Seven Minutes: The Life and Death of the American Animated Cartoon

This is a very interesting look at the short animated cartoon. It goes from the silent era to the end of the studio system.I liked the book because it did not have an anti-Disney axe to grind. Indeed, I came away with a better understanding of why Mickey Mouse cartoons became "blander" as time passed, as opposed to the wildness of Bugs Bunny and Tom & Jerry.Also very good was the look at the differences between the cartoons of Tex Avery, Chuck Jones and Friz Freleng. Freleng is usually ignored by studies of this kind (as he mostly is in Michael Barrier's Hollywood Cartoons) so it was a treat to see him receive attention here.No, this isn't a quick read, but if you take cartoons as seriously as regular Hollywood movies, with auteurs and themes, this is an essential book to read.

First, this book is neither a master's thesis nor a doctoral dissertation,though if it were based on one, it would be very good, indeed. Second,it is aimed an academic audience, not the general reader. If you neverheard of (e.g.) Bertolt Brecht, Erwin Panofsky, or Walter Benjamin, youwon't get past the first few pages (the same is true of Lee Smoodin'sbook, which appeared concurrently). Third, the publisher (Verso, HQ'din London) specializes in scholarly works. Their editors solicit just suchmanuscripts, and have rigorous standards for reviewing and acceptingeverything they read. Fourth, if you want a seat at the table, do yourhomework, and educate yourself before you pass judgment on thingsyou know nothing about. Even a Disney cartoon has more characterthan that, and is more animated than fervent yet untutored admirers.Study the literature, or the third degree will be the only one you earn.

This book gave me excelent insite on the private lives of Mickey Mouse and Scooby Doo's torid affair with Mighty Mouse. Just kidding. I loved it. Brilliantly written and truly unique. It is a must read for anyone interested in the history of American media.Hi mom!

Though this book contains a lot of interesting and useful information (which is why it gets two stars instead of just one), it is basically a Master's thesis written mostly in incomprehensible academic jargon. Naturally, Chuck Jones gave it an enthusiastic recommendation.It's yet another example of how publishers don't care to edit books.

I checked this book out of the library hoping to gain insight into the various creators of American cartoons. While this book is well-researched and contains a comprehensive history of cartoons from the twenties through the fifties, it is far from a lighthearted read. The scholarly tone is dry and dull, and what should be an intriguing topic becomes a chore to get through. I'm not sure what audience this book was intended for, but it must be a small one.I'd avoid this book unless college textbooks keep you on the edge of your seat!