Mel Shaw
Mel Shaw | |
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| Born | Melvin Schwartzman December 19, 1914 Brooklyn,New York |
| Died | November 22, 2012(aged 97) |
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Mel Shaw(bornMelvin Schwartzman;December 19, 1914 – November 22, 2012) was an American animator, design artist, writer, and artist. Shaw was involved in the animation, story design, and visual development of numerousDisney animated films,beginning withBambi,which was released in 1942.[1][2]His other animated film credits, usually involving animation design or the story, includedThe Rescuersin 1977,The Fox and the Houndin 1981,The Black Cauldronin 1985,The Great Mouse Detectivein 1986,Beauty and the Beastin 1991, andThe Lion Kingin 1994.[1][2]He was named aDisney Legendin 2004 for his contributions toThe Walt Disney Company.[1]
Early life[edit]
Shaw was born on December 19, 1914, inBrooklyn,New York.[2]His mother was anopera singerand his father was a lawyer.[2]He was the second oldest of four brothers born to his parents.[2]
Career[edit]
Shaw began his career in entertainment industry as asilent filmtitle cardcreator atPacific Title and Art,a company owned by film producer,Leon Schlesinger.[1]He next worked forOrson Wellesin the early 1930s, where Shaw helped to create a storyboardThe Little Prince,though the proposed Welles film was never created.[1]Shaw would later join theHarman-IsingStudio, working on the EarlyLooney TunesandMerrie Melodies,as well asMGM'sHappy Harmoniesseries.
Shaw was personally recruited byWalt Disneyto work on the 1942 animated classic,Bambi.[1][2]He left Disney Studios to enlist in theArmy Signal Corps,where he served as a combat photographer duringWorld War II.
Shaw returned to Disney's animation department in 1974 at the invitation ofWalt Disney Studios.[1]He returned to work on Disney animated films and mentored a new generation of animators. His last film at Disney wasThe Lion King,released in 1994.[1]
Shaw partnered with formerMGM Studiosanimator Bob Allen to establish a design firm.[1]Under Shaw and Allen, their company designedHowdy DoodyforNBCduring the late 1940s.[1][2]
He was among a couple of artists who worked at Disney both during its Golden Age within the late-1930s as well as during the studio's resurgence within the 1990s.[3][4][5]
Death[edit]
Shaw died fromcongestive heart failureon November 22, 2012, at the Woodland Care Center inReseda, California,at the age of 97.[1]His first wife, Louise, died in 1984.[2]Shaw's second wife, Florence Lounsbery, who died in 2004, was the widow of Disney animator,John Lounsbery.[2]They had resided inAcampo, California,for more than twenty years.[2]
Filmography[edit]
- We're in the Money(short) (animator - uncredited) - 1933
- Tale of the Vienna Woods(short) (story, animator and character layouts - uncredited) - 1934
- Toyland Broadcast(short) (animator - uncredited) - 1934
- Good Little Monkeys(short) (animator - uncredited) - 1935
- Alias St. Nick(short) (animator - uncredited) - 1935
- Bottles(short) (animator - uncredited) - 1936
- To Spring(short) (animator - uncredited) - 1936
- Merbabies(short) (animator - uncredited) - 1938
- Fantasia(visual development artwork) - 1940
- Dumbo- 1941
- Bambi(writer, visual development artwork) - 1942
- The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad(visual development artwork for theMr. Toadsegment) - 1949
- Disneyland- (story for theTricks of Our Tradeepisode) - 1957
- The Rescuers- 1977
- Deadman's Curve(TV Movie) (writer: "Baby Talk" song) - 1978
- The Fox and the Hound(creative assistant to the producers) - 1981
- The Black Cauldron(writer) - 1985
- The Great Mouse Detective(writer) - 1986
- It's Howdy Doody Time(TV special) (thanks - as Melvin Shaw) - 1987
- Beauty and the Beast(production consultant: visual development) - 1991
- The Lion King(visual development artist) - 1994
- Tarzan(assistant animator) - 1999
- Treasure Planet(key animator) - 2002
- Brother Bear(character designer) - 2003
- Finding Grandma(short) (editor) - 2010
References[edit]
- ^abcdefghijkBarnes, Mike (November 30, 2012)."Legendary Disney Animator Mel Shaw Dies at 97".The Hollywood Reporter.Archivedfrom the original on May 9, 2019.RetrievedDecember 20,2012.
- ^abcdefghijNelson, Valerie J. (November 29, 2012)."Mel Shaw Dies at 97; Disney Design Drtist".Los Angeles Times.Archivedfrom the original on December 2, 2012.RetrievedDecember 20,2012.
- ^Amidi, Amid (November 24, 2012)."Mel Shaw (1914-2012)".Cartoon Brew.RetrievedJune 17,2024.
- ^"'Bambi' Designer Mel Shaw dies at 97 ".Animation Magazine.RetrievedJune 17,2024.
- ^"Legendary Disney Designer and Concept Artist Mel Shaw Passes at 97".Animation World Network.RetrievedJune 17,2024.
External links[edit]
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