What period are your favorite cartoons from?

[wackyoverkhaki]

Most of my favorite cartoons are from the 30's and 40's, especially late 30's and early to mid 40's. In the 50's I think animation began to "jump the shark". What perplexes me is why golden animation suddenly became too expensive.:confused:

[Fastphilly]

As for LT/MM I would have to say between 1947-1955

[Mark J]

Golden animation became too expensive because of the economic realities of the times - television and other amusements took people away from the movie theatres, theatres lost money, production companies had less money and interest in short subjects - get more people in and out of the theatre in less time. Plus expense of more color films being produced and experiments like cinescope. Also cartoons were beginning to be viewed as children's entertainment, not worth spending money or time on.

[Chasswynn]

Golden animation became too expensive because of the economic realities of the times - television and other amusements took people away from the movie theatres, theatres lost money, production companies had less money and interest in short subjects - get more people in and out of the theatre in less time. Plus expense of more color films being produced and experiments like cinescope. Also cartoons were beginning to be viewed as children's entertainment, not worth spending money or time on.

Just yesterday I was watching the bonus feature in the boxed set of Popeye cartoons I bought little Hasia. It showed how the cartoons were made and I was staggered at the amount of work that went into making just one cartoon. Especially intriguing was a procedure overseen constantly by Max Fleischer where the colored cells were positioned in this mammouth metal contraption and then right behind it there was for instance a three D model of a rugged mountain and it was moved from time to time and the cells of a large prehistoric bird were moved in front of it. The richness of the three dimensional picture was stunning. It looks like such an absorbing bunch of jobs. I watched it over and over just to understand it all.

[Duck Dodgers]

My favorite period is 1928-1958. from the Mouse debut to the last real good theatrical cartoons, the Droopy ones directed by Michael Lah.
Before and after this period there are only few titles I really love.
My favorite decades are, in order: 40s, 30s and 50s come both second!

[Martin Juneau]

The 1940's to 1958, the last year of real good theatrical cartoons

[Tom Stathes]

1900s-1930s.

[lonesome-lenny]

My first favorite period is 1929-1934. Especially so for the Fleischer cartoons, Van Beurens, early Disneys, Harman and Ising WBs... Cartoons begin to get seriously bland and unappealing in 1934.

I have a hard time enjoying cartoons made between '34 and '37. It was a period beset by forced cuteness, false attempts at manufacturing Disney-esque "charm," and a general visual ugliness. That said, there are some great cartoons (the Avery-led revolution at Termite Terrace, and some enjoyable Fleischers). I really can't stand the Disney output in this period. It's really ugly and bland.

Then there's a lively period from 1938 to 1942, where many animators and directors struggle to break away from the cloying confines of Disney imitation. This in-between period produces some very funny, if visually awkward, material.

Finally, the "mature" period of Hollywood studio cartoons, 1942-1950. This was when just about every animation studio was at their best, budgets were biggest, and the art of animation was at its arguable peak. Avery, Clampett, Tashlin, Hanna-Barbera, Culhane, Lundy, Tytla, etc. etc. etc. did their best work in this truly golden era. We also see dynamic breaks from the visual stereotypes of animation during wartime.

Many fine cartoons were made from 1950 onward, but a certain routine had settled over the animation industry. It was further fractured by an odd echo of the mid-30s, in which cartoon studios were now trying to imitate UPA in the same way they attempted to ape Disney, two decades prior (and, of course, even Disney got in on this bandwagon).

There are great cartoons in just about every year between 1928 and 1964. The '42 to '50 period remains my favorite, but I also have an equal fondness for the surreal Depression-era New York cartoons.

[Cartman]

My favorite period of animation is from the mid-30's to the mid-50's.

[Thad]

In general, around 1940-1955, but that eliminates a lot of other favorites too, so here's my break down of the best of each studio...

Warner Bros. - 1930-1960 (with the sole exception of the Buddy era), these were the best cartoons ever made.

MGM - 1942-1955 (with exceptions like Fog Horn Frog, early Tom & Jerry, and Mike Lah Droopy)

Disney - 1928-1956 (both shorts and features wise)

Lantz - 1940-1966 (with the exception of most of Paul Smith's pictures past 1957, and most of Jack Hannah's)

Fleischer - 1933-1939 (Popeye only really, sorry! :sailor: )

Famous - 1942-1955

Columbia/Screen Gems - 1941-1949

Terrytoons - 1949-1957 (plus some of the Gene Deitch shorts afterwards)

Iwerks - 1932-33 Flip only :flip:

DePatie-Freleng - Earliest Panthers and the Inspector only, so 1964-1968

UPA - Earlier the better, so roughly 1948-1952

[jrinspace]

My favorite period runs from 1928 thru 1940.

