Maria Christy Ghandour

History of Animation

Unleashing the Magic of the Golden Age: An Essay

Sometimes I sit and wonder, how without creativity, we wouldn’t have been able to experience
such enormous shifts and changes through the many periods that have passed us in life and
which we are still experiencing. Creativity is the driving force behind the evolution and
enhancement of many things, including the Animation industry. By pushing the boundaries of
imagination and storytelling, creatives had the opportunity to bring forth their unique visions to
life through animation, a vital form of communication, specifically during the Golden Age.
The Golden Age of Animation, lasting from the 1920s to the 1950s, was a period that marked
extraordinary innovations, various breakthroughs, and artistic achievements. Significant
developments were made in that period, animation evolved from simple black-and-white, silent
cartoons to full-color and sound-enabled magnum opuses. Many studios emerged during this
time, some of which forever changed the landscape of animation, like Disney Studios, while
others brought their unique artistic visions, notions, and perspectives to the table, namely
Fleischer Studios, Warner Bros Studios, and a few others.
Indubitably, the most iconic studio in the Golden Age was Disney Studios which played a crucial
role in revolutionizing animation. Walt was an ambitious man who was relentless and goal-
driven, he saw the potential in animation as moving artwork, and that’s why despite the great
success of the first-ever synchronized sound and color cartoon “Steamboat Willie” in 1928, he
was still determined to push even further by creating unforgettable characters like Mickey
Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy. Then he settled on the idea of producing the first full-length
animated feature film, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” in 1937 which was simply
groundbreaking work, in which he employed the use of multiplane cameras that allowed for
elaborated hand-painted backgrounds and realistic depth.
The man was a walking talent machine, he was committed to creating quality animation and
storytelling, which in return earned Disney Studios unprecedented success and a lasting legacy.
Because of Disney’s ability to create compelling narratives with really deep emotional
resonance, the series of animated films that followed became classics, such as “Fantasia” in
1940, “Pinocchio” also in 1940, and “Dumbo” in 1941. Throughout this period, Disney Studios
continued to innovate in animation techniques, which included the introduction of Technicolor
and the Xerox process which allowed animators to transfer their drawings directly onto cels. All
these improvements pushed the boundaries of animation and brought movies to life in vibrant
ways, and that’s how Disney Studios established itself as a pioneer in the animation industry by
the end of the Golden Age.
On the other hand, Fleischer Studios, founded by brothers Max and Dave Fleischer, was also a
big player in the industry, contributing with their unique artistic style and ingenious techniques.
They were the ones to introduce the flirtatious character Betty Boop, inspired by a black jazz
singer, who became an icon of the era with her being the first sex symbol on the animated
screen. She’s also a symbol of the Depression era and a reminder of the more nonchalant days
of Jazz Age flappers, with her charismatic personality and suggestive persona, which pushed the
boundaries of what was acceptable at that time. Her most known phrase “boop-oop-a-doop”
started to get implemented in the speech of people, because of how catchy it sounded in the
animation. However, the studio’s most exceptional creation was Popeye the Sailor, with his
signature pipe, spinach-fueled strength, and humorous adventures he became a fan favorite
and an instant hit.
Fleischer Studios also experimented with rotoscoping, a technique that involved tracing over
live-action footage frame-by-frame, this helped give their characters a sense of realism and
fluidity. It was even used in many of their cartoons, including the Superman series, where they
were able to combine animation with live-action backgrounds. Their dedication to creating
high-quality animation drove them to success, despite their downfall where they had to sell
their assets and rebrand, due to financial struggles where they couldn’t keep up with Disney
Studios’ level. Nevertheless, the impact of this studio during the Golden Age can still be felt
today and remembered for its creativity and ingenuity in this field.
As for Warner Bros, they gained recognition for their witty and irreverent cartoon characters,
bringing a new and fresh approach to animation during the Golden Age. Unlike Disney Studios
where they only used and cutely portrayed animals, warner bros took realistic characteristics of
their animals, which didn’t have to be endearing, and implemented them into their characters,
to bring forth a more authentic outlook that made them recognizable by their different traits.
These characters consisted mainly of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Porky Pig. These cartoons
were distinguished by their witty dialogue, fast-paced humor, and smart slapstick comedy.
Warner Bros Studios made advancements in animation techniques, by perfecting the use of
squash and stretch animation, which created exaggerated movements that added to the
satirical and dynamic nature of their characters. This studio certainly became a legendary figure
in the animation industry, leaving an ineradicable mark on popular culture with its blended
elements of satire and social commentary, which appealed to audiences of all ages.
The Golden Age of animation indeed introduced unwavering characters that continue to
capture the hearts of everyone today. From Mickey Mouse to Popeye the Sailor and ending
with Bugs Bunny and his catchphrase “What’s up, Doc?”. These iconic characters have become
ingrained in popular culture around the world. They transcended generations with their
timeless appeal and worldwide charm.
Fun fact, Disney Studios and Salvador Dali collaborated on a short film called “Destino”, which
was completed many years later in 2003. This original blend of Disney’s storytelling prowess
and Dali’s artistic vision ensued in a visually stunning, abstract chef d’oeuvre.
In conclusion, the Golden Age in my opinion truly was the best era with its avant-garde magical
visuals, unique contributions, and pioneering animators. It’s important to acknowledge every
period for its distinctive innovations and this one certainly takes the cake for me.