MGM Animation/Visual Arts

MGM Animation/Visual Arts was an American animation studio operated by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer during the 1960s and briefly into 1970. Its immediate predecessor was Sib Tower 12 Productions, a company formed through the combination of S I B Productions and Chuck Jones's Tower 12 operation. The business traces its earliest corporate origins to S I B Productions, founded by Walter Bien in 1960, while the MGM-branded studio is generally associated with its 1962 establishment and its later acquisition and renaming by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The studio emerged at a transitional point in American animation. Chuck Jones, one of the leading directors of Warner Bros. Cartoons, had left Warner Bros. after a contract dispute. He brought several former Warner colleagues into the new operation, including voice performer Mel Blanc and writer and story artist Michael Maltese. Tower 12 initially pursued a broad production program involving theatrical cartoons, educational and informational films, industrial and corporate work, and television projects. S I B Productions also engaged the developing Filmation Associates to animate Rod Rocket, a syndicated television series. The company's most commercially important relationship began when Sib Tower 12 received a contract from MGM to produce a new cycle of Tom and Jerry theatrical shorts. These films extended the MGM cartoon series after the earlier Hanna-Barbera period and became the core of the studio's output. Following the success of the arrangement, MGM purchased the studio from the financially distressed SIB Productions organization and renamed it MGM Animation/Visual Arts in 1964. Under Jones's direction, the studio continued producing Tom and Jerry shorts through 1967, combining the established cat-and-mouse characters with the visual timing and comic sensibility associated with Jones's work. The studio also produced independent animated shorts. The Dot and the Line, released in 1965 and based on Norton Juster's book, used abstract graphic design and geometric movement to tell a fable about artistic identity and persistence. It won the Academy Award for Animated Short Film. The Bear That Wasn't, released in 1967, adapted a story by Frank Tashlin and further demonstrated the studio's interest in literary and stylistically distinctive material beyond franchise cartoons. Television became another important part of the company's work. MGM Animation/Visual Arts produced How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, which aired in 1966, and Horton Hears a Who!, broadcast in 1970. Both were adaptations of Dr. Seuss books and became enduring examples of American holiday and family television animation. The studio was also involved in television material connected with Tom and Jerry, Off to See the Wizard, and The Pogo Special Birthday Special. Some projects associated with the company changed production arrangements, including The Cat in the Hat, which was ultimately moved to DePatie–Freleng Enterprises. The studio's principal feature production was The Phantom Tollbooth, adapted from another Norton Juster book. Although completed in 1968, the film was delayed by internal MGM problems and released in 1970. MGM Animation/Visual Arts closed in December 1970, ending a relatively compact but influential period in MGM's animation history. Jones subsequently established Chuck Jones Film Productions and continued making television specials. MGM later created a separate animation studio in 1993, but that later operation was not the same organization as the 1960s MGM Animation/Visual Arts studio.

MGM Animation/Visual Arts developed from two related production efforts. Walter Bien established S I B Productions in 1960. In 1962, the company worked with the emerging Filmation Associates on Rod Rocket, a syndicated animated series. Around the same period, Chuck Jones formed Tower 12 to produce theatrical cartoons, educational and informational shorts, industrial and corporate films, and television material. Jones had recently left Warner Bros. Cartoons after a contract dispute, and several artists and collaborators from his Warner years joined him, including Mel Blanc and Michael Maltese. S I B Productions subsequently took over Tower 12, creating Sib Tower 12. The new company secured a contract from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer to make additional Tom and Jerry theatrical cartoons. The arrangement proved successful, and MGM purchased the studio from the bankrupt SIB Productions organization in 1964. It then renamed the operation MGM Animation/Visual Arts. Jones remained the key creative figure, directing a run of Tom and Jerry shorts through 1967. These films formed the majority of the studio's theatrical output and represented a continuation of MGM's long-running animated cat-and-mouse property after the earlier Hanna-Barbera-produced cycle. The studio's work was not limited to franchise shorts. In 1965 it released The Dot and the Line, an abstract adaptation of a Norton Juster book that won the Academy Award for Animated Short Film. In 1967 it produced The Bear That Wasn't, based on a book by Frank Tashlin, one of Jones's former Warner Bros. colleagues. These projects reflected Jones's continuing interest in literary adaptation, visual experimentation, and animation aimed at more than routine character comedy. MGM Animation/Visual Arts expanded into television during the same period. Its credits included material related to Tom and Jerry, Off to See the Wizard, and The Pogo Special Birthday Special. Its most lasting television work consisted of Dr. Seuss adaptations: How the Grinch Stole Christmas! aired in 1966, while Horton Hears a Who! appeared in 1970. The studio was also associated with The Cat in the Hat, although that project was later transferred to DePatie–Freleng Enterprises. The studio's largest production was The Phantom Tollbooth, a feature adaptation of another Norton Juster work. Production was completed in 1968, but internal problems at MGM delayed its release until 1970. MGM Animation/Visual Arts closed in December 1970. Afterward, Chuck Jones founded Chuck Jones Film Productions and continued producing television specials. MGM established another animation operation in 1993, but that later studio was distinct from the organization documented here.

• 1970

  The Phantom Tollbooth is released and the studio closes

  [1]MGM Animation/Visual Artsen.wikipedia.org

  The feature reached audiences after a delay, while MGM Animation/Visual Arts shut down in December.

• 1968

  The Phantom Tollbooth is completed

  [1]MGM Animation/Visual Artsen.wikipedia.org

  The studio completed its feature adaptation of Norton Juster's novel, although theatrical release was delayed.

