The ten biggest turning points in animation history

[MonkeyFunk]

Jerry Beck's written an article (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117944188?categoryid=1050&cs=1&query=jerry+and+beck&display=jerry+beck) on the ten most pivotal cartoons in history; it's only available to Variety subscribers, but he's posted the list on his forum:

GERTIE THE DINOSAUR (1914)

STEAMBOAT WILLIE (1928)

SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS (1937)

GERALD McBOING BOING (1950)

THE FLINTSTONES (1960)

FRITZ THE CAT (1972)

AKIRA (1988)

THE SIMPSONS (1989)

THE REN & STIMPY SHOW (1991)

TOY STORY (1995)

[J. B. Warner]

I'd say that about sums it up.

[Peter Paltridge]

Yeah, I don't think you can really argue with that. Except maybe for the addition of B:TAS.

[John Pannozzi]

Jerry Beck's written an article (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117944188?categoryid=1050&cs=1&query=jerry+and+beck&display=jerry+beck) on the ten most pivotal cartoons in history; it's only available to Variety subscribers, but he's posted the list on his forum:

GERTIE THE DINOSAUR (1914)

STEAMBOAT WILLIE (1928)

SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS (1937)

GERALD McBOING BOING (1950)

THE FLINTSTONES (1960)

FRITZ THE CAT (1972)

AKIRA (1988)

THE SIMPSONS (1989)

THE REN & STIMPY SHOW (1991)

TOY STORY (1995)

I'd add "Porky's Duck Hunt" (1937), "A Wild Hare" (1940), "Tweetie Pie" (1947), Scooby-Doo, Where are You? (1969), Mighty Mouse: The New Adventures (1987), "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" (1988), "The Little Mermaid" (1989), Tiny Toon Adventures (1990), Batman: The Animated Series (1992), Beavis & Butt-Head (1993), South Park (1997) and "South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut" (1999) to that list.

[Golgo13]

I agree that Who Framed Roger Rabbit? should be on that list since it was a pretty revolutionary animated film. I'd also go as far as adding Robotech to that list seeing as how it raised the age bracket for animation in the 80's.

[Gokou Ruri]

Gerald McBoing Boing? Akira? Ren and Stimpy? Why are they on that list?

I'd put Roger Rabbit, Beavis & Butt-Head, and Batman: The Animated Series over them.

[MonkeyFunk]

Ehh, you could argue long into the night about what should or shouldn't go into the list; but I don't think anyone here would be able to come up with list of ten that's much more or less credible than Jerry's.

[tb4000]

The very first Looney Tunes short that poked fun at or mentioned WWII. That was a pretty messed up time for a lot of the world, and to have animated characters giving their take on it was pretty revolutionary at the time I would think. Most animated cartoons go into political satire nowadays, but that was the first time that I think cartoons went that route.

[Fifi Fanatic]

I'd add "Porky's Duck Hunt" (1937), "A Wild Hare" (1940), "Tweetie Pie" (1947), Scooby-Doo, Where are You? (1969), Mighty Mouse: The New Adventures (1987), "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" (1988), "The Little Mermaid" (1989), Tiny Toon Adventures (1990), Batman: The Animated Series (1992), Beavis & Butt-Head (1993), South Park (1997) and "South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut" (1999) to that list.

Jerry is right on the money once again. Can't really argue with any of those. I'd certainly have to add most of yours to that list too, John. Or at least give them an honorable mention.

[DarthNuriko]

Everything on that list is what I would expect to see. I'm just stumped by one: What is GERALD McBOING BOING?

I think "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" would've made that list if it sparked a slew of imitators or changed the face of cartoons by initiating a series of studio crossovers (for example). As it stood, it was made, was successful, and then things kinda stopped going in that direction.

[HG Revolution]

Gerald McBoing Boing? Akira? Ren and Stimpy? Why are they on that list?

I'd put Roger Rabbit, Beavis & Butt-Head, and Batman: The Animated Series over them.

Gerald McBoingBoing inspired the whole art style used by CN, but other than that, yeah it's pretty obscure. Akira is important in the US for being the first significant anime to make a name in the states. Love it or hate it, Ren and Stimpy was a primary factor in the explosion of creator-driven cartoons.

