Author Archives: Art Babbitt

Frank Thomas honors Art Babbitt

Posted on May 5, 2012 by Art Babbitt

Frank Thomas joined the Disney Studio a couple years after Art Babbitt did, and climbed the ranks to be among the top dozen-or-so animators in 1941 (Art Babbitt was among the top four).  However, while Art Babbitt led the strike, … Continue reading →

Posted in 1932-1941: Disney Glory Days, Disney | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Inventing Live-Action Reference for Animation

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Art Babbitt

In the mid-1930’s, Art Babbitt was working at Walt Disney Studios on Hyperion Avenue in Hollywood.  It was an exciting place for a creative, intelligent mind.  It masqueraded itself as a mere animation studio, but is was really  a bunch … Continue reading →

Posted in 1932-1941: Disney Glory Days, Disney, Film | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Art Babbitt on PM Magazine

Posted on May 2, 2012 by Art Babbitt

Art Babbitt on PM Magazine, circa 1982 With Richard Williams, daughter/reporter Michele Babbitt, and a cameo by future Disney animator Eric Goldberg! This was taped while Babbitt was working on The Thief and the Cobbler, an animated film Williams was … Continue reading →

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The Babbitt Diary: Animating in Argentina – part 1

Posted on April 27, 2012 by Art Babbitt

************* UPDATE: Click HERE for Part 2! ****************** Argentina’s first color animated short, Upa en Apuros, was created in 1942 by cartoonist Dante Quinterno, and starred his signature South American native character, Patoruzú.  Produced entirely in Argentina, it was a milestone for … Continue reading →

Posted in 1942-1946: Repercussions | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

When Babbitt Met Tytla

Posted on April 19, 2012 by Art Babbitt

Art Babbitt (here at 23) and Bill Tytla (here at 26) are credited for being two of the greatest animators and Disney innovators of all time.  Bill Tytla especially was given enormous credit in various Disney books, including The Illusion … Continue reading →

Posted in 1929-1932: Terrytoons | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

The Babbitt Diary: “The Reluctant Dragon”

Posted on April 18, 2012 by Art Babbitt

As posted previously, Art Babbitt, the leader of the 1941 Disney Strike (though not the organizer – but more on that later), led the picket at the premiere of Walt Disney’s 5th feature film, The Reluctant Dragon. Have you seen … Continue reading →

Posted in 1941: The Disney Strike, Disney | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

“The Reluctant Dragon” and the Disney Strike

Posted on April 16, 2012 by Art Babbitt

Friday night, June 20, 1941.  The Disney animators have been striking for 2 weeks.  The Hollywood public was dolled up for the black-tie premiere of Walt Disney’s latest picture, and there’s much speculation. Walt had brought the fairy tale to … Continue reading →

Posted in 1941: The Disney Strike, Disney | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Art Babbitt’s Roast: Mel Blanc

Posted on April 16, 2012 by Art Babbitt

Ah, Mel Blanc.  “The Man of A Thousand Voices,” and among them Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck,  and literally hundreds of other cartoon characters. As posted previously, Art Babbitt celebrated his 50th year in animation on May 25th, 1974. He was … Continue reading →

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Art Babbitt’s Roast: Chuck Jones

Posted on April 15, 2012 by Art Babbitt

Chuck Jones is many things:  a father of Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, creator of the Roadrunner and Pepe Le Pew, director of the Grinch, … and Art’s Babbitt’s friend. On May 25th, 1974, when Art Babbitt was 66 years … Continue reading →

Posted in 1946-1970s: Later Years | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Snow White Wrap Party – part 2

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Art Babbitt

As continued from The Snow White Wrap Party – part 1, here are some more pics, courtesy of Disney artist Willie Pyle, from the weekend of June 4, 1938. Young Art Babbitt wasn’t much of a dancer – or a … Continue reading →

Posted in 1932-1941: Disney Glory Days | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments