A SEARING, SCATHING DISNEY MEMOIR From 1935-1950, story artist Homer Brightman worked on the biggest Disney projects: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella, the Oscar-winning short film Lend a Paw, and many others. A dream come true? Not really. Brightman's life in the Mouse House during Disney's Golden Age of Animation was tarnished by self-serving, power-hungry animators; by draconian policies and broken promises; and by Walt Disney himself. Will the Real Walt Disney Please Stand Up? Homer Brightman first encountered Walt Disney in the men's room of the Disney Studio in 1935. Another employee had just complained about Walt, not knowing that Walt himself was standing at the next urinal, and by lunchtime that employee found himself on the street, and out of a job. Over the next fifteen years, Brightman experienced the highs and lows of working for a driven, complex, sometimes ruthless businessman and creative genius, Walt Disney, a man that other Disney artists—but not Brightman—saw as a smiling "uncle" or as a caring, patient mentor. Brightman presents the good and the bad, as he experienced them firsthand, and lets you ponder the contradictions of Walt's character. Fun and Games and Politics in the Mouse House When the Disney animators weren't creating classic films, they were pulling pranks—sometimes mean-spirited pranks—on one another. Brightman recounts how he and Harry Reeves once vandalized Roy Williams' (who later become the "Big Mooseketeer" on The Mickey Mouse Club) black limousine, and how Williams got back at Reeves that night by flattening the tires of his car. The prank includes improbable appearances by H.G. Wells and Charlie Chaplin. When not pranking, the animators were politicking: Brightman goes into detail about the toxic political culture at the Disney Studio, where animators would jump to their feet and hide their work whenever another animator came around, steal credit for one another's ideas, and compete—often shamelessly—for the fickle favor of Walt Disney. The politics reach their crescendo in Brightman's nailbiting account of the Disney Studio Strike of 1941, and how Walt retaliated against those he felt had betrayed him. In Life in the Mouse House, you'll read about: <ul>
<li>Brightman's penniless start at the Disney Studio on a cold day in 1935</li>
<li>What really caused the Disney Studio Strike in 1941, how Walt lost his cool, and the sad aftermath</li>
<li>The foibles and eccentricities of many well-known Disney artists, animators, and executives</li>
<li>Walt's ill-fated "Field Day", his trip to Mexico, and his uncanny talent for physical storytelling</li>
<li>What Brightman did after he left Disney in 1950, despite Walt telling him he'd never work in the business again</li>
</ul>And much more! Homer Brightman wrote Life in the Mouse House in the 1980s. He died in 1988, and his book was lost until its rediscovery last year. When Brightman wrote the book, most of the people in it were still alive. He didn't want to offend them with his unflinchingly honest, provocative narrative, and so he changed the names of such luminaries as Ken Anderson, Perce Pearce, Ted Sears, Harry Tytle, and Roy Williams. Nearly thirty years after Brightman's death, we can now reveal the identities of characters like Muggle (Ken Anderson), Snojob (Perce Pearce), Crock (Card Walker), and over three dozen others. You'll read about these beloved Disney legends—including Walt Disney himself—as you've never read about them before. Come share Homer Brightman's life in the Mouse House!

Life in the Mouse House: Memoir of a Disney Story Artist

Biographies & Memoirs

Becattini, Alberto

Brightman, Homer

Arts & Literature

Theme Park Press

An Encyclopedic Reference of Disney Comics
From the United States to Italy, from France and Spain to Brazil, Turkey, Russia, and beyond, noted comics historian Alberto Becattini traces the evolution of Disney comics around the world in the most authoritative, comprehensive treatment of the "Disney funnies" ever put into print.
Becattini chronicles not just the comics themselves but their creators, beginning with Floyd Gottfredson and Carl Barks and continuing through their countless disciples, including Romano Scarpa, Claude Marin, and Daniel Branca.
With its monumental index and thorough bibliography, Disney Comics is an indispensable tool for researchers and scholars, but also an epic, entertaining read for anyone who has thrilled to the adventures of Mickey, Donald, Goofy, and the hundreds of other Disney comics stars.

Disney Comics: The Whole Story

Comics & Graphic Novels

Graphic Novels

The Grail of Funny Animals
For decades, Italian comics historian Alberto Becattini has been researching and writing about American funny animal comics. In this first volume of his two-part opus, Becattini presents the fruits of his labors, the definitive guide for funny animal fans, collectors, and historians alike.
Becattini examines the funny animal phenomenon, starting from its origins in popular and children’s literature, and continuing through its appearances in newspaper comics, comic books, and comic magazines.
All of the more famous characters are included, such as those created at Disney, Lantz, Warner Bros., MGM, and other cartoon studios, as well as the many lesser-known characters that appeared in obscure comic book titles issued by equally obscure comic book publishers.
During the writing process, and while viewing thousands of comic strips and comic pages, Becattini had many discoveries and “epiphanies” that let him shed light on the identities of hitherto uncredited artists and writers. While his aim has been to highlight the talent behind the comics, rather than the stories and characters themselves, he also provides in-depth coverage of virtually every funny animal comic book, illustration, and animated cartoon.
A must-have title for any serious funny animal fan!

American Funny Animal Comics in the 20th Century: Volume One

Arts & Photography

Graphic Design

The Grail of Funny AnimalsFor decades, Italian comics historian Alberto Becattini has been researching and writing about American funny animal comics. In this second volume of his two-part opus, Becattini presents the fruits of his labors, the definitive guide for funny animal fans, collectors, and historians alike.Becattini examines the funny animal phenomenon, starting from its origins in popular and children's literature, and continuing through its appearances in newspaper comics, comic books, and comic magazines.All of the more famous characters are included, such as those created at Disney, Lantz, Warner Bros., MGM, and other cartoon studios, as well as the many lesser-known characters that appeared in obscure comic book titles issued by equally obscure comic book publishers.During the writing process, and while viewing thousands of comic strips and comic pages, Becattini had many discoveries and "epiphanies" that let him shed light on the identities of hitherto uncredited artists and writers. While his aim has been to highlight the talent behind the comics, rather than the stories and characters themselves, he also provides in-depth coverage of virtually every funny animal comic book, illustration, and animated cartoon.A must-have title for any serious funny animal fan

American Funny Animal Comics in the 20th Century: Volume Two

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Becattini, Alberto. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Becattini, Alberto

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Becattini, Alberto. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Life in the Mouse House: Memoir of a Disney Story Artist

Disney Comics: The Whole Story

American Funny Animal Comics in the 20th Century: Volume One

American Funny Animal Comics in the 20th Century: Volume Two