Going further, the years break like this:

1. 1932 - 1936
2. 1930 - 1931
3. 1937 - 1940
4. 1928 - 1929

Of course I like individual cartoons of the Golden Age from 1928 all the way thru 1958 (especially Bugs Bunny/Looney Tunes). But 99% of any cartoon produced by most of the studios from the above periods are definately my favorites.

[oceansoul]

The 40s and the 50s. :daffy:

[David Gerstein]

Here's my break down of the best of each studio...
Warner Bros. - 1930-1960 (with the sole exception of the Buddy era), [...]
MGM - 1942-1955 (with exceptions like Fog Horn Frog, early Tom & Jerry, and Mike Lah Droopy) [...]
Lantz - 1940-1966 (with the exception of most of Paul Smith's pictures past 1957, and most of Jack Hannah's)Er, I'm not sure what you're saying about your exceptions!
When they fall into the age range you've indicated as "best" (i. e. Buddy), I presume they're exceptions because they aren't as good as what surrounded them.
But when they don't fall into the "best" period (i. e. Fog Horn Frog, predating MGM's "best"), do you mean they're exceptions because they're better than the others of their era?

[Thad]

But when they don't fall into the "best" period (i. e. Fog Horn Frog, predating MGM's "best"), do you mean they're exceptions because they're better than the others of their era?


Correct.

[chuckamuck45]

You've pretty much called it the same way I see it, Thad, with the following changes:


In general, around 1940-1955, but that eliminates a lot of other favorites too, so here's my break down of the best of each studio...

Warner Bros. - 1930-1960 (with the sole exception of the Buddy era), these were the best cartoons ever made.

MGM - 1942-1955 (with exceptions like Fog Horn Frog, early Tom & Jerry, and Mike Lah Droopy)

Disney - 1928-1956 (both shorts and features wise)

Lantz - 1940-1966 (with the exception of most of Paul Smith's pictures past 1957, and most of Jack Hannah's)

Fleischer - 1933-1939 (Popeye only really, sorry! :sailor: ) - I like Betty Boop

Famous - 1942-1955

Columbia/Screen Gems - 1941-1949

Terrytoons - 1949-1957 (plus some of the Gene Deitch shorts afterwards) - I'm not a big Terrytoons fan

Iwerks - 1932-33 Flip only :flip:

DePatie-Freleng - Earliest Panthers and the Inspector only, so 1964-1968

UPA - Earlier the better, so roughly 1948-1952

[Jack G.]

What perplexes me is why golden animation suddenly became too expensive.:confused:
There's several elements at play (to this non-expert) in the death of the theatrical cartoon:

Inflation kicked in pretty good after the war.

Television kept audiences (and their money) home.

The studios kept making cuts in budgets to keep profits up.

The breakup of the theater chains that had to accept the extras (shorts, newsreels, serials, etc...) along with the major features.

Also, it seems to me that there wasn't much "new blood" coming in (maybe because the studios were shrinking, not growing).
I do think having young people with fresh ideas is important.

[Tom Stathes]

There's several elements at play (to this non-expert) in the death of the theatrical cartoon:

Inflation kicked in pretty good after the war.

Television kept audiences (and their money) home.

The studios kept making cuts in budgets to keep profits up.

The breakup of the theater chains that had to accept the extras (shorts, newsreels, serials, etc...) along with the major features.

Also, it seems to me that there wasn't much "new blood" coming in (maybe because the studios were shrinking, not growing).
I do think having young people with fresh ideas is important.
True...though why was quality apparent in the depression days? Were the studios hurt by it at all?

[Geezil]

1930-1955, give or take a couple of years on either side, plus an**e (to abbreviate a certain word that has to be used very sparingly around here ;) ) from the early 1960s through the present.

[J. J. Hunsecker]

The 1940's!

[wackyoverkhaki]

Golden animation became too expensive because of the economic realities of the times - television and other amusements took people away from the movie theatres, theatres lost money, production companies had less money and interest in short subjects - get more people in and out of the theatre in less time. Plus expense of more color films being produced and experiments like cinescope. Also cartoons were beginning to be viewed as children's entertainment, not worth spending money or time on.

