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Michael Barrier
Topic Started: Feb 19 2007, 07:40 AM (7,726 Views)
mort bakaprevski
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Over on the FNF thread I reported that the controversial Bob Clampett interview had not been included on Michael Barrier’s web site http://www.michaelbarrier.com/ I’m happy to report that I was wrong. The almost four decade old (conducted in 1969) interview is reprinted there complete with a preface describing the unexpected furor that erupted after the article was published and corrections, within the interview, where facts were subsequently found to be incorrect. Regardless of your personal feelings towards Clampett, this is a fascinating read.

In addition, there is a letter from Clampett’s son taking Barrier to task for questioning some of Clampett’s statements regarding his impact on the Bunny’s evolution, but not being specific about which statements he was questioning. There is also an interesting article by Milton Gray regarding the Jones/Clampett feud which makes me want to recant my previous statement regarding Clampett being universally disliked within the animation community. But… read the article and draw your own conclusions.

I can’t recommend this site highly enough to anyone interested in animation and its history!!
"Nov Shmoz Ka Pop."
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thadk
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Actually, Clampett was very much disliked. The Termite Terrace gang didn't like his embellishing very much. Most of the big voice artists (Daws Butler, Stan Freberg, June Foray) thought the same. Everyone else hated him because of Clampett's screwing over of old-time artists, like Izzy Ellis.

Is it a wonder everyone hated him?
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rodney
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http://www.michaelbarrier.com/Funnyworld/C...ob_clampett.htm

Here's the article, and welcome Thad!
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mort bakaprevski
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Just finished reading the Chuck Jones interview (also conducted in 1969). Another fascinating read. I first read both of these interviews back in the early 70’s & I’m surprised at how much I remembered from both of them. I think I was particularly taken by the Jones piece because his (seemingly) logical, linear approach to things appealed to my (then) young, computer programmer sensibilities!!

Here’s the address: http://www.michaelbarrier.com/Funnyworld/j...chuck_jones.htm
"Nov Shmoz Ka Pop."
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mort bakaprevski
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Michael Barrier's “The Animated Man: A Life of Walt Disney” will be featured in May as Turner Classic Movies' book of the month.

"Nov Shmoz Ka Pop."
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riddlerider
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thadk
Feb 19 2007, 04:49 PM
Actually, Clampett was very much disliked. The Termite Terrace gang didn't like his embellishing very much. Most of the big voice artists (Daws Butler, Stan Freberg, June Foray) thought the same. Everyone else hated him because of Clampett's screwing over of old-time artists, like Izzy Ellis.

I'm no expert on cartoons, but I did meet and talk to Clampett, and I always enjoyed his Warners cartoons. In fact, I believe the fact that he was widely disliked has kept him from getting his due from animation historians. Conversely, I've always felt that Chuck Jones -- who seems to have been very popular -- was tremendously overrated and all too willing to take credit for practically anything good in a Warners cartoon.
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thadk
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When has Clampett ever been underrated? All the books praise Clampett unconditionally, except for some of the more critical assessments like Barrier's book. Even that one has a ridiculous subtext that suggests Clampett pushed Tex Avery to be crazier with his cartoons.

Most of this talk comes from the Clampett Clan, who became friends with him in the 70s and bought into all of his fairly-tales of Termite Terrace.

There are many filmmakers in animation that are indeed underrated, like Frank Tashlin and Shamus Culhane, but Bob Clampett wasn't one of them.
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rodney
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Maybe you mean that outside of animation/film buffs Clampett is underrated? That may be the case, if you compare him to Jones who's practically a household name.
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thadk
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Well to be fair, Clampett had his time as a household name for years with his name being screamed at the end of every episode of Beany & Cecil.
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riddlerider
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rodney
Mar 6 2007, 01:58 PM
Maybe you mean that outside of animation/film buffs Clampett is underrated? That may be the case, if you compare him to Jones who's practically a household name.

Yes, because he too was a relentless self-promoter. IMO, he got away with it because he was better liked than Clampett and had more vociferous acolytes.

I do admit that Tashlin deserves a lot more credit than he's gotten for his contributions to the Warners style. But then, he had other accomplishments for which he's been recognized.
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thadk
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Just remember, Clampett pretty much burnt all of his bridges with his old colleagues by giving an embellished account of all the WB landmarks in the first documented interview to take classical animation as a serious subject. Chances are if he weren't the equivalent of the guy in the Veteran's Hospital who says how he took out the whole Vietkong army, other important figures like Freleng and Avery would have spoken more in his favor.

It's a shame that Clampett had to take credit for others' achievements when his own were outstanding.
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mort bakaprevski
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Hie yourselves over to Michael's site & see some panels of Disney characters like you've never seen them before!! :o
"Nov Shmoz Ka Pop."
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thadk
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That's as bad as 'official' gets.
Check out Air Pirate Funnies to really warp your mind!
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mort bakaprevski
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Yeah, I remember them. Are they still around??? As I recall, Disney was taking heavy legal action against them at one time!!

That reminds me!! Do you remember the rendering Wally Wood did of the Disney folks... way back when? VERRRRY strange!!!
"Nov Shmoz Ka Pop."
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Paul
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"Hey, Darnold! Duck!"
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