I'd put Roger Rabbit over Gerald McBoing Boing as well and maybe if we want to be more universal then replace Akira with Gundam, but sadly Batman: TAS isn't as big a turning point as many animation fans want it to be. It was a brilliant series like nothing that came before it, but on the other hand there was very little that came after it which followed the trend (not counting the other Timm/Dini shows). The American action animation market is really small compared to the comedy market unfortunately. As for Beavis and Butthead, it mostly just carried and popularized the trends started by The Simpsons (animation for adults) and Ren and Stimpy (offbeat shock-value humor).

[Anthonynotes]

Everything on that list is what I would expect to see. I'm just stumped by one: What is GERALD McBOING BOING?

I think "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" would've made that list if it sparked a slew of imitators or changed the face of cartoons by initiating a series of studio crossovers (for example). As it stood, it was made, was successful, and then things kinda stopped going in that direction.


Would've thought someone here would know what it was/chimed in by now, but:

"Gerald" was an early 1950's series of theatrical cartoons produced by UPA (the studio more famous for "Mr. Magoo"). My guess for why it made the list: an early (if not the first) example of UPA's minimalist animation style that paved the way for TV's "limited animation" (i.e. pioneering the notion that cartoons didn't have to look like "Fantasia" to be successful)...

-B.

[Sharklady]

Perhaps 'Roger Rabbit' is ineligible for inclusion because it's largely live-action. But here's three I'd nominate:

Yuri Norstein's 'Tale Of Tales'; possibly the highest standard-setter for European animation.

Claymation pioneer 'Gumby'.

'A Charlie Brown Christmas', which proved comic strips could make it as moving art, and paved the way for every holiday TV cartoon since.

And an Honorable Mention is due to 'Rocky and Bulwinkle', for demonstrating that limited animation can work, when supported by quality writing.


BTW: Love your new avatar, Brainatra!

[mammy2shoesfan]

I would add Transformers/Gi-JOE, Ducktails and The Smurfs.

[DarthGonzo]

I would add Transformers/Gi-JOE, Ducktails and The Smurfs.

None of these are turning points though, at least not anything that would break the top ten.

[Pepperidge]

I'd also agree on replacing Akira with Gundam since, in the grand scheme of things, Akira didn't really have much of an impact outside of certain underground circles in North America.

The rest of that list is pretty sound, though.

[stephane dumas]

Would've thought someone here would know what it was/chimed in by now, but:

"Gerald" was an early 1950's series of theatrical cartoons produced by UPA (the studio more famous for "Mr. Magoo"). My guess for why it made the list: an early (if not the first) example of UPA's minimalist animation style that paved the way for TV's "limited animation" (i.e. pioneering the notion that cartoons didn't have to look like "Fantasia" to be successful)...

-B.

there was also a remake done by Cookie Jar entertainement (formerly known as Cinar) here some pics at http://images.google.ca/images?hl=fr&rls=GGLD,GGLD:2004-44,GGLD:en&q=gerald+mcboing+boing+cookie+jar&sa=N&tab=wi )

[MonkeyFunk]

So anyway... the list leans heavily towards 2D American animation, which isn't surprising since that's Jerry's area of expertise. And it's got to lean in some direction, I mean, you can't really condense the entire history of animation into 10 films without sticking mainly to one subdivision or the other...

Be interesting to see what stop motion films might have made the list. Off the top of my head I can't really think of any that have been "pivotal"; it's a medium that's more been steadily built upon over time, as opposed to given a series of jolts. There's Gumby, as Sharklady suggested, and Nightmare Before Christmas might count, since it seems to have been the first stop motion feature to really make waves. Maybe something by Will Vinton, George Pal or Nick Park, too.


I'd also agree on replacing Akira with Gundam since, in the grand scheme of things, Akira didn't really have much of an impact outside of certain underground circles in North America.

Ehh, problem with Gundam is that, while it may have been influential in its home country, it never really did much for the American scene. If Jerry included it, then he'd probably also have to cover Wallace and Gromit, the National Film Board of Canada and so forth. From an American point of view Akira is probably the best choice.

