Laugh-O-Gram
Laugh-O-Gram was a short-lived American animation studio established by Walt Disney in 1921. It played a pivotal role in Disney's early career, serving as his first venture into animation before he moved to Hollywood. Here are some key details about Laugh-O-Gram:
- Foundation: Walt Disney founded Laugh-O-Gram in Kansas City, Missouri, after returning from France where he served as an ambulance driver in World War I. He started the studio with $15,000 from his uncle, Robert Disney, and other investors.
- Location: The studio was located at 1127 E. 31st Street in Kansas City.
- Productions:
- Newman Laugh-O-Grams: These were brief, humorous films featuring local Kansas City personalities, which were often shown before feature films at local theaters.
- Animated Shorts: Disney created several animated shorts including adaptations of fairy tales like "Little Red Riding Hood" and "The Four Musicians of Bremen." One notable production was "Alice's Wonderland," which combined live-action with animation, setting the foundation for the later Alice Comedies.
- Financial Difficulties: Despite initial success, Laugh-O-Gram faced financial challenges. The studio's films did not generate enough revenue, and Disney's overambitious plans for new projects drained resources. By July 1923, the studio went bankrupt, leaving Disney with significant debts.
- Legacy:
- Although Laugh-O-Gram was short-lived, it was crucial for Disney's development as an animator. The experience and techniques learned here were instrumental in his later success.
- The studio's building still exists, and in 1998, it was transformed into the Walt Disney Hometown Museum, celebrating Disney's early career.
- Some of the films produced by Laugh-O-Gram are considered lost, but others have been preserved or rediscovered over time.
- Post Laugh-O-Gram: After the failure of Laugh-O-Gram, Disney moved to Hollywood with "Alice's Wonderland" in his suitcase, which helped him secure a deal with Margaret J. Winkler, leading to the creation of Alice Comedies and the establishment of Disney Brothers Studio, which later evolved into The Walt Disney Company.
Sources: