The Lost Notebook: Herman Schultheis & the Secrets of Walt Disney's Movie Magic

I'm still reading this. There's not much to fault about this book because its done with such care and attention to detail and history. This looks like a labor of love from John Canemaker. The visual payoff includes a rich assortment of photos from Disney studios during an era of intense expansion, invention and creative output. Herman Schultheis isn't usually a noted figure in the studio but what we have here is the reward of diligent record keeping of photographic and effects processes in his personal notebook. The art of animation is a fusion of art and technology and in those days the technology was multiple exposures, multiplane cameras, printing techniques, film dyes and amazing organic chemical processes, pre- digital After Effects and Photoshop. Some of the photos which are shown in the context of the actual notebook are so intriguing that I wish they were slightly larger. They are so unique and informative. Overall, the book reflects the goals and aspirations and pioneering efforts of its time. There's something about the early era boom/ post-Snow White, that has a real bristling excitement about it. And when you see the results in a scene from Fantasia's Nutcracker, for example, there's still, arguably, nothing as naturally organic and atmospheric. You could do it in CGI but it wouldn't connect the same on a human level, IMO. ( It would look beautiful in the usual once-removed from human hands, eye-candy but overdose of visual stimulation --like hi-fructose corn syrup for the eyes. -OK, off my soapbox).

This is a beautifully produced book about a heretofore little known aspect of movie history. Herman Schultheis was an engineer whose cleverness and ingenuity were responsible for the special effects in "Fantasia" and other Disney movies. Some of the things he did are difficult to equal even with digital technology. Herman kept notebooks on his methods and technology, but these notebooks were lost until fairly recently. John Canemaker has researched the history of Herman Schultheis and the notebooks and has published this wonderful book which includes a reproduction of the entire notebook for Fantasia. It is a fascinating document that I have spent hours with. If you have an interest in motions pictures or animation, this book should be in your library. John Canemaker has published several books on the art of animation and really knows and loves his subject. Now for a little full disclosure: Herman Schultheis was a friend and associate of my father. My wife and I spent an evening with Herman while on our honeymoon in 1953, and he led us through his original notebook (which is reproduced in this book.) Not many years after that, Herman disappeared on an archaeological expedition in the Cedntral American jungle. John Canemaker interviewed me by phone for background information during the writing of the book. As soon as it came out, I bought it from Amazon, and poring over it brought back many memories. FYI, there is a digital version of the notebook in the Disney Family Museum in San Francisco.

I can only add my very favourable review to the others published here. It's a very detailed and massive tome of technical and other behind-the-scenes information about, arguably, the most ambitious and creative period of the Walt Disney Studio. John Canemaker, a well-known authority on Disney and animation in general, has researched his subject very thoroughly, and presents it beautifully, a sturdy volume with a wealth of fine and informative photographs by Herman Schultheis himself and other studio photographers. His Disney notebook is presented in full, even to the blank pages with their glue stains! Schultheis is certainly an intriguing and multifaceted character on his own, which adds to the sense of wonder and admiration, and goes far beyond the mere technical and tabular aspects of the book. In other words, even if some of the intricate nuts and bolts about optics and chemicals may baffle the average Disney fan, it's also a very entertaining read.And of course, since most of the Disney movies described in the book are readily available, it's relatively easy to compare all the background paintings, character designs, special effects and set stills shown in the book with the finished product to enhance our appreciation. I did with 'Fantasia' and 'The Reluctant Dragon', and it was extremely enlightening as well as fun.Definitely recommended if you are a Disney buff or a special effects enthusiast.

Even better than the notebook itself are the comments from Disney thoughtfully pointing out in each margin how Herman was just another pitiful cog in the wheel for each special effect. If you really want to learn about the film making process, these comments are invaluable!

This book is solid gold, filled with nuggets of the development of such Disney film classics as "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" and "Pinocchio" It contains detailed accounts never before revealed written by a man whose Disney tenure, brief as it was, enveloped perhaps the most productive period in the company's history. The Herman Schultheis notebook remained hidden from the public for more than five decades, but thankfully is now available to all. Besides the history, it also outlines Schultheis's quirky background, not the least of which was his fatal disappearance in the Guatamalan jungle. This book is a true gem.

This is an absolutely gorgeous book. Canemaker lovingly celebrates Herman Schultheis acclaimed accomplishments at the Disney Studios during the zenith of the golden age of animation. Schultheis notebook had been lost for decades and when rediscovered in recent years they were purchased by Diane Disney, Walt’s daughter. They are now being cared for in a proper archival way at the beautiful Walt Disney Family Museum. This book chronicles the story of Schultheis and his ingenious filming techniques that are still enjoyed today in Fantasia. This is an excellent book for anyone that is a student of animation.

A real heavy book, and a joy to read , but exceptionally heavy book to read in bed. Extremely well presented, and the chapter in each section well described. Would most definitely recommend the book to all Disney fans, as it an in depth look at a begone time.

Eccellente libro su Herman Schultheis e i suoi lavori come animatore agli effetti speciali presso i Disney Studios.Libro molto interessante e riccamente illustrato scritto sempre da John Canemaker ; non possedendo l'edizione del 1996 non posso fare un confronto tra le due. Personalmente mi ha molto colpito la lavorazione del film " Fantasia" e molte immagini non le avevo mai viste prima.Assolutamente consigliato ai veri appassionati dei grandi capolavori prodotti da Walt Disney alla fine degli anni '30 e agli inizi degli anni '40.

ディズニーの秘密はここにあり、こんな素晴らしい貴重な資料が、忘れた頃に出版されて嬉しい限りです。画面に現れない影のスタッフに敬意。ぜひともディズニー研究の糧に。

A treasure trove for anyone truely interested in animation history. It is incredible that this material has survived...

Per tutti gli appassionati dei classici di animazione della Disney il libro degli appunti che si riteneva disperso di uno dei più grandi tecnici degli effetti speciali in animazione. Foto di scena, disegni preparatori e appunti tecnici fanno di questo libro una gioia per gli occhi e per gli appassionati. Quando ancora non c'era il computer e la magia era tangibile.