[Alex Toon]

The very first Looney Tunes short that poked fun at or mentioned WWII. That was a pretty messed up time for a lot of the world, and to have animated characters giving their take on it was pretty revolutionary at the time I would think. Most animated cartoons go into political satire nowadays, but that was the first time that I think cartoons went that route.
Wasn't that "Donald Duck in Nutzi Land" with the song "Der Fuhrer's Face" about farting towards Hitler? That was some pretty gutsy stuff back then.

[Dr. Dave]

It's an impressive list. Unfortunately, without reading the original article (and thus knowing Jerry's reasoning), I can't comment on it.

I can guess at his logic for most of the list, but a few items perplex me.

[The Weed Of Cri]

Here are a few items that I consider milestones:

Disney's Fantasia should be on the list because it was the first feature film to raise animation above the realm of kiddie entertainment, and raised it to the realm of high art.

Jay Ward's Crusader Rabbit and Hanna-Barbera's Ruff 'N' Reddy (tie) for proving it was possible to make a cost-effective weekly made-for-TV cartoon series.

Beauty And The Beast was the first animated film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture (and led to the addition of a Best Animated Feature Film category so the self-important, politically-correct, live action crap wouldn't have to compete with Finding Nemo and The Incredibles.

[MonkeyFunk]

Lupercal of the KeyframeOnline forums made a great comment on this list:


Maybe there should be a top 10 trivial moments list.

(1933) Charles Hastings blinds Tex Avery in the left eye during a rubber-band propelled paper clip fight at Walter Lantz studios.

(2003) Finding Nemo released.

That sort of thing.

[mammy2shoesfan]

Quote:
Originally Posted by mammy2shoesfan
I would add Transformers/Gi-JOE, Ducktails and The Smurfs.


None of these are turning points though, at least not anything that would break the top ten.

I would have to disgree. Transformers/Gi-Joe cartoons are still being made till this day and as far as I'm consired put the action back into action cartoons. Ducktails brought Disney back so that helps Roger Rabbit come out. The Smurfs changed the face of Saturday mornings some say for the best some say for the worst but it did change Saturday mornings.

[mg_winxclub]

I would have to disagree with the list. Shows like Speed Racer, Voltron, and Battle of the Planets were pivital in getting Japanese Anime on USA networks.

[Sharklady]

>Maybe there should be a top 10 trivial moments list....

(2003) Finding Nemo released. <

I don't understand that reasoning.

[MonkeyFunk]

Apparenlty, he didn't think much of Finding Nemo.

(if you think he was rude there, you should see what he had to say about Shark Tale)

[Gokou Ruri]

I would have to disagree with the list. Shows like Speed Racer, Voltron, and Battle of the Planets were pivital in getting Japanese Anime on USA networks. How many people knew they were anime though?

I think the best choice would have been Pokemon, or Dragonball Z. Those two shows really pumped up anime's popularity.

[Zinal]

Jerry Beck's written an article (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117944188?categoryid=1050&cs=1&query=jerry+and+beck&display=jerry+beck) on the ten most pivotal cartoons in history; it's only available to Variety subscribers, but he's posted the list on his forum:

GERTIE THE DINOSAUR (1914)

STEAMBOAT WILLIE (1928)

SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS (1937)

GERALD McBOING BOING (1950)

THE FLINTSTONES (1960)

FRITZ THE CAT (1972)

AKIRA (1988)

THE SIMPSONS (1989)

THE REN & STIMPY SHOW (1991)

TOY STORY (1995)I agree with all of these but I would add Looney Toons there.

[tb4000]

A lot of people don't even know who Gerald McBoing Boing is to be honest. I didn't know until I saw that new show on Tickle U. Not that I watch that. :o

[Rasputin]

I can't really disagree with that list, except there's nothing to really represent the beginning of the Disney-led American animation 'renaissance' in the late '80s-early '90s, which was a turning point and a half, in many ways. So I guess I'll have to chime in for Who Framed Roger Rabbit like everyone else. That's my only beef with it, really.

[Ragebot]

Here are a few items that I consider milestones:

Disney's Fantasia should be on the list because it was the first feature film to raise animation above the realm of kiddie entertainment, and raised it to the realm of high art.
The film flopped *horribly* in 1940 and didn't get any recognition at all until years later. I also doubt that it influenced others in making other 'high art'. (And frankly I consider Snow White, and expecially Pinocchio to be just as good if not better.)

