http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2008/11/25/bad_duck Comments On: Bad Duck by Paul Constant en-us Copyright 2009 The Stranger. All rights reserved. This RSS file is offered to individuals, The Stranger readers, and non-commercial organizations only. Any commercial websites wishing to use this RSS file, please contact The Stranger. webmaster@thestranger.com (The Stranger Webmaster) Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:00:01 -0800 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 02:00:00 -0800 Foundation http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Posted by beelzebufo]]> Wed, 26 Nov 2008 16:51:35 -0800 The Stranger Posted by laterite]]> Wed, 26 Nov 2008 02:25:23 -0800 The Stranger
Yeah, the later shorts are not so hot -- what do you expect? Shorts died, what on earth would make you think that the later ones would be pure gold? The Disney company in particular had bigger & better things going on -- their best artists and animators had all their energy channeled into feature-length animation, a growing number of live-action works, the new weekly Disneyland television show, and of course Disneyland. So, yeah, the shorts were kinda cruddy.

But here's the thing: us Disney dorks still want to see them. It's part of the full picture. It's a reflection of the time. It's interesting to understand that right when the Disney company was outputting their very best work, there was still some mediocrity getting put out there -- Walt was distracted, no longer cared, had a new toy or three.

It's fascinating (to me) to see exactly *how* the quality of the shorts degraded -- in particular, I love the way the art got reduced into the minimalist lines that were becoming the new look of the day and not-so-coincidentally also saved a few bucks. It's a design aesthetic I genuinely love.

It sounds like you're not the audience for the tin sets. As you know, you're not missing much, and you're absolutely justified in raising a stink about your disappointment. But I would miss the tin sets if they weren't being produced, and I guess I feel the need to stick up for the stuff I find interesting.

Re: Leonard Maltin. Yeah, he's weirdly cheerful about all things Disney. Yeah, I get tired of seeing him attached to damn near every piece of historic Disney product. But the man's passion is absolutely genuine -- I have some friends who know him socially, and he really and truly is just a big ol' Disney nut. He's not just doing it for the dollars.
Posted by Humuhumu]]> Tue, 25 Nov 2008 22:11:51 -0800 The Stranger
I suggest people check out John Kricfalusi's blog. I think his understanding is greatly under appreciated in this day in age. He knows a great deal about the Disney formula, I totally agree with his points especially now considering how watered down, and controlled the animation has become.


http://johnkstuff.blogspot.com/
Posted by psorhb08]]> Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:29:11 -0800 The Stranger
What, you thought Donald Duck was a fucking beatnik?
Posted by john]]> Tue, 25 Nov 2008 16:17:19 -0800 The Stranger
Donald always gets fucked over, no matter what! That's what Donald Duck cartoons are ABOUT! Donald, in his oh-so-familiar douchebaggery, getting fucked by the universe! Over and over! That's why they have ALWAYS BEEN MY FAVORITE! Even as a young child, I appreciated cosmic justice.

Disney cartoons are for thinkers. Fuck Warner Brothers. >:-/
Posted by violet_dagrinder]]> Tue, 25 Nov 2008 15:52:32 -0800 The Stranger Posted by elswinger]]> Tue, 25 Nov 2008 14:16:23 -0800 The Stranger Posted by iflurry]]> Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:19:17 -0800 The Stranger Posted by Raven]]> Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:14:19 -0800 The Stranger this guy out.
Posted by T]]> Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:09:02 -0800 The Stranger Posted by tomasyalba]]> Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:05:41 -0800 The Stranger Posted by Wile E. Quixote]]> Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:05:16 -0800 The Stranger
By and large, and with only a few exceptions, Disney animated shorts SUCK. Gorgeously animated, gorgeously preserved, but they just plain SUCK.

Except for WHO KILLED COCK ROBIN, and assorted others, of course. But the Disney shorts are just so bloody bland. I'd trade most of Disney's output for any "duck season/rabbit exchange" from Warner Bros.


Posted by Roscoe]]> Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:04:50 -0800 The Stranger Posted by keshmeshi]]> Tue, 25 Nov 2008 12:48:01 -0800 The Stranger
I like how you describe Donald as a kind of potential animated Rabbit Angstrom, though. They just don't show all the scalded babies and histrionic affairs.

Someone should really get on that.
Posted by Matthew]]> Tue, 25 Nov 2008 12:46:48 -0800 The Stranger
Posted by stinkbug]]> Tue, 25 Nov 2008 12:45:19 -0800 The Stranger Posted by --MC]]> Tue, 25 Nov 2008 12:37:08 -0800 The Stranger Posted by Vince]]> Tue, 25 Nov 2008 12:34:06 -0800 The Stranger
Mickey Mouse: "We will bring progress and modernity into your life and you will thank us for it."

Bugs Bunny: "Leave me the fuck alone."
Posted by Joe M]]> Tue, 25 Nov 2008 12:32:03 -0800 The Stranger Posted by elswinger]]> Tue, 25 Nov 2008 12:24:15 -0800 The Stranger