Summary

Ten-time Oscar-nominated Walter Lantz was one of Hollywood's most prolific directors and producers of animation. Over six decades, his studio produced more than 800 cartoons, including over 600 theatrically released cartoons, more than any other Hollywood animation studio, and set high standards for the art of animation in its fledgling years. Lantz is renowned for producing cartoons starring the world-famous Woody Woodpecker, whose distinctive laugh is enshrined in the Smithsonian Institute, but he began his career during the silent picture era when he worked on the landmark animated series, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. Influencing generations of animators, Lantz also created and/or produced a family of popular characters, including Andy Pandy, Buzz Buzzard, Chilly Willy, Gabby Gator, Inspector Willoughby, and Wally Walrus.

Chapters include:

• Drawing for Laughs
• Winning Over His Rivals
• Knock-Knocking His Way to the Top
• Taking His Act to Television.

Specifications

Full-color and black-and-white photographs and illustrations. Bibliography. Resources. Index.

About the Author(s)

Jeff Lenburg is an award-winning author, celebrity biographer, and nationally acknowledged expert on animated cartoons. He has written nearly 30 books—including such acclaimed histories of animation as Who's Who in Animated Cartoons and The Great Cartoon Directors. His Facts On File book The Encyclopedia of Animated Cartoons is considered to be the definitive reference for animation fans. His books have been nominated for several awards, including the American Library Association's "Best Nonfiction Award" and the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association's Gold Medallion Award for "Best Autobiography/Biography." Lenburg lives in Arizona.