Category Archives: New York

The Prolific Print Cartoonist

Posted on June 17, 2015 by Art Babbitt

Before joining Disney in the 1930s, young artists might carry a portfolio of drawings and reels of animation to Walt’s office.  Art Babbitt was only 24 when he went in for an interview with Walt in the summer of 1932.  … Continue reading →

Posted in 1929-1932: Terrytoons, Illustration, New York | Leave a comment

How Babbitt Changed Animation Methodology – Pt 3 of 4

Posted on February 10, 2014 by Art Babbitt

Cartoon Character Analysis Hollywood cartoon characters up to 1934 lacked a certain luster.  In the early 1930s, live-action actors were happily pigeon-holed into roles: Douglas Fairbanks was the hero, Charley Chaplin was the tramp.  But these stars were exceptional. They … Continue reading →

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

The Disney Strike Remembered: Cult of Personality

Posted on May 29, 2013 by Art Babbitt

It was 72 years ago today that a picket line formed outside the Disney Studios in Burbank, and hundreds of artist went out on strike.  It was Day One of what would ultimately be the largest (and most dramatic) strike … Continue reading →

Posted in 1941: The Disney Strike, Disney, Labor, New York | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

1931 Disney Staff Caricatures & Profiles – pt 4

Posted on April 26, 2013 by Art Babbitt

Next up in the cavalcade of 1931 Disney staffers: Tom Palmer can’t pronounce “black sheep”; Bill Cottrell fled for his freedom; and Rudy Zamora s your drug pusher.  

Posted in 1932-1941: Disney Glory Days, Disney, Mickey Mouse, New York | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

1931 Disney Staff Caricatures & Profiles – pt 3

Posted on April 25, 2013 by Art Babbitt

Next up from Motion Picture Daily: Jack Cutting recognizes his nanny, Norm Ferguson pays homage to his New York roots, and Ben Sharpsteen shrugs his way through success.  

Posted in 1932-1941: Disney Glory Days, Disney, Illustration, Mickey Mouse, New York | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Snow White on Tour

Posted on February 28, 2013 by Art Babbitt

Well, here we are, in Pittsburgh, on Friday, January 26th.  How’s 1940 treating you so far?  Brrr — Cold enough  for you?  Hey, hows about we take in a show tonight?  It just so happens I have a copy of … Continue reading →

Posted in 1932-1941: Disney Glory Days, 1942-1946: Repercussions, New York, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Film History: Edison, Griffith, and Babbitt – part 2

Posted on February 19, 2013 by Art Babbitt

The tall concrete building at 2826 Decatur Ave in the Bronx was owned by Edison Studios  up through 1929.  Animation director Paul Terry and top animator Frank Moser were fired from the Van Beuren animation studio [1] – perhaps because … Continue reading →

Posted in 1929-1932: Terrytoons, Hollywood, New York | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Scotch Highball” Terrytoon draft

Posted on January 29, 2013 by Art Babbitt

Below are the animators drafts for the Terrytoon cartoon “Scotch Highball,” released November 16, 1930. Special thanks to Jerry Beck who noted that each Terrytoon short took three weeks to animate, and was released ten weeks later.  We can infer … Continue reading →

Posted in 1929-1932: Terrytoons, Animation, New York | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

“Canadian Capers” draft

Posted on January 28, 2013 by Art Babbitt

“Canadian Capers” was produced by Terrytoons and released on August 23, 1931.  Uniquely, this was assigned to only four animators:  Frank Moser, Jerry Shields, Bill Tytla and Art Babbitt. (UPDATE: Scroll Below for scene-by-scene mosaic) Frank Moser was the man … Continue reading →

Posted in 1929-1932: Terrytoons, Animation, New York | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Honoring Tissa David

Posted on October 23, 2012 by Art Babbitt

Today the New York animation community honored one of animation’s finest artists: Tissa David, with a special screening of clips of her sequences, as well as words by speakers who knew her. Tissa was a woman in a man’s industry, … Continue reading →

Posted in 1946-1970s: Later Years, Animation, Disney, New York, Nine Old Men | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment