Many people believe that the best full-length animated features were produced many years ago, and that the basic techniques haven't changed much since then. However, as this is being written (1999), we're currently seeing a rebirth of animation, even to the point of seeing Disney-quality features created by people other than Disney (The Prince of Egypt being the best example). So this is probably a good time to take a look back at some classic animated features.

In addition, I know we all miss the cartoons that always accompanied movies up until the last 20 years or so. Budgetary and time considerations, as well as competition from television, have pretty much done away with Road Runner and Daffy Duck mini-masterpieces that ran between the previews and the main feature! But plenty of people still remember them, and you can find evidence of that on line.

Following are some worthwhile sites that deal with animated short or full-length films in some way. If you know of any I missed, please send me an email and let me know.

A Centennial Tribute to Walt Disney
Written originally to celebrate what would have been the 100th birthday of the man who turned animation into a genuine movie art form and entertained several generations of children and adults.

Animation Journal
Once affiliated with Chapman University, this is now an independent site devoted to animation history and theory, edited by Maureen Ruth Furniss.

Tex Avery Tribute
Devoted to the great animation director whose best theatrical work was done in the 40s and 50s, including a brief biography, MGM filmography, wallpapers, screen shots, sounds, and listing of available videos.

The Genius of Tex Avery
This UK tribute to the animation director responsible for almost all MGM cartoons from 1941 to 1954 includes a brief history, a comparison of Avery and Disney, and three other pages of cinematic analysis befitting a true genius of the silver screen.

The Big Cartoon Database
Describing itself as "the largest online searchable database of cartoon shorts and animation on the Internet," this site is a treasure-trove for animation buffs. Organized by studio, there is a listing for every short, feature, and TV series ever produced, including synopsis and all relevant information. There's even some news about Disney and other relevant topics.

Debbie Weiss' Animation Art Collection
Here's an online look at the collection of one of the twelve most influential people in the animation collecting field, according to Animation Magazine.

Disney's Animated Classics
From Arnold E. van Beverhoudt's Sandcastle, V.I. site's "At the Movies" section, this is a listing of all the classic Walt Disney animated films, from 1937's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to Atlantis (2001) -- including title, date, length, brief synopsis, and photo of the video cover.

Fantasia on The Greatest Films
Tim Dirks' list of great films includes this Disney classic.

Internet Movie Database
A list of over 17,000 animated theatrical films in their database, in alphabetical order. You can also use the IMDb's Extended Search function to create a list of 100 top-rated animated films from 1970 and earlier (or whatever dates you want). It includes quite a few surprises, including the top-rated film (9.9 out of 10), Why Man Creates, which won the 1969 Oscar for Best Documentary, Short Subjects.

The Chuck Jones Web Site
Official site for the legendary Warner Brothers animation artist who passed away just short of his 90th birthday.

kinselplace's Home Page
Jim is a major animation fan who maintains several tribute pages filled with graphics, including a Looney Tunes and Disney pages. Not updated recently, and still has a link to my old Mining Company site!

Looney Tunes
Info on a long list of Warner Bros. cartoon characters, from Bugs Bunny to Yosemite Sam, plus a complete filmography of all Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies.

The Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies Page
Jon Cooke's unofficial site is a celebration of those great cartoons created by Chuck Jones, Tex Avery, and the rest. Includes a Video Guide, plus filmographies, articles, links, and more.

The Online Encyclopedia of Disney Animated Shorts
This exhaustive database includes all of the short subjects Disney made from 1922 to the present, indexed by title, year released, and character. Plus trivia games and more.

Pastor Steve's Popeye Page
If you're a big fan of the Paramount/Famous Studios' Popeye cartoons, this could be your favorite site. The central feature is an exhaustive listing of the cartoons, divided into four different groups by quality. Plus a quiz, fan fiction, essays, links, an Olive Oyle page, and much more.

Pinocchio
A review by Roger Ebert, from The Great Films.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs on The Greatest Films
Tim Dirks' list of great films includes this Disney classic.

Tom and Jerry Online
An information-packed site for Tom & Jerry cartoon fans, including a history of the series, episode guide, profiles of the creators, streaming video, sound files, regularly updated news, and a lot more.

The Toon Tracker Best of the Net
Subtitled "The Finder of Lost Cartoons," this extensive site by Ron Kurer offers information about everything from Beany & Cecil to Woody Woodpecker, with audio files, request archives, discussion boards, and more. A must-see for fans of classic animation, and a new recipient of our coveted "Best of the Net" award.

Walt Disney Pictures
Start here to learn about their latest animation efforts, then check out the Disney Home Video Archives. All part of the seemingly never-ending Disney Web site.

Wonderful World of Animation Art Gallery
An authorized gallery for Disney (Europe), Simpsons (and other Fox art), MTV/Nickleodeon, Universal, and Chuck Jones animation art, physically located in Beverly Hills, CA. Lots of reproductions of animation cels.