Rating: 
Summary: Required reading for cartoon fanatics!
Review: "Of Mice & Magic" is, I believe, one of the most comprehensive books ever to be compiled on the subject. Maltin shows his love for cartoons in every word.In light of the recent animation boom, however, it would be nice to see a more recently updated edition.One of my favorites
Rating: 
Summary: A comprehensive view of the first 50 years of animation
Review: I am an animation student and am reading this title because it is a required text. Mr. Maltin does a wonderful and comprehensive job of outlining the history of animation from the Silent Era, to the Golden Age, to a few subsequent years thereafter. Not only does the book chronical the different animation studios, he also gives a brief work history of the most influential animators of the time and gives us an inside view of the animation industry through personal interviews with them. The version I have has been updated, but it seems only through footnotes but I could be wrong as I haven't read the original. An excellent text for either historian, student, or anyone who just loves cartoons, get it!
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Summary: Golden age of American studio animation
Review: I am not an animation student, merely an ardent fan with many years of armchair learning to my credit. My copy of this book is now nearly 20 years out of date and the softcover spine is wrecked beyond repair, but I still frequently refer to Maltin's incomparable history of the subject, by studio, and to the exhaustive filmographies in the back. No matter what turns up on Cartoon Network from the classic age, I'm ready for it, with insight and clear, impassioned writing on the subject. It isn't for nothing that this book has become a standard in classrooms.
Rating:
Summary: A book that changed my life -- really!
Review: I first encountered this book years ago when I was a young motion picture projectionist at a small theatre in Iowa. We could never afford the top-shelf cartoons to run before our features, so we ran obscure old Krazy Kat cartoons and the like. Maltin's book offered the best description yet available on the importance of these early films and their place in animation history. Moreso, it contained a chapter on the Ub Iwerks Studio. I never really knew much about old Ub until we happened to get one of his gorgeous Comicolor Classic cartoons (Jack and the Beanstalk) in place of the usual Krazy Kats. I of course went to "Of Mice and Magic" to find out more and whetted my appetite to learn more about this forgotten genius. Decades later, my youthful interest turned into a full-time pursuit. My biography of Ub Iwerks, "The Hand Behind the Mouse" (ISBN: 0786853204) co-written with Ub's granddaughter Leslie, is now available. Ironically, (or not so) Mr. Leonard Maltin kindly wrote the introduction for our book, thus bringing my foray into animation history full circle. I have always considered Maltin to be like an Old Testament prophet in the field of animation history. "Of Mice and Magic" is still the finest animation book ever written -- which is saying alot (there are many great ones -- ours included.) For anyone who loves animation and the world of cartoons, this is THE essential book and my life has been so much richer because of it.
Rating:
Summary: A book that changed my life -- really!
Review: I first encountered this book years ago when I was a young motion picture projectionist at a small theatre in Iowa. We could never afford the top-shelf cartoons to run before our features, so we ran obscure old Krazy Kat cartoons and the like. Maltin's book offered the best description yet available on the importance of these early films and their place in animation history. Moreso, it contained a chapter on the Ub Iwerks Studio. I never really knew much about old Ub until we happened to get one of his gorgeous Comicolor Classic cartoons (Jack and the Beanstalk) in place of the usual Krazy Kats. I of course went to "Of Mice and Magic" to find out more and whetted my appetite to learn more about this forgotten genius. Decades later, my youthful interest turned into a full-time pursuit. My biography of Ub Iwerks, "The Hand Behind the Mouse" (ISBN: 0786853204) co-written with Ub's granddaughter Leslie, is now available. Ironically, (or not so) Mr. Leonard Maltin kindly wrote the introduction for our book, thus bringing my foray into animation history full circle. I have always considered Maltin to be like an Old Testament prophet in the field of animation history. "Of Mice and Magic" is still the finest animation book ever written -- which is saying alot (there are many great ones -- ours included.) For anyone who loves animation and the world of cartoons, this is THE essential book and my life has been so much richer because of it.
Rating:
Summary: The definitive book on theatrical animation
Review: I first read this book some ten years ago, and was astounded. Not only did the book include little-known information on the studios and cartoons we know and love, but those which have passed into history. (Anyone remember the Van Buren Studio? Or Columbia-Screen Gems? Or that the latter produced a "L'il Abner" animated series in the mid-forties?) Maltin's love of animation is obvious, and it makes one wonder why did not choose to devote an entire book to one studio in particular (the sometimes unfairly maligned Terrytoons deserves one, certainly). My sole complaint echoes that of others here--Maltin should update this book more thoroughly, and more often. Even the "updated" version is out of date, and leads one to believe the industry is dying (which was the common belief until "Roger Rabbit" came along). Other than that, I have but one suggestion for Maltin--he should give made-for-TV cartoon studios the same treatment in a follow-up volume. Here's hoping he reads these reviews...
Rating:
Summary: Long in the Tooth
Review: In 1990, when I purchased this book, I would have given it five stars. Unfortunately, a decade is a generation in film making, even more so for animation, and this book is now 13 years old. Animation has changed a lot since then. In 1990 Don Bluth was practically the only new kid on the block. Now many new major studios are making animated features (the animated short seems to be largely dead except for experiments), Pixar has opened up a whole new area of computer animation, and the Japanese have invaded with both general-audience and adult animation. (Actually, the earliest Japanese landing party was in the late 1980s.) Mr. Maltin, an update is long overdue. (And while you're at it, why not update your movie encyclopedia too?) Nonetheless, this book is the unique source for much history and data. I especially like the film lists. Until a new edition becomes available, we must be grateful to have this wonderful book as it is. What I would dearly love to see is a glossy update of "Of Mice and Magic" with color pictures. It would be more expensive but definitely worth it.
Rating:
Summary: Lenny Maltin gives movies cartoons respect in this book
Review: In his second book about the history of animated movie cartoons.Leonard Maltin gives us all insight into the films from Walter Lantz,Paul Terry,The Fleischer Bros.,UPA,Rainbow Studios,Charlie Mintz ,The Looney Tunes and Walt Disney.Using extensive research ,interviews from the surviving creators of these cartoons,voice over performers and film/tv historians.Maltin looks into the creation,evolution and the success and flaws with these cartoon series and explains why these cartoons still have an appeal with movie and tv audiences.The book also contains an extensive filmography of the series and some wonderful cell reproductions from the films and some original character designs.No one before or since has given real respect to "Popeye","Betty Boop","Bugs Bunny","Heckle & Jeckle","Woody Woodpecker" or even"Mickey Mouse"before in a film history book.Leonard Maltin is the first film historian,author and lecturer to show another side to these forgotten aspects of film history.Bravo Lenny! Kevin S.Butler.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: Leonard Maltin is, of course, a great fan of movies, and gives very enthusiastic advice on choices for movie viewers. In this book, we see some of his expertise in action. A very educational history of this overlooked field!
Rating:
Summary: Buena investigación. Urge una edición actualizada.
Review: Leonard Maltin ofrece una excelente revisión histórica de la animación norteamericana. Contiene gran cantidad de información y el punto de vista de quien conoce y ama el género. Desafortunadamente la edición llega hasta 1987 y han pasado casi quince años de innovaciones técnicas, temáticas y formales que han transformado tanto a los productores como al público, por lo que esperemos que el autor se de tiempo para ofrecer una nueva edición. Sus comentarios en TV son siempre atinados y cuando habla sobre animación es evidente su entusiasmo sobre un género frecuentemente menospreciado. Esperamos pues una edición actualizada (y mejor ilustrada) de este clásico de la historia de la animación nortemaricana.
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