'Twas the Week Before Christmas
Page 3 of 3
OK, I confess,
my number two book
I’ve reviewed once before
but deserves second look.
I can’t say enough about
"Nine Old Men" by Canemaker,
And as writers go
John’s a move and shaker.
Though I’ve plugged it before,
as Christmas draws nigh,
please revisit this book
and let me tell you why:
Of all of the books
still in print, new or old
for all Disney fans
this book is pure gold!
The heart of the company,
both then and now,
is great animation
and this book tells how
a group of nine guys,
under Walt and long after
brought to life all the magic,
the tears, and the laughter.
Not just a look back
it’s a great look inside
at the struggle, the stumbles,
the egos and pride.
This "Lives of the Artists"
is insightful and nimble,
at sharing the history
from Johnston to Kimball.
Though you may know a lot,
bet you don’t know it all
like the stormy last days
of the master, Milt Kahl.
But my number one pick
isn’t quite about Disney.
Well, it is and it isn’t,
read on and then you’ll see.
Be it Christmas or Purim,
what I most admire
is the gift of a book
that will truly inspire.
There’s one man I trust
when I need inspiration
he’s the great patron saint
of nouvelle animation.
Don Hahn is the author,
and he gets it just right
with the wisdom of
DANCING CORN DOGS IN THE NIGHT.
Though some will point out
that my number one pick
is now out of print,
doesn’t matter a lick.
It’s not hard to find,
and I’m willing to bet
you can score a good copy
if you search on the net.
My big Christmas wish
is that every LP’er
will discover this book
which goes without peer.
Subbed "Reawakening
Your Creative Spirit"
with leadership lacking
we all need to hear it.
Schumacher aside
(WAYYYY aside, Santa willing)
Master Hahn’s words give comfort
when twits get top billing.
It’s funny, and touching
and best, oh by far
it reminds us of why
we still wish on that star.
Hahn steels up your courage
and readies your heart
to make it o’er the hurdles
and on to great art!
Well, there you have it
in the St. Nick of time
my take on some books,
(~ penned in long suff’ring rhyme ~)
My thanks to you all,
as we reach the year’s close
for reading my writing.
I have fun, Heaven knows!
Some long winded, some brief
some polemic, some not,
as under my collar
I got a bit hot.
No offense was intended,
not to you, gentle reader,
(though I still wish FA
would get a new leader.)
But time, as they say,
has a way to heal wounds.
So sincerely I pray
this will hold true for ‘toons.
Now go buy a book
on your favorite topic,
(and put on your glasses
if your presbyopic!)
Find a big comfy chair,
get a hot cup of cider,
and settle in for a read
by your favorite writer.
Let’s recap the seven,
for be it sunny or sleeting,
a list of good books
is well worth repeating:
7. Walt Disney: The Art of Animation - the Story of the Disney Studio Contribution to a New Art by Bob Thomas Hardcover: 188 pages; published by Golden Press (1958) (Very hard to find - out of print, but well worth the search and the money.)
6. The Journal of Milo Thatch (Atlantis: The Lost
Empire)
by Preston B. Whitmore (wink) Paperback: 128 pages; published by Hyperion; ISBN:
0786853417
5. Atlantis Subterranean Tours: A Traveler's Guide to the Lost City by Jeff Kurtti Paperback: 65 pages; published by Hyperion; ISBN: 078685328X
4. The Little Big Book of Disney by Monique Peterson, John Glick (designer) Hardcover: 352 pages; published by Hyperion; ISBN: 0786853492
3. The Legend of Mulan: A Folding Book Inspired by the Disney Animated Film John Glick (designer) Hardcover in slip case: 96 pages ; published by Hyperion; ASIN: 0786863897 (Out of print - limited availability - LOVELY!)
2. Walt Disney’s Nine Old Men and the Art of Animation by John Canemaker Hardcover: 308 pages; published by Hyperion; ISBN: 0786864966 (Purchase at The LaughingPlace Store)
1. Dancing Corn Dogs in the Night: Reawakening Your Creative Spirit by Don Hahn Hardcover: 256 pages; published by Hyperion; ASIN: 0786863749) (Currently out of print but can be found - limited availability. LOOK HARD!)
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-- Rhett Wichman
Rhett Wickham is a writer, story editor and development professional living and working in Los Angeles. Prior to moving to LA, Rhett worked as an actor and stage director in New York City following graduate studies at Tisch School of the Arts. He is a directing fellow with the Drama League of New York, and nearly a decade ago he founded AnimActing ©®™ to teach and coach acting, character development and story analysis to animators, story artists and layout artists - work he continues both privately and through workshops in Los Angeles, New York and Orlando. He can be reached through [email protected].
The opinions expressed by our Rhett Wickham, and all of our columnists, do not necessarily represent the feelings of LaughingPlace.com or any of its employees or advertisers. All speculation and rumors about the future plans of the Walt Disney Company are just that - speculation and rumors - and should be treated as such.
-- Posted December 18, 2002