Stepping into the Picture

Stepping into the Picture: Cartoon Designer Maurice Noble reveals the extraordinary personal journey of one of the pioneers of the Golden Age of Animation. In a career spanning seven decades, Noble (1911-2001) developed a unique, creative philosophy that enabled him to play an integral role in many of the best-loved animated films ever made, including Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, What\'s Opera, Doc?, Duck Dodgers in the 24 1/2th Century, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

The author presents Noble\'s inside view of the workings of the celebrated Disney Studio during its earliest days, the triumph of the groundbreaking animated feature Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and the notorious Disney strike. The book also examines Noble\'s stint in WWII and his fortuitous alliance with Theodore (Dr. Seuss) Geisel and Col. Frank Capra. The three helped create inspirational short films for U.S. Armed Forces.

Noble\'s best known and most highly regarded work took place at the Warner Bros. Studio. This volume covers his long and fruitful collaboration there with the legendary director Chuck Jones. At Warner Bros. the artist\'s wealth of experience enabled him to create unsurpassed concepts of animated cartoon design that have delighted generations.

Robert J. McKinnon is director of choral music at New Hyde Park Memorial High School. His work has appeared in the Comics Journal, Comic Book Marketplace, In Toon Magazine, and Comics Buyer\'s Guide.