Here's a wonderful photograph: Disney animator Fred Moore, his first wife Virginia (for the record, his second wife was also named Virginia) and one of their two daughters, probably taken about 1938 or so.
Of course all we animation fans love the glimpse into the private, candid life of a legendary Disney animator, but as someone else (someone not in the business) pointed out upon seeing it: "it's great to see these kinds of images of people from seventy years ago. It's so vivid and casual-it's as if you're in the moment with them and makes you see them as real people, not caricatures, not just names on the credits or in a book." Indeed. The scene looks strikingly contemporary--the young Mrs. Moore could easily be my mom 30 years later, Fred one of my friends in the story department mugging with their own babies.
When's this insouciant artist going to get his own book? Until then, I'm grateful to be able to pass this happy snap along to Diary readers.
Why don't you write the book? I'm sure (after reading your many posts on Fred) that it would be great.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I'm sure it'd amaze no one to hear that I've given it serious thought(my interest in Fred was spurred years ago by an article I compiled for a magazine that went defunct before it could be published).
ReplyDeleteThe thing is, he'd be much better suited for inclusion in a book about several artists--a volume on just Fred, marvelous and important as he was, would be a very difficult sell to a publisher and a niche market--not that there's anything wrong with that! From the reader's point of view, that is.
However, I've also heard rumors that better connected people than I might have plans along those very lines, so it may be moot for me to take it further. I hope one way or another an extensive presentation of his work and style is made available. It's just got to happen eventually.
Oh! What a lovely photograph! And their expressions are wonderful :D
ReplyDeleteThat would be really exciting to see a book with at least one of its primary focuses on Fred Moore.
I bet your take would be interesting anyway - keep up the good work here, like this piccie. I love Fred Moore's taking advantage of sitting behind his wife - she probably would've rolled her eyes if she knew he was doing that.
ReplyDeleteYou know what's amazing is that, let's say back at Warner Brothers, we would have NEVER have had access to all the photos of Fred you've been able to uncover..the internet has helped so much in getting people together who have stuff like this to share. I was personally stunned at those first photos you posted, like the one with him holding the dog in the chair. I hope you keep finding and posting these...and yes, whenever I think of a book on Fred all I can think of is that you would be the one to write it.
ReplyDeleteCynthia
tangoland.com
Cynthia-no kidding!
ReplyDeleteI had a similar shock when I first saw those photographs--until then I'd only seen the same couple of publicity photographs everyone has over and over(with the rare exception of two that Art Babbit had). James Walker, a generous and incredibly dedicated Fred Moore expert-collector, had collected those candid snaps and seeing them was so fantastic--like real time travel. Here was the real person behind the killer drawings and animation, long since disappeared. Just so moving.
Thanks for the kind words--I'll tell you, though, there are a lot of other people out there less conspicious than I've been with this blog who know what they're talking about where Moore's work is concerned.
Yep, the internet is an amazing thing.
Hey Jenny, instead of one book/several artists, how about a series of short but concise books on the artists (completists will have to own them all!). One on Fred Moore, another on Milt Kahl, Marc Davis, Rod Scribner... Personal portraits of animation greats of days gone by...
ReplyDeleteNifty photo too.
What a handsome couple! Thanks for sharing :p
ReplyDeleteSo where is that daughter today? And where is Fred's other daughter? Has anyone ever interviewed them?
ReplyDeleteNice pic.
ReplyDeleteThought you might enjoy this:
http://www.cartoonbrew.com/events/mary-blair-show-preview
MAC
That is so cool! I have lived so long only seeing the five or so photos of Fred in all the books. This is great. Makes him more real. Thanks for posting it!
ReplyDeleteNice post. There has been a sudden interest in Fred Moore online among Disney fans (for some reason - but it's a good thing).
ReplyDeleteHey Will -- Funny you should mention that. A new book series on the life and work of great Disney animators, eh?
ReplyDeleteI can't be more specific at this time, but you may just get your wish.
Perhaps Mr. Canemaker will write "Walt Disney's Nine Older Men"?
ReplyDeleteJenny,
ReplyDeleteI really think YOU are the one to write the book on Fred Moore. (or at least an extended monograph or magazine piece ... is Amid ever going to publish another Animation Blast ? Seems like a special Fred Moore issue is in order.)
"The thing is, he'd be much better suited for inclusion in a book about several artists--a volume on just Fred." Jenny, you are probably on the right track here. Publishers don't like book manuscripts on subjects, topic-areas, that people are not already interested in. This is the voice of experience speaking!
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ReplyDeleteFloyd Norman always knows whereof he writes. Far be it from me to gainsay a Disney Legend! Heed him, folks!
ReplyDeleteHi! My name is Timothia Cordova (maiden name Timothia Brann). My brother Christian and I are the children of Melinda Brann (Melinda Moore) Fred Moore's daughter with second wife Virginia. I am here to help in any way that I can with your research on Fred Moore.
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