Cartoons in Hard Times

Mollet offers a close study of those cartoons produced by Disney and Warner's beginning in 1930 with the outset of the Great Depression and concludes with the end of World War II in 1945. Her volume is expertly conceived, scrupulously researched, and smartly written, providing just the right balance between objective information and personal interpretation. This will immediately become the definitive study of this fascinating and unique niche in the history of Hollywood animation. Douglas Brode, author of From Walt To Woodstock: How Disney Created the Counterculture Offering balanced coverage of the short-form animations of both Walt Disney and Warner Brothers, between 1932 and 1945, Mollet provides a compelling account of how both studios gradually established the persuasive - and at times propagandistic - credentials of animation at a time of significant economic, social, and political transformation. By providing a detailed analysis of the themes, stories, and symbols found in these animated shorts, Mollet's book is sure to become a lasting reference point for readers wishing to learn more about how these films engaged with the prevailing issues of their time. Chris Pallant, Senior Lecturer, Canterbury Christ Church University, UK This an ambitious and tremendously thorough book which sheds light on some neglected areas of animation, in particular early Warners and Disney short cartoons. It will appeal both to students of animation and those interested in American popular culture between 1932 and 1945. It puts cartoons of this period in the context of wider historical events - in particular the depression, Roosevelt and the Second World War - and re-examines the role of animation in the overall history of Hollywood. It not only analyses these cartoons in depth, but also demonstrates the importance of animation in the field of propaganda. In doing all this It highlights some of the lesser known work of some America's pre-eminent animators, including Tex Avery, Bob Clampett, David Hand, Chuck Jones and Frank Tashlin. Dave Huxley, Senior Lecturer, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK