Photos 29 Jun 2006 06:56 am

Grim’s 100th Birthday Party


(Click on either image to enlarge.)

– Back in August 1990, a crowd of animation folk gathered to celebrate Grim Natwick‘s 100th birthday. At one point, during the celebration, a photo was taken of many of the elder statesmen positioned on the stage.

It was a blast being there; events like this probably occur in LA often enough, but they’re truly rare in NYC. I spent a good part of the evening talking with Bob Little, who had painted BG’s for many – if not – most of the Paramount cartoons, and I had a great time doing so. I thought it funny that we both had to fly out to LA to meet.

I recently located this photo that Tom Sito sent me, and thought it’d be fun to post it. Below the original, I’ve posted a key to identify those on stage. I’m not sure why Walter Lantz didn’t make it to the photo, but he was most certainly there. Only one person remains unknown in the picture. (Please let me know if you recognize the gentleman in the back row.)

8 Responses to “Grim’s 100th Birthday Party”

  1. on 29 Jun 2006 at 7:11 am 1.Mark Mayerson said …

    That is one great picture. I still regret that I didn’t fly to L.A. to attend.

    Bosko Video released a VHS tape of the proceedings. While it definitely had all the problems of a typical wedding video, it was still better than nothing.

  2. on 29 Jun 2006 at 7:33 am 2.Michael said …

    I have the video. Copies were sent to people that were there, and it captures the flavor. It definitely had the feel of a wedding-type affair, but the guests were just so incredible. I wish I hadn’t been as shy as I was, then, and had introduced myself to more of the attendees. I value the mementoes I saved.

  3. on 29 Jun 2006 at 8:02 am 3.Amid said …

    I’m not 100% on this ID but I think the person in the back might be UPA background painter Bob McIntosh. He not only worked with Grim at UPA, but also at Cartoon Films in the 1940s, so they definitely knew each other. Next time I speak with him I’ll ask him if he attended.

  4. on 29 Jun 2006 at 8:50 am 4.Mark Mayerson said …

    Mike, I’m sure I would have been too shy to talk to people as well. I don’t know that even now, if I had the opportunity to talk to somebody like Marc Davis, Ward Kimball or Art Babbitt, I’d be able to manage an intelligent conversation. The one time I met Preston Blair, I got tongue-tied.

  5. on 29 Jun 2006 at 12:19 pm 5.Ward said …

    I’d probably have piddled in me pants if I was there.

    What a great photo, Michael! Thanks for posting it. And be sure to thank Tom for taking the shot.

  6. on 29 Jun 2006 at 12:39 pm 6.Ward said …

    I meant to say “thank Tom for me” in my last comment.

    Ah, you knew what I meant.

  7. on 29 Jun 2006 at 5:02 pm 7.Thad Komorowski said …

    Very awesome picture! That was one heck of an attendance that day!

    I almost got the chance to meet Chuck Jones one time, as he was in the area where my cousin lived years ago. We kept postponing the trip for years. I never did get to meet Jones. I really wish I did.

    – Thad

  8. on 26 Feb 2009 at 3:46 am 8.Therri said …

    I am looking to get a copy of Grim Natwick’s 100th Birthday Party. Does anyone know how or where I can buy one???

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