History Creator / DisneysNineOldMen

Marc was best known for animating solid and dainty female characters, including Disney/{{Cinderella}} (where he animated the iconic scene of her receiving her sparkly gown), [[Disney/AliceInWonderland Alice]] (which included her experience at the Mad Tea Party) and [[Disney/PeterPan Tinker Bell]]. His crowning achievement came when he designed and supervised Maleficent, the wicked villainess of Disney/SleepingBeauty''. After his most challenging assignment, animating all of Cruella de Vil in ''Disney/OneHundredAndOneDalmatians'', Marc left the animation department.

Frank co-authored three books with Ollie Johnston: ''Literature/TheIllusionOfLife'', ''Too Funny for Words'' and ''The Disney Villain''. He and Frank would also have voice cameos in two of Creator/BradBird's films, ''WesternAnimation/TheIronGiant'' and ''WesternAnimation/TheIncredibles''. Frank died of natural causes in 2004.

He would co-author three Disney books with Frank Thomas: ''Literature/TheIllusionOfLife'', ''Too Funny for Words'' and ''The Disney Villain''. He and Frank would also have voice cameos in two of Creator/BradBird's films, ''WesternAnimation/TheIronGiant'' and ''WesternAnimation/TheIncredibles''. Ollie died of natural causes in 2008 as the last surviving member of the Nine Old Men.

Some of the most revered animators in the HistoryOfAnimation, '''''Disney's Nine Old Men''''' were a group of WaltDisney's top animators, some of whom would even become directors. They also taught and mentored many of today's top animators, both at Disney and elsewhere.

* SpiritualSuccessor: Many of the [[TheRenaissanceAgeOfAnimation renaissance-era]] animators, such as GlenKeane, Andreas Deja, [[PixarRegulars John Lasseter]], and BradBird, all of whom were their proteges.

* CloudCuckooLander: Easily Ward, noted by the Disney Family Album as "The Disney animator who never grew up".

In the 1960s, Frank worked on such scenes as Roger reviving a a newborn puppy in ''Disney/OneHUndredAndOneDalmatians'' and the Wizards' duel in ''Disney/TheSwordInTheStone''. One of his most famous and emotional scenes would occur in the ''Disney/TheJungleBook'', where Baloo has to bring himself to tell Mowgli that he has to back to the man-village. In the 1970s, he animated the geese and dogs in ''Disney/TheAristocats'', Disney/RobinHood disguised as a stork, and a lot of scenes of Bernard and Bianca in ''Disney/TheRescuers'', which he considered his best film without Walt Disney. He retired in January 197 during production of ''Disney/TheFoxAndTheHound''

Ward's work is easily recognizable for his characters' broad and often wacky movements. Among his most noted animation included the crows in ''Disney/{{Dumbo}}'', the surreal title song of ''Disney/TheThreeCaballeros'', Lucifer in ''Disney/{{Cinderella}}'' and the Mad Matter and Tweedles Dee & Dum in ''Disney/AliceInWonderland''. He made his directorial debut for the short-lived "[[WesternAnimation/AdventuresInMusicDuology Adventures in Music]]" series, the second of the two, ''Toot, Whistle, Plunk and Boom'', won an UsefulNotes/AcademyAward.

Ollie was best known for incorporating feeling and emotion into his characters, and his breakthrough moment is considered to be Disney/{{Pinocchio}} lying to the Blue Fairy from inside a birdcage. Afterwards, he animated the little cherubs dressing up the centaurettes in ''Disney/{{Fantasia}} and various personality scenes of the ambitious ''Disney/{{Bambi}}'', including the scenes where the young prince first learns to walk and where Thumper reluctant says that "eating greens is a special treat".

One of Ollie's toughest assignments was that of the stepsisters Anastasia and Drizella in ''Disney/{{Cinderella}}'', due to the fact that, since he specialized in personality and emotion, those characters are intended to be unlikable. For ''Disney/AliceInWonderland'', he animated a majority of the diminutive King of Hearts and a bit of Alice herself. Afterward came one of his most famous performances, as the lead animator for the bumbling Mr. Smee in ''Disney/PeterPan''.

