Is The Line Drawn?

[Jeff]

What exactly constitutes the "Golden Age"? Anything in the 60's and before? Theatrical cartoons only? Or is it just "understood"? ;)

Regards,
Jeff

[AngryBeavers]

Norb: I'd say after 1964 when the original Looney Tunes Studio closed down. Well, I shouldn't say original, cause Termite Terrace was the original, and it got torn down in 1946.
Dag: Classic cartoons never died out! Us beavers are as classic as them!
Norb: That's it Dag! I'm changing the password so you can't post here anymore!
Dag: Awwww!

[Matt Wilson]

I assume Golden Age is referring to theatrical animation, and I would agree that once you get past 1964 there ain't much there. Save for one or two gems (Great Mouse Detective, Cats Don't Dance, Toy's Story 2, and Emperor's New Groove come to mind).

That's the general consensus though. Personally for me I start losing interest in the 50s when Chuck Jones started to get infatuated with himself and sign his name on credits, and McKimson's cartoons started coming out very cheap-looking with poor background art and various animation shortcuts.

[Bamse]

I'd say it lasted from 1930 to 1958, give or take a few years.

[Pietro]

1914-1969, IMO

-Pietro:daffy:

[Jeff]

1914-1969, IMO

-Pietro:daffy:
Sounds about right to me too...:D

[Philo & Gunge]

1914 (Gertie the Dinosaur) to 1980 (the last DePaithe-Freling cartoon)

[Ray Pointer]

It's the theatrical period 1930 to 1955. The year 1955 represent the general curtailment of theatrical cartoons as they once were produced on a weekly release. This also signifies a lessening of quality animation and development, and the closing of shorts departments. First came Disney in 1955. Then MGM
in 1957, followed by Warners' in 1962. Walter Lantz continued producing theatrical cartoons for Universal until 1972, and DePatie-Freleng got into the act
from 1963 until 1972 or so, producing cartoons for UA and Warners'.

This period of the 1960s and 70s would hardly be considered part of the Golden Age since the level of production was comparable to television product of the time. In this respect, some would refer to this as the "tarnished" age. But as the theatrical era ended, animation saw a new "golden age" in television that
emphasized solid comedy scripts with strong voice acting. This golden age spaned the years 1957 to about 1970 in my estimation.

The "Animation Renaissance" of the 90s could be seen as the most recent "Golden Age." This started in 1983 and continued to 2000. At this point, it seems uncertain whether the wave of new CG features are considered to be a type of "golden age" in an era of continued downsizing and unemployment in Traditional Animation. But one thing is constant about the medium, it's like a Phoenix. It has been declaired dead many times before, and has risen from the ashes time and time again.:bugs2:

[Jeff]

Ray! Good to see you still around! :D

[frizfrelengfan]

Ray Pointer's got it about right.

But I also feel that each studio had it's own "Golden Age." For Warners, I consider it to be from 1935 (the hiring of Tex Avery) to 1959 (the death of Arthur Q. Bryan).

MGM, from 1939 until the studio closed in 1957.

Hanna-Barbera started strong but their "Golden Age" ended around 1965-1970 when they had to compete with cheap Japanese cartoons.

Famous Studios never had a golden age except maybe the first few years of their existence.

[Tom Stathes]

Yep, Ray's hit the nail on the head. Individually though, my golden age is 1911-1928, with 1929-1945 or so being almost equal.

-Tom

[Ray Pointer]

Regarding cartoon short subjects, for me Disney's "Golden Age" was the 1930s, as this period of development is most exciting, seeing his product improve and become more of the polished gems we have come to know after 1931 and ending in 1937. :mickey:


The "Golden Age" for Fleischer Studios would be 1921 to 1938 when their developent ceased and the content continued to decline with the exception of SUPERMAN, which was revolutionary at the time, but came too late in their history to move them to their next level of development. :sailor:

[Ray Pointer]

Perhaps to clarify matters, as we look through history, one "golden age" becomes redefined as new waves come along. The first "golden age" 1911- 1928 might be seen as the "gilded age." This was the period of pioneering of the medium, and the developments of the likes of McCay, Barre, Bray and Hurd, and Fleischer. These men developed the basic technoiques that created the industry. But the proliferation of cartoons soon started to outwear its welcome
by 1928. The advent of sound was largely resonsible for creating the "golden age" of animation post 1928 for several reasons.

The limitations of early talkies made live action films stiff and awkward, where cartoons were not affected by the tecnical limitations of the recording techinques. The quality of the recording for cartoons were generally superior to those in live action films because they were done in an original recording that was not mixed down or re-recorded as in live action films then. The novelty of combining moving drawings with music and sound effects was a tremendous experience, and was especially apprecitated by depression-weary audiences seeking escape and a reminder of happier times.

This demand for sound cartoons stimulated a creative spirit that pushed the medium further, adding new things that had not been done before. And as the artists became more proficient, they were able to advance the medium.
But this was only possible because there was a condition that made such advancements possible, and there was the will to see them materialize.
:bosko:

[Cartman]

I consider the "Golden Age" to be from 1935 to 1953. The period of 1954 to the late 1960's would be known as the "Silver Age." Cartoons from this time were cheaper and not as well animated, but were still good and WB artist Maurice Nobel did some excellent background art for various cartoons (i.e. DUCK DODGERS, WHAT'S OPERA DOC?). The 1970's through mid-1980's would be known as the "Dark Ages" when animation was cheaper and politically correct. Beginning in the late 80's was the "Renassance" era when animation bounced back.

[Yosemite682]

I think that it started in 1936, about the year that LT/MM stopped copying Disney. It was in it's prime in 1940-1950, war cartoons and Tex Avery at MGM. Then it started it's rampant decline in mid '50's. Tex Avery obviously loses his passion for cartoons in his later years with MGM, that and MGM"S cut of funding. Then Daffy Duck transforms from this happy-go-lucky, truly looney duck into a greedy, money-infatuated bird, a change which I absolutely hate. Then the music goes from the great Carl Stalling to the great Milt Franklin to the awful Bill Lava:lepew: who in my oppinion stunk in comparison. Then Looney Tunes was shutdown. Only to be plagued and scarred by reappearances by Daffy and Speedy. Don't get me wrong some GREAT cartoons were produced after 1959, but the general number are few in comparison. Golden Age of Cartoons 1936-1959 RIP

[cbrubaker]

DePatie-Freleng got into the act
from 1963 until 1972 or so,
Correction - DFE continued making theatricals until 1977 (although UA continued releasing made for TV Pink Panthers to theaters for few more years)

But DFE did got stale after the end of "The Blue Racer" series, so maybe only ones from 1964 to 1973 are worth watching.

Anyway, I never know how golden age in animation was working, but I'd say any theatrical short subjects, no matter how bad they are, so maybe until 1977...