Oh that's tragic. I already knew about the decline in theater-going, but I never made that obvious connection between that and the animation industry. I keep forgetting that cartoons back then were shown before the feature presentation, not on TV! I'm too young to have ever been able to experience a cartoon on the big screen. Even my dad said they'd still air :bugs2: cartoons in the 60's/70's when he was growing up -today it's just 15 minutes of ads and previews for movies I have no interest in seeing. This is why I don't go to the theater much anymore. But the tradeoff is I can enjoy:bugs2: :daffy: :ysam: :befuddled :sowhite: :ham: in the privacy of my own home now. But to see LT/MM on the big screen, that would be really something:eek:

[wackyoverkhaki]

There are great cartoons in just about every year between 1928 and 1964. The '42 to '50 period remains my favorite, but I also have an equal fondness for the surreal Depression-era New York cartoons.

I agree. I left out the 20's and 50's. BTW, I remember Tex Avery poking fun at that Disneyesque "cuteness" you were talking about at the opening of a Screwy Squirrel cartoon.

[FleischerFan]

The 1930's are my favorite decade overall: Betty Boop, Popeye, the early Mickey Mouse, Silly Symphonies, Van Beuren, Iwerks, etc.

However, Warners and MGM don't really get going until the 1940's.

[MF TOON]

My absolute favorite era of classic animation is from the late 20's (towards end of the silent-period) through to about the early-mid forties. There are obvious exceptions, of course. But this period defines the "Golden Age" of studio shorts, for me.

My second favorite period of American animation, would be the stylized theatrical and early TV productions of the fifties. Mostly the "modern-art" style that was being produced at UPA and even Disney at the time.

To my preferance, these are definitely the stand-out decades in American cartoons which derived the most originality and innovation through experimentation as evidenced in the writing and storylines, characters, designs and development, aesthetics, layouts, backgrounds and overall quality of animation.

[jazzman78]

For me it's the late 20's through to about 1948. Very little past that point.

[Duck Dodgers]

MGM - 1942-1955 (with exceptions like Fog Horn Frog, early Tom & Jerry, and Mike Lah Droopy)




Which are the cartoons that do feature Fog Horn Frog?
I want to be sure that I understand who the character is.

[Mr. Semaj]

There's few non-Disney or Warner Bros. cartoons that I'm even familiar with from the 1920's to mid-1930's. The general period of favorite cartoons are from the late 1930's to the early 1950's. The mid-1950's thru the mid-1960's are when the very last of the great golden age cartoons came.

[Jack G.]

True...though why was quality apparent in the depression days? Were the studios hurt by it at all?Um, you're the Silent Cartoon Researcher. You probably could tell better than I.:D
I'm not sure how the depression shaped what was going on at the studios at the time. Did theater goers stay away in the depression?

[Tom Stathes]

Um, you're the Silent Cartoon Researcher. You probably could tell better than I.:D
I'm not sure how the depression shaped what was going on at the studios at the time. Did theater goers stay away in the depression?
Grumble, grumble. Silent cartoons had almost all but dissapeared by then! ;)
Actually, it is to my understanding that depression-era folks frequented theaters heavily. From a social point of view, it was to distract them from their financial troubles (hence 5c for a mammoth screening of good films.) From a political point of view, it was to distract them from rioting [again, according to what I've researhed.]

Then, it's safer to say that theaters were making much more money in depression-era America than in the 1950s. Guess I answered my own question! :bosko:

[frizfrelengfan]

From the beginning of the sound era to about 1955. I enjoy silents but not as much. After WB re-opened its studio in the mid '50's the quality started to decline.

More specifically, I like the '30's the best, especially pre-Hays Code Fleischers and most of the WB output from that period. My second favorite decade is the '40's, especially the output of WB and MGM.

[Marty26]

Assuming you're refering to WB cartoons, I'd have to say 1945 up to (and including) 1955. IMO, the beginning of the end for the golden age of WB cartoons was a little after the then-new renditions of The Merry-Go Round Broke Down and Merrily We Roll Along were introduced (respectively with Sahara Hare and Hare Brush).

I'd say it was around the time Too Hop To Handle was released in 1956 that WB cartoons started to lose their edge.

[Thad]

Which are the cartoons that do feature Fog Horn Frog?
I want to be sure that I understand who the character is.

"Old Mill Pond", "Swing Wedding", Bosko and the black frogs... Fog Horn Frog is the one that's a caricature of Louie Armstrong.