Lous would often animate characters with a lot of squash-and-stratch to them, including Willie the Giant in ''Disney/FunAndFancyFree'', George Darling in ''Disney/PeterPan'', and Tony and Joe in ''Disney/LadyAndTheTramp''. Other characters Louns animated included King Hubert and Maleficent's goons in ''Disney/SleepingBeauty'', and the Baduns and Colonel in ''Disney/OneHundredAndOneDalmatians''.

During the 1940, Larson shined with animal characters' personalities, including Sasha the bird in ''[[Disney/MakeMineMusic Peter and the Wolf]]'' and Brer Bear in ''Film/SongOfTheSouth'' and the Aracuan Bird in ''[[Disney/MelodyTime Blame It on the Samba]]''. In a departure from this role, he would animate the majority of the title character in ''Disney/{{Cinderella}}'', and Disney/PeterPan's flight over London. He made a return to animals with characters like Peg in ''Disney/LadyAndTheTramp'' and the puppies in '"Disney/OneHundredAndOneDalmatians''.

His only directorial effort was a sequence director on ''Disney/SleepingBeauty'' (he was originally going to direct ''WesternAnimation/TheSmallOne'' before it was handed over to Creator/DonBluth). As the 1960s drew on, he animated less and less on the features, such as the farm animals in '"Film/MaryPoppins'' and the vultures in ''Disney/TheJungleBook'', before quitting altogether in 1973 to head Disney's training program, teaching a new generation of animators. Among these younger animators he mentored would become be key players UsefulNotes/TheRenaissanceAgeOfAnimation, including Creator/GlenKeane, John Musker and Creator/JohnLasseter. Larson would remain at Disney as a mentor and consultant until he retired in 1986. He died in 1988, and the prince in ''Disney/TheLittleMermaid'' was named in his honor.

As the 1940s came to a close, he specialized on more down-to-earth characters, such as Johnny Appleseed and Sluefoot Sue in ''Disney/MelodyTime'', Brom Bones in '[['Disney/TheAdventuresOfIchabodAndMrToad The Legend of Sleepy Hollow]]'', the Fairy Godmother in ''Disney/{{Cinderella}}'', the title character of ''Disney/PeterPan'' and Prince Phillip in ''Disney/SleepingBeauty''.

'''Frank Thomas''

The Nine Old Men in question are:

# '''Les Clark''': Working with Disney from as early as OswaldTheLuckyRabbit, and having worked on almost every pre-1960 Disney feature sans ''Disney/{{Bambi}}'' and ''Disney/SleepingBeauty'', Les was one of Disney's true veteran animators. He animated up to ''Disney/LadyAndTheTramp'', and after that he was promoted to directing and animating shorts and featurettes for the studio until his retirement in 1975. In fact, due to being with Disney from the very beginning, Walt originally chose him to write ''Literature/TheIllusionOfLife'', but he passed away during preliminary research.

# '''Marc Davis''': Got his start in 1935 as an animator on ''Disney/SnowWhite'', training under veteran Creator/GrimNatwick, and would later do animation for characters like Bambi and Thumper, [[Disney/PeterPan Tinkerbell]], [[Disney/SleepingBeauty Maleficent and her raven]], and [[Disney/OneHundredAndOneDalmatians Cruella De Vil]]. He quit animation in 1961 to work on the Ride/DisneyThemeParks, designing for such iconic rides as Ride/TheHauntedMansion and PiratesOfTheCaribbean.

# '''Ollie Johnston''': Got his start in 1935 working ''Snow White''. Noteworthy work of his includes [[Disney/PeterPan Mr. Smee]], the Stepsisters in ''Disney/{{Cinderella}}'', the District Attorney in ''Disney/TheAdventuresOfIchabodAndMrToad'', and Prince John in ''Disney/RobinHood''. He and his longtime partner Frank Thomas authored the three books "The Illusion of Life: Disney Animation", "Too Funny For Words" and "The Disney Villain".