[Pc-Famicom64]

Tiny Toon Adventures (1990).I say that as well, becuse It's done by TMS (As well as Animaniacs & Pinky & The Brain, The Sylvester & Tweety Mysteries did not did too well when it was airing with New Episodes on Kids WB & nether did Fox's Petter Pan when it was on Fox Kids, TMS was not to well know for ther works for Disney & Dic, Ther did not much work for Filmation (Filmation's Zoro & Galaxy High*), Universal (American Tail 3) , MGM (Mighty Orbots & The Blinkys) & NOA (Cybersix, This NOA dose "Not" stand for Nintendo of America) & DC's shows did not do well at that Time But Marvel did good but not as good as Warner Bros, Plus this put TMS on The Map outside of Japan) .

* = I don't know.

[Jex]

I'd add "Porky's Duck Hunt" (1937), "A Wild Hare" (1940), "Tweetie Pie" (1947), Scooby-Doo, Where are You? (1969), Mighty Mouse: The New Adventures (1987), "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" (1988), "The Little Mermaid" (1989), Tiny Toon Adventures (1990), Batman: The Animated Series (1992), Beavis & Butt-Head (1993), South Park (1997) and "South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut" (1999) to that list.
You pretty much hit the nail on the head.

[Anthonynotes]

Perhaps 'Roger Rabbit' is ineligible for inclusion because it's largely live-action. But here's three I'd nominate:

Yuri Norstein's 'Tale Of Tales'; possibly the highest standard-setter for European animation.

Claymation pioneer 'Gumby'.

'A Charlie Brown Christmas', which proved comic strips could make it as moving art, and paved the way for every holiday TV cartoon since.

And an Honorable Mention is due to 'Rocky and Bulwinkle', for demonstrating that limited animation can work, when supported by quality writing.


BTW: Love your new avatar, Brainatra!

Thanks, Sharklady :-) (To be anal, Brain in the story it's from was trying to take over the current day, only-one-Earth-with-too-many-superheroes-on-it "DC Universe", versus Earth-One of old, but Earth-One was more entertaining a setting anyway/was the setting for some of my old fanfic stories with the mice, so... ;-) ).

I usually cite "DuckTales" as helping to kickstart TV animation's "Silver Age" in the late 80's----a show that was popular *and* was well-animated/well-wirtten/not a half-hour infomercial for a toy, leading to the "Disney Afternoon", "Tiny Toon Adventures", and possibly also NickToons (Ren & Stimpy included)....

-B.

[DarthGonzo]

I say that as well, becuse It's done by TMS

If Tiny Toon Adventures was not animated by TMS would you even care about it? Your still name-dropping this animation house like crazy.

ANYWAY, no biggie. I pretty much agree on TTA, but more because of the writing and the fact that it was a great throwback to the old school Looney Tunes. Yeah the TMS animation was nice, but it's not the last word in animation.

[Pc-Famicom64]

If Tiny Toon Adventures was not animated by TMS would you even care about it? Your still name-dropping this animation house like crazy.

ANYWAY, no biggie. I pretty much agree on TTA, but more because of the writing and the fact that it was a great throwback to the old school Looney Tunes. Yeah the TMS animation was nice, but it's not the last word in animation.1.Yes, But not as much (Somewher at 25%) .

2.Yea, The writing is the most neading part in a Cartoon (Mosty on The Simpsons, Freakazoid, Futurama and Beavis & Butt-Head witch are not Animation by TMS).

3.Hears my over seas studio favorites gide to TTA.

" 1.TMS. "
2.Startoons.
3.Wang.
4.Akom.
5.Freelance.
6.Kennedy.
" 7.Encore. "

4.People nead to know that Japanese Animation studios have done much more then just Anime.

5.Anime is a big thing in The US now, Toei is know for Dragon Ball Z, Sunrise is know for Gundom, Mad House is know for Card Captor Sakura & Studio Pierrot is know for Naruto, But TMS is still know for Tiny Toons (Out side of Japan, in Japan TMS is know for Lupin the III), most people out side of Japan do not know that TMS dose Anime.

6.Hey, At less I'm doing it alot less.

And 7.Alot of people what ther stuff ship off to Japan and not to South Korea (like on Family Guy, Plus much better writing in the show).

