Bill Justice, who died on Thursday, a day after his 97th birthday, was an animator for Walt Disney and developed several memorable characters, most notably Thumper, the exuberant rabbit friend of the little faun, in Bambi (1942).
Justice joined the Disney studios in 1937, just as production on Bambi was starting and work on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) was winding down. Animating Bambi was different because all the characters were animals.
To make the action as realistic as possible, Justice and his fellow animators attended lectures given by animal experts, visited the zoo at Los Angeles, and viewed specially-commissioned nature footage shot in the forests of Maine.They also studied the movements of two does that had been sent to the Disney studio.
Justice’s Thumper was chosen from a group of rabbits to act as a sort of guide to Bambi, just as Jiminy Cricket had done in Pinocchio (1940).
Although production progressed extremely slowly, Disney himself was delighted with the rushes. “Fellas”, he declared, “this stuff is pure gold.”
As well as Thumper in Bambi, Justice also animated Chip and Dale, the two mischievous chipmunks that tormented Donald Duck in 24 cartoon shorts.
Justice was also credited on Fantasia (1940), Alice in Wonderland (1951) and Peter Pan (1953), among others. He directed acclaimed experimental shorts such as Jack and Old Mac (1956), the stop-motion Noah’s Ark (1959) and Symposium on Popular Songs (1962), which was nominated for an Oscar as Best Cartoon Short Subject.
William Justice was born on February 9 1914 at Dayton, Ohio, and was brought up in Indianapolis. He studied at the John Herron Art Institute, now part of Indiana University, intending to be a portrait painter. On graduating in 1935 he moved to California, joining the Disney studio two years later.
As well as conventional animation on Bambi and other Disney cartoon features, Justice worked on stop-motion animation in live action sequences on such films as Mary Poppins (1964) and Babes In Toyland (1961).
He also directed the animated Mickey Mouse March, the opening sequence for the popular 1950s television series The Mickey Mouse Club.
In 1965 Walt Disney moved Justice to WED Enterprises where he programmed moving audio-animatronics figures for the Disneyland and Disney World theme parks, in attractions such as Great Moments with Mr Lincoln, Pirates of the Caribbean, the Haunted Mansion, the Country Bear Jamboree, the Hall of Presidents and others.
Justice designed many of the character costumes for Disney theme parks, as well as a floats for Disneyland parades, including the Main Street Electrical Parade.
After retirement in 1979, he wrote an autobiography, Justice for Disney. He was named a Disney Legend in 1996.
In retirement he became a familiar figure at Disney conventions, drawing Disney characters on hotel napkins and paper plates to the delight of fans.
Bill Justice is survived by his wife, Kim, and their daughter.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/8319524/Bill-Justice.html
William Justice was born on February 9 1914 at Dayton, Ohio, and was brought up in Indianapolis. He studied at the John Herron Art Institute, now part of Indiana University, intending to be a portrait painter. On graduating in 1935 he moved to California, joining the Disney studio two years later.
As well as conventional animation on Bambi and other Disney cartoon features, Justice worked on stop-motion animation in live action sequences on such films as Mary Poppins (1964) and Babes In Toyland (1961).
He also directed the animated Mickey Mouse March, the opening sequence for the popular 1950s television series The Mickey Mouse Club.
In 1965 Walt Disney moved Justice to WED Enterprises where he programmed moving audio-animatronics figures for the Disneyland and Disney World theme parks, in attractions such as Great Moments with Mr Lincoln, Pirates of the Caribbean, the Haunted Mansion, the Country Bear Jamboree, the Hall of Presidents and others.
Justice designed many of the character costumes for Disney theme parks, as well as a floats for Disneyland parades, including the Main Street Electrical Parade.
After retirement in 1979, he wrote an autobiography, Justice for Disney. He was named a Disney Legend in 1996.
In retirement he became a familiar figure at Disney conventions, drawing Disney characters on hotel napkins and paper plates to the delight of fans.
Bill Justice is survived by his wife, Kim, and their daughter.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/8319524/Bill-Justice.html
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