Short films can be a big deal. Join J.D. Hansel (ToughPigs.com) and friends as they discuss the animated shorts of Hollywood’s Golden Age. From the elegance of the Disney shorts to the hilarity of the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies, they’ll explore the cartoons that made animation what it is today.
Stick to Shorts is closing down for the foreseeable future. I would like to thank the listeners who have stuck with it and especially thank the guests who donated their time to record with me. – J.D.
Podcast Announcement Read More »
In this especially nerdy episode, we’re going back to the land before time (the silent era) to discuss the work of Winsor McCay! Learn about where animation comes from and just how much McCay changed it. Host/Producer: J.D. Hansel Guest: Kristi O. Cartoon Content Warning: smoking. If you’d like to support the podcast, you can
Gertie the Dinosaur (1914) Read More »
Welcome back! It’s the Season 2 premiere, so the podcast is reseting as we transition to a more chronological, narrative driven format. We begin with a discussion of vaudeville, list our favorite Friz Freleng cartoons, and talk about one of the all-time great Bugs and Daffy shorts! Host/Producer: J.D. Hansel Guest: Anthony Strand Cartoon Content
Introduction II: The Vaudeville Legacy | Show Biz Bugs (1957) Read More »
For the season finale, J.D. ties up loose ends with the help of Danny Horn (The Fantastic Miss Piggy Podcast) as they discuss a Friz Freleng masterpiece. We get into Freleng’s early career, the peculiar popularity of Porky Pig, and, making his Stick to Shorts debut, Daffy Duck! Host/Producer: J.D. Hansel Guest: Danny Horn Content
You Ought to Be in Pictures (1940) Read More »
Tori Schmidt joins J.D. to talk all things Tom and Jerry! We needed an example of a generic Tom and Jerry cartoon, and we decided this one’s ordinary enough. We think you’ll find that this run-of-the-mill MGM cartoon proves their mill was pretty darn good. We talk about William Hanna and Joe Barbera’s early careers,
The Invisible Mouse (1947) Read More »
G! G! Ryan Roe and Anthony Strand (Movin’ Right Along) attempt to help J.D. decipher the pop culture references in classic cartoons. Do they succeed? Listen to find out! (They don’t.) Listen anyway! (You won’t.) Topics include: one-shot cartoons, the old celebrities we first encountered in cartoon caricatures, the career of Tex Avery, and what
Hollywood Steps Out (1941) Read More »
ToughPigs’ Danny Horn and Joe Hennes fly in to talk about Superman in his cinematic debut! We also look at where this fits into the history of the Fleischer studio. Host/Producer: J.D. Hansel Guests: Danny Horn and Joe Hennes Content Warning for Animated Short: flashing lights; death. Selected Availability: Public Domain; Warner Bros. Home Entertainment
Our Cartoonorama continues with our introduction to the MGM studio! Ryan Roe joins this discussion about the debut of one of our favorite characters: Droopy! We talk about Tex Avery’s talent for over-the-top gags and how this cartoon fits into (and doesn’t fit into) the genre of chase cartoons. Host/Producer: J.D. Hansel Guest: Ryan Roe
Dumb-Hounded (1943) Read More »
In our first proper look at the Disney studio, J.D. is joined by artist Kristi O. to discuss this essential Mickey Mouse cartoon. Topics include: Mickey’s status as Disney’s icon and how that affected his cartoons, how the Disney studio pushed animation forward, the particular talents of animators Bill Tytla and Fred Moore, the weirdness
Brave Little Tailor (1938) Read More »
Anthony Strand from ‘Movin’ Right Along’ joins J.D. for a chat about one of the most acclaimed animated shorts of all time, ‘One Froggy Evening’!
One Froggy Evening (1955) Read More »