Tex Avery - Les Dessins

 

I got this book after graduation and while I was flipping through the pages, it felt like I was living in an alternate place.

These drawings look so polished like I own them or something.

My favorite era of the Tex Avery cartoons in particular were from the early 1940s, very well-drawn but also behind it had some of the best gags, slapstick and energy.

Tex Avery's cartoons mainly focused on what was believed to be in a cartoon rather than going for realism. So he came up with these ideas that wouldn't work well in live action. I personally like realism a bit more than believabilty because it can give us a deeper perspective of one's character and motive but I do say, I am mixed. I also do like this style of humor as well.

Tex is a very influential animation director. I respect his work and I used his cartoons for inspiration sometimes, even with the likes of Preston Blair who worked on such shorts like Screwball Squirrel and Red Hot Riding Hood. 

One time, I enjoyed the Red scenes the best because of the movement and the songs were catchy and upbeat to listen to.

I have talked about his cartoons in the past before, but one cartoon that stood out above the rest was Slap Happy Lion (1947) most prominently the opening scene of the lion roaring and the scene starts to shake.

The mouse has some of the most underrated movements I seen in a Tex Avery short. He's super cute too. He definitely has a different distinctive look than the lion does and I like that.

I'm a very curious person and I like to look into concept art from these cartoons. Even behind the scenes, I can allow a few chuckles. This was taken from a model sheet. Lil' Tinker (1948) 

It dates back on June 5th 1946. It would be interesting to see the skunk play Bing Crosby since he didn't do so in the final version.

This is probably the first time I was aware of the red pencils being used in animation drawings, I guess they were used for in-betweens, so the characters wouldn't move every frame. 

Just like with other golden age animators and directors, they experimented new styles. Whatever was popular for the era was used in these animated shorts. Sometimes it didn't always work, but I do kinda like the UPA styled cartoons from the 50s. The most recognizable short is Symphony In Slang. It's mostly filled with interpretations. It's not outstanding or anything but it's definitely something unique. 

Lastly, I want to talk about layout background art. I always loved how the Tex Avery cartoons looked sometimes blending in realistic environments into more cartoony characters.

This is a great find. It's translated in french, but you could understand more of the pictures since the words aren't that important. I consider buying it if your interested in Tex Avery's work and love drawings like I do, pretty expensive though.

Mickey's Christmas Carol - Scrooge's Worst Nightmare

 

Last year I decided to watch Mickey's Christmas Carol, I liked it at first, but I seemingly like it more nowadays because of how more dramatic and deep this film is. It's still really timeless after 42 years! The particular scene I'm discussing is Scrooge's haunting nightmare. This is some stellar stuff for a rather harmless franchise. 

The imagery in this scene is fascinating.

Also given that Scrooge McDuck chosen the role of Ebenezer Scrooge is just perfect.

The colors remind me of Secret of NIMH especially with the final act. Those clouds though. Just wonderful.

The blue smoke layers add a little more depth. It's extremely well-crafted.

I always kinda liked the original story, it's dreadful but very interesting for what it is especially with the truly dark and menacing moment when Tiny Tim Cratchit loses fate. It's really emotional but well executed. 

I love this scene. Great animation and feeling of utter grief as Mickey sheds a tear. 

I also really miss when animated films added details to make the scenes more unique like when Mickey places Tim's crutch on the gravestone. 

If you haven't watched this film yet it does feature cameos. It was nice to see some traces of old Disney movie characters since I'm more interested in them than the Mickey Mouse characters. Characters from Robin Hood, and Wind In The Willows. They don't feel pointless either. 

Now we get into the most threatening part of all. Ebenezer's last fate, as the Ghost of Christmas Future lights a candle revealing his name on the gravestone.

It turns out to be Pete and smacks him inside. To be fair, Pete has never been a truly terrifying antagonist to me, but here he feels like an actual good villain, great animation as well.

It's insane to think this was an actual dream that Scrooge had all because he was too selfish and his lack of welfare. This type of behavior will put you in bad condition so that's why you should trust other people. 

Then, the coffin opens and shows the flames of Hell. 

My goodness, this is some cruel stuff. It's hard to allow these certain elements to a film that originally released in theaters but also television.

After Scrooge's unpleasant nightmare is over, he then learns his lesson. He spreads joy and happiness around London and comes to visit The Cratchit family house to send over gifts and gives Bob played by Mickey Mouse, a raise. Sometimes one dream could ultimately change you.

My final thoughts? I absolutely loved it. This might be one of my favorite adaptations of the original novel. I could easily relate to all the morality and emotion behind it. When they show scenes of the food, it really looks tasty and delectable. The early to mid 80s for Disney was honestly underappreciated. I felt like their concepts and character development was at their best, probably better than the Golden Age and Renaissance era. What's also special about this film is that it's getting more recognition. It's free to watch on YouTube, probably for a limited time though but feel free to experience it yourself. 

I would give this film a 9.5/10.

