Across several decades, Looney Tunes cartoons have charmed and entertained audiences for generations. With memorable plots, iconic characters, terrific parodies and allusions to pop culture, as well as all of the comical chaos these cartoons bring, there is much to examine and enjoy regarding Looney Tunes cartoons.
Jaime Weinman’s Anvils, Mallets & Dynamite: The Unauthorized Biography of Looney Tunes details the history of Looney Tunes, its animators, and its vocal talents. The book also explores the legacy of these cartoons in addition to the influence they have had upon other artists, including the likes of Mel Brooks, Steven Spielberg, and George Lucas.
Weinman’s work is well-researched and expertly takes readers through the development of the cartoon’s major characters and how various animators helped to shape the cartoon. Moreover, several memorable episodes are also discussed, comparing to the more violent and action-packed cartoon output from Warner Bros. to the starkly different output of Walt Disney.
Overall, this book is a fine tribute to the history of Looney Tunes and is an enjoyable read. It is also supplemented with interesting photographs and drawings of characters and cartoons at various stages of their development. This book is sure to be enjoyed by fans of animation.
Anvils, Mallets & Dynamite: The Unauthorized Biography of Looney Tunes is available for purchase via University of Toronto Press.
Hometowns to Hollywood 