What do Franklin Roosevelt, Dr. Seuss, the U.S. Navy, Mr. Magoo, and the Hollywood blacklist have in common?  They all form a part of the surprising story of UPA (United Productions of America), the pioneering cartoon studio of the 1950s.  For a happy span of a little more than ten years, a bunch of artists ran a business—breaking the rules, pushing the boundaries, and rethinking what an animated film could—and should—be.

        The artists of UPA moved beyond the rounded realism of the Walt Disney Studio and the crash-bang anarchy of Warner Bros. to create films that were innovative and graphically bold—the cartoon equivalent to modern art.  UPA was adored and imitated, and its aesthetic influence ranged from Southern California to Eastern Europe.

        Yet until now, no book-length study has examined this achievement.  In March 2012, Wesleyan University Press published When Magoo Flew: The Rise and Fall of Animation Studio UPA, by Adam Abraham.  The book attempts to fill the gap and chronicle the birth, joyous reign, and regrettable decline of a unique American enterprise.

        This Web site, whenmagooflew.com, serves as an electronic appendix to the book and as a resource for anyone interested in United Productions of America.  Highlights include:

        • A UPA filmography

        • Screen credits for film and television productions

        • UPA production numbers

        And much more.  Please explore this site to learn more about the now-vanished UPA studio and its legacy of laughter.