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[heavy liquid]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A17163-2004Sep12.html

http://www.cartoonbrew.com/archives/2004_09.html#000446

I missed this news last week, and was sad to read about it today in the Washington Post.

Frank Thomas, a Disney animator since 1934, passed away on September 8th. He was one of Disney's "Nine Old Men", animators who could almost do no wrong between the 1930's to the 1970's. He was the second-to-last surviving member of the original nine.

Frank Thomas animated such classic scenes as the dancing penguins in "Mary Poppins", Thumper teaching Bambi how to ice-skate, Lady and the Tramp eating spaghetti, and characters like Pinocchio and Captain Hook.

Frank was best friends with Ollie Johnston, another one of Disney's "Nine Old Men", and are in a documentary called Frank and Ollie which came out in 1995, and which is now out on a great DVD with a lot of wonderful extras. Frank and Ollie also co-authored the book Disney Animation: The Illusion of Life, what is considered by many animators to be the bible of animation. It took them five years to research and write the book.

I'll miss you, Frank...

 

[JackFrost2012]

It's a pity. The train conductor in The Iron Giant was named after Frank, I think. Or maybe Ollie ... one of the Nine Old Men. Brad Bird knows his role, that's why his movies are awesome and The Incredibles is gonna be the BEST PIXAR MOVIE EVER!

RESPECT!

EDIT: Chris Sanders is keeping the dream alive in traditional Disney animation, though. Lilo and Stitch is by far the best thing Disney's done since The Lion King, and his upcoming movie (American Dog) looks hot!

Yay animation!

 

[Acrylamid]

Rest in Peace...
together with 2D animation by Disney.
(Brother Bear and Home on the Range were the last two animated Disney movies to be shown in cinema. Watch both when they're out on DVD, after Pixar is gone, I doubt Disney will ever release movies of this quality again.)

 

[heavy liquid]

It's a pity. The train conductor in The Iron Giant was named after Frank, I think. Or maybe Ollie ... one of the Nine Old Men.

Yeah, both Frank and Ollie had cameos in the Iron Giant as the two train engineers that Kent interviews after the derailment, and recorded their own voices for it as well.

 

[Jill Sandwich]

I entered this thread about to do a witty Donnie Darko based reply, but now I am sad :'(

 

[TekunoRobby]

This is very sad news for me, I researched and loved the work this man did.

 

[JackFrost2012]

Yeah, both Frank and Ollie had cameos in the Iron Giant as the two train engineers that Kent interviews after the derailment, and recorded their own voices for it as well.

Oh, so it was both? Haha ... that explains my confusion. I need to rewatch Iron Giant! It's been nearly six months since the last time I've seen it! Fortunately the SE is coming out soon.

 

[Randam_Hajile]

So sad. I mourn ANY loss of good animators. He will be missed.

 

[joe250]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A17163-2004Sep12.html

http://www.cartoonbrew.com/archives/2004_09.html#000446

I missed this news last week, and was sad to read about it today in the Washington Post.

Frank Thomas passed away on September 8th.

WHAT?!!???

THE BIG HURT!!!??

I thought he just had an injured foot...it must have been more serious than reported. A sad day for Chicago indeed.