I'm quite fond of Famous Studio's cartoons of the 1940's and early 50's. Though the stories are usually formulatic and the pacing is sometimes too slow, I love the animation, backgrounds and of course Winston Sharples' music. I wonder if he's related to Robert Sharples, who composed some great cues for KPMs music library? Little Lulu is a particular favorite of mine. Here's a model sheet and a public domain goody "Cad and Caddy". I would love to see a better print of this cartoon mainly to get a better look at Robert Connavale's backgrounds, I think they're really great. Myron Waldman was one of the animators in this cartoon. Before he passed away Myron lived not more than ten minutes from me, I could kick myself for not trying to contact him and speak with him first hand about animation and his career.
6 comments:
I have a few of these on some $1 dvds but never got around to watching them. I usually just skipped to the Popeye's or Looney Tunes. The model sheet is pretty fun though, I love the contrast between the puffy dress and skinny legs. I'm kind of fond of the lifeless eyes too. I'll have to watch a few of the shorts now.
Your Warner's and MGM sketches have been awesome lately! Especially the latest batch of Screwy Squirrels! Very inspiring! I have a thing for drawing the Avery wolf, maybe I'll get around to posting some of those.
Famous Studios was still making decent work at the time of the Little Lulus. . . the Fleischer spirit had not yet been completely obliterated by years of, as animator Nick Tafuri aptly phrased it, "grinding 'em out like sausages". The Bill Tytla unit (what possessed them at Famous to NOT hire him as an animator?) made some very good entries in the series - Super Lulu in particular.
I give you a plug in my latest blog entry.
Myron Waldman was the real director of this cartoon. The first animator listed, or "head animator" on the Fleischer and Famous cartoons did the directing duties. Kneitel, Sparber, etc. just oversaw the whole thing and directed the voices.
Robert Sharples is not related to Winston Sharples. Robert Sharples' real name is Wilfred Burns.
Robert Sharples - real name Wilfred Burns - is not related to Winston Sharples.
Thanks Dave, I had no idea he was Wilfred Burns. I know of him through the Living Era compilations.
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