The MousePod - MousePod #30 - A Conversation with Michael Barrier

[mousepod]

When it comes to American animation and comics, I’d be hard-pressed to find someone more knowledgeable than Michael Barrier. He’s been documenting classic animation since the late 1960s, when he started publishing a mimeographed newsletter called Funnyworld. By 1970, it had become a full-fledged magazine and featured articles about and interviews with everyone from Carl Stalling to Ralph Bakshi. In the past 30+ years, Michael has published several scholarly works including the definitive “Hollywood Cartoons: American Animation in its Golden Age”. He continues to chronicle the state (and history) of animation and comic art on his excellent blog michaelbarrier.com. His latest work is of special interest to Disney fans; it’s a fantastic biography of Walt Disney entitled “The Animated Man: A Life of Walt Disney“.

Michael was kind enough to indulge me in a phone interview, which I share with you in this episode.
Also in MousePod #30: how to legally obtain an uncut copy of Make Mine Music, and a wonderful musical story about a Disney fan from Hong Kong.
See ya real soon,
Jesse

Download MousePod #30 - A Conversation with Michael Barrier


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[CrazyLegs]

Wow thanks for sharing I cant wait to listen

[NickO'Time]

Thanks for the latest Podcast, I listened to it yesterday on the way to work. At times I thought Michael sounded a bit like Walt when I listened to it. But that's just me. Hope to get the book soon.

[Snowflake]

Another fine episode of the Mouspod. I really liked the interview with Michael Barrier and have added his books The Animated Man, and Hollwood Cartoons to my amazon wish list. I'm always amazed at the level of research people are putting into their projects, and the travel and places it takes them. Would that I can make it to Castellaneta for the RV project. I thought you asked all the right questions, even though there was no jump to the bait, a really good interview.

Anyway, like Roger Ebert, two thumbs up and I very much appreciate the tip on how to get an uncut version of Make Mine Music.

You also made a really good case for Disney USA to release the uncut Make Mine Music. Having seen the Mickey/Goofy/Donald and Pete short from House of Mouse with you, I can fully understand why you wonder this was cut, or the Pecos Bill smoking issue. PC to the extreme in some cases.

Good show!

[DreadPirateRoberts]

I was impressed with how well you were able to ask him intelligent questions. I think it's a testament to your research and knowledge that you were able to interview him for 1 hour+ and you two could have still kept going. I enjoyed this podcast. I'm about 1/4 through his book. Thanks for the tips on Toon Disney, I'll check it out.

[DreadPirateRoberts]

MP, at one point in the interview, both you and Michael Barrier mentioned something to the effect that Disney was his most popular when he was his most artistic, and mentioned the early years, and the sixties. What did you mean by that? In the early years was that because he was a cartoonist? What events in the sixties are you referring to?

[mousepod]

If I remember correctly, Michael wasn't saying that Walt was at his most popular, but that when he originally started his company, he started it as an artist (as opposed to as a businessman), and his audience rewarded him for being an artist. In his book, Barrier talks about Snow White being an artistic peak for him. According to Barrier, Walt never was able to reach the height with his animated movies that he had in his early pre-war years. By the mid-'50s to early '60s, Barrier talks about Disney throwing himself into other, non-theatrical projects, such as Disneyland (the TV show and the park). Knowing that his studio was basically churning out mediocre feature films, Disney struck out again as an artist in other forms and was rewarded by his audience for it.
(sorry if that answer is articulated poorly - I'm kind of burned out right now...)

[DreadPirateRoberts]

Originally Posted by mousepod

Knowing that his studio was basically churning out mediocre feature films, Disney struck out again as an artist in other forms and was rewarded by his audience for it.
(sorry if that answer is articulated poorly - I'm kind of burned out right now...)

I understand what you mean. Thanks.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Just have to say it - you mentioned at the beginning of this podcast that your interviews are very popular among listeners. While you do a great job with interviews, finding wonderful people to feature, I've got to say that it's not my cup of tea. More movies, more park stuff, more little-known covers, more facts, that's my bag. My 2 cents with a grain of salt on top, babe.

[mousepod]

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

Just have to say it - you mentioned at the beginning of this podcast that your interviews are very popular among listeners. While you do a great job with interviews, finding wonderful people to feature, I've got to say that it's not my cup of tea. More movies, more park stuff, more little-known covers, more facts, that's my bag. My 2 cents with a grain of salt on top, babe.

That's not salt, that's sugar.

I hear ya, CP. I probably would have waited on the Barrier interview except that I wanted to capitalize on the fact that he's in "book tour" mode right now. I have many wacko things up my sleeve, so hopefully I can force myself to change up the structure more often.

The next two shows (at least) will be more your thing.