Gene Deitch - Credits

I received an e-mail from Gene Deitch the other day, informing me (and many others) about his new blog - Gene Deitch Credits - The 65 Greats behind the scenes

From the e-mail: "This week I've posted two new pivotal career markers on my "Roll The Credits!" blog. One is about the nuts & bolts of a beginning in graphic arts, (war-time edition), and the other is about the man who most inspired my own graphics direction, ending with a never before published letter that I believe will blow your mind.... Please read it, and be inspired!

The blog is basically an autobiography of the man behind many of television's early animation - as Gene states - The Incredible people who helped make my 80-year career...

They made me look good, and it's high-time I give them the credit they deserve!

Take a few minutes to look at Gene and the people around him, how they helped to shape his career and life...

Terrrrrrrrrific!

2011.03.28 Gene Deitch - Tom Terrific

When I first wrote to Mr. Deitch and I received his drawing of Tom Terrific, see previous post...I was truly excited by receiving the sketch. Mr. Deitch also sent along a color print of Tom and Mighty Manfred, which I did not mention in my post. I do not post everything I receive or purchase. After seeing the post, Mr. Deitch replied......

Hi Ray, I didn't understand that you wanted me to draw something on the first day cover; I didn't want to ruin it, so instead I made you a large color cartoon. Apparently, you didn't like that, as you make no mention of it on your blog. The Tom Terrific head on the mailing envelope was just a very fast sketch I did at the last minute, before mailing it. Do you want to return the FDC? Best Gene...

I did not mention the print as it did not fit in with the overall collection of covers. I appreciate everything I receive, I understand the artist I write to are under no obligation to send anything. The fact that Mr. Deitch took the time to respond is greatly appreciated. At first I was not going to return the FDC as I did not want to take advantage of his kindness. But I really though having the Tom Terrific on a FDC was something I did not want to pass up.

Mr. Deitch has been more than kind, returning the cover with a pencil sketch of Tom and another sketch of Mighty Manfred the Wonder Dog... Thank you for your kindness...This was indeed a very special delivery...

I chose the Disney related FDC to honor Gene Deitch's work in animation. The Disney Studios do an excellent job of animating, but there are many others out there, like Mr. Deitch, who provide countless hours of pleasure and entertainment with their animation...

Special Delivery from Patrick McDonnell's Mutts 2011.03.31

Gene Deitch - Tom Terrific

Gene Deitch - Tom Terrific - 2011.01.14

I love getting sketches in the mail, it's like getting an unexpected present...I will send out first day covers to artists I know I will not be able to meet in person. I know that the odds are usually against getting a response from some of the people I send out to, but I figure it doesn't hurt to take the chance. However, I do wait impatiently each day hoping for a response...

When I got to my PO Box this afternoon and found a response from Gene Deitch I felt like a kid. Gene Deitch is an American illustrator who moved to Prague and set up family and studio. Deitch has produced animated cartoons for studios such as UPA/Columbia Pictures, Terrytoons/20th Century Fox (Tom Terrific) MGM (Tom and Jerry) King Features (Popeye, Krazy Kat) and Paramount Pictures (Nudnik).

Tom Terrific with the Mighty Manfred the Wonder dog was a 5-minute cartoon created by Gene Deitch for the Terrytoons Studios, which were run as part of the CBS television show Captain Kangaroo from 1957-59 (during my childhood). I used to watch Tom Terrific every day and thought he was the greatest. Tom Terrific, lived in a treehouse and could transform himself into anything he wanted thanks to his magic thinking cap. Along with his lazybones sidekick Manfred, Tom matched wits with his foe Crabby Appleton...

I had sent Mr. Deitch a first day cover with a Disney Lion King stamp, as I had nothing that would complement his work, I was going for the animation aspect. Mr. Deitch choose not to sketch on the FDC, but instead draw a picture of Tom Terrific on the return envelope. A surprise in every package...

Deitch authored a memoir, "For the Love of Prague" based on his experience of being the only free American in Prague during 30 years of Communism.

In 1958 Deitch's theatrical cartoon Sidney's Family tree was nominated for an Academy Award..1961 Academy Award for Animated Short for Munro written by Jules Feiffer.

2003, Deitch was awarded the "Annie" by ASIFA Hollywood for a lifetime contribution to the art of animation.