# '''Milt Kahl''': Started at Disney in 1934, and was easily Disney's most skilled animator, capable of animating the most notoriously hard characters, particularly the human males. Scenes animated by him tend to be [[AnimationBump noticeably more fluid and better drawn]]. Works of his includes [[Disney/TheJungleBook Shere Kahn]], [[Disney/SleepingBeauty Prince Phillip]], [[Disney/TheAristocats Edgar the Butler]], [[Disney/RobinHood The Sheriff of Nottingham]], and [[Disney/TheRescuers Madame Medusa]].

# '''Ward Kimball''': Joined Disney in 1934, and was easily Walt's most unique, "Cartoony" director, and Walt's personal favorite as a result. Noteworthy work of his includes Disney's most cartoony short, "[[SillySymphonies Toby Tortoise Returns]]", [[Disney/{{Pinocchio}} Jiminy Cricket]], the [[DisneyAcidSequence Three Caballeros theme]] from [[Disney/TheThreeCaballeros the movie of the same name]], Lucifer the cat and Jaq and Gus from ''Disney/{{Cinderella}}'', the Mad Hatter and Chesire Cat in ''Disney/AliceInWonderland'', and the two {{UPA}}-influenced AdventuresInMusicDuology. He later directed the ''Tomorrowland'' episodes of [[Series/WaltDisneyPresents the Disney anthology series]], and would go on to win an AcademyAward for the short ''It's Tough to Be a Bird''. Animation fans have often cited Ward as "the Creator/TexAvery of Disney". Walt also praised him as a genius and the only person who was his equal (though he did dislike his UPA influences).

# '''Eric Larson''': Joined Disney in 1933. Notable work of his includes the [[Disney/TheThreeCaballeros Aracuan bird]], Peg from ''Disney/LadyAndTheTramp'', the Vultures in ''Disney/TheJungleBook'', Disney/PeterPan's flight over London, and Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox and Brer Bear in ''SongOfTheSouth''. He would later be given the job of training new Disney recruits in the 70's.

# '''John Lounsbery''': Started in 1935 and, working under Norm 'Fergy' Ferguson, quickly became a star animator. Lounsbery, affectionately known as 'Louns' by his fellow animators, was an incredibly strong draftsman who inspired many animators over the years. His animation was noted for its squashy, stretchy feel. Lounsbery animated Ben Ali Gator in ''Disney/{{Fantasia}}''; George Darling in Peter Pan; Tony, Joe, and some of the dogs in ''Disney/LadyAndTheTramp''; The Kings in ''Disney/SleepingBeauty''; The Elephants in ''Disney/TheJungleBook''; and many, many others. In the 1970s, Louns was promoted to Director and co-directed ''Winnie The Pooh And Tigger Too'' and his last film, ''Disney/TheRescuers''.

# '''Wolfgang "Woolie" Reitherman''': Joined Disney in 1935 as an animator and director. He directed all the Disney features after Walt's death up till his retirement. Some of his work includes Monstro in ''Disney/{{Pinocchio}}'', the Crocodile (in ''Disney/PeterPan''), the Dragon (in ''Disney/SleepingBeauty''), and the Rat (in ''Disney/LadyAndTheTramp'').

# '''Frank Thomas''': joined Disney in 1934. He went on to author ''Literature/TheIllusionOfLife'' with Ollie Johnston. His work included the wicked Stepmother (in ''Disney/{{Cinderella}}''), the Queen of Hearts (in ''Disney/AliceInWonderland''), and Captain Hook (in ''Disney/PeterPan''). Amongst animators, he's most famous for coining the phrase "Don't animate what the character is doing, animate what they're ''thinking''."

Movies featuring animation from all of the Nine Old Men include ''Disney/{{Cinderella}}'', ''Disney/AliceInWonderland'', and ''Disney/PeterPan''.

# '''Marc Davis''': Got his start in 1935 as an animator on ''Disney/SnowWhite'', training under veteran Creator/GrimNatwick, and would later do animation for characters like Bambi and Thumper, [[Disney/PeterPan Tinkerbell]], [[Disney/SleepingBeauty Maleficent and her raven]], and [[Disney/OneHundredAndOneDalmatians Cruella De Vil]]. He quit animation in 1961 to work on the DisneyThemeParks, designing for such iconic rides as Ride/TheHauntedMansion and PiratesOfTheCaribbean.

