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Encyclopedia of Walt Disney's Animated Characters: From Mickey Mouse to Hercules

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For anyone who ever had a longing for a complete, accurate, and all-encompassing critique of the treasure trove that is Disney animation, this is as good as it gets! From early, unheard-of black-and-white shorts to the latest animated programs and features, this anthology will enthrall readers/animation fans with its painstakingly exact analysis of every element of animation: the art, music, story, script, voice performances, characterizations, and basic dynamic of the film. In addition, the readers will find very well-researched analysis of other reviews of Disney's works and exactly where the given piece of work fits into the Disney cannon. One cannot possibly recommend this encyclopedia highly enough- it is DIVINE! Bravo for John Grant and his masterful evaluation of Disney animation. Those of us who have been lucky enough to discover this virtually sacred tome await with baited breath for the next installment, likely to be published in 2003.

John Grant's "Encyclopedia of Walt Disney's Animated Characters" is, beyond doubt, the single most useful reference volume about Disney's animated films ever printed. The original edition, published in 1983, was phenomenally complete -- it seems Grant *saw* every Disney animation ever made, and listed them in two sections: "The Shorts" and "The Features." It was up-to-date for its time; the "Features" section ended at "The Great Mouse Detective," and information on what were then Disney's only animated TV series, "The Wuzzles" and "Gummi Bears," was included in the "Shorts" material.

The first revision, published in 1993, brought the "Features" section up to date as of the summer of 1992, including a short entry on "Aladdin," still in production when the book went to press. It also added a third section on Disney's animated TV series. Unfortunately, the new material showed signs of having been hastily assembled. The television section included more promotional art than still frames; information was duplicated between the "Shorts" and "TV" pages; and there were a few noticeable inaccuracies (most egregious of all, a picture of the malignant asylum keeper from "Beauty and the Beast" was inexplicably captioned, "The old witch whose curse condemns the vain Prince to become the Beast").

First Net-rumors of a new revision were heard in the summer of 1997. The new edition was finally officially announced, with a release date of "November 1997." Now, nearly six months later, the third edition is available. The errors have been rectified, and don't seem to have been replaced by new ones. The TV section has been updated to cover, albeit briefly, the entire "Disney Afternoon" syndication lineup, as well as Saturday-morning shows. The "Features" section now fills two-thirds of the book's 460 pages.

This is a large, thick, h! eavy volume. It is massively indexed, and gorgeously illustrated with still frames -- literally hundreds of them, most in color. And best of all, it's great fun to read. The section on "The Shorts" includes not only such classic characters as Mickey, Goofy, and Donald, but the nameless "lithe young male sapling" and "Garbo-esque lady sycamore" from the first Technicolor cartoon, "Flowers and Trees"; specific names for the Three Little Pigs; and sympathetic comments on Horace Horsecollar and Clarabelle Cow, co-workers of Mickey's from the early 1930s, who remained "perennial extras" as later characters soared to stardom. The huge section on "The Features," includes every animated Disney feature from "Snow White" to "Hercules," with plot outlines, character lists, voice casts, complete credits, and even release dates. What were the names of the ballet dancers in the "Dance of the Hours" segment of "Fantasia"? (Mlle. Upanova, Hyacinth Hippo, Elephanchine, and Ben Ali Gator.) Who was Namontack? (The Native American shot and wounded by Governor Ratcliffe in "Pocahontas.") What were the names of the elephants who ostracized Dumbo? (Prissy, Matriarch, Giggles, and Catty.) How about Cinderella's stepmother and stepsisters? (Lady Tremaine and her daughters, Anastasia and Drizella.) How many Dalmatian-spots appear in the animated "101 Dalmatians"? (6,469,952.)

For the true Disney fan, this book is absolutely indispensable. I recommend it with no reservations.

I find this book really fantastic. The true delight of this book, apart from great reviews of many Disney movies and their characters, is the fact that it contains tons of color pictures! Another great point is that one can find references to many different Disney short movies, many of which I did not have a chance to hear about before. I could only wish though that even more detail was given describing the characters of the films (i.e. include even more characters), and more photographs were included. For example, the description of the "Fun and fancy free" movie does not include any photographs of the "Bongo" section characters, and I thought this short section contained some really lovable bears that should have been represented. Another problem (although nothing major) is that some of the full length animated movies that were sequels to others are not included in their own category but reather in a small section "spin offs" of the first episode movie. Hence "Return of Jafar", etc. are not described in any great detail. But it is really great book, for once probably worth the price, since it is also considerably big book too. Enjoy the reading.

This is a definite must-have for any Disney fan. The book is divided into three basic sections: Characters in shorts, characters in television shows, and characters in features. Each category has a mention of every Disney character created until 1997 including interesting articles about them. This is also a great place to find information on lesser-known or forgotten Disney characters such as Spike the bee from a number of Donald Duck cartoons and Little Hans, a star of his own wartime propaganda film. Combine this with hundreds of pictures from the films and you have a book that is sure to be a favorite of any Disney fan.

This encyclopedia gives thoughtful, complete portrayals of every Disney character, from the shorts to the movies to the TV series. From the 9-page essay on Donald Duck to the paragraph or two on a minor character, it all makes for great reading. It is wonderful reference material and even as a good book; John Grant treats the characters like real people! It is very well reasearched, too. It's also got great animation stills of almost every character, too. Wonderful to read, browse through or look up stuff!

I'll start this review by saying that, in fact, I haven't read THIS book, but I own Grant's older book from the '80's of the same title (which I bought from a used book seller for $3!), and I assume that this is the same material, but with some new stuff added. I plan to buy this newer book, because I can't wait to see this author's views on the subsequent movies that came out.

John Grant's description of the Disney movies and cartoons is amazingly detailed, and he profiles every character, from Mickey Mouse to obscure supporting characters that most people have forgotten about. While reading the entries, I remembered several movies and cartoons that I had seen as a kid, and forgotten about. It made me want to run out and buy all the old movies on DVD, so I could watch them again and relive this simpler time!

While Grant is definitely a Disney fan, he does look at the movies with a critical eye, and is willing to admit some of the shortcomings they had, including some of the racism that appeared in the earlier films (although I think he was a little too soft on this, which could be seen as insensitive to many people). He also has this charming, very British style of writing, that's addictive to read. Great escapist fun for any Disney fan!

I own an animation art gallery, and we use this book all the time for information on characters which are obscure, or to look up years of cartoons, etc. A must for Disney collectors.

Debbie Weiss
Wonderful World of Animation

This is almost certainly the best book on Disney animation ever published - it is difficult to think of superlatives that other reviewers haven't already (quite rightly) used in their praise of it. (To the reviewer who complained about the omission of Eega Beeva: Eega Beeva is a character in the comics, not the animated movies.) Astonishingly comprehensive, beautifully illustrated, and written with the kind of stylish wit that makes the mere act of reading the text a joy in itself, the Encyclopedia deserves all the praise that has been heaped on it.

I have only one complaint. This is the third edition, and was published in 1998. Why oh why has there been no subsequent edition? What has gotten into Disney's corporate head that they have not begged Mr. Grant, well known for his extensive writings elsewhere, to bring the story of Disney animation up to date? Such a book is desperately needed!

This book was in excellent condition, even contained the book jacket. Price and shipping were fair and it arrived in a timely matter.
I would complain if I was unhappy, since I was pleased I wanted to say so,

Will there ever be a new edition of this title? It's been ten years. Any info. would be much appreciated.