performers, including June Foray, Paul Frees, Lorenzo Music, Corey Burton,
and Freberg himself.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1318, from peabo, 97 chars, Tue Jul 9 00:08:22 1996
This is a comment to message 1317.
————————–
“… that Life, Liberty, and the Purfuit of Domain Name Service, shall not
be denied …”
peter
==========================
animation/inkwell #1319, from hmccracken, 321 chars, Wed Jul 10 21:29:50 1996
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TITLE: Moviegoers’ Gain is Commercial Watchers’ Loss
Pixar, the computer-animation studio that produced _Toy Story_ for Disney,
has announced that it will no longer make computer-generated TV commercials.
It’s so busy with its upcoming theatrical projects that it can’t spare the
resources needed to do TV work.
– Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1320, from sfmcnally, 84 chars, Thu Jul 11 13:03:35 1996
This is a comment to message 1319.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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I didn’t know they did TV commercials. Any notable ones I might have seen?
Seumas
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animation/inkwell #1321, from lkaplan, 157 chars, Thu Jul 11 17:44:08 1996
This is a comment to message 1320.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
There are additional comments to message 1320.
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>Any notable ones I might have seen?
They did the Listerine “Tarzan” mouthwash commercial — the one where you
see a bottle swinging thru the jungle.
-Len
==========================
animation/inkwell #1322, from hmccracken, 247 chars, Thu Jul 11 21:38:42 1996
This is a comment to message 1321.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
There are additional comments to message 1321.
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That’s the one I remember, but I’m told they’ve also done work for
Coke and McDonald’s. And I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re responsible
for at least some of the umpteen ads with the advertised product
doing a jolly dance of some sort.
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #1323, from sfmcnally, 102 chars, Fri Jul 12 11:57:33 1996
This is a comment to message 1321.
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I thought I heard that was done with Lightwave. Or does Pixar use Lightwave
for some things?
Seumas
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animation/inkwell #1324, from switch, 48 chars, Sat Jul 13 09:53:54 1996
This is a comment to message 1322.
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Also the Tropicana ads from a while back.
Emru
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animation/inkwell #1325, from hmccracken, 1534 chars, Tue Jul 16 03:29:33 1996
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TITLE: The Hamm’s Bear is alive and well
Camel Cigarettes’ use of a cartoon camel named Old Joe in its ads
has angered people so much that some folks want the ads outlawed.
But Old Joe has nothing on the Hamm’s Bear, a cute character who
was created for early TV animated beer commercials in the 1950s.
We don’t have Hamm’s in New England, so I was unaware of the bear’s
status until I took a trip — which I’m on right now — to Seattle on
business. I killed some time by visiting the Olympia brewery in
Tumwater, Washington, which is one of the places where Hamm’s is
made these days. And boy, is the Hamm’s Bear still around! The brewery
has a large gift shop filled with merchandise that, er, bears his
likeness. I imagine that much of this stuff is designed to appeal to
kids; I can’t imagine that 40-year-old beer drinkers want cuddly
stuffed bears. And in some cases, there’s no doubt — they have
Hamm’s sweatshirts in children’s sizes. Me, I bought a T-shirt
that features a drawing of the bear hoisting a mug of beer and
being carried around by a happy band of woodland critters — a
very odd image.
So does Hamm’s use of an adorable cartoon bear lead eight-year-olds
to drink? It’s hard to say. When I was a kid, I had a relative who
had a small statue of the bear, which I was very fond of. In fact,
my fondness for that statue is probably why I’m interested enough
in the whole topic of the Hamm’s Bear to write this message. But
my interest never led me to drink Hamm’s — in fact, I’ve still
never had it.
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #1326, from grekel, 274 chars, Thu Jul 18 14:08:02 1996
This is a comment to message 1320.
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I believe they also did the “Gummi Life Savers” spots (again, dancing
product) and a spot for gum (I think?) that featured a piano-playing
ice cube and mint leaf.
Wonder if they will ever do another Sesame Street short like the two
that run now featuring Luxo & Jr.?
greg
==========================
animation/inkwell #1327, from hmccracken, 750 chars, Sun Jul 21 22:42:43 1996
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TITLE: Lasseter interview in long.messages
In my copious spare time, I’m working on a project that the world really
needs: a Harry McCracken Web page. As part of this noble enterprise, I’m
using OCR software to create electronic versions of some of my animation
writings, mainly pieces I did for Animato magazine years ago. (I did
them on a computer in the first place, but didn’t have enough foresight
to save my files.)
