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The Art and Inventions of Max Fleischer: American Animation Pioneer Paperback – Illustrated, January 24, 2017

by Ray Pointer (Author)

4.7 46 ratings

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The history of animated cartoons has for decades been dominated by the accomplishments of Walt Disney, giving the impression that he invented the medium. In reality, it was the work of several pioneers. Max Fleischer--inventor of the Rotoscope technique of tracing animation frame by frame over live-action footage--was one of the most prominent.

By the 1930s, Fleischer and Disney were the leading producers of animated films but took opposite approaches. Where Disney reflected a Midwestern sentimentality, Fleischer presented a sophisticated urban attitude with elements of German Expressionism and organic progression. In contrast to Disney's naturalistic animation, Fleischer's violated physical laws, supporting his maxim: "If it can be done in real life, it isn't animation." As a result, Fleischer's cartoons were rough rather than refined, commercial rather than consciously artistic--yet attained a distinctive artistry through Fleischer's innovations. This book covers his life and work and the history of the studio that bore his name, with previously unpublished artwork and photographs.

Print length

320 pages
Language

English
Publisher

McFarland & Company
Publication date

January 24, 2017
Reading age

18 years and up
Dimensions

7 x 0.64 x 10 inches
ISBN-10

147666367X
ISBN-13

978-1476663678
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

A 40-year film and animation professional, Ray Pointer studied film and television production at Wayne State University and University of Southern California. He served as a film producer for the U.S. Navy Office of Information and worked in the animation industry for Film Roman, Hanna-Barbera, Fred Wolf Films, MGM and Nickelodeon. He lives in Pontiac, Michigan.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ McFarland & Company; Illustrated edition (January 24, 2017)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 147666367X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1476663678
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 18 years and up
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.3 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7 x 0.64 x 10 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #690,656 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #313 in Animation Graphic Design (Books)
- #787 in Art of Film & Video
- #1,316 in Movie History & Criticism

Customer Reviews:
4.7 46 ratings

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Ray Pointer

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A 50 year film and animation professional, Ray Pointer studied film and television production at Wayne State University and The University of Southern California. He served as a Producer for the U.S. Navy Office of Information in Washington, D.C., was a Writer and Director of Industrial and Instructional Videos, and worked in the animation industry for Film Roman, Hyperion Animation, DIC Entertainment, Hanna-Barbera, Disney Interactive, Fred Wolf Films, MGM, and Nickelodeon. Through his company, Inkwell Images, he is working with the Granddaughter of Max Fleischer for the acquisition and restoration of the Fleischer films and is the designated Historian for the Max Fleischer Cartoons company.

Customer reviews

46 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book thoroughly researched with many details. They describe it as an amazing, fabulous, and compelling read for cartoon lovers. Readers praise the writing quality as well-written and talented.

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Information quality Readability Writing quality

8 customers mention "Information quality"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book thoroughly researched with many details. They say it provides an interesting overview of the early days of animation and the prodigious output. Readers also describe it as an informative read for animation enthusiasts and lovers of Betty Boop, Popeye, and the bouncing ball. They appreciate the amazing research documenting the engineering brilliance of Max Fleischer.

"This book is very well written, with lots of detail that is absolutely fascinating in its thoroughness of presentation and meaningful comparisons to..." Read more

"...how large it was going to be though, but it was well packed with good information and rare photos that I've never seen before..." Read more

"I was quite impressed with the detail, research and the intimacy of the first hand interviews by the author of "The Art and Inventions of Max..." Read more

"...Informative read for animation enthusiast and lovers of Betty Boop, Popeye, and the "bouncing ball"." Read more

6 customers mention "Readability"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book amazing, fabulous, and insightful. They say it's a must-read for cartoon lovers and gives them a complete and compelling feeling of being there.

"...Fleischer’s early struggles, setbacks and triumphs a very complete and compelling feeling of “you are there”. I highly recommend this book!" Read more

"...What a delightful read! The book gave me a deeper understanding of the art of creating those wonderful Betty Boop and Popeye cartoons...." Read more

"This was a fascinating book which highlights the milestone animation work of the Fleischer studios; much of which I never knew about and now..." Read more

"...The book is a wonderful biography of an animation legend and it was a great read after the release of Cuphead" Read more

4 customers mention "Writing quality"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well-written and talented. They say it's worth reading for cartoon lovers and students.

