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The Last of the Nine Old Men goes... Ollie Johnston is no longer with us...

Such a great lose :( by scarybunny726	Apr 15th, 2008 01:40:38 AM
I and many other animators (and fans) are very sad tonight.
or rather LOSS. by scarybunny726	Apr 15th, 2008 01:45:12 AM
See Im so upset I cant even type properly.
This is a loss by Ommadawn1959	Apr 15th, 2008 01:49:15 AM
He and frank were great artists.
Damn, that sucks by grievenom	Apr 15th, 2008 01:58:05 AM

He was a TRUE gentleman. RIP, Ollie... by Big Dumb Ape	Apr 15th, 2008 02:03:22 AM
I met Ollie Johnston and Frank Thomas and even got them to sign a copy of THE LLUSION OF LIFE for me. And make no mistake, once again we're talking about TRUE pioneers and guys from another time and age who worked hard, and who succeeded BECAUSE of their talent -- and, as a result, gave the world TRUE works of art. And you want to know something else? When I met Johnston and Thomas they were total gentleman who just felt they had done their job, and best of all they just liked talking to you...sharing stories or giving you tips or whatever...with no ego involved at all. Ollie was just a total class act. You know, I hate news like this. This really depresses me because more and more we are losing people like this. People who represent a golden past where saying someone was talented actually MEANT something, those people actually did have REAL talent, and in a modern age where it seems Hollywood personnel or creative types are all-out ego maniacs and self-centered pricks, those creators were just genuinely sweet, nice, unassuming people. So RIP, Ollie. What you gave to the world has already proved itself to be immortal works. And when you consider the impact it had...and continues to have...on generations of children throughout the world, that's a helluva gift to have given to the world. So bravo to you and I'm sure right now Disney and his reunited crew of Old Men are up in Heaven hard at work on an all-new feature just to show everyone how animation SHOULD be done...
One of the greatest animators who ever lived! by Orionsangels	Apr 15th, 2008 02:06:34 AM
Thanks Ollie for making my childhood so wonderful
the older and more obscure a film contributer is by prunkhaft	Apr 15th, 2008 02:13:58 AM
the more impact and importance in Harrys life they seem to have. I suppose we all do need reminding how knowledgeable and attached to the history of cinema Harry is. RIP Ollie.
Today's animation blows in comparison to his artwork. Classics. by Mike_D	Apr 15th, 2008 02:19:25 AM
He will be missed.
Obscure? by HEADGEEK	Apr 15th, 2008 02:26:09 AM
Really? I wasn't aware that SNOW WHITE, PINNOCHIO, Mickey Mouse, BAMBI, SLEEPING BEAUTY, etc were obscure. I had the pleasure of meeting him 5 times in my life spread out since the seventies. In the field of animation, he isn't obscure, he's a giant.
You Suck, Sarah Marshall! by therealharold	Apr 15th, 2008 02:30:05 AM

