Bob McIntosh: Magoo Makes News
Bob McIntosh was one of the main background painters at the leading design-oriented studio of the time, UPA (United Productions of America), where he worked primarily on the Mister Magoo shorts. He started at UPA in 1952 and stayed through the decade. He has a very direct and efficient style, moreso than the other painters at the studio. The flat poster-like quality of his work often reminds me of Stuart Davis though McIntosh told me that Davis was never that big an influence on him. He cites Picasso, Matisse and Miró as his primary modern influences. A typical example of his painting style can be found in these stills from MAGOO MAKES NEWS (1955). I especially like the outlandishly decorative printing press that Bob Dranko designed and McIntosh painted in this film. It is UPA design excess at its best.
(click on images for larger versions)
Just outstanding design in these. Very interesting to note that there’s a very minimal use of texture. Mostly shape,pattern and color.So much to analyze and learn here.
When oh when are they ever going to get around to be putting these out on dvd
Comment by Steve Lambe — November 2, 2005 @ 8:56 pm
Thanks, Amid! I am foaming over these Magoo designs. If this is any indication, looks like your book will be the MUST-Have animation reference book of the year, Congratulations.
Now, how about that accompanying DVD??!!?
Comment by Lippy — November 2, 2005 @ 9:00 pm
Thank you so much for making these rare images available for us to see. And to think these are the leftovers from the book! Looks like preordering CARTOON MODERN was one of the smartest investments I’ve made this year.
Comment by Eric Sturdevant — November 2, 2005 @ 9:57 pm
Steve - You’re right, McIntosh generally used textures more sparingly than the other bg painters at UPA, and he did a lot of solid shapes with patterning on top.
Lippy - I wish there was a dvd coming with the book too. We discussed it, but ultimately I didn’t have enough time to devote both to finishing the book and doing a dvd at the same time. But with so many great industrial films and commercials in the public domain, it’d be a pretty stellar disc if it ever gets made.
Eric - Thanks for the kind words and the pre-order. There’s still tons more to come.
Comment by Amid — November 2, 2005 @ 10:16 pm
Great pics, gotta love this blog!
Comment by Thorsten Hasenkamm — November 3, 2005 @ 12:07 pm
I see a “Fernand Leger” look ,as well, to these backgrounds.
Comment by zencomix — November 3, 2005 @ 3:26 pm
Excellent observation zencomix. In the book, I actually write that McIntosh’s style most closely recalls Davis and Léger. McIntosh doesn’t claim any direct influence from these artists, but he was well aware of their paintings and it’s interesting to note the similarities in their work.
Comment by Amid — November 3, 2005 @ 11:33 pm
Leger was also involved in creating set designs and costumes for the theater and film as early as 1923. “La Creation du Monde”,”L’inhumaine”, Alex Korda’s film “The Shapes of Things to Come” based on the H.G. Wells book, the ballet “David Triomphant” for the Paris Opera, and many more.
Comment by zencomix — November 5, 2005 @ 7:19 am
Mr Magoo background art
There’s tons of great stuff on Amid Amidi’s blog, Cartoon Modern (about 1950s animation art), including a couple of background paintings for a 1955 cartoon called Magoo Makes News. Link…
Trackback by Boing Boing — November 15, 2005 @ 4:31 pm
hah this is great! i haven’t seen these in ages
Comment by thewebguy — November 15, 2005 @ 4:33 pm
I love those old-school animation frames. Somehow that angular, brightly coloured look appeals to me after hours of watching cartoons on Saturday mornings.
As a kid, you just like the colours, but I think now I can appreciate the use of space and lines to balance with the animation.
Comment by Cibby Pulikkaseril — November 15, 2005 @ 5:16 pm
I always thought that the design of Samurai Jack looked familiar, and looking that first panel, I can see where the Jack designers got some of their inspiration.
Comment by brykmantra — November 16, 2005 @ 11:11 am
Just looking at this entry again I noticed that the bg design for that last panel is EXTREMELY similar to a similar scene in the first Pete Hothead! I’ll have to take a photo and send it to you.
Comment by woodrow — February 4, 2006 @ 6:34 pm
i love Mr Magoo!
Muito legal encontrar esse site, dá para traduzi-lo, para o prtugues?
Comment by Sandra — January 27, 2007 @ 2:45 am
I am looking for an image of Mr Magoo in his racoon coat holding a “Beat Princeton” pennant. Can anyone help me in getting this image of Mr Magoo ??
Comment by Phil — November 17, 2007 @ 8:07 am