I have no idea when my Web page will be ready for public consumption, but
those BIXen who are interested in my pieces don’t need to wait — I’ll post
them in animation/long.messages as they’re ready. First up: a 1989 interview
with John Lasseter, the director of Tin Toy. You’ll find it as long.messages
message 178.
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #1328, from hmccracken, 300 chars, Mon Jul 22 01:11:04 1996
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TITLE: Another Golden Oldie in long.messages
Animation/long.messages #179 contains a 1990 article on Disney’s Florida
animation studio. At the time, a Disney studio outside of California was
a novelty; since then, the company has opened branches in France, Canada,
and who knows where else.
— Harry
==========================
animation/inkwell #1329, from hmccracken, 914 chars, Thu Aug 1 18:11:55 1996
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Obituary: Harold Fox
Harold Fox has died at his home in Siesta Key, Florida. Fox, who was
86. claimed to be the inventor of the Zoot Suit. (I say “claimed” only
because the lengthy obituary in today’s New York Times seems somewhat
doubtful about it.)
The Zoot Suit, which Fox said he devised in the late 1930s, was the
epitome of hip for awhile in the 1940s: it was a weirdly-tailored
man’s suit which was baggy in some places and tight in others.
It found favor among jazz musicians, urban teenagers, and others,
and was the subject of the Los Angeles Zoot Suit riots of 1942. (I don’t know the specifics on the riots
— they’re mentioned briefly in the Times’ article.)
I mention Fox’s death here because the Zoot Suit found its way into comics and cartoons, including a
funny Li’l Abner sequence involving the Root Toot Zoot Suit Company and the wonderful Tom and Jerry
cartoon The Zoot Cat.
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #1330, from lkaplan, 230 chars, Thu Aug 1 21:41:45 1996
This is a comment to message 1329.
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Re: Obituary: Harold Fox
>I mention Fox’s death here because the Zoot Suit found its way into comics
and >cartoons, including
Wasn’t there also a cartoon (WB?) with at least one wolf (or maybe several)
wearing a zoot suit?
-Len
==========================
animation/inkwell #1331, from hmccracken, 2156 chars, Fri Aug 2 23:14:35 1996
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TITLE: The Best Place to Buy Animation Books in Boston
…may well be the new Borders bookstore at Downtown Crossing (which,
I’m pleased to report, is two blocks from where I work). I wouldn’t
be surprised if Borders has an animation fan in its book-buying
department — the store seems to have just about everything that’s
in print, including all of the many Disney titles, a paperback edition
of _Before Mickey_, our own Hugh Kenner’s _Chuck Jones: A Flurry of
Drawings_, Jones’s _Chuck Amuck_, and many more volumes.
This new Borders location is about a block from a Barnes and Noble
Superstore, and they’re both huge. So far, there seems to be enough
business to keep both crowded, though I worry for the Old Corner Bookstore
(one of the oldest bookstores in the country, now specialists in travel
books) and Lauriat’s (a fine old Boston bookstore). Between all of these
stores and the Brattle Bookshop (a wonderful used book store that Charles
Dickens once visited), Downtown Crossing now provides stiff competition
for Harvard Square, traditionally the best place in the Boston area to buy
books. In fact, Harvard Square may be on the decline as a book shoppers’
Mecca — it’s lost three of its stores in the last few years, and the
legendary Harvard Coop is in the process of becoming another Barnes and
Noble store.
The best single bookstore in the Boston area — or at least the one I’m
most fond of — continues to be the New England Mobile Book Fair in
Newton. Despite its name, it isn’t mobile at all, but it is extremely
large, with the best discount policy I’ve seen (at least twenty percent
off everything). You could get lost in the Book Fair’s maze of remainder
rooms.
Boston doesn’t have anything to match Powell’s, which I just visited
during my recent trip to Portland, Oregon. In fact, the only bookstore
I’ve seen that rivals Powell’s in size is Foyle’s in London. Besides being
utterly huge, Powell’s mixes new and old books in every section, which
makes for fun browsing. It’s got a very respectable animation section, as
well as a humor/cartoons section which seems to go on for miles. As a
Portland boy, I’m proud.
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #1332, from hmccracken, 1091 chars, Fri Aug 2 23:22:44 1996
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TITLE: And now for a few words about my sister’s book
To use an old bit of BIX speak, This Is Not A Review — but it is an
unabashed plug for _The Giant’s House_, a new novel by my sister,
Elizabeth McCracken. The book, published by the Dial Press, came out a few
weeks ago, and has gotten some very nice publicity, including a full-page
rave in the _New Yorker_; Elizabeth was also named one of the best twenty
American novelists under forty by _Granta_ magazine. And Elizabeth has done
some radio broadcasts and so many book signings that I’ve lost count.