prunkhaft by kwisatzhaderach	Apr 15th, 2008 02:49:50 AM
what an idiotic post
Wow. That choked me up. He'll be missed. by Bungion Boy	Apr 15th, 2008 02:54:00 AM
We truly lost a great one. First thing tomorrow I'll pop in my "Frank and Ollie" dvd and cry and bit, and laugh a bit.
Though not such a sad day. by Bungion Boy	Apr 15th, 2008 02:56:50 AM
What a life this man lead. He lived a long, fruitful life, and with his passing we all get to revisit and think about his wonderful work today. You'll be missed, Ollie, but thanks for all the beautiful drawings.
Legend.... by wildphantom07	Apr 15th, 2008 03:38:55 AM
Shame he's not going to be here to see the renaissance of Disney hand-drawn animated features. Princess and the Frog remains my most anticipated upcoming project from the Mouse House; no matter how much I adore everything Pixar put out. That Thumper scene about eating your greens - that is just INCREDIBLE.
RIP Ollie by a rolling stone	Apr 15th, 2008 03:41:57 AM
We need more creative people like him, before it all becomes CGI carbon copy bullshit.
"Old and obscure"??? Fuck, just IGNORE Prunkhaft... by Big Dumb Ape	Apr 15th, 2008 03:51:43 AM
Whenever someone actually DIES -- which let's face it is THE most serious thing that we ALL have to face in life and which obviously leaves people in mourning and feeling an incredibly deep sense of loss -- there's always got to be that asswipe who comes into an RIP talkback and who feels the need to sound off by making an asswipe comment. Case in point, the recent Charlton Heston talkback and some of the vile things that got posted there. So just ignore people like Prunkhaft. On the one hand, given the topic at hand and the respect that should be shown, his post shows little class since he chose a forum mourning the dead to take a truly cheap shot at Harry. On the other hand, given that this is a FILM web site, it also shows he has NO sense of cinema history or film appreciation as Harry rebutted and rightly pointed out. For crying out loud, Prunkhaft, "old and obscure"? Learn some actual fucking history already. And I mean going back farther in time then the movie you checked out at the mall last weekend...
Nooooo! by Iamagoodguy	Apr 15th, 2008 03:55:25 AM
Well written Harry, a very sad day indeed. RIP Ollie
every animator or fan of animation. by gorillaskull	Apr 15th, 2008 04:32:39 AM
Is at a loss for words today. All nine inspired a generation.
RIP and thank you Ollie by m_reporter	Apr 15th, 2008 05:35:54 AM
This is indeed the end of an era.
Another pencil is down. by TheCap	Apr 15th, 2008 06:01:20 AM
The art form of film animation has evolved, but the creative souls that first put ink to celluloid laid the foundations. Methods may change, tools may make the job easier, but the spirits of these fine artists and entertainment pioneers lives on forever in the magical works they have created. RIP, Ollie ... thank you and godspeed.
Sad Day by Evil Chicken	Apr 15th, 2008 06:26:17 AM
What a legacy. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Mr. Johnston. Godspeed
RIP by just pillow talk	Apr 15th, 2008 06:38:18 AM
For kids of all ages, his work will live on for current and future generations to enjoy. RIP Mr. Johnston.
now that's a master by Happy Boy	Apr 15th, 2008 07:17:19 AM
modern CGI/effects have so little soul. listening to this man talk about his animation just makes me sad... all this technology yet will we ever again reach this level of heart and soul in animation?
Damn... by L. Ron Bumquist	Apr 15th, 2008 07:19:39 AM
I have been meaning to get Frank and Ollie's book for a while now, they're were great. I saw Bambi again for the first time in 25 years and was blown away. It is an awesome piece of film making. They really don't make them like that any more.
Good morning Pillowtalk by Abominable Snowcone	Apr 15th, 2008 07:29:23 AM
Fellow warciple of Chang! I'm sorry for the passing of Ollie, but I'll be honest and say I didn't know who he was. But fare thee well, oh color master! May yours be a technicolor heaven
He will never be truly gone. He will live forever in the classi by islander	Apr 15th, 2008 07:44:22 AM
And what a legasey
I remember them too Notfunny by Sherm	Apr 15th, 2008 07:50:03 AM
I also met Frank and Ollie at the Montreal Film Festival - I was Disney's Gofer there - it was 1995, and I think the Texas film society was sponsoring the premier of the Frank and Ollie doc. they were delightful gentlemen with a lot of stories to tell. And I remember that they flipped out over Felix and Norton cookies, a local Montreal cookie brand. Just before Frank Thomas died, they both recorded a cameo appearance they would make at the end of The Incredibles. Another way that these two animation pioneers will be remembered.
talent by NudeandAroused	Apr 15th, 2008 08:05:35 AM
This where animators of the past have it all over those of today. People like Johnston would do their work with hands, whereas today, it is done with computers. A true artist.
Damn, this is an incredible loss by NomoredirtyjokespleaseweareYanks	Apr 15th, 2008 08:07:02 AM
The contributions of this man and his peers is immense and will be remembered as long as the human race is still inspired by art.
May you rest in peace, Ollie by Cruel_Kingdom	Apr 15th, 2008 08:08:17 AM

