The Wall Street Journal Reviews Magoo
The Wall Street Journal Reviews Magoo
America’s number-one newspaper, the Wall Street Journal, opened its pages to “When Magoo Flew: The Rise and Fall of Animation Studio UPA.” It’s unusual for an animation book--or an academic book--to gain notice from the nation’s unofficial bible of business and finance. Perhaps the paper’s editors considered that “Magoo” is, in part, a corporate history: “the rise and fall of one particular business entity,” as stated in the book’s preface.
In any case, the Journal hired Will Friedwald to cover the book. Although known for his writings on music, he co-authored, with Jerry Beck, a book entitled “The Warner Brothers Cartoons” (later issued as “Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies”). Friedwald also wrote for the seminal journal “Mindrot,” and his 1979 article “The Fox and the Crow” is cited in “Magoo.”
Friedwald refers to “When Magoo Flew” as “the first full-scale history of UPA.” In a musical analogy, he claims that “UPA's visually innovative approach might be seen as similar to the rise of modern jazz after the big-band era--both were considered more ‘sophisticated’ than what had come before.”
His review appeared online as “Rebel Cel” and in the print edition of the Journal on Saturday 28 April.
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April 28, 2012