CHUCK REDUCKS: Drawing from the Fun Side of Life

by Chuck Jones ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 22, 1996

A delightful follow-up to the animation master's autobiography (Chuck Amuck: The Life and Times of an Animated Cartoonist, 1989) that will please anyone who has ever enjoyed a Warner Bros. cartoon. These have been good times for the brilliant director Chuck Jones, creator of the Road Runner and Pepe LePew, and perfecter of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, et al. At the age of 80 plus, he has begun a new series of short cartoons, received an honorary Oscar to go with those he has already won, and has now completed this second lively volume of memoirs, analysis, and wit. Although the book covers much of the same material as his previous work, this time he goes into greater depth in dissecting the making of a good cartoon and the creation of comedy. But be warned. Jones does not proceed in a linear fashion; rather, he runs in all directions at once (a trick he must have taught the Road Runner), The book is divided into three sections: ""Inklings of Animation (I Never Met an Inkling I Didn't Like)""--memories of his childhood and the impact of certain events on his future work; ""Termite Terrace,"" more stories of life in the Warner Bros. animation unit; and ""A Question of Characters,"" a character by character analysis of many of his cartoon creations. But in truth, these sections are catchalls and his digressions are as entertaining as his main points. Highlights of the book are stories of Jones's eccentric relatives, notably his Uncle Lynn, a Munchausen-like teller of tall tales whose flights of whimsy clearly pushed Jones toward his future career. Jones's elegant and hilarious prose moves him closer to one of his idols, Mark Twain.

Pub Date: Oct. 22, 1996

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 288

Publisher: Warner

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 1996

Categories: NONFICTION