100 Greatest American and British Animated Films

Thomas S. Hischak

Animation has been a staple of the filmmaking process since the early days of cinema. Animated shorts had been produced for decades, but not until 1937 did a major studio venture into animated features when Walt Disney produced Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Of the hundreds of animated feature films made since, many have proven their importance over the years while also entertaining generations of audiences. There are also many recent animated movies that promise to become classics in the field.

In 100 Greatest American British Animated Films, Thomas S, Hischak looks at the most innovative, influential, and entertaining features that have been produced since the late 1930s—from traditional hand-drawn works and stop-motion films to computer-generated wonders. These movies have been selected not simply because of their popularity or critical acceptance but for their importance. Entries in this volume contain

plot information
production history
critical reaction
commentary on the film’s cinematic quality
a discussion of the film’s influence
voice casts
production credits
songs
sequels, spin-offs, Broadway versions, and television adaptations
awards and nominations

Each movie is also discussed in the context of its original release as well as the ways in which the film has lived on in the years since.

Familiar favorites and lesser-known gems are included, making the book a fascinating journey for both the avid animation fan and the everyday moviegoer. With a sweeping look at more than eight decades of movies, 100 Greatest American and British Animated Films highlights some of the most treasured features of all time.

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 396 • Trim: 7¼ x 10¼

978-1-5381-0568-9 • Hardback • April 2018 • $56.00 • (£43.00)

978-1-5381-0569-6 • eBook • April 2018 • $53.00 • (£41.00)

Subjects: Performing Arts / Film / Genres / Animated, Performing Arts / Film / Reference

100 Greatest American and British Animated Films

Hardback

eBook

Summary

Animation has been a staple of the filmmaking process since the early days of cinema. Animated shorts had been produced for decades, but not until 1937 did a major studio venture into animated features when Walt Disney produced Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Of the hundreds of animated feature films made since, many have proven their importance over the years while also entertaining generations of audiences. There are also many recent animated movies that promise to become classics in the field.

In 100 Greatest American British Animated Films, Thomas S, Hischak looks at the most innovative, influential, and entertaining features that have been produced since the late 1930s—from traditional hand-drawn works and stop-motion films to computer-generated wonders. These movies have been selected not simply because of their popularity or critical acceptance but for their importance. Entries in this volume contain
- plot information
- production history
- critical reaction
- commentary on the film’s cinematic quality
- a discussion of the film’s influence
- voice casts
- production credits
- songs
- sequels, spin-offs, Broadway versions, and television adaptations
- awards and nominations
Each movie is also discussed in the context of its original release as well as the ways in which the film has lived on in the years since.

Familiar favorites and lesser-known gems are included, making the book a fascinating journey for both the avid animation fan and the everyday moviegoer. With a sweeping look at more than eight decades of movies, 100 Greatest American and British Animated Films highlights some of the most treasured features of all time.

Details

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 396 • Trim: 7¼ x 10¼

978-1-5381-0568-9 • Hardback • April 2018 • $56.00 • (£43.00)

978-1-5381-0569-6 • eBook • April 2018 • $53.00 • (£41.00)

Subjects: Performing Arts / Film / Genres / Animated, Performing Arts / Film / Reference

Author

Thomas S. Hischak is professor emeritus of theatre at the State University of New York College at Cortland. He is the author or coauthor of more than twenty books, including Off-Broadway Musicals since 1919 (Scarecrow Press, 2011), The Disney Song Encyclopedia (Taylor Trade, 2012), The Jerome Kern Encyclopedia (2013), TheEncyclopedia of Film Composers (Rowman & Littlefield, 2015), and Theatre as Human Action, Second Edition (Rowman & Littlefield, 2016).

Reviews

The wide variety of films included over eight decades paints a rich canvas of the medium of animated films. . . The scope of these works goes from the analysis of a single film to broad histories of the animated film, giving readers many other resources to explore. Quite reasonably priced, this book should be considered by all sorts of libraries, particularly those in institutions (colleges or high schools) offering courses in media/cinema studies.
— American Reference Books Annual

Features

1/24/2019 – CHOICE Magazine featured this title in a list entitled “Editors’ Top 75 Community College Resources” in the January 2019 issue. Link: https://choice360.org/blog/the-top-75-community-college-titles-january2019-edition

100 Greatest American and British Animated Films

Thomas S. Hischak

100 Greatest American and British Animated Films

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