No school like the old school... by sapno_krei	Apr 15th, 2008 08:13:36 AM
Ollie Johnston joins the other nine at the big drawing board in the sky.
consider.. by blackthought	Apr 15th, 2008 08:26:51 AM
this animator saddened. rest in peace ollie. animation has lost a giant. but he's left us with a great foundation in the world of animation. who are todays chuck jones and ollie johnston's?
The end of an era... by Gungan Slayer	Apr 15th, 2008 08:32:17 AM
His passing marks the end of an era. He will be missed greatly. Thanks Ollie for all the great times and great films!
harry's vocabulary lesson of the day by ArcadianDS	Apr 15th, 2008 08:45:18 AM
He was obscure, in that, nobody knows who he was and nobody knows his name. Sure his animated work is well known, but if you sat 100 people in a theater and quizzed them on who the 9 men were that made the Disney films, you'd get 100 Walt Disneys, and zero anything else. obscure artist is obscure.
Obscure? by The Funketeer	Apr 15th, 2008 08:45:51 AM
Just because you haven't heard of someone doesn't make them obscure. Did you not read Harry's obit? Did you see the films he's worked on? I'm willing to guess you've seen most of his major works without bothering take the time to learn who made them. The Nine Old Men had a tremendous impact on animation and their influences are still being felt today. The fact that they're all gone now is worth noting. I suggest you take Harry's suggestion and watch Frank and Ollie which is a great documentary not just about animation but about a lifelong friendship.
Would Ben Burtt be obscure? Or John Williams? by sapno_krei	Apr 15th, 2008 09:06:04 AM
Most moviegoers wouldn't know these guys (okay, maybe Williams), but people visiting a film appreciation site? Certainly. Ollie Johnston is about as obscure in the film/animation world as Clive Davis would be in the music world.
Loved Ollie's cameos in Iron Giant and The Incredibles by Osmosis Jones	Apr 15th, 2008 09:06:14 AM
And Thumper in Bambi remains one of the most insanely endearing characters in cartoon history, due in large part to Johnston's impeccable animation. A genius and a gentleman, he will be missed.
hes only obscure if you're ignorant to his work by Obscura	Apr 15th, 2008 09:37:59 AM
in the same way that George lucas is obscure to my gran. Its your own ignorance that makes him obscure. He's an absolute legend to all animators. The illusion of life is practically the animation bible. RIP
An gifted talent to animation. by Uncapie	Apr 15th, 2008 09:46:01 AM
Without his vision and memorable sceens, many people would not have been inspired to go into animation let alone be transported to another world of magic and wonder watching his work on the silver screen. RIP Ollie; you were the best.
A True Pioneer by BeyondStatic	Apr 15th, 2008 09:55:38 AM
a stirring tribute... there's not much else to say... he started something big, and showed the world love...
No Country for Old Men!! by leobloom	Apr 15th, 2008 10:02:50 AM

RIP Ollie by JustinSane	Apr 15th, 2008 11:05:27 AM
The world feels a little less magical today...
Another link to Hollywood's Golden Age gone by BenBraddock	Apr 15th, 2008 11:48:04 AM
So sad. I met him briefly at an NFT evening in London - he signed my "Illusion of Life"! Guess if *that's" amongst my most treasured possessions?! Rest well Ollie - a great talent well used :-)
I can't stop crying by Jed	Apr 15th, 2008 12:14:25 PM
I don't think these guys are going to be treated like the pioneers they were outside of the animation community in my lifetime. What a great story.
seeya later Ollie by Obscura	Apr 15th, 2008 03:12:41 PM
Ive already said my bit but i wanted to come back and say more...im an animation student, and because of this bit of news today has been quite an unproductive day. Ive been watching Disney films a lot, and even though he was 95, this still comes as a shock... he was a true legend of animation.... to the point where i now feel like i have to push myself even harder now that he's gone. The last of the greats has gone and those of us that are left need to carry on the tradition of quality that these guys put in place. We owe it to those guys to be great; to build on the things they created. They believed animation was the greatest artistic medium in the world, and they were right. Ollie may have stopped animating a long time ago, but every animator in the world should use this moment to look over The Illusion Of Life again, remember why they got into this stuff, and why they love it... and then push themselves just a little bit harder, for Ollie.
The Great Ollie by MTRPRODS	Apr 15th, 2008 03:40:19 PM
Meet him and John Lasseter in 1980 when they toured NYU film school about the future and history of Disney animation. Lasseter was a Disney employee back then. Ollie was great in person. End of chapter in animation.
Thanks, Harry by Fireball XL-5	Apr 15th, 2008 04:00:20 PM
For the fitting tribute to Ollie Johnston. I interviewed him back around 1989. I was a a young reporter then, nervous about approaching such an important figure in film history. What a relief to find that he was a most lovely man, friendly and so generous of spirit. And so, yet another part of a far gentler time has passed from us. Rest in peace.
. by disfigurehead	Apr 15th, 2008 06:51:37 PM
sucks
The final pillar falls... See you later, Ollie! :) by TheGhostWhoLurks	Apr 15th, 2008 08:50:28 PM
Loved your work AND your books... you guys made millions of people very happy!
Farewell, RIP by SlickyVonBoner	Apr 15th, 2008 09:30:48 PM

TO ANIMATION GEEKS LIKE ME by BurgerTime	Apr 16th, 2008 08:47:04 PM
This is a great great loss. Keep on drawing Ollie. I'll need plenty of toons to watch when I get to heaven. ;) RIP

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The Last of the Nine Old Men goes... Ollie Johnston is no longer with us...

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