You probably didn’t know this, but Ward Kimball‘s “science
unit” on the second floor of Walt Disney’s Animation Building had a pretty
intriguing development slate back in the 1950s. You see, once Kimball finished
with his science films about space travel and future highways, there were other
fascinating topics Ward’s creative unit was eager to tackle. Let me tell you
about one of them, and why I consider it a fascinating subject.
Ward (he’s the one in black
wearing suspenders) shows Walt one of the
futuristic flying machines from “Mars
and Beyond.” Copyright Disney
Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved
The working title was “Clothes Make the Man,” and this was a
movie I was eager to see. Unfortunately, the film was never produced. But I can
only imagine the fun Ward Kimball and his crew would have had with the subject.
Let’s talk about clothes and interesting connection apparel
has with cartoon animation. You see, back in the 1950s, few people dressed the
way animation workers dress today. That’s right, most people dressed like grownups.
Though we had our fair share of jeans and T-shirts, they were usually the
minority.
The Walt Disney Studio employed many young women, and most
came to work in dresses, make up and heels. Yes, I know it sounds provincial,
but that’s the way it was.
He looks like a Wall Street
banker, but we actually had animators like this back
in the 1950s. Yep, even
three piece suits were in style
It was not unusual for directors, story artists and
animators to wear a jacket and tie. One old gentleman (I believe he was from
New York) arrived at Disney wearing a three-piece suit. With his full head of
silver hair and cigarette, he cut a pretty dashing figure. You would have never
guessed he was an animator, because he looked more like a Wall Street banker.
Most of the older animators wore jackets and ties, though
the jackets were often removed when they sat down to work. No artists can work
with those constraints. However, should there be a meeting with Walt Disney,
the jackets went back on. There was a casual formality about sessions with the
boss in those days.
Naturally, a jacket and tie was symbolic of moving up the
Disney ranks, and young aspiring animators tended to emulate their bosses. I
noticed more than one apprentice animator begin to change their clothing style
when given a promotion. I still remember older animators like John Lounsbery
and John Sibley arriving at work in jacket and tie. It gave animation certain
respectability, and you knew these guys took their professions seriously.
Ward Kimball in the late 1960s,
when this Disney Legend was riding
herd on “The Mouse Factory” syndicated TV
series. Copyright
Disney Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved
Then you had a guy like Ward Kimball whose clothing style
was in a class by itself. At the time, the directing animator wore a tie like
most his colleagues, but Kimball’s clothing was often a crazy quilt of
patterns, textures and designs that were “off the charts.” The Disney genius
was truly in a class by himself when it came to apparel.
However, not every Disney animator was cut out for a jacket
and tie. Jerry Hathcock, Earl Combs and others loved the American Southwest.
They often sported their own look that included the western bolo tie.
In contrast to this Disney formality was an animator named,
Al Coe. Coe is probably best remembered for his Donald Duck animation, but he
looked more like Marlon Brando in “The Wild Bunch.” Al Coe drove a motorcycle to work each day
and the burly animator carried a construction worker’s lunch pail. Wearing his
cap, leather jacket and boots, he was quite a sight as he stomped down the
hallway of F-Wing to his animation drawing board.
Donald Duck animator Al Coe
looked more like Marlon Brando than
a Disney animator. He rode a fast bike as
well
I’ve joked with Disney historians about how “Animation
Fashion” has changed over the years and how it contrasts with clothing today.
The Disney workers of the 1950s and 1960s — though known for their
“conservative” apparel — were often a pretty wild bunch. The women wore
dresses, stockings and makeup and the “boys” were nattily attired in their
jackets and ties. However, they were known party animals, and I saw this first
hand. The smoking, boozing and other “activities” is legendary if you know your
Disney history.
Contrast that with what we have today. Today’s animation
workers look like they just rolled out of bed and drove to work. Young women
often wear t-shirts and jeans like their male counterparts. Dresses, makeup and
heels would be almost unthinkable.
However, don’t be fooled by the counter culture apparel
often sported by today’s cartoon makers. They’re a far cry from the men and
women of the previous animation generation. Despite their rag tag look, these
young men and women are about as wild and crazy as the students of a bible
college.
Today’s animators may look
scraggy and scruffy, but don’t be fooled.
Even without shirts and ties they’re
a pretty conservative bunch.
Did you enjoy today’s sartorial tale from Floyd? Well, if
you’d like to learn more about the many
amazing & amusing adventures that this Disney Legend has had during
the 40+ years that he’s worked in the animation industry, then you definitely
want to check out some of the books which Mr. Norman has written.
Floyd’s most recent effort – “‘Disk Drive: Animated
Humor in the Digital Age” – is available for purchase through blurb.com.
While Mr. Norman’s original collection of cartoons and stories — “Faster!
Cheaper! The Flip Side of the Art of Animation” – is still for sale over
at John Cawley’s Cataroo.
And if you still haven’t had your fill of Floyd … Well,
then feel free to move on over to Mr. Fun. Which is where Mr. Norman posts his
musings when he’s not writing for JHM.