Symphony in Slang Opening

Limited animation? Tex Avery did it with finesse in “Symphony in Slang” (released in 1951). There are plenty of shots of a simple gag drawing (meaning no animation at all), while other scenes feature little cycles.

The opening of this cartoon also has no animation. MGM’s cameraman (Jack Stevens?) simply moves his camera toward the heavenly light over two background drawings that dissolve into each other. TV cartoon companies pulled the same thing, except they were doing it to save money on animating, inking, etc.



Johnny Johnsen is responsible for the backgrounds above. Grant Simmons, Mike Lah and Walt Clinton are the credited animators, with gags by Rich Hogan and voice work by John Brown.