Animation Giant Frank Thomas Passes On

[Elspode]

I'm an animation freak. I admit it freely, and I'm proud to say that the love of cartoons is what keeps me at least partly young at heart. On Wednesday, perpetually young-minded, incomparably talented Frank Thomas, Disney animator for over 40 of it's golden years, died of complications from a cerebral hemmhorage.

Alongside collaborator and artistic equal Olllie Johnston, Thomas was responsible for conceiving and/or drawing some of Disney's most beloved sequences, including the romantic dogs eating spaghetti scene in "Lady and the Tramp" (a scene which was hilariously and lovingly spoofed in "Hot Shots") and Bambi being taught to ice skate by Thumper.

Frank and Ollie were partners in each other's lives, to the point of buying adjoining properties in the California hills and living as neighbors and confidantes, raising their families side by side and sharing a deep friendship and work ethic. The creative output of these two was historic, prolific and beautiful, and the world is poorer without them.

For a wonderful insight into their lives and working relationships, make a point to view "Frank and Ollie", a deeply interesting and entertaining documentary made in their honor by their admiring successors at Disney.

Poorly written news article here:

http://www.canada.com/national/natio...1-83c93c4393e1