tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202740811135382485.post1839289088497744259..comments2023-12-29T13:22:41.098-08:00Comments on Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol: Abe Levitow, directorDarrellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02872914483836891531noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202740811135382485.post-58162805318317819642010-12-04T09:09:52.235-08:002010-12-04T09:09:52.235-08:00In 1973 or thereabouts, Abe Levitow spoke about hi...In 1973 or thereabouts, Abe Levitow spoke about his work and classic cartoons in Portland. My father took me (I was about 8). I remember the fact that I couldn't hear very well, and that he showed a bunch of amazing cartoons I hadn't seen before (numerous classics, including Little Rural Riding Hood and One Froggy Evening). It was the first time I'd encountered a cartoonist in person, and my first exposure to non-Disney brilliance.<br /><br />--HarryAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202740811135382485.post-58584619377586280032010-12-03T14:01:04.307-08:002010-12-03T14:01:04.307-08:00Very insightful post! Nice to know more about Levi...Very insightful post! Nice to know more about Levitow/Hanson studio. I believe their only major production was the B.C. Thanksgiving special, (based on Johnny Hart's comic strip).Brubakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10741995395720022279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202740811135382485.post-4783689132282123822010-12-03T11:14:59.211-08:002010-12-03T11:14:59.211-08:00Thanks for the additional insights, Mark! Great t...Thanks for the additional insights, Mark! Great to hear from someone who was there.Darrellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02872914483836891531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202740811135382485.post-91135049339124128152010-12-02T22:23:39.710-08:002010-12-02T22:23:39.710-08:00Great post on Abe Levitow, Darrell. My old friend ...Great post on Abe Levitow, Darrell. My old friend Frank Andrina had a nickname for Abe; he called him "Abe Levity". That's Bob Bransford to Abe's right in the 1954 picture. In the Levitow/Hanson staff picture, Carl Bell is seated in front with the bell bottom pants. Milt Schaffer was one of Abe's directors at Levitow/Hanson, I animated a bit of a Count Chocula for him there in 1975, I guess. Abe was so quiet that you would hardly know he was there, just letting Milt Schaffer take all the abuse from the clients on Count Chocula, who were incredibly picky about the animation, scrutinizing it frame by frame on the moviola. I can't remember the agency guy's name on the Choculas today, but I remember the cops jailed him in Hollywood for taking a whizz in public! That spot was the only one I worked on for Abe, just a few weeks after I finished work, he passed on. I hope that the picky clients on the Choculas didn't stress him out too much, but Abe wouldn't have shown it, anyway. Mark KauslerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202740811135382485.post-17626228478403120402010-12-02T18:38:38.684-08:002010-12-02T18:38:38.684-08:00What a fantastic bio. I have always been a big car...What a fantastic bio. I have always been a big cartoon-addict and Magoo has been my favorite since I first saw "Rock Hound Magoo" in a theatre in 1957/58.I was 7 years old and both my parents had died in 1957.Magoo and Bugs and so many others that Abe worked on literally gave me a lot to be happy about in those early years. It's so nice to finally read/see photos of some of the men & women who brought me so much laughter when I was young (and even now when I'm almost 60).My thanks to the Levitow children (and you Darrell)for sharing these stories on this blog!Keep up the good work ...... Also,I love all the artwork you share with us. DJAAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2202740811135382485.post-17839074168224393362010-12-02T15:38:42.664-08:002010-12-02T15:38:42.664-08:00Wonderful post. Thank you. He's been on my rad...Wonderful post. Thank you. He's been on my radar since I first read The Art of Friz Freleng. What a talent.Danielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09379387828450465575noreply@blogger.com