| Chuck Jones |
Legendary animator Charles Martin "Chuck" Jones (September 21, 1912 – February 22, 2002) was an American animator, cartoon artist, screenwriter, producer, and director of animated films, most memorably of Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies shorts for the Warner Bros. cartoon studio. Chuck Jones directed many of the classic short animated cartoons starring Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, the Road Runner & Wile E. Coyote, Pepé Le Pew and the other Warner characters, including the memorable What's Opera, Doc? (1957), Duck Amuck (1952) (both later inducted into the National Film Registry) and Jones' famous "Hunter's Trilogy" of Rabbit Fire, Rabbit Seasoning, and Duck! Rabbit! Duck! (1951–1953), establishing himself as an important innovator and storyteller. Having directed over 300 films for Warner Bros., Chuck Jones is the recipient of 3 Academy Awards.
Chuck Jones is considered by many to be a master of characterization and timing. His best works are noted for depicting a refinement of character to the point that a single eyebrow wiggle could be a major gag as opposed to the wild, frenetic style usually associated with cartoons, and those of Warner Bros. in particular. Like Walt Disney, Chuck Jones wanted animation to gain respect from the film and art communities, and often undertook special animation projects reflecting such, including What's Opera Doc, The Dot and the Line, and the 1944 political film Hell-Bent for Election, a campaign film for Franklin D. Roosevelt that he directed for UPA.
In his later years, Chuck Jones Jones became the most vocal alumnus of the Termite Terrace studio, frequently giving lectures, seminars, and working to educate newcomers in the animation field. Many of his principles, therefore, found their way back into the mainstream animation consciousness, and can be seen in films such as Cats Don't Dance, The Emperor's New Groove and Lilo & Stitch.
Notable animated films directed by Chuck Jones:
- The Dover Boys (1942)
- Hell-Bent for Election (Franklin D. Roosevelt campaign film, 1944)
- For Scent-imental Reasons (1949)
- So Much for So Little (1949, made for Federal Security Agency's Public Health Service)
- The Rabbit of Seville (1950)
- The "Hunter's Trilogy": Rabbit Fire, Rabbit Seasoning, and Duck! Rabbit! Duck! (1951–1953)
- Duck Amuck (1952)
- Duck Dodgers in the 24½th Century (1953)
- One Froggy Evening (1955)
- What's Opera, Doc? (1957)
- Now Hear This (1962)
- The Dot and the Line (1965)
- The Bear that Wasn't (1967)
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (TV special, 1966)
- Horton Hears A Who! (TV special, 1970)
- The Phantom Tollbooth (feature film, 1970)
Chuck Jones: Memories of Childhood Directed by Peggy Stern 2008 debuted at the Santa Fe Film Festival December 2008.
In one of his last filmed interviews, famed animator Chuck Jones (1912-2002) speaks candidly about his hardscrabble life in 1920s Los Angeles, recalling notable events and personalities that shaped his creative spirit. This documentary incorporates new animated segments, vintage family photographs and clips from classic cartoons, to reveal Chuck Jones in a new light, as it explores the roots of adult inspiration and creativity in childhood experiences.
To Chuck-Thank you for your generosity ....you are "Super-Genius"!!
Chuck Jones original art, limited edition art and original production art from vintage and contemporary animated films is available at POP Gallery Santa Fe. Contact us directly to add this historic artist to your private or corporate collection at 505.820.0788. |
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