The Hidden Art of Disney's Mid-Century Era: The 1950s and 1960s (They Drew as They Pleased #4)

The 1950s and 1960s at The Walt Disney Studios marked unprecedented stylistic directions brought on by the mid-century modern and graphic sensibilities of a new wave of artists. This volume explores the contributions of these heroes with special emphasis on the art of Lee Blair, Mary Blair, Tom Oreb, John Dunn, and Walt Peregoy. It includes never-before-seen images from Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, and Sleeping Beauty and discusses Disney's first forays into television, commercials, space, and science projects—even the development of theme parks. Drawing on interviews and revealing hundreds of rediscovered images that inspired Disney's films during one of its most prolific eras, this volume captures the rich stories of the artists who brought the characters to life and helped shape the future of animation. Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 3 Copyright......Page 4 Dedication......Page 5 CONTENTS......Page 7 Foreword......Page 8 Preface......Page 10 1954......Page 12 THE SMALL SCREEN......Page 14 THE COMMERCIALS......Page 16 NEW LOOK......Page 20 1. Lee Blair......Page 23 FROM HARMAN-ISING TO DISNEY......Page 26 ADDING COLOR TO THE STORY......Page 28 THE CONCERT FEATURE......Page 31 FROM SOUTH AMERICA TO THE EAST COAST......Page 34 2. Mary Blair......Page 53 THE AWAKENING......Page 56 CUBAN ADVENTURE......Page 61 AMERICANA......Page 63 THE MARY BLAIR LOOK......Page 65 3. Tom Oreb......Page 101 ON THE KIMBALL TEAM......Page 103 STORYMAN......Page 105 CHARACTER DESIGNER......Page 106 MUSIC AND SLEEPING BEAUTY......Page 108 STYLIZED COMMERCIALS AND ODD PROJECTS......Page 110 THE BARON AND THE DALMATIANS......Page 112 4. John Dunn......Page 147 THE CARTOONIST......Page 150 MAN IN FLIGHT......Page 151 MAN IN SPACE......Page 153 MAN AND SCIENCE......Page 155 ABDUL ABULBUL AMIR AND BAD LUCK DUCK......Page 158 5. Walt Peregoy......Page 175 THE INBETWEENER......Page 177 THE CITY OF LIGHT......Page 178 A THING OF BEAUTY......Page 179 THE MODERNIST......Page 181 ADRIFT......Page 184 THE IMAGINEER......Page 187 Acknowledgments......Page 217 Notes......Page 218 G......Page 222 P......Page 223 Z......Page 224 About the Authors......Page 225 Chronicle Ebooks......Page 227 "As the Walt Disney Studio entered its first decade and embarked on some of the most ambitious animated films of the time, Disney hired a group of "concept artists" whose sole mission was to explore ideas and inspire their fellow animators. They Drew as They Pleased showcases four of these early pioneers and features artwork developed by them for the Disney shorts from the 1930s, including many unproduced projects, as well as for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Pinocchio, and some early work for later features such as Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan. Introducing new biographical material about the artists and including largely unpublished artwork from the depths of the Walt Disney Archives and the Disney Animation Research Library, this volume offers a window into the most inspiring work created by the best Disney artists during the studio's early golden age. They Drew as They Pleased is the first in what promises to be a revealing and fascinating series of books about Disney's largely unexamined concept artists, with six volumes spanning the decades between the 1930s and 1990s."--Provided by publisher "The 1950s and 1960s at The Walt Disney Studios marked unprecedented stylistic directions brought on by the mid-century modern and graphic sensibilities of a new wave of artists. This volume explores the contributions of these heroes with special emphasis on the art of Lee Blair, Mary Blair, Tom Oreb, John Dunn, and Walt Peregoy. It includes never-before-seen images from Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, and Sleeping Beauty and discusses Disney's first forays into television, commercials, space, and science projects--even the development of theme parks. Drawing on interviews and revealing hundreds of rediscovered images that inspired Disney's films during one of its most prolific eras, this volume captures the rich stories of the artists who brought the characters to life and helped shape the future of animation"--Publisher's website Foreword -- by Eric and Susan Goldberg Preface -- 1954 -- Lee Blair -- Mary Blair -- Tom Oreb -- John Dunn -- Walt Peregoy ---- Acknowledgments-- Notes-- Index.