{{link http://www.playbill.com/news/article/83201.html Playbill}} reports that a musical based on the classic cartoon character Betty Boop is in the works. David Lindsay-Abaire will write the book while Jason Robert Brown will compose. The two “have previously worked together on Lindsay-Abaire’s plays (\\Fuddy Meers\\, \\Kimberly Akimbo\\)”. Robyn Goodman is the producer.

Readers at the {{link http://www.animationnation.com Animation Nation}} messageboards have posted {{link http://www.animationnation.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=007083 Michael Eisner}} and {{link http://www.animationnation.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=007077 Roy Disney’s}} dueling open letters addressed to Disney employees. Michael Eisner’s letter: 12/03/2003 Dear Fellow Cast Member: I’m writing to you from a plane on my way to Disneyland for tonight’s annual employee Christmas party, having just wrapped […]

Readers at the {{link http://www.animationnation.com Animation Nation}} messageboards have posted {{link http://www.animationnation.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=007083 Michael Eisner}} and {{link http://www.animationnation.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=007077 Roy Disney’s}} dueling open letters addressed to Disney employees. Roy Disney’s letter: December 3, 2003 Dear Disney Cast Members, It was nearly 20 years ago that a small group of us recognized that dramatic changes were necessary to […]

{{link http://forum.bcdb.com/gforum.cgi?post=16011 The Big Cartoon Database}} reports that according to a local TV affiliate Walt Disney World will be laying-off an as yet unknown number of workers over the holiday season. “The cuts will begin to take effect December 14” but employees won’t find out if they are on the block until December 10.

In addition to next weekend’s chat with David Kaye we {{link http://www.animatedviews.com/wp-content/uploads/archives/00000398.html reported}} on earlier this week, {{link http://animationhq.net/ AnimationHQ}} will also be hosting an online chat \\this\\ weekend with Heidi Guedel, a 25 year veteran animator for Disney, Don Bluth, and Warner Brothers. Some of her credits include work on the films \\The Secret […]

Robert Longbottom, a 2003 Tony Award nominee for Best Choreographer, has been chosen to direct the new Disney Theatricals show \\On the Record\\, according to {{link http://www.playbill.com/news/article/83091.html Playbill’s}} report of a \\Variety\\ story. Longbottom “conceived the idea for the new musical with Disney’s Thomas Schumacher”. As we reported {{link http://www.animatedviews.com/wp-content/uploads/archives/00000388.html yesterday}}, the show will feature […]

{{link http://animationhq.net AnimationHQ}} announced that they will be holding an online chat with voice actor David Kaye. His list of credits include Sesshomaru from \\Inu Yasha\\, Professor Xavier in \\X-Men: Evolution\\, Spectral in \\Reboot\\, Treize Khushrenada in \\Mobile Suit Gundam Wing\\, and Megatron in \\Transformers: Armada\\, \\Beast Wars\\, and\\ Beast Machines\\. Head to {{link http://animationhq.net/v2/features/events.htm […]

{{link http://www.playbill.com/news/article/83069.html Playbill}} reports that Disney Theatricals “is currently in the process of putting together a production featuring songs from the Disney canon. Tentatively titled \\On the Record\\, the new musical would feature songs from classic Disney films as well as Disney’s Broadway outings”. The revue will probably be a traveling show and may play […]

The Associated Press reports (via {{link http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=493&ncid=493&e=3&u=/ap/20031202/ap_en_mo/winnie_the_pooh_lawsuit Yahoo! News}}) that “the holders of the North American rights to the Winnie the Pooh characters have hired celebrity attorney Johnnie Cochran to represent them in their 12-year legal fight with The Walt Disney Co.”. In this long-standing saga the heirs of Stephen Slesinger claim Disney owes millions […]

\\{{link http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-disney2dec02,1,6942175.story?coll=la-home-headlines The L.A. Times}}\\ sat down for an interview with now former Disney board members Roy Disney and Stanley Gold. While the two “stopped short of saying they would call for a shareholder vote to remove Eisner” they did say they would “‘educate the owners of the company’ about its deteriorating performance under Eisner […]

{{link http://forum.bcdb.com/gforum.cgi?post=15748 The Big Cartoon Database}} reports on Disney’s official response to the departure of Disney and Gold. In its statement the board said that Gold’s remarks were “untrue and unwarranted allegations about the Company and the Board. As he has done repeatedly in the past, Mr. Gold in his letter persists in characterizing the […]

Jim Hill Media looks into the Michael Eisner / Roy Disney split at Disney in two articles today. {{link http://www.jimhillmedia.com/legacy/index.htm?../articles/12022003.1.htm~contentFrame In the first}} Jim looks at how Steve Jobs, John Lasseter, and Pixar may be the key to determining how things will sort out at Disney. {{link http://www.jimhillmedia.com/legacy/index.htm?../articles/guest/wsampson.12022003.1.htm~contentFrame In the second}}, Wade Sampson asks the […]

Also at {{link http://www.jimhillmedia.com/legacy/index.htm?../articles/guest/hackney.12022003.1.htm~contentFrame JHM}} is the first of three articles by Drew Hackney on the live stage version of \\The Hunchback of Notre Dame\\. In this installment we learn why the show made its premiere in Berlin, Germany instead of the United States or even the setting of the book Paris, France.

