Cartoons: One Hundred Years of Cinema Animation

From Library Journal
This chronological history analyzes animated film as an autonomous art form that has nevertheless been affected by the economics of live-action cinema as well as social and political forces (e.g., the dislocation of Continental Europe's animators by World War II). This comprehensive study describes concepts and practice, profiles innumerable animators, and concludes with a chapter on computer animation. Because of truly global coverage (from Mali to Mongolia), Cartoons introduces such important animators as Russia's Alexandre Alexeieff and Scotland-born Canadian master Norma McLaren while providing details on familiar names like Disney, Walter Lantz, and Tex Avery. Despite the subject's popularity, this should not be considered a coffee-table book but a scholarly reference whose notes and bibliography are valuable sources for further study. Purchase for comprehensive film and art collections.Kim Holston, American Inst. for Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters, Malvern, Pa.Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
Although animation has finally begun to be thought worthy of serious attention, the spate of books on it in recent years has focused primarily on commercial Hollywood animation. Bendazzi ambitiously attempts to fill the gap. He covers more than a century's worth of animation, from the 1888 th{‚}e{ƒ}atre optique (a device for projecting moving painted images that predates motion picture pioneers Edison and Lumi{Š}ere) to today's cutting edge computer-animation technology. He covers American animation, of course, but also describes developments in more than 70 other countries, in many of which animation emerged more as an art form than a box office draw. His work is not without shortcomings: the writing (the translation, anyway) is occasionally awkward, and despite or because of its exhaustive depth and scholarly approach, the text seldom conveys the delightfulness that makes the best cartoons so compelling. Carping aside, this valuable effort, already well received in France and Italy, promises to be the basic reference on its subject for some time to come. Gordon Flagg


From Book News, Inc.
This English-language edition (translated from the Italian by Anna Taraboletti-Segre) of a classic study of world animation provides a detailed history and critique of cinema animation around the world. Offers a chronological account of all aspects of animation, including technological beginnings and advancements, shorts and features, directors, cultural influences, investments, tv series, and computer animation. The book is divided according to major filmmakers and national cinemas. Contains b&w and color illustrations. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.


Midwest Book Review
Over a hundred years of film animation, from its invention in France in 1888 to modern times, enlivens a historical account of animation's technical developments and achievements. This represents the first detailed history of cinema animation produced around the world, with divisions by major filmmakers and national cinemas and strong coverage of over 2,000 animators.


Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Italian


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This English-language edition (translated from the Italian by Anna Taraboletti-Segre) of a classic study of world animation provides a detailed history and critique of cinema animation around the world. Offers a chronological account of all aspects of animation, including technological beginnings and advancements, shorts and features, directors, cultural influences, investments, tv series, and computer animation. The book is divided according to major filmmakers and national cinemas. Contains b&w and color illustrations. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)


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