Animation has been part of television since the start of the medium but it has rarely received unbiased recognition from media scholars. More often, it has been ridiculed for supposedly poor technical quality, accused of trafficking in violence aimed at children, and neglected for indulging in vulgar behavior. These accusations are often made categorically, out of prejudice or ignorance, with little attempt to understand the importance of each program on its own terms. This book takes a serious look at the whole genre of television animation, from the early themes and practices through the evolution of the art to the present day.
Examining the productions of individual studios and producers, the author establishes a means of understanding their work in new ways, at the same time discussing the ways in which the genre has often been unfairly marginalized by critics, and how, especially in recent years, producers have both challenged and embraced this “marginality” as a vital part of their work. By taking seriously something often thought to be frivolous, the book provides a framework for understanding the persistent presence of television animation in the American media—and how surprisingly influential it has been.

Freelance writer David Perlmutter has published short fiction in a variety of genres. He lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

David Perlmutter
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 424
Bibliographic Info: 12 photos, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2014
pISBN: 978-0-7864-7650-3
eISBN: 978-1-4766-1488-5
Imprint: McFarland

Table of Contents

Preface  1
Introduction  3
1—Pencil Tests (1900–1948)  9
2—Marginalia (1948–1956)  32
3—Silhouette Storytelling (1957–1969)  40
4—House Arrest (1970–1979)  114
5—Sweet and Sour (1980–1990)  170
6—Songs of Innocence and Experience (1990–1999)  230
7—Dreams Deferred (2000–Present)  304
Conclusion: Where Are We Going?  368
Chapter Notes  371
Bibliography  391
Index  403

“written well with interesting anecdotes and quotes…provides a wealth of information. Recommended”—Choice.

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