Marty Taras

I think that the Famous Studios output is pitifully underrated. While I know that the stories are very repetitive, I think they had some very good animation and decent characters (though admittedly, their potential was never fully realized), and are definitely a step above the Terrytoon output (which I also feel is very underrated, and will be posting about them in the future).

I think that the Famous Studios output is pitifully underrated. While I know that the stories are very repetitive, I think they had some very good animation and decent characters (though admittedly, their potential was never fully realized), and are definitely a step above the Terrytoon output (which I also feel is very underrated, and will be posting about them in the future).

Left to Right: George Otino, Lou Zukor, Martin Taras (hand on head),
and Pete DeAngelo at Famous Studios in 1945.

Marty Taras is one of the great animators at Famous. I think he invented the 'stock cookie cutter' look that some criticize the shorts for, but I think it works really well for the dopey characters like Baby Huey and Katnip. There is also really fluid movement in his animation.


Storyboards for Baby Huey's debut film, QUACK-A-DOODLE-DOO (1950).
Attributed to Carl Meyer.

Speaking of Huey, Marty created this character! He was said to have been the model for his body-build too. Below is one of his great pages of comic book art from the early 50s. Jerry Beck was kind enough to send me all of these great images you see before you. Bob Jaques also helped me pinpoint a few of these Marty Taras scenes and his style. The three of us need to collaborate on a book of the Famous history, guys! It's really needed!




Here are a few scenes that Marty animated during the 'formula-driven' days. I don't think he animated everything in the OF MICE & MAGIC (1953) clip, but he certainly did most of the closeups of the mice and Katnip. There's a lot of life and movement in these scenes. I guess I just like seeing the good in everything from the good old days.

SCOUT FELLOW (1951)


OF MICE & MAGIC (1953)


BETTER BAIT THAN NEVER (1953)


STARTING FROM HATCH (1953)


HAIR TODAY, GONE TOMORROW (1954)


I'll be posting more about New York animators (Fleischer and Terry too) in the future... That is, if you'd like to hear about them! Even if you don't, too bad! There's a lot of history that needs to be covered on the East Coast styles, which all histories and most websites are completely lacking of.

Edit: Michael Sporn has been posting several pieces of Famous artwork and a bit of history on Marty Taras at his wonderful splog. I highly recommend you check it out.