[DarthGonzo]

EDIT: post removed.

[MKCP_90]

It's an impressive list. Unfortunately, without reading the original article (and thus knowing Jerry's reasoning), I can't comment on it.

I can guess at his logic for most of the list, but a few items perplex me.
You can access the actual article from ToonZone. Click on the 'News & Views' link. Then click on 'Front Page'. You can find a link to the article there. You do not have to subscribe to Variety to read the article by clicking this link. Hope that helps. It is a very good article.

Really, the only ones I can think of are:
1. Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (For the reasons many have posted)
2. The Nightmare Before Christmas (Stop-motion mainstream)
3. The Little Mermaid (Basically, this was the catalyst to the revival of the animated feature starting in the very late 1980s)
4. 101 Dalmations (Breakthrough with xerography)
5. Rankin-Bass Holiday specials (Stop motion for the masses, no pun intended)

[mojokingbee1]

You're hopeless, Mr. Famicom.:shrug:

[Dr. Dave]

Now that I've read Jerry's article, I mostly agree with him. It's tough to pick 10 films that are, in his own words, "... clear cut turning points in the history of animation. These important films developed the art and changed public perception permanently."

The first three films on Jerry's list (Gertie the Dinosaur (1914), Steamboat Willie (1928), Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1938)) are pretty much no-brainers. Every animation historian would agree with these picks.

I'm not so sure about Gerald McBoing Boing (1950). Yes, it's true that UPA's style in the early 50's was trend setting and had a major impact in the industry, but I'm less sure of its impact with the public. Sadly, UPAs product has mostly disappeared into the vaults, and has been unseen by the public for decades.

The Flintstones (1960) is another no brainer. I'm not a big fan of Ralph Bakshi's work, but I'll concede the impact of Fritz the Cat (1972) and his other films of that era.

I won't disagree with the choice of Akira (1988) or The Simpsons (1989).

I'm also not sure of the impact of The Ren & Stimpy Show (1991), but here I may be letting my own prejudices influence me. I never liked that show. :mad:

Toy Story (1995) gets my vote, too.

If I had to suggest a film for the list, it might be Disney's Beauty and the Beast. It was the first animated feature film nominated for Best Picture, and definitely raised public expectations of what an animated feature should be.

Still, a pretty good top 10 given the selection criteria. :D

[Pc-Famicom64]

You're hopeless, Mr. Famicom.:shrug:Why say that? :confused:

[DarthGonzo]

Why say that? :confused:

I'm assuming he said it because your still specializing in off-topic posts about TMS in threads where that topic couldn't possibly come up without you mentioning it first.

[MonkeyFunk]

Jerry's commented on Roger Rabbit on his forum:


I don't know. Other than inspiring SPACE JAM and COOL WORLD, I don't think that film turned things in animation (the way TOY STORY would a few years later). I would agree that the combination of MIGHTY MOUSE: THE NEW ADVENTURES (1987), THE LITTLE MERMAID (1987) WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT (1988) and THE SIMPSONS (1989) really set the stage for the animation boom of the 1990s.
He's also said that, if he could have included an 11th film, it would've been Porky's Duck Hunt.

[Sharklady]

^ Has he dropped the name of any claymation work? 'Seems like the genre deserves at least a mention.

[tb4000]

^ Has he dropped the name of any claymation work? 'Seems like the genre deserves at least a mention.

Davey and Goliath. One of the first to use animation as a religious tool.

[Scythemantis]

Batman: the Animated Series was a great show, but that doesn't make it a "turning point". This isn't a list of the "best", only the most influential.

[Sharklady]

^ Has he dropped the name of any claymation work? 'Seems like the genre deserves at least a mention.
Davey and Goliath. One of the first to use animation as a religious tool. <

'Davy and Goliath' is actually stop-motion animation. Which does involve a similar process, and perhaps deserves mention as well.

Unless this list refers only to the history of 2D animation.

[Teknomancer]

The list looks fine except for Akira and the lack of Looney Tunes.

[ltnut]

I think Who Framed Roger Rabbit deserves to be on the list as well. I'd also agree that George Pal's work deserves recognition as well. And in computerized 3D animation, Veggie Tales actually came before Toy Story.

