Hollywood Cartoons: American Animation in Its Golden Age

I just finished this exhaustive, deeply researched study of the cartoons I grew up with on TV back in the day, and loved. The author leans hard into the technicalities of animation, how they developed and differed between studios, and backs much of it up with copious quotes from the artists involved. Oddly, he doesn't seem to have much *fun* with his subjects. He can minutely dissect a cartoon, frame by frame, how it was done, which artist did what, who was responsible for which gag, but when he's done -- I dunno -- it's like there's no joy left. Some of my favorite Warners 'toons (One Froggy Evening, Book Revue, The Big Snooze), were reduced to lifeless corpses. No doubt my own expectations were skewed. Still, when after pages and pages Disney finally releases Snow White on an unsuspecting world, he has almost nothing to say about audience and critical reaction beyond that it was a great success. On the whole I am glad I read it -- I learned a lot -- but I doubt I'll read it again.

Michael Barrier really does his homework when it comes to researching the history of animation. This is a result of years of dedicated research. While it is true that it talks more about Disney than the other studios, this shouldn't be surprising since Disney has the best track record for preserving their history than the other studios have and they've enjoyed a longer legacy as well. Another factor is that Barrier himself said that he was only able to use only a fraction of the most interesting information he had. Barrier's writing is filled with facts that aren't found anywhere else all in a smooth and engaging narrative, complete with plenty of footnotes. Much of the information comes from interviews that Barrier conducted over the years with hundreds of people who worked in the industry. Some of these are available on his website. He posts more of them from time to time. Some fans complain that he inserts his opinions on the films. This is true, but they are based on keen observations and facts, which provide a valuable perspective on the films.This is a must read for the animation enthusiast

There is not a better or more complete survey of American cartoons on the market. Michael Barrier brings a lifetime's gather of information and interviews to this definitive telling of animation's Classic Era history. As reference or pure enjoyment, "Hollywood Cartoons" is without peer. It is an absolute must for bookshelves of anyone who grew up with cartoons, whether in theaters, on TV, or as home video collections. As to the latter, I'd propose "Hollywood Cartoons" as ideal companion for watching Looney Tunes on DVD, or Popeye, the Disney classics --- whatever your choice. Michael Barrier gives a fullest background and inside account of how these cartoons were made and the artists in back of them, his the final word on animation in its glory day.

Books on the history of animation, especially the early ones, tend to fall into the trap of Disney-worshipping, which Barrier thankfully avoids. However, in his zeal to prove he is not Disney's lap dog, he unfairly bashes some of the studio's features (including one I consider on a par with the best of them, "Lady and the Tramp.") He gives the same slash-and-burn treatment to the Warner Bros. studio--Clampett, in his view, was apparently nothing more than a second-rate hack, when Clampett in fact hit a period of sheer brilliance in the early to mid forties. "Book Revue", "The Great Piggy Bank Robbery", "The Old Grey Hare" and "Baby Bottleneck" were all Clampett creations, and occupy many of the top slots in Jerry Beck's book "The Fifty Greatest Cartoons Ever." Barrier dismisses them all, as well as Clampett's abilities as a draftsman. I would say he is partial to Jones in his longtime feud with Clampett, but Jones falls victim as well. Still, it is worth reading if you like behind-the-scenes stories of the animation industry.

Hollywood Cartoons is an outstanding piece of work. Barrier is both thorough and opinionated -- which I consider a good thing. If you're writing a nonfiction book, don't just give me the facts, tell me what you think."Cartoons" was one of the sources for my own book,  An Animation Miscellany . I have dozens of books on classic hand-drawn animation and only a few are worthy of being used for research. Hollywood Cartoons is on that short list.

This is really a history of Disney animation in the 30s, with a few random comments about competitors.

Michael Barrier's "Hollywood Cartoons" is impeccably researched and intellectually sophisticated; a milestone in its way, it also poses a few problems, one being the inescapable conclusion that the golden age of Hollywood scarcely existed at all. Mr. Barrier casts a baleful eye on some of animation's finest: Chuck Jones' "What's Opera, Doc?" is 'an empty triumph'; "Fantasia", hopelessly puerile and retrograde; "The Tell-Tale Heart", recently chosen for preservation by the Library of Congress, 'a total flop'. Even "Pinocchio" inspires more vitriol than praise (too much airbrush, poor planning and characterizations - Disney 'took the guts out of it', etc...) Can't these guys do anything right? Terrytoons are characterized by 'pervasive squalor', and he assures us UPA, once the shining avatar of cutting-edge animation, could be as dull, insipid and uninspired as any other studio. That's good to know. It should come as no surprise that Mr. Barrier feels a special affinity for Disney's Grumpy (Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs) though this he attributes to Bill Tytla's masterful character animation. Hubley's "Rooty Toot Toot" also receives the Barrier seal of approval. But, in general, there are few pearls to be found among the prevailing dross. There's no question Barrier takes his subject seriously...perhaps, too seriously. Lighten up...they're just cartoons!

The book gives you the very interesting back story of the US cartoons of the last century. I enjoyed the book. Only one problem, for a book about cartoons, there are very very few photos images or illustrations. You can overcome that by having a tablet handy as you learn the titles of the cartoons and look them up on YouTube or Vimeo.

Superb. The book is all that I imagined it would be. The service was exceptional in that the book arrived by mail early. The product was as advertised and overall I am very happy with it.

Would have been helpful to know before hand that the book wasn't intact. Superb book, superbly written, but missing that all important cohesion you want in a good read.