• 1967

  The main Tom and Jerry short run ends

  [1]MGM Animation/Visual Artsen.wikipedia.org

  The studio completed its listed cycle of Tom and Jerry shorts and released The Bear That Wasn't.

• 1966

  How the Grinch Stole Christmas! airs

  [1]MGM Animation/Visual Artsen.wikipedia.org

  The studio produced the television special based on the Dr. Seuss book.

• 1965

  The Dot and the Line is released

  [1]MGM Animation/Visual Artsen.wikipedia.org

  The studio released the Norton Juster adaptation, which won the Academy Award for Animated Short Film.

• 1964

  MGM acquires and renames the studio

  [1]MGM Animation/Visual Artsen.wikipedia.org

  After the success of the Tom and Jerry contract, MGM acquired Sib Tower 12 and renamed it MGM Animation/Visual Arts.

• 1963

  The studio begins its Tom and Jerry short cycle

  [1]MGM Animation/Visual Artsen.wikipedia.org

  Pent-House Mouse marked the beginning of the studio's listed run of Tom and Jerry theatrical shorts.

• 1962

  Tower 12 and Sib Tower 12 emerge

  [1]MGM Animation/Visual Artsen.wikipedia.org

  Chuck Jones formed Tower 12, and the operation was subsequently combined with or taken over by SIB Productions to become Sib Tower 12.

• 1960

  S I B Productions is founded

  [1]MGM Animation/Visual Artsen.wikipedia.org

  Walter Bien established S I B Productions, the corporate predecessor associated with the later Sib Tower 12 organization.

A studio animation operation combining MGM's established entertainment properties with Chuck Jones's auteur-driven comic direction, literary adaptations, television specials, and experimental short-form animation.

• Theatrical animated shorts · 1963

  Tom and Jerry theatrical shorts

  The studio's principal production line was a new group of Tom and Jerry theatrical cartoons made for MGM. The run began with Pent-House Mouse in 1963 and continued through 1967. The films extended MGM's established cat-and-mouse franchise after the earlier Hanna-Barbera period, with Chuck Jones and his collaborators applying their own timing, staging, character animation, and visual gag construction. The listed cycle includes titles such as The Cat Above and the Mouse Below, The Dot and the Line-era shorts, The A-Tom-Inable Snowman, and Purr-Chance to Dream.

• Animated short film · 1965

  The Dot and the Line

  An abstract animated short adapted from Norton Juster's book about a straight line and a dot. Rather than relying on a conventional character franchise, the film used geometric forms, movement, and graphic composition to express its story. Its design-led approach made it one of the studio's most distinctive projects, and it won the Academy Award for Animated Short Film.

• Animated short film · 1967

  The Bear That Wasn't

  An animated adaptation of Frank Tashlin's book, released in 1967. The short broadened the studio's theatrical work beyond Tom and Jerry and connected Jones's later career with a story by a former Warner Bros. colleague.

• Television special · 1966

  How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

  A television adaptation of Dr. Seuss's Christmas story produced by MGM Animation/Visual Arts and broadcast in 1966. It became one of the studio's best-known television projects and helped establish its role in producing literary holiday animation for television.

• Television special · 1970

  Horton Hears a Who!

  A Dr. Seuss television adaptation produced by the studio and broadcast in 1970. It was among the final prominent television projects associated with MGM Animation/Visual Arts before the studio closed.

• Animated feature film · 1970

  The Phantom Tollbooth

  The studio's most ambitious production was a feature adaptation of Norton Juster's fantasy novel. Completed in 1968, the film experienced a release delay linked to internal MGM problems and ultimately appeared in 1970. It represented the studio's move from short-form and television animation into feature-length literary adaptation.

• 1970

  MGM closes the animation and visual arts studioStrategy

  Background

  The studio had completed its principal Tom and Jerry short cycle and released The Phantom Tollbooth after a production and release delay.

  Action taken

  MGM Animation/Visual Arts ceased operations in December 1970.

  Aftermath

  Chuck Jones later formed Chuck Jones Film Productions, while MGM eventually opened a separate animation studio in 1993.

  Source

• 1964

  MGM acquires Sib Tower 12 and adopts a new studio identityM&A

  Background

  Sib Tower 12's Tom and Jerry production contract performed successfully, while the SIB Productions organization became financially distressed.

  Action taken

  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer purchased the studio and renamed it MGM Animation/Visual Arts, bringing the production operation directly into the MGM structure.

  Aftermath

  The renamed studio continued producing Tom and Jerry shorts and expanded into television specials, independent shorts, and feature animation before closing in 1970.

  Source

• 1970

  MGM Animation/Visual Arts closed[1]MGM Animation/Visual Artsen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The studio ceased operations in December 1970 after producing theatrical shorts, television work, and its feature film The Phantom Tollbooth.

• 1965

  The Dot and the Line won the Academy Award for Animated Short Film[1]MGM Animation/Visual Artsen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The studio's abstract short based on a Norton Juster book received the Academy Award for Animated Short Film.

• 1964

  Sib Tower 12 was renamed MGM Animation/Visual Arts after MGM acquisition[1]MGM Animation/Visual Artsen.wikipedia.org

  M&A · Other

  Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer acquired the Sib Tower 12 studio after the success of its Tom and Jerry production contract and adopted the MGM Animation/Visual Arts name.

1. 1MGM Animation/Visual Artsen.wikipedia.org