Is there a Hermes Pan Appreciation Society?

Is there a Hermes Pan Appreciation Society? If there is, sign me up!

The Jungle Book draft is coming up shortly on this blog. I've been kinda busy these past months... In the mean time, throughout these months, I have watched enough Astaire movies and others like Kiss Me Kate to find that there should be a Hermes Pan Memorial built to the man who influenced ALL of our lives so profoundly. Hermes Pan and Fred Astaire shaped my vision of rhythm, soul and harmony more than any single person I could name. Fred and Hermes are a part of my heart beat. Let us not forget either of them. If you know their work, you never will.

Prod. 2443 - Gull Crazy - a.k.a. The Simple Things

Originally called internally Gull Crazy as a reference to the Gershwin show (and Mickey Rooney/Judy Garland film) Girl Crazy, the film The Simple Things is considered the last Mickey Mouse short made during Walt Disney's lifetime.

Directed by Charles Nichols, laid out by Lance Nolley with as secretary Beulah May "Bee" Selck (who started at Disney in April 1937 and whom we know to have been assistant director and editor during the war years). The film itself adds to the credits: written by Bill Berg, backgrounds by Ed Starr, music by Paul Smith.
Released 4/18/1953. This FINAL draft of 1/25/1952 (!)

Animation by Marvin Woodward, Norm Ferguson, George Kreisl, Fred Moore, Charles Nichols (the director), George Nicholas and Dan MacManus (effects). Sadly Fred Moore died, age 41, on 11/23/52, between the date of this draft and the release date of the film.

A lot can be said about the quality of the animation, so I will not comment a lot on that. The film is lifted by the thought process of Pluto, but the animation of him at times seems to be outdated when looking at the other characters. Mickey at times is pretty badly drawn, his model isn't too exciting either. But once in a while there are great scenes, so we can't really blame Fred Moore or Norm Ferguson for that matter. Marv Woodward's and George Nicholas' scenes aren't among their best (to say it mildly). As a whole this film is pretty uninspired, not a great (temporary) ending to Mickey's acting career in the Disney shorts.

I do like the song, though - I find it hard to shake. Paul J. Smith (1906-1985), though mainly noted for his work on the True Life Adventures, has worked for Disney since 1934 - his official starting day was the same as that of assistant director Lou Debney, father of the great composer John Debney. Paul Smith later worked together a lot with writer Gil George, who was actually Disney nurse Hazel George. Check him out on IMDb - his list of credits is incredible!

The film The Simple Things is found on the Treasures DVD "Mickey Mouse in Living Color Part Two" and can be seen on YouTube, as well.

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Busy as always, I am currently editing A. Film's latest Olsen Gang CG film that will be released in Denmark in October 2013.
Sorry I have so very little time to upload stuff here!

Prod. 2079 - Lady and the Tramp (XX) - Seq. 12.1 - Christmas Party - The End

Directed by Ham Luske assisted by Jim Swain. Laid out by Al Zinnen, Thor Putnam and Ken O'Connor. Secretary Ruth Wright.
This Final draft dated 9/1/55.

As I wrote before: I find this film incredibly well drawn and very well animated - less occasional "fumbling" than on the previous couple of films. It is a step up from Peter Pan, and on it's way to the meticulousness of Sleeping Beauty. The inking is SEVERAL steps up! The inking of the ending of lines in Pan was at times erratic - here it is under FULL control! It is a beautifully drawn film, with beautiful layouts, backgrounds and inking. Also, it is a nicely told story with a few surprises (though after seeing it for the umpteenth time, I am not all that surprised anymore) and especially fun side characters, like Jock, the beaver, the pound dogs and the Siamese cats. And then Milts marvelous scenes - Frank's spaghetti with-a da meat-sa balls... This film is truly a classic.

Remember my standards disclaimer about drafts! You know, the one that tells that drafts were not meant to be historical documents etc. I posted it on the first posting for this draft. It is good to keep it in mind!

This concludes the 14th feature film draft on this blog! Remember: you read it here first! Let's see when next I can get time to post anything...

Prod. 2079 - Lady and the Tramp (XIX) - Seq. 12.0 - Tramp Kills Rat (II)

Directed by Ham Luske assisted by Jim Swain. Laid out by Al Zinnen, Thor Putnam, Ken O'Corror and Maclaren Stewart. Secretary Ruth Wright.
This Final draft dated 9/1/55.

Prod. 2079 - Lady and the Tramp (XVIII) - Seq. 12.0 - Tramp Kills Rat (I)

Directed by Ham Luske assisted by Jim Swain. Laid out by Al Zinnen, Thor Putnam, Ken O'Corror and Maclaren Stewart. Secretary Ruth Wright.
This Final draft dated 9/1/55.

Prod. 2079 - Lady and the Tramp (XVII) - Seq. 11.0 - Jock & Trusty Propose

Directed by Ham Luske assisted by Jim Swain. Laid out by Al Zinnen, Thor Putnam, Ken O'Corror and Maclaren Stewart. Secretary Ruth Wright.
This Final draft dated 9/1/55.

Prod. 2079 - Lady and the Tramp (XVI) - Seq. 10.0 - Lady at Dog Pound

Directed by Gerry Geronimi assisted by Jack Bruner. Laid out by Tom Codrick and Don Griffith. Secretary Marie Dasnoit.
This Final draft dated 4/8/54.

Prod. 2079 - Lady and the Tramp (XV) - Seq. 09.0 - Lady in the Chicken Yard

Directed by Ham Luske assisted by Jim Swain. Laid out by Al Zinnen, Lance Nolley and Collin Campbell. Secretary Ruth Wright.
This Final draft dated 8/10/54.