[mojokingbee1]

I think Who Framed Roger Rabbit deserves to be on the list as well. I'd also agree that George Pal's work deserves recognition as well. And in computerized 3D animation, Veggie Tales actually came before Toy Story.

What about "Reboot"?

[MonkeyFunk]

I don't think either of them really had the same impact as toy Story, though. I think if any pre-TS CGI cartoon were to be included, it would've been Luxo Jr.

[Akelexre]

How many people knew they were anime though?

I think the best choice would have been Pokemon, or Dragonball Z. Those two shows really pumped up anime's popularity.
Funny you should mention that.

If memory serves correctly, DBZ premiered on Cartoon Network (where, if you'll remember, it truly made a name for itself) and Pokemon premiered on Kids WB (where, again, it made a name for itself; both Pokemon and DBZ were stuck in nation-wide syndication beforehand) both within exactly one week of each other.

DBZ first aired on CN on Aug. 31, 1998 and Pokemon aired on WB on Sept. 7, 1998.

If my memory DOES serve correctly, that week should be a potential top 10 candidate, as it effectively was the beginning of the two huge anime shows in America that would blow open the door for many others, and even help lead to American shows like Avatar and Teen Titans.

--Alexander

[Jester2415]

I'd add:
Princess Mononoke

[tucsoncoyote]

Now I'm gonna put my two cents in on at least one thing that changed carttons and in fact this could be one of the top ten... all because without these two characters, Two others some 45 years later would not even have been conceived.

What Two characters am I talking about here? Well they belonn in the "Tex Avery" Stable.. and they're Red and Screwy Squirrel.

Now Tex Avery was no real genius.. he understood that cartoons were not for kids.. and in fact his first character he pulled out of his pencil work was perhaps Screwy Squirrel.. (That's right Screwy Squirrel in some ways was the predecessor to 1988's Roger Rabbit..(Note the Mannerisms of Roger and Compare them to any 1940's animation dealing with the squirrel.. it's oddly familiar...

but then Avery wasn't into just animals mind you. One of Avery's most notorious films was one called "Red Hot Riding Hood" and in fact this was more then 45 years before it was finally shown on television (and Red? She was a character most people think was based on Jessica.. Actually Red was the model for Jessica Rabbit (and in fact Jessica isn't only based on Red but also noted Celebrities of the 1940's (Most Notably Bette Davis (the Eyes) Greta Garbo (The Lips), Rita Hayworth (The Legs) and Jane Russell (The Body..) in fact Tex Avery's Design of Red was perhaps the idea that inspired the artists to put Jessica Rabbit in.. but added in those features onto Red's body...

Tex Avery was perhaps one of the better geniuses who realized one thing... Cartoons were never meant for kids...but rather for adults..

Nuff said...

:coyote:

[HellCat]

Sunrise is know for Gundom,

*pictures a Zeon Dom scooting around with a V-Fin*


I'd also agree on replacing Akira with Gundam since, in the grand scheme of things, Akira didn't really have much of an impact outside of certain underground circles in North America.

Tough call. I'm reminded of the quote "EVERYONE'S seen Akira!". Gundam definetly had an effect but I think Akira for it's budget and what it did to introduce anime to the West might deserve the place better.

[Jester2415]

The Little Mermaid

it ushered in the Disney of the 90's when they couldn't do wrong.

After that: The Lion King, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast - Oscar winner Hunchback of Nortedom,

[Fifi Fanatic]

Now I'm gonna put my two cents in on at least one thing that changed carttons and in fact this could be one of the top ten... all because without these two characters, Two others some 45 years later would not even have been conceived.

What Two characters am I talking about here? Well they belonn in the "Tex Avery" Stable.. and they're Red and Screwy Squirrel.

Now Tex Avery was no real genius.. he understood that cartoons were not for kids.. and in fact his first character he pulled out of his pencil work was perhaps Screwy Squirrel.. (That's right Screwy Squirrel in some ways was the predecessor to 1988's Roger Rabbit..(Note the Mannerisms of Roger and Compare them to any 1940's animation dealing with the squirrel.. it's oddly familiar...

but then Avery wasn't into just animals mind you. One of Avery's most notorious films was one called "Red Hot Riding Hood" and in fact this was more then 45 years before it was finally shown on television (and Red? She was a character most people think was based on Jessica.. Actually Red was the model for Jessica Rabbit (and in fact Jessica isn't only based on Red but also noted Celebrities of the 1940's (Most Notably Bette Davis (the Eyes) Greta Garbo (The Lips), Rita Hayworth (The Legs) and Jane Russell (The Body..) in fact Tex Avery's Design of Red was perhaps the idea that inspired the artists to put Jessica Rabbit in.. but added in those features onto Red's body...

