R.I.P.-Ollie Johnston

[nickramer]

Sadly, the last of Disney's nine old men has passed away. Jerry mentioned it on his website:
http://www.cartoonbrew.com/disney/ollie-johnston-1912-2008

I know some you don't enjoy his work, but he and Frank did, arguably, some of the most touching and influential works in the Disney films. He will be missed.:(

[looneytooney]

I'm afraid it also marks the death of the Nine Old Men. May their work live on. :(

[Mr. Semaj]

I'll always appreciate the work he did in Disney's best films. The title character from Pinocchio, Alice from Alice in Wonderland, the Stepsisters from Cinderella, and Rufus, the clever caricature of himself in The Rescuers.

RIP, man.

[Thad]

I actually gasped when I saw this from the main forum page.

Ollie was not in good health for the last year or so and most his estate was liquidated. By the time I got around to L.A., he was moved to Portland with his family and I was unable to interview him.

May he rest in peace.

[Leviathan]

This truly is all folks.

All of the 9 Old Men are dead. This is truly the end of an era.

[Matt the Y]

I was shocked to read this front news as well. I mean, 95 is pretty old and all but as others have said, it is the "end of an era" and everything so it came as both of a shock and a disappointment to read this devastating news.

Well, the main thing to remember is he did live a good, long, happy, prosperous life, his work continues to teach and entertain, and he accomplished in his lifetime what a lot of people could only hope to. At 95, he also lived to be the oldest out of the Nine "Old" Men.

R.I.P., Ollie. You are gone but you will never be forgotten. Good luck and God bless!!!!! :) :) :) :) :)

[MF TOON]

He was a gifted and formative artist, the likes of which are seldom seen in the industry today. It's sad though not unexpected as this day was sure to come sonner than later, yet he lived a long and full life doing what he loved among close friends and paved a lasting impression throughout his extensive and prolific career... From one 'Ollie' to another, thanks for the inspiration!

[Tom Stathes]

Rest in Peace, Ollie.

[Frank]

This is truly the end of an era. Ollie was an excellent animator. I have Susie the Little Blue Coupe on video but I can't pick out any scenes he did.

RIP Ollie Johnson:(

[J. J. Hunsecker]

I know some you don't enjoy his work, but he and Frank did, arguably, some of the most touching and influential works in the Disney films. He will be missed.:(
I think Ollie Johnston was a great draftsman, and I like the early exaggerated animation he did on the 30's Disney cartoons, so I wouldn't say I don't enjoy his work. It's only the later work in features that was influenced too much by live action reference that I don't care for. I can admire his technical proficiency in that later era, though.

[TheBlueHombre]

As always, I'm shocked to read about it, but I have appreciated his talents so much.

[FlapperPrower]

There goes another great guy. I loved his work at Disney. :(

[jonmayo15]

Goodbye, I have enjoyed your amazing work.

[Steve Stanch]

What a wonderful thing to be able to touch the hearts of people. The films that Ollie worked on (and some many, many other remembered and forgotton animators, artists, designers, filmmakers) inspired countless laughter, tears, joy and entertained (and continue to entertain) millions. As an artist, we often have the chance to have our work seen by the public, giving it a life beyond even our own. Someday all of us will be gone; it's nice to be able to leave behind something, and what wonderful things Ollie has left behind. Thanks Ollie.

[Matthew Hunter]

What a great loss. But it seems like he's now joined the ranks of many great animators who lived a very long time (all these guys...amazing lives in both length and contribution!)

In reading the many articles on his passing, I discovered that the cat from "The Rescuers", Rufus, was inspired by Ollie. I'm not sure if Ollie himself animated this scene or not, but if it doesn't touch you just a little, you have no soul.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=AhrwSm6DcpM

[Dell Comics Fan]

I still have a VHS tape somewhere of an interview Merv Griffin conducted with
both Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston. They discussed such films as "Snow
White," "Bambi," and "The Rescuers." Clips were shown and they told some
interesting anecdotes about the making of those pictures. Very entertaining
program, some cool behind-the-scenes stories. You could tell, when they
discussed them, how much they really enjoyed their work.

[Vdubdavid]

Now up in Heaven Disney and his Nine Old Men are together again. May Ollie and all the rest of them rest in peace.

Here's hoping that the next Disney animated theatrical feature has a short that he did a lot of work on or some sort of tribute to him at the front of it.

[Daws Butler Jr.]

I think Ollie Johnston was a great draftsman, and I like the early exaggerated animation he did on the 30's Disney cartoons, so I wouldn't say I don't enjoy his work. It's only the later work in features that was influenced too much by live action reference that I don't care for. I can admire his technical proficiency in that later era, though.

Here is something that Ollie showed me on his movieola and talked about how he improved a scene from "The Rescuers", without the use of live action reference.

There is a scene where Penny, the little girl, picks up a heavy sword. He animated it, but felt that he wasn't getting the feeling of weight. She just lifted the sword. So, he reanimated it, adding a slight bobble, where Penny starts to lift the sword, then drops it a little, then struggles to lift it the rest of the way. It accomplished its goal and gave a real feeling of weight to the sword.

I'm amazed that Ollie lasted four more years than Frank. They were very generous with both their time and knowledge and really great guys.

[bj_wanlund]

Truly, TRULY the end of an era. Ollie will be missed (and yes, I'll always remember the homage to Frank and Ollie from "The Incredibles" as I thought that was just so cool).

Honestly, I can say that Disney is doing an equally admirable job with Brad Bird, John Lasseter, et al. I just wish Disney actually DID more cartoons than their live-action stuff. A) it's cheaper, and B) they don't get slammed so much about the live-action stuff which I'll argue wasn't EVER Disney's forte after Walt died. Walt brought a special something to his live-action material and, save for Muppet Christmas Carol and Muppet Treasure Island, Disney hasn't made a decent solely live-action movie since 1966 (Tron and Roger Rabbit don't count, as they're not STRICTLY live-action).

Heck, I'll even argue that they bought the Muppets because they can't do live-action to save their souls, and they needed a creative spark.

BJ

[Bugsy-Kun]

I think Ollie was a great human at our eyes. He's able to make relationships rightly between two characters and it's what makes his movies great and strong. Ollie staying in our hearts forever.