"This book is very well written, with lots of detail that is absolutely fascinating in its thoroughness of presentation and meaningful comparisons to..." Read more

"...This book is well worth reading for all cartoon lovers and “students” of moving pictures in the cartoon format." Read more

"...It is well written and very informative. An American icon in film animation that ranks as equal to Walt Disney in many ways.. Well done...." Read more

"...It is thoroughly researched with many details and well written with plenty of background on Max and his team...." Read more

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Milton Gray

Excellent Book

Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2017

Verified Purchase

This book is very well written, with lots of detail that is absolutely fascinating in its thoroughness of presentation and meaningful comparisons to other related events. Ray Pointer has spent a lot of time and effort over 40 years conducting many personal interviews, with Max Fleischer himself and several members of Max’s family, and a host of animators and workers at the various incarnations of the Fleischer studios, as well as digging up every conceivable document relating to Max Fleischer’s life and events in the Fleischer studios, which began well before most of the other New York animation studios, and many years before Disney. This has been used to good advantage in Pointer’s book, giving Max Fleischer’s early struggles, setbacks and triumphs a very complete and compelling feeling of “you are there”. I highly recommend this book!

10 people found this helpful

Helpful

Jonathan Wilson

Wondeful! Ray Pointer does it again..

Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2017

Verified Purchase

I didn't anticipate how large it was going to be though, but it was well packed with good information and rare photos that I've never seen before (plus photos we've seen many times in other animation books). Ray has always been one of my favorite historians and this book goes for a more indept look at the rise and fall of our favorite brothers of animation (including just HOW they fell...). The foreword by the one and only Jerry Beck is worth picking up the book alone. There is a couple of easy typos (Toby the Pup is referred to as Roby the Pup on the caption of the photo in one chapter and Grim Natwick's name is misspelled at one point in the same paragraph), but it's nothing too distracting. I would love to see more items like this in the future from Inkwell Images (they haven't done that much books, but there is a lot of potential here with a large library of history floating around)..

6 people found this helpful

Helpful

Kathy

A must read for cartoon lovers!

Reviewed in the United States on September 1, 2019

Verified Purchase

Growing up, Popeye and Betty Boop were staples of my morning routines. As I grew older, Saturday morning cartoons were the highlight of my week.
I recently reconnected with Ray and he directed me to his book about Max Fleischer. What a delightful read! The book gave me a deeper understanding of the art of creating those wonderful Betty Boop and Popeye cartoons. And yes, Disney, is better known for his cartoons, but Fleischer pushed the cartoon industry forward and was the glue that held it together.
I am an avid read and was really taken in by the story of Max Fleischer’s life. Ray is not only a talented animator, but a very talented writer. His Knowledge of Fleischer’s life and the imagination flowing through his cartoons made for a very enjoyable read. The book gave me greater insight into the technologies Fleischer developed that went into creating the cartoons that I loved so much as a child.
This book is well worth reading for all cartoon lovers and “students” of moving pictures in the cartoon format.

5 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

A fabulous and insightful novel

Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2017

Verified Purchase

I was quite impressed with the detail, research and the intimacy of the first hand interviews by the author of "The Art and Inventions of Max Fleischer with the actual family of Max Fleischer that made this book possible. It is well written and very informative. An American icon in film animation that ranks as equal to Walt Disney in many ways.. Well done. Bill Schilbe

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

A Customer

Amazing Max - Genius Inventor - Animation Pioneer

Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2018

Verified Purchase

Interesting overview of the early days of animation and the prodigious output of Max Fleischer and crew. The Florida studio employed around 700 at the height of their production. There is a compilation of the animators involved with brief backgrounds, and also an in depth look at the feud between Max and his brother Dave that essentially brought the studios downfall. Informative read for animation enthusiast and lovers of Betty Boop, Popeye, and the "bouncing ball".

3 people found this helpful

Helpful

C Brown

Insight into the amazing history of Max Fleischer and the Fleischer studio.

Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2019

Verified Purchase

This was a fascinating book which highlights the milestone animation work of the Fleischer studios; much of which I never knew about and now appreciate so much more the significance and place in animation history. It’s filled with great photos and amazing research documenting the engineering brilliance of Max Fleischer and his rise and fall within the industry.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

John

In the Know of Animation

Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2017

Verified Purchase

This book tells you everything you want to know about Max Fleischer and the beginnings of animation in America. It is thoroughly researched with many details and well written with plenty of background on Max and his team. They pioneered a new art form--animation. You feel like you know these animators. You'll also meet the characters they created--Koko the Clown, Popeye, Olive Oyl, Betty Boop, and many more. A must read for anyone interested in the beginnings of animation or just wants to know more about the people and the creative process they brought to the screen.

John

4 people found this helpful

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Thriller Fan

Behind the scenes at the Popeye Studio

Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2022

Verified Purchase

If you enjoy Popeye and Betty Boop cartoons, this is the book for you! A detailed history of Max fleischer's Popeye cartoon Studio, and Max's inventions, including the amazing 3D background, way ahead of its time, that he used in many of his cartoons of the 1930s.

One person found this helpful

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