{{link http://www.broadway.com/template_1.asp?CI=32653&CT=38 Broadway.com}} passes on a \\Variety\\ report that the cast for the \\Mary Poppins\\ musical is being fleshed out. Two-time Olivier Award winner Alex Jennings and two-time Olivier Award winner Janie Dee have been offered the roles of Mr. and Mrs. Banks. As {{link http://www.animatedviews.com/wp-content/uploads/archives/00000358.html we reported}} earlier this week, Laura Michelle Kelly will […]

{{link http://www.fabulousdisneybabe.com/fab/articles/showArticles.asp?ID=43 FabulousDisneyBabe.com}} reports that a source has informed them that Wal-Mart “has made a very nice offer for the ailing chain, and that barring disaster, the Mouse will say yes”.

{{link http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=16604 Ain’t It Cool News}} has the scoop on what may be confirmation of a long whispered rumor. Pixar creating traditional hand-drawn animated movies after Disney and DreamWorks say the format is dead? Possibly! “The word is that Pixar is starting their own 2D Animation Division. A company that will use the Pixar brand… […]

After Roy Disney’s resignation yesterday (his resignation letter is online {{link http://www.animatedviews.com/wp-content/uploads/archives/00000366.html here}}), fellow board member and Eisner critic Stanley Gold has followed suit. Stanley Gold’s resignation letter: December 1, 2003 To the Board of Directors of the Walt Disney Company: It is with regret that I resign effective immediately from the Board of Directors […]

The Associated Press reports (via \\{{link http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/business/7383215.htm The Miami Herald}}\\) on the first response from someone at the Walt Disney Company to Roy Disney’s resignation. Presiding director of the board (and former U.S. Senator) George Mitchell said “The Governance and Nominating Committee recently informed Mr. Disney of its judgment that the mandatory age limits of […]

Most people would probably agree that the three greatest newspaper comic strip artists from around 1980 to the present would be Berkeley Breathed, Gary Larson, and Bill Watterson. All had their own unique style and sense of humor. And all retired at the top of their game in the mid-1990’s. As we reported {{link http://www.animatedviews.com/wp-content/uploads/archives/00000320.html […]

Could Roy Disney’s attack on Eisner actually keep the CEO and Chairman of the Walt Disney Company around even longer? {{link http://www.jimhillmedia.com/legacy/index.htm?../articles/12012003.1.htm~contentFrame Jim Hill Media}} reports that most of the members of the Disney Board had already come to the conclusion that “Michael Eisner’s top priority wasn’t running the Walt Disney Company anymore. But – […]

{{link http://www.animationmagazine.net/article.php?article_id=1838 Animation Magazine}} reports that Sock Puppet Studio and Intec Interactive are releasing several Marvel comics in a digital DVD version. “Each digital book is comprised of an entire Marvel graphic novel augmented by animation and special effects. More than 100 minutes of animation is included on each disc. There are also extra features […]

According to a {{link http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=112946 Vanguard Animation press release}}: Ewan McGregor, star of \\Moulin Rouge\\ and \\Star Wars\\, will voice the title character in Vanguard Animation’s CG animated feature film \\Valient\\. The animated comedy tells the story of a lowly wood pigeon named Valiant, who overcomes his small size to become a hero in Great […]

November 30, 2003 Mr. Michael D. Eisner, Chairman The Walt Disney Company 500 South Buena Vista Street Burbank, CA 91521 Dear Michael: It is with deep sadness and regret that I send you this letter of resignation from the Walt Disney Company, both as Chairman of the Feature Animation Division and as Vice Chairman of […]

{{link http://www.drudgereport.com/flash1.htm The Drudge Report}} is reporting a \\{{link http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB107022298535883000,00.html?mod=home_whats_news_us Wall Street Journal}}\\ story (paid subscription required for WSJ link) that claims Roy Disney submitted his resignation from Walt Disney’s company board and his chairmanship of Disney feature animation on Sunday and called for Chairman and CEO Michael Eisner to do the same. Disney sent […]

New Zealand based {{link http://fun.mukpuddy.com Mukpuddy Animation}} has relaunched their website making it a lot faster, and a lot easier to navigate. They have also finished work on their first fully 2D animated music video, available to view on the site.

{{link http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/atlanta/1103/28peabo.html The Atlanta Journal-Constitution}} reports that because of tax-trouble the IRS is auctioning off the property of singer Peabo Bryson. Some of the items for sale include: – the 1992 Grammy award for the song \\Beauty and the Beast\\ recorded with Celine Dion – the 1993 Grammy award for the song \\A Whole New […]

\\The Daily Mail\\ reports (via {{link http://www.broadway.com/template_1.asp?CI=32605&CT=38 Broadway.com}}) that up-and-coming theater actress Laura Michelle Kelly “will play the ‘practically perfect in every way’ nanny in the upcoming stage musical” of \\Mary Poppins\\. The 22 year old’s other credits include \\Beauty and the Beast\\ (as Belle), \\ Les Misérables\\ (as Eponine), \\South Pacific\\, \\The King and […]

Happy Thanksgiving to those readers where the holiday is celebrated today! Because of the extended Thanksgiving weekend here in the United States updates to this site may be slow until Monday.

{{link http://mag.awn.com/index.php?ltype=pageone&article_no=1930 AWN}} looks at how Macromedia’s Flash animation software, once considered a “toy for Internet users”, has grown into a “serious production tool” for creating broadcast quality animation. They take a look at the views of “Flash animation from both the designers and animators who use it and the TV companies that broadcast programs […]

{{link http://www.comingsoon.net/news.php?id=2497 ComingSoon.net}} has a new promotional image from DreamWorks’ \\Shrek 2\\. Be sure to check out their site for a larger version of the image. UPDATE: I just received an email from an alert reader saying that this image is neither an actual promotional shot nor new. Apparently it is fan art that has […]