Chuck Reducks: Drawing from the Fun Side of Life [Hardcover]

Chuck Jones (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1996

The world-renowned animation director of Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck further shares his life, his inspiration, and his timeless creations in this charming and funny sequel to his treasured memoir, Chuck Amuck--with a Foreword, this time, by Robin Williams. Four 4-color inserts. Line art throughout.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Now 84, Jones (Chuck Amuck) has been an animator and a director of animated features for more than 60 years and has created such cartoon figures as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd, Wile E. Coyote and Pepe le Pew. He also worked with Dr. Seuss on TV versions of How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Horton Hears a Who, in the course of a career during which he made more than 250 films and won three Oscars. Jones's advice here on how to draw and, more specifically, how to draw animals engaging in various activities will prove valuable to aspiring artists; and his portraits of people he has known?from his captivating Uncle Lynn with his surrealistic view of the world to the monsters who ran the Warner Brothers animation department in the 1930s and '40s?are memorable. The book also includes sidebars with quotes, some by Jones himself and others by writers from Thurber to Emerson. There's some filler here, notably pointless lists of unused titles for innumerable shorts and analyses of numerous minor cartoon characters, but Jones, an American original, is good company?if not quite as engaging as his wascally wabbit. Illustrations not seen by PW.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Jones is famous for having refined the characters of Bugs and Daffy, among others, and perfected the art of the six-minute animation short. Like his preceding memoir, Chuck Amuck (LJ 3/15/90), this book consists of reminiscences, informative sidebars, and occasional non sequiturs. His career-oriented anecdotes are more mesmerizing than his familial ones, and much similar territory is covered in Chuck Amuck. Aphorisms abound (e.g., never write down to anybody), and some platitudinous asides are just plain patronizing. Yet Jones ultimately communicates a philosophy about his iconoclastic art that is insightful and unpretentious. Less comprehensive than his first memoir where his early career is concerned, this volume is more of a companion piece than a sequel. Nevertheless, for the new illustrations it promises (not seen), for the chapter on Jones's collaboration with Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss) on How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, and for what it reveals about the creative process, this is a necessary addition to any film or art collection.?Jayne Plymale-Jackson, Univ. of Georgia Libs., Athens
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 286 pages
• Publisher: Time Warner International (October 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 044651893X
• ISBN-13: 978-0446518932
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.3 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #603,877 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have for Chuck Jones fans!, April 11, 1999

By 

Phil G ([e-mail]) (Montreal, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chuck Reducks: Drawing from the Fun Side of Life (Hardcover)

This biography goes in deep into Chuck Jones' life. Chuck stresses the importance of "character" & "believability"in character animation. His life experiences from childhood to today can be seen reflected into his body of work. But best of all; the book is filled with animation tips which are very useful for anyone studying animation. A must have!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Check Out Chuck!, November 21, 2000

By 

W. Langan "take403" (the end of the world to your town!) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chuck Reducks: Drawing from the Fun Side of Life (Hardcover)

This book starts where his other book, Chuck Amuck left off.It makes mention of a more recent update to his classic cartoon OneFroggy Evening entitled Another Froggy Evening, which features a cameoof Siskel and Ebert and Chuck himself! It again pays tribute to hisco-workers, particularly Friz Freleng, tells more about he came upwith his ideas, and gives pointers on cartoon making to othersinterested in the field of animation. There's nobody better to offeradvice from!...

5.0 out of 5 stars Check Out Chuck!, November 21, 2000

By 

W. Langan "take403" (the end of the world to your town!) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chuck Reducks: Drawing from the Fun Side of Life (Hardcover)

This book starts where his other book, Chuck Amuck left off. It makes mention of a more recent update to his classic cartoon One Froggy Evening entitled Another Froggy Evening, which features a cameo of Siskel and Ebert and Chuck himself! It again pays tribute to his co-workers, particularly Friz Freleng, tells more about he came up with his ideas, and gives pointers on cartoon making to others interested in the field of animation. There's nobody better to offer advice! Also, be sure to check out the TV documentary of Mr. Chuck Jones the night before Thanksgiving (I'm sure it will be aired again!).