[808]

The period my favorite cartoons are from: 1991-1996

But for more classic cartoons: 1959-1965

[nickramer]

My favorite period is 1928-1969 (there are about 2 dozen good DPFE cartoons and Disney cartoons after that, though)

By the way, Thad, I am a little confused by your comment about the MGM cartoons exceptions. Do you mean you like them or dislike them?

Also, which of the Jack Hannah Walter Lantz do you think are weak when you made that comment?

[Thad]

By the way, Thad, I am a little confused by your comment about the MGM cartoons exceptions. Do you mean you like them or dislike them?

Also, which of the Jack Hannah Walter Lantz do you think are weak when you made that comment?

I mean I like them. The Harman-Ising cartoons at MGM are really boring for the most part, with the exceptions like the black frogs and the few Freleng did uncredited. Also, I can't believe I forgot some of the Captain and Kids and Screwloose shorts! Past 1955, the Tom & Jerrys are really poor (losing Ray Patterson was a big blow IMO) and the layouts by Dick Bickenbach are really crummy.

Jack Hannah's cartoons at Lantz for the most part are very well animated for their limited budget, but they are really repetitive. Paul Frees as Doc and Roy Jenkins and Art Davis' animation saves those cartoons at least from being globally awful like Smith's at that point, but I still don't like them.

[Chow Hound]

Mid-forties to mid-sixties.

[Nick]

I would say that my favourite cartoons were made around 1936 - 1960, although I really like a lot of stuff that came before and after that time bracket.

[Jack G.]

Actually, it is to my understanding that depression-era folks frequented theaters heavily. From a social point of view, it was to distract them from their financial troubles ...
Then, it's safer to say that theaters were making much more money in depression-era America than in the 1950s. Guess I answered my own question! :bosko:
Yeah, my impression is people were going to the theater at that time to escape all the gloom going on.

[bray-fan]

1900s-1930s.

Same here.

[angilbas]

The thirty-year period beginning in 1938 is tops for me. By turns Frank Tashlin, Bob Clampett, Tex Avery, Friz Freleng, William Hanna and Joseph Barbera, Art Davis, Bob McKimson and Chuck Jones were at their best. Later years treated us to Jay Ward productions on TV and the finest D-FE shorts in theaters.


-Tony

[scewy]

Depends on the character(s) and show(s)

[Tim Lones]

Warners from 1939-58

Fleischers Popeyes and Superman..many of the Famous Popeyes

Early Hanna Barbera TV-from 1957-69-This is mostly what I grew up with on TV..After 1970 HB mostly got too formulaic with the Scooby Doo Clones.

Some of the Terrytoons from the 60's I liked.. again on TV..Deputy Dawg, Astronut, etc.

[cutejuicyjojo59]

I really like Warner Bros. from 1935 to 1949. I don't really fancy the others.

[Dell Comics Fan]

Warners from 1939-58

Fleischers Popeyes and Superman..many of the Famous Popeyes

Early Hanna Barbera TV-from 1957-69-This is mostly what I grew up with on TV..After 1970 HB mostly got too formulaic with the Scooby Doo Clones.

Some of the Terrytoons from the 60's I liked.. again on TV..Deputy Dawg, Astronut, etc.

I'd agree with everything you've listed, Tim. The only things I can add are
the early Tom & Jerrys and Jay Ward's brilliant stuff (esp. Rocky & Bullwinkle).
Clampett's Beany & Cecil was funny, too but much of the humor is dated now.

[fan4life]

In general, around 1940-1955, but that eliminates a lot of other favorites too, so here's my break down of the best of each studio...

Warner Bros. - 1930-1960 (with the sole exception of the Buddy era), these were the best cartoons ever made.

MGM - 1942-1955 (with exceptions like Fog Horn Frog, early Tom & Jerry, and Mike Lah Droopy)

Disney - 1928-1956 (both shorts and features wise)

Lantz - 1940-1966 (with the exception of most of Paul Smith's pictures past 1957, and most of Jack Hannah's)

Fleischer - 1933-1939 (Popeye only really, sorry! :sailor: )

Famous - 1942-1955

Columbia/Screen Gems - 1941-1949

Terrytoons - 1949-1957 (plus some of the Gene Deitch shorts afterwards)

Iwerks - 1932-33 Flip only :flip:

DePatie-Freleng - Earliest Panthers and the Inspector only, so 1964-1968

UPA - Earlier the better, so roughly 1948-1952


Amen!