The story involves a Cape Cod librarian and the world’s tallest boy, and
while I don’t think there are any animation references, there are several
comic-book ones, including a mention of Superman’s pal, Jimmy Olsen.
Perhaps I can take some credit for my little sister’s interest in the
comics, but not in her skills as a writer. She’s already at work on
another novel for Dial, about the elderly Jewish population of Des Moines
(a topic close to both of our hearts, as a fair-sized chunk of that
population is our kin).
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #1333, from hmccracken, 451 chars, Sun Aug 11 21:05:07 1996
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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TITLE: Is Sluggo a Mac Fan?
Power Computing, a manufacturer of Macintosh clones, was distributing
T-shirts last week at Macworld Expo in Boston. The shirts feature
a picture of a character who looks suspiciously like Sluggo (Nancy’s
friend, of course) seething with anger, apparently about the bad
press that Macs get these days.
I didn’t see a copyright message, but let’s hope that these
shirts are officially licensed Sluggo merchandise.
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #1334, from peabo, 627 chars, Tue Aug 13 00:44:56 1996
This is a comment to message 1333.
There is/are comment(s) on this message.
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There are two versions of the T-shirt/poster/webpage. One says:
“We’re gonna kick Intel’s ass!”
with a subcaption advertising the 225 MHz 604e chip. The other says:
“We’re fighting to save the Mac.”
I tried to confirm a rumor that Intel went to court to block distribution
of the first one, but the booth personnel told me that they just ran out and
had to switch to the second. I’m inclined to believe them. However, the
Web page disappeared by the time I heard the rumor. You don’t run out of
Web pages, so maybe some sort of pressure was applied The CD-ROMs I
saw all had the second slogan on them.
peter
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animation/inkwell #1335, from hmccracken, 198 chars, Tue Aug 13 09:45:38 1996
This is a comment to message 1334.
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I don’t have any sympathy for Intel, but I think the Bushmiller estate should
get a few bucks out of all this! (Actually, they probably wouldn’t, since
Sluggo is owned by United Features.)
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #1336, from hmccracken, 387 chars, Sat Aug 17 20:50:13 1996
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TITLE: What’s up, GOP?
Delegates to the recent Republican National Convention in San Diego
were presented with free duffel bags containing a variety of gifts
supplied by AT&T, Kraft, and the other large corporations that
provided funds to put on the convention. Among the goodies: a Bugs
Bunny baseball cap. Bugs represented Time Warner, the conglomerate
that owns Warner Bros.
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #1337, from hmccracken, 834 chars, Tue Aug 27 21:23:50 1996
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TITLE: More on Ben Washam’s Big Boy
A few months ago, we were discussing the fact that the Big Boy, the chubby
mascot of the Bob’s Big Boy hamburger chain, was created by Warner Bros.
animator Ben Washam.
During a weekend trip to Los Angeles (which will be the subject of several
messages here), I visited the Bob’s location in Burbank, which opened in
1949 and is not too far from Warner Bros. Bob’s was once a large chain, but
has petered out in recent years; this may be the last location in the LA
area. It’s in beautiful shape, though, and operates a small gift shop
devoted to Big Boy merchandise.
Much of this merchandise features the original Washam version of the Big
Boy, which is decidely portlier and sloppier than the more familiar
drawing. You can buy a Washam-version T-shirt or even a handsome piggy bank.
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #1338, from hmccracken, 320 chars, Tue Aug 27 21:25:27 1996
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TITLE: Has Snoopy taken over LA?
During my Los Angeles visit, I sometimes felt like Charlie Brown, Snoopy,
amd the other _Peanuts_ characters were taking over the town. That’s
because everywhere I looked, I saw them on billboards — some were for
Met Life insurance, others for Knott’s Berry Farm. Good grief!
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #1339, from hmccracken, 2482 chars, Sun Sep 8 17:18:29 1996
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TITLE: Let’s Play Post Office
The U.S. Postal Service’s recent comic-strip stamp series and
upcoming Looney Tunes one suggests an entertaining game:
creating our own wish list of comic- and cartoon-related
stamps. Here are a few of mine — I’d love to hear about
yours.
(For no particular reason, my series all come in sets of eight.)