# '''Frank Thomas''': joined Disney in 1934. He went on to author ''Literature/TheIllusionOfLife'' with Ollie Johnston. His work included the wicked Stepmother (in ''Disney/{{Cinderella}}''), the Queen of Hearts (in ''Disney/AliceInWonderland''), and Captain Hook (in ''Disney/PeterPan'').

He's most famous amongst animators for coining the phrase "Don't animate what the character is doing, animate what they're ''thinking''."

* SpiritualSuccessor: Many of the [[TheRenaissanceAgeOfAnimation renaissance-era]] animators, such as Glen Keane, Andreas Deja, John Lasseter, and Brad Bird, all of whom were their proteges.

* SpiritualSuccessor: Many of the renaissance-era animators, such as Glen Keane, Andreas Deja, John Lasseter, and Brad Bird, all of whom were their proteges.

# '''Marc Davis''': Got his start in 1935 as an animator on ''Disney/SnowWhite'', training under veteran GrimNatwick, and would later do animation for characters like Bambi and Thumper, [[Disney/PeterPan Tinkerbell]], [[Disney/SleepingBeauty Maleficent and her raven]], and [[Disney/OneHundredAndOneDalmatians Cruella De Vil]]. He quit animation in 1961 to work on the DisneyThemeParks, designing for such iconic rides as Ride/TheHauntedMansion and PiratesOfTheCaribbean.

** Same thing in The Incredibles. Two old men at the end of the climactic battle against the Omnidroid are animated to look like, and are voiced by, Ollie and Frank.

** Same thing in The Incredibles. Two old men at the end of the climactic battle against the Onmidroid are animated to look like, and are voiced by, Ollie and Frank.

# '''Marc Davis''': Got his start in 1935 as an animator on ''Disney/SnowWhite'', training under veteran GrimNatwick, and would later do animation for characters like Bambi and Thumper, [[Disney/PeterPan Tinkerbell]], [[Disney/SleepingBeauty Maleficent and her raven]], and [[Disney/OneHundredAndOneDalmatians Cruella De Vil]]. He quit animation in 1961 to work on the DisneyThemeParks, designing for such iconic rides as TheHauntedMansion and PiratesOfTheCaribbean.

# '''Ollie Johnston''': Got his start in 1935 working ''Snow White''. Noteworthy work of his includes [[Disney/PeterPan Mr. Smee]], the Stepsisters in ''Disney/{{Cinderella}}'', the District Attorney in ''TheAdventuresOfIchabodAndMrToad'', and Prince John in ''Disney/RobinHood''. He and his longtime partner Frank Thomas authored the three books "The Illusion of Life: Disney Animation", "Too Funny For Words" and "The Disney Villain".

# '''Ward Kimball''': Joined Disney in 1934, and was easily Walt's most unique, "Cartoony" director, and Walt's personal favorite as a result. Noteworthy work of his includes Disney's most cartoony short, "[[SillySymphonies Toby Tortoise Returns]]", [[Disney/{{Pinocchio}} Jiminy Cricket]], the [[DisneyAcidSequence Three Caballeros theme]] from [[TheThreeCaballeros the movie of the same name]], Lucifer the cat and Jaq and Gus from ''Disney/{{Cinderella}}'', the Mad Hatter and Chesire Cat in ''Disney/AliceInWonderland'', and the two {{UPA}}-influenced AdventuresInMusicDuology. He later directed the ''Tomorrowland'' episodes of [[Series/WaltDisneyPresents the Disney anthology series]], and would go on to win an AcademyAward for the short ''It's Tough to Be a Bird''. Animation fans have often cited Ward as "the Creator/TexAvery of Disney". Walt also praised him as a genius and the only person who was his equal (though he did dislike his UPA influences).

# '''Eric Larson''': Joined Disney in 1933. Notable work of his includes the [[TheThreeCaballeros Aracuan bird]], Peg from ''LadyAndTheTramp'', the Vultures in ''Disney/TheJungleBook'', PeterPan's flight over London, and Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox and Brer Bear in ''SongOfTheSouth''. He would later be given the job of training new Disney recruits in the 70's.