Cutest Santa Design Ever

 The santa that people most likely know about is his white & red attire, and jolly personality. There's nothing wrong about him. I love the gift of giving and warm hearts rising. But what about in popular culture perhaps? 

I stumbled across social media and discovered this rare holiday gem with the most adorable Santa illustrations I ever seen. It's from a 1963 Whitman Tell-A-Tale book called The Night Before Christmas, adapted by the poem by Clement C. Moore. Illustrated by Carol Munshi.

The First Great Looney Tunes Short

 

Back in the early to midst of the late 1930s, Warner Bros. still figured out inventive methods in order to fit in one the successful animation studios during the Golden Age. 

In 1930, Hugh Harman and Rudolf Ising started making Bosko cartoons and Merrie Melodies, just three years later both Harman and Ising moved to MGM to own the Bosko character at that studio for a designated redesign and the addition of Technicolor. While short films started to use color in their animated shorts around the mid 1930s, they were still against studios like Disney and most of the cartoons were not funny or deeply intriguing.

In my opinion, the first well-regarded Looney Tunes short to ever release is A Cartoonist's Nightmare (1935). Given that this is officially the 113th short, it didn't took too long to fully craft something this outstanding.

Directed by Jack King, he also was well known directing Donald Duck cartoons at the Disney studio. He made some truly untouched and overlooked films during that era like Donald's Crime, Chef Donald, The Trial of Mr. Duck, and my favorite by his, Donald's Dilemma. I also do like his Looney Tunes shorts as well. Shanghaied Shipmates has some great characters for it's time. 

But now let's focus on this cartoon.

This cartoon begins with a very unique shot of the animated cartoon studio. It looks stellar in B&W. 

I always liked those openings whereas an elder man leaves a department store and closes down at night, I love the lighting and atmosphere. It's honestly well-animated.

The staff members leave except for one animator. I just noticed this recently, but... THAT IS A TON OF SHEETS! Even just one singular row. I could just imagine working that hard drawing animated characters and lasting over hundreds maybe thousands of drawings.

Beans The Cat was a short-lived Looney Tunes star, and in this short, the animator works on drawing this menacing monster in a dungeon. After some time, the monster comes to life meanwhile the animator takes a solid nap. This makes matters worse as while the animator is snoozing, the brute carries him onto the scene. It's got great animation in it. 

I love how more creative and engaging this cartoon gets. After the animator faces a few hits, the beast sends him not into the door of Cartoon Heroes but Cartoon Villains. 

I love these villains. Some of them appeared in previous Warner Bros. shorts or maybe similarly look like their counterparts.

Spike The Spider must have been inspired by the evil ladybug from Your Too Careless With Your Kisses! (1932)

One Punch Otto is probably that octopus from Mr. And Ms. Is The Name (1935).

The Mad Doctor similarly resembles Rice-Puddin' from Wake Up The Gypsy In Me (1933).

And the beast is definitely from Merrie Melodies's version of Beauty and The Beast (1934).

Also Dirty Dan mentioned, reminds me alot of that one scene from Spongebob.

I'm not gonna lie, I don't really enjoy alot of the songs Looney Tunes produced this period. They either sound too wishy-washy or forgettable, but I do like this song the villains sing here. It's less sappy and more threatening almost like Dumbo's Pink Elephants or Winnie The Pooh's Heffalumps and Woozles song.

The gags are also really enjoyable, Beans eating a loaf of bread then stuck inside is a saw to cut the bars to escape. I just love it. It sorta gives me shows I loved when I was little vibes.

Beans then enters into the villains entrance and also has a pair of boots for good measure. It all ties with great action and sharp humor. The dream ends off with both the animator and Beans shaking hands as it fades with the watchman awaking the animator. 

The ending is very sweet. The animator quickly draws and paints a treat for Beans. A plate of jelly.

I love this cartoon for it's originality and inovative ideas. Before then, the Looney Tunes shorts were mostly focused on the uncomforting damsel in distress and group of clones dancing. It was mostly filler anyway and perfectly safe, but man when I first watched this short after having experiencing the first hundreds of cartoons as a journey, this was the first Looney Tunes short to succeed that passion and creativity to an otherwise decent and timeless franchise.

Wanna watch this yourself? 

https://www.toontales.net/short/a-cartoonists-nightmare/

René Gruau

 

There's this artist I've been loving lately. I discovered him on Pinterest. His name is René Gruau. 

I always loved fashion illustrations and I think he has the most unique and pleasant style ever. I love the bold black outlines, and poses. 

Most of these illustrations are probably from the 50s, they look handsome yet very cool and inspiring. 

It's extremely pleasent for the use of the two-tone color palette. It has simple design but you can immediately sense the details and the actual color schemes are impressive.

This one's a smart move. Well-drawn posture but most importantly the hat hanging on the letter C of the vintage Club logo. 

Alot of this reminds me of what I particularly like about the 1950s, it's load of high fashion and "beatnik" without being too off-putting like Funny Face (1957).