Tex Avery was perhaps one of the better geniuses who realized one thing... Cartoons were never meant for kids...but rather for adults..

Nuff said...

:coyote:

Gotta agree that ol' Tex was a genius and "Red Hot Riding Hood" is still bust-a-gut funny about 65 years later. However, if I had to pick just one of Tex's cartoons for this list, I would go with Jerry himself and pick "Porky's Duck Hunt" (1937). Aside from being Daffy's first appearance, it set the table for all the smart*** heckler characters that would follow throughout the 40's: Bugs Bunny, Jerry Mouse, Woody Woodpecker, & Screwy Squirrel. :cool:

[tb4000]

Gotta agree that ol' Tex was a genius and "Red Hot Riding Hood" is still bust-a-gut funny about 65 years later. However, if I had to pick just one of Tex's cartoons for this list, I would go with Jerry himself and pick "Porky's Duck Hunt" (1937). Aside from being Daffy's first appearance, it set the table for all the smart*** heckler characters that would follow throughout the 40's: Bugs Bunny, Jerry Mouse, Woody Woodpecker, & Screwy Squirrel. :cool:

I remember that Animaniacs ep. where the Warners were battling the woman from The Sound of Music, and the kids watching tv were wondering why Wakko didn't just smack her with a mallet, and Yakko explains that she wasn't really antagonizing them, but actually just being kind, and they could only use violence or bug someone that was bugging them first. Which was funny seeing as how the wacky characters of that time usually ended up being the ones instigating everything.

[Sharklady]

> ...and in fact Jessica isn't only based on Red but also noted Celebrities of the 1940's (Most Notably Bette Davis (the Eyes) Greta Garbo (The Lips), Rita Hayworth (The Legs) and Jane Russell (The Body...) <

Also Veronica Lake (the over-one-eye hairstyle:)

http://www.msnbc.com/modules/slideshow/NWK_101900_makeup_/images_8x6/nwk_101900_makeup_03.jpg

[tucsoncoyote]

Let's face facts.. If (Tex) Avery was the one who brought us the Craziness of Screwy Squirrel and Red Hot Riding Hood to the big (and small) screen, then the other legendary animator who made things great was in fact Chuck Jones... and believe me, Chuck had a lot of his hands in everything.. (Including of all Characters, Duck Dodgers...

Chuck Also did animation for MGM's Tom and Jerry (I personally like the Episode of that series , The Mouse from H.U.N.G.E.R. and of course who can't forget the Wacky, zany antics of the Road Runner and Wild E. Coyote..

But if you have to put Chuck in a class by himself, I think the one animated TV show that won total accolades for Mr. Jones is perhaps Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The way he made the character were believable.. and I tell you this.. Chuck was or rather is, a top notch animator.

So next to Tex, Chuck rules..

:coyote:

[SirLemming]

I must reiterate what others have said about this being a list of turning points. Things that undeniably, eternally changed the face of animation.

That's why I have no problem with the lack of Batman or Roger Rabbit. Everyone loves 'em but they didn't really change much, in the long run. There are still a very small amount of American-animated action movies or TV shows, and even fewer live action/animation hybrids.

However, I probably would put Pok&#233;mon in the list as the anime turning point, rather than Akira (possibly), Gundam, or DBZ. Although it's hard to tell since Pok&#233;mon & DBZ came to America around the same time, Pok&#233;mon was on network TV, and I think that made all the difference. There's also the fact that it was undeniably a kids' cartoon, which made it less of a niche thing than most of the US-aired anime before it.
Even though Akira was highly acclaimed long before Pok&#233;mon showed up, I really don't think it had any effect on American animation (and it was a product of Japanese animation, so it probably didn't change anything there either). But after Pok&#233;mon, there was a HUGE rise in the use of anime style in American cartoons, and there was also a huge rise in the amount of anime imported to America. Many of those, of course, were Pok&#233;mon-type shows like Digimon, Card Captors (forgive the Americanization),Yu-gi-oh, etc. And I feel like after that, American animation started to get a lot more angular, pointy, and flat-shaded. Naturally, after the success of Pok&#233;mon, anime was seen as something that could be successful.

