Tag Archives: Frank Thomas

How Babbitt Changed Animation Methodology – Pt 1 of 4

Posted on February 5, 2014 by Art Babbitt

Film history has many great pioneers who were the first to try a new technique and elevate the entire medium.  In live action film, some of the most noted artists to do so are directors and actors.  In animation, it … Continue reading →

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The “China Shop” Story

Posted on February 5, 2013 by Art Babbitt

In Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston’s The Illusion of Life (pp72-73), they tell a story about the struggles of an early Disney cartoon and an anonymous animator.  It was mid-1933 and the artists, especially this particular animator, were much more … Continue reading →

Posted in 1932-1941: Disney Glory Days, Animation, Film, Nine Old Men | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Sergeant Babbitt, WWII Hero

Posted on May 29, 2012 by Art Babbitt

Happy Memorial Day, America!  In honor of our troops, past and present, I give you a sampling of some records of Art Babbitt’s military history. If you worked in Hollywood at the outbreak of America’s involvement in WWII, you may … Continue reading →

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The Babbitt Diary: Animating in Argentina – part 2

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Art Babbitt

As previously posted, in the summer/fall of 1941, Walt Disney and a group of some of his most trusted staff went to South America as part of the U.S. government’s “Good Neighbor Program”… and just a few months later, Art … Continue reading →

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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 →

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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