* ShoutOut: ''RunawayBrain'', ''TheIronGiant'' and ''TheIncredibles'' make shout outs to Frank and Ollie.

# '''Ward Kimball''': Joined Disney in 1934, and was easily Walt's most unique, "Cartoony" director, and Walt's personal favorite as a result. Noteworthy work of his includes Disney's most cartoony short, "[[SillySymphonies Toby Tortoise Returns]]", [[Disney/{{Pinocchio}} Jiminy Cricket]], the [[DisneyAcidSequence Three Caballeros theme]] from [[TheThreeCaballeros the movie of the same name]], Lucifer the cat and Jaq and Gus from ''Disney/{{Cinderella}}'', the Mad Hatter and Chesire Cat in ''Disney/AliceInWonderland'', and the two {{UPA}}-influenced AdventuresInMusicDuology. Animation fans have often cited Ward as "the Creator/TexAvery of Disney". Walt also praised him as a genius and the only person who was his equal (though he did dislike his UPA influences).

# '''Ward Kimball''': Joined Disney in 1934, and was easily Walt's most unique, "Cartoony" director, and Walt's personal favorite as a result. Noteworthy work of his includes Disney's most cartoony short, "[[SillySymphonies Toby Tortoise Returns]]", [[Disney/{{Pinocchio}} Jiminy Cricket]], the [[DisneyAcidSequence Three Caballeros theme]] from [[TheThreeCaballeros the movie of the same name]], Lucifer the cat and Jaq and Gus from ''Disney/{{Cinderella}}'', the Mad Hatter and Chesire Cat in ''Disney/AliceInWonderland'', and the two {{UPA}}-influenced AdventuresInMusicDuology. Animation fans have often cited Ward as "the TexAvery of Disney". Walt also praised him as a genius and the only person who was his equal (though he did dislike his UPA influences).

# '''Milt Kahl''': Started at Disney in 1934, and was easily Disney's most skilled animator, capable of animating the most notoriously hard characters, particularly the human males. Scenes animated by him tend to be [[AnimationBump noticeably more fluid and better drawn]]. Works of his includes [[Disney/TheJungleBook Shere Kahn]], [[Disney/SleepingBeauty Prince Phillip]], [[Disney/TheAristocats Edgar the Butler]], [[Disney/RobinHood The Sheriff of Nottingham]], and [[Disney/TheRescuers Madame Medusa]]. He was also the only guy that could get away with cursing out WaltDisney himself, due to Walt understanding his ego equaled his talent.

* AnimationBump: Any scene under Milt Kahl's supervision.

* CloudCuckooLander: Ward Kimball. Just look at his line of work, or any kind of anecdote about him.

* DoingItForTheArt: They played a big role in refining Disney animation in general, although some historians, such as Micheal Barrier, [[http://www.michaelbarrier.com/Commentary/Williams_and_Canemaker/Williams_Canemaker.htm continue to debate]] how much they really contributed to animation.
* HeterosexualLifePartners: Ollie and Frank
* InsufferableGenius: Milt Kahl's ego was only equaled by his talent.
* JerkAss: Milt Kahl, just Milt Kahl. According to John Canemaker's "Nine Old Men" book, he was not above belittling his colleagues, and he was even known to curse out Walt himself!
** However, according to a post on Andreas Deja's blog, Milt became a lot more mellow in his later years after remarrying.

* RailEnthusiast: Like Walt himself, both Ollie and Ward had their own backyard railroads, with Ward's taking up several acres and blocks due to having full-sized narrow gauge steam trains in his backyard property! One could only wonder what the neighbors thought.

# '''Wolfgang Reitherman''': Joined Disney in 1935 as an animator and director. He directed all the Disney features after Walt's death up till his retirement. Some of his work includes Monstro in ''Disney/{{Pinocchio}}'', the Crocodile (in ''Disney/PeterPan''), the Dragon (in ''Disney/SleepingBeauty''), and the Rat (in ''Disney/LadyAndTheTramp'').