THE GREAT
ANIMATORS SERIES
Walt Disney — he had a stamp in 1967, but it’s high time for another
Chuck Jones — the greatest director of them all
Otto Messmer — the creator of Felix, the first great cartoon star
Winsor McCay — he didn’t invent animation, but he’s really its father
in many ways
Max and Dave Fleischer — We’ll avoid arguments about whom was
the most important brother by letting
them share a stamp
Tax Avery — The most uniquely American of the great directors
J. Stuart Blackton — The first American animator
Bob Clampett — Along with Jones and Avery, probably one of the
three greatest directors
GREAT FIGURES IN AMERICAN ANIMATION
Walt Disney — again, no animation series would be complete without
him
Chuck Jones — Like Disney, an obvious choice
Mel Blanc – The greatest voice artist and one of the most
important contributors to Warner Bros’ greatness
Maurice Noble — One of the most important of the great animation
art directors
Bill Tytla — Many folks’ choice as the most brilliant character
animator of them all
Dick Heumer — To represent that underappreciated animation
professional, the storyman
Max Fleischer — This time alone, for his technological
innovations suh as rotoscoping
Mary Blair — One of Disney’s great inspirational artists
GREAT AMERICAN CARTOONISTS (with no duplications from the recent
comic-strip stamp series)
Walt Kelly — Especially since Pogo didn’t get a
stamp
Roy Crane — The first of the great adventure artists, and
creator of Wash Tubbs and Buz Sawyer
Will Eisner — The briliant cartoonist/entrepreneur who
did _The Spirit_
Marge — Inventor of the immortal Little Lulu
Jack Kirby — The greatest superhero comic-book artist
Charles Addams — Everybody’s favorite _New Yorker_ cartoonist
Charles Dana Gibson — Creator of the Gibson Girl and the definitive portrait
of Uncle Sam
Carl Barks — The greatest funny-animal comic-book artist
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #1340, from hmccracken, 429 chars, Thu Sep 26 22:37:21 1996
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TITLE: Another Famous Cartoon Fan
Al Roker, NBC weatherman and weekend talk-show host on CNBC,
is an animation fanatic. So he revealed on one his his
programs last weekend, in which he interviewed film critic
Leonard Maltin and was clearly most interested in the fact
that Maltin wrote the classic history of animation, _Of Mice and
Magic_, a book Roker says he uses constantly to answer his
friends’ cartoon questions.
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #1341, from hmccracken, 575 chars, Wed Oct 2 23:39:14 1996
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TITLE: You heard it here first…
A reliable source has told me that Bugs Hardaway, animation
director/storyman (and the man who gave his name to Bugs Bunny)
and Harry S Truman (President of the United States of America,
1945-1953) were apparently army buddies! To be exact, Hardaway
was in a unit commanded by Truman during World War I. The two
apparently kept in touch as time went on and both became
successful in their respective fields.
My source is in touch with the Truman presidential library,
which apparently has some papers that confirm the friendship.
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #1342, from hmccracken, 704 chars, Mon Oct 14 22:06:34 1996
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TITLE: The Cartoonist in Chief
Recently, an editorial cartoonist who was flying aboard Air Force
One with Bill Clinton asked him to try his hand at a self-
caricature. The results, reprinted in last week’s _Editor and
Publisher_, aren’t bad — I’d guess that Clinton, at one point in
his life, spent some time drawing at least semi-seriously.
Most caricaturists who draw the President portray him as a
sort of W.C. Fields with bushy hair, but Clinton’s own self-
portrait shows him as being rather slim and handsome. I guess
that’s OK — if I was faced each day with unflattering drawings
of myself in the newspaper, I’d probably err on the side of showwing
myself in a flattering light, too.
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #1343, from hmccracken, 763 chars, Mon Oct 28 20:19:35 1996
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TITLE: Al Hirschfeld Gets Hitched
My mother called me with some important news yesterday night at
10pm: The Sunday _Times_ wedding announcements included one for
none other than Al Hirschfeld. The legendary caricaturist, who
has been drawing for the _Times_ for 69 of his 93 years, has
married Louise Kerz, a young lady of 60. The new Mrs. Hirschfeld
is an art historian.
The wedding took place last Wednesday at Temple Emannu-El in
New York; Al was apparently back at work without a honeymoon,
judging from the fact that he had a drawing in yesterday’s paper.
This is, of course, not Hirschfeld’s first marriage; he became
a widower after the death of the mother of Nina. Wonder if he’ll
be tempted to embed the name “Louise” in his work from now on?
— Harry
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animation/inkwell #1344, from switch, 336 chars, Thu May 22 22:02:02 1997
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TITLE: The Fifth Element
I could tie the Fifth Element into this conference by mentioning the
Moebius designs or the Digital Domain special effects, but there is a subject
which I think is far more important:
Am I the only one who thought of Umbra from Mighty Orbots when Shadow (the
evil entity) communicated with Gary Oldman?
Emru