The Nine Old Men

The Nine Old Men chronicles the careers and artistic contributions of Disney Animation's core group of directing animators who shaped the studio's golden age from the 1930s through the 1970s. This book examines how Les Clark, Marc Davis, Ollie Johnston, Milt Kahl, Ward Kimball, Eric Larson, John Lounsbery, Wolfgang Reitherman, and Frank Thomas developed their distinctive styles and techniques. The text includes detailed accounts of the animators' work on landmark Disney films, from Snow White to The Rescuers. Through interviews, production materials, and behind-the-scenes documentation, readers gain insight into the creative process and collaborative environment at Walt Disney Productions during this pivotal era. Their collective impact on animation extends beyond their own work, as these artists established principles and methods that influenced generations of animators. The book explores how their technical innovations and artistic philosophies created a foundation for character animation that continues to influence the medium today.

Readers consistently note this book provides rare first-hand insights into Disney's core animation team and their techniques through personal interviews and analysis. Readers appreciate: - Detailed breakdowns of specific animation sequences - Behind-the-scenes photos and artwork - Primary source material directly from the animators - Technical explanations that help aspiring animators Common criticisms: - Limited availability makes the book expensive ($200+ used) - Print quality could be better, especially for artwork - Some sections feel rushed or incomplete - Focus skews heavily toward later Disney films Ratings: Goodreads: 4.7/5 (89 ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (31 ratings) Notable reader comment: "Worth every penny for the animation knowledge, but I wish they'd reprint it. The current prices are keeping this vital information from reaching new artists." - Goodreads reviewer "The techniques section is invaluable, but the biographical chapters feel sanitized." - Amazon reviewer

Too Funny for Words: Disney's Greatest Sight Gags by Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston This book details the techniques and principles behind visual humor in Disney animation through specific examples from classic films.

The Illusion of Life: Disney Animation by Frank Thomas, Ollie Johnston The book presents the fundamental principles of animation developed at Disney Studios through historical examples and technical breakdowns.

Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination by Neal Gabler This biography explores Walt Disney's relationship with his core animators and the development of animation techniques through the golden age of Disney.

Dream Worlds: Production Design for Animation by Hans Bacher The book examines the artistic development process of animated films through production artwork and design evolution.

Animation: From Script to Screen by Shamus Culhane This technical guide presents the complete animation production process through the lens of Golden Age animation studio practices.

✧ Disney's Nine Old Men got their nickname from President Franklin D. Roosevelt's derogatory term for the Supreme Court justices who opposed his New Deal - Walt Disney playfully applied it to his core team of animators ✧ These pioneering animators developed the 12 basic principles of animation that are still taught in animation schools today and used by studios worldwide ✧ Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston were lifelong best friends who lived next door to each other, commuted to work together, and even wrote two influential animation books together ✧ Wolfgang Reitherman directed every Disney animated feature from 101 Dalmatians (1961) through The Fox and the Hound (1981), establishing a consistent house style for the studio ✧ Ward Kimball was an avid train enthusiast who owned his own full-size steam locomotive and inspired Walt Disney's love of railroads, which influenced the creation of Disneyland