[Jeff Harris]

I liked the list, but I scratched my head as to why he limited it to just 10 moments? The absence of anything from Warner Bros. Animation, Fleischer, and MGM, all pioneers in their own right, were troubling to me, although I have a small theory that Mr. Beck left these off as a sign of protest against the way those properties have been treated by Time Warner.

So, I wrote The Other 15 Big Moments in Animation (http://thoughtnami.blogspot.com/2006/06/other-15-big-moments-in-animation_05.html) at Thoughtnami. It's not rebuting the list Mr. Beck has made . . . just expanding upon it.

And no, Pokémon's not on the list.

[Sharklady]

^ I'd say that's a commendably well-thought-out list, Mr. Harris.
In fact, you've inspired me to list enough more Big Moments to make an even Twenty:

"Gumby"- Wallace & Gromit may have perfected claymation, but they might never have come into existence without the little green guy's trailblazing.

"What's Opera, Doc?"- perhaps the finest-ever satirical fusion of cartoons & Haute Culture ("Bunny Of Seville" is another candidate.)

"Tale Of Tales"- European animation deserves a representative, and no one's made better examples than Yuri Norstein.

"Pokemon"- Not one of my favorites, but I acknowledge this is the show which introduced anime to the general American audience.

"Who Framed Roger Rabbit"- It wasn't the first successful live action/ cartoon combo, but it seems to be the best-remembered. Plus, it deserves kudos for giving us that historic shot of multiple studios' characters in a single scene.

[MonkeyFunk]

Apparently Variety specifically asked for 10 cartoons when they commissioned the article.

[SirLemming]

"What's Opera, Doc?"- perhaps the finest-ever satirical fusion of cartoons & Haute Culture.


Perhaps. But was it really a turning point?

[Sharklady]

> Perhaps. But was it really a turning point? <

More like a high-standard-setter, as was B:TAS.

> Apparently Variety specifically asked for 10 cartoons when they commissioned the article. <

Okay; then Mr. Beck certainly has a valid excuse for stopping at ten.
I wonder what he would have listed if they'd let him pick the number?

[RAINMAN]

If there any anime that belong upthere its DBZ. DBZ came to the US in 96 but aird out of sydincation. 2 years later CN pick it up for the toonami block. pokemon did`t take of untill a year later but DBZ was still reaign supreme. You could also see DBZ influnce in other animes or mangas. I never understand what so great about akira? That had to be the most confuse and unexplained anime movie I ever seen....besides ghost in the sheel.

[tb4000]

I think cartoon turning points are basically original pieces of animation that have also had many imitators after their time. It's common knowledge that Ren and Stimpy paved the way for most of the crazed and abstract humor that many toons have today, even if Bob Clampett was an inspiration for John K.

[GagaMan]

DBZ may of come around the same time as Pokemon in he US, but in the UK (and quite a few other countries) DBZ didn't come along until the success of Pokemon was so evident that everyone rushed to get anime out on TV to cash in from it. With that in mind I would say Pokemon had a bigger impact than DBZ.

[Anthony C.]

I liked the list, however I think that Jerry made a mistake with one of the entries. I'm a fan of Ren and Stimpy, but it really had no business being on the list ahead of Batman. If we're talking about the most influential moments in animated history then "Batman" unquestionably had a bigger influence on the art-form than Ren & Stimpy. Because of its animation and mature subject matter (which had never been seen in an American Saturday morning series), Batman should be ranked in the top-ten most influential and important moments in animation history. It was the first action-adventure animated series in recent memory that really wasn't nuetered by censorship.

[MonkeyFunk]

But how many cartoons really followed Batman's lead? How many of them were actually all that good?

[RAINMAN]

All DCAU shows that came after batman.

[MonkeyFunk]

I think something needs to have influenced something outside its own franchise before it qualifies as a turning point in the history of animation.