Animation has always had a home on the National Film Registry. As we count down to the announcement of the 25 newest film titles being added to the National Film Registry (which will be announced on December 12, 2018), we look back today at the year 1993 where, among that year’s selections, was this animated marvel. “Maestro” was the creation of Tex Avery, an animator who began his career working with Disney before striking out on his own.
Author, archivist and animation historian Thad Komorowski has said of the man and the film:
“It may be impossible to pick a single animated cartoon that best represents the name Tex Avery. The first nine years of his legacy at the MGM cartoon studio (1941-1950) produced one of the most impressive oeuvres in all Hollywood cinema. Despite being part of what amounted to an artistic vacuum, Avery’s best films always try to out-do each other in their rowdy, delicate search for animated perfection.
“If one cartoon did have to represent Avery at his finest, ‘Magical Maestro’ would be a fine choice and likely get no sane arguments to the contrary.”
Read the rest of this essay on “Magical Maestro” (PDF).
Title: “Magical Maestro”
Year of Release: 1952
Year Added to the National Film Registry: 1993 (See all films added to the Registry in 1993.)
Trivia: Avery was one of creators of Bugs Bunny, Porky the Pig and Daffy Duck.
This blog post is the fifth of 30 in our “30 Years of the National Film Registry” series which was launched to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Registry. The National Film Registry selects 25 films each year showcasing the range and diversity of American film heritage to increase awareness for its preservation. The 30th National Film Registry selections will be announced on December 12, 2018.