Tag Archives: New York

Friends with the Jewish Mafia

Posted on August 3, 2012 by Art Babbitt

In 1975, John Canemaker asked Art Babbitt what made him want to draw in the first place. When I was in the second grade in public school [circa 1915], there was a kid who sat across the aisle from me.  … Continue reading →

Posted in 1907-1924: Sioux City Kid, 1924-1929: Illustrator in NYC, mafia, politics | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Organized Labor vs Steamboat Willie

Posted on July 20, 2012 by Art Babbitt

Sure, Art Babbitt and Walt Disney fought on opposite sides of the union during the Disney Strike, … but Walt Disney had a run-in with union unrest before Mickey Mouse ever premiered in his first film, Steamboat Willie! In late … Continue reading →

Posted in 1924-1929: Illustrator in NYC, Animation, Disney, Film, Illustration, Labor, New York, Skeleton Dance | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

New York 1936 on Film

Posted on May 25, 2012 by Art Babbitt

Though he worked and lived a Hollywood life in the 1930s, Art Babbitt would visit New York often.  He had lived and worked in New York from the ages of 16 to 24.  For a kid whose “higher education” was … Continue reading →

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

Illustrator for Hire, 1928

Posted on May 24, 2012 by Art Babbitt

In 1928, Arthur Babbitt was a real New Yorker. He was a successful freelance artist, working in his own studio near Times Square, engaged to a cute brunette from Brooklyn, and all before he was 21 years old.  This was … Continue reading →

Posted in 1924-1929: Illustrator in NYC, Genealogy, Illustration, New York | Tagged , , , | 8 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

Art Babbitt’s New York

Posted on April 10, 2012 by Art Babbitt

Art Babbitt (neé Babitsky) and his family moved from Sioux City, Iowa to New York City in 1924, at the age of 16.  Art left for the Disney Studios in Hollywood in 1932, when he was 24. Not only is … Continue reading →

Posted in 1924-1929: Illustrator in NYC, 1929-1932: Terrytoons | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Terrytoon Layouts

Posted on April 6, 2012 by Art Babbitt

When Art Babbitt was a young man at Terrytoons in the Bronx, he worked his way up to the esteemed position of animator.  He was at the bottom of the totem pole, but at least he was animating.  This means … Continue reading →

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