Cartoon Modern

There’s no denying that many of the later Mister Magoo shorts are feeble, especially when compared to UPA’s early Magoo films, but some cool artwork can still be found in the late-period Magoos. Below are a couple eye-catching backgrounds from Scoutmaster Magoo (1958), which was one of only a couple Magoos directed by Bobe Cannon. Background credit on the film goes to Jules Engel and Ervin Kaplan though I’m unsure which of them did these particular paintings. Be sure to click on the top one to get a big view of the opening pan from the short.

I have no idea who did this bit of development for Disney’s 101 Dalmatians. It’s a much cartoonier take on the characters than most of the development art I’ve seen from the film.

(click for big version)

Above: a coffee ad designed by Mordi Gerstein and animated by Grim Natwick.

Here are some random stills from UPA TV commercials. Some of the stills have suffered water damage hence the funky quality. The designers of the ’50s made this type of simplified design look so effortless and appealing, not an easy thing to pull off. I’ve never seen any of these particular commercials but I bet they’re quite a bit of fun to see in movement. Click on the images below for larger versions.

Arcadian Nitrogen fertilizer
designer unknown

Bromo Seltzer
director: Gene Deitch

Same coffee ad as up top

A couple stills from some motor oil ad or something.

A commercial for Holiday magazine

Oldsmobile spot

Proctor toaster
designer: Fred Crippen