Chuck Amuck

by Chuck Jones

Book Overview

The illustrated classic, complete with a new preface by Matt Groening. Winner of three Academy Awards and numerous other prizes for his animated films, Chuck Jones is the director of scores of famous Warner Bros. cartoons and the creator of such memorable characters as the Road Runner, Wile E. Coyote, Pep? Le Pew, and Marvin Martian. In this beguiling memoir, Chuck Jones evokes the golden years of life at "Termite Terrace," the Warner Bros. studio...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0374123489
• ISBN13: 9780374123482
• Release Date: January 1989
• Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux
• Length: 254 Pages
• Weight: 2.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 8.3" x 10.3"

Customer Reviews

The Life and Times of Charles M. Jones

Chuck Jones is one of the best known people in the animation business. He's been in the animation business for over 65 of his 88 years(as I write this review, he'll be 88 on the 12th of this month!). This book lists all of the cartoons he's been involved with (Warner Bros, MGM, Dr. Suess specials, and many others). Also, he talks about growing up, how real life inspired his cartoons, what it was like working in Warner Bros studio, pays tribute to partners Tex Avery, Friz Freleng, Mike Malthese, and Abe Levitow, and talks about other projects he's done (like his How to Draw From the Fun Side of Your Brain). And as the other reviewers have pointed out, there's an animated cartoon of the Roadrunner and the Coyote on the pages of this book.Since this book was originally published, he's produced one video in the 1990's (Chariots of Fur) and the historical and whimsical book Daffy for President (available through the US Postal Service).

Inside the mind of a WB Cartoonist

Funny, touching and intriging autobiography of one of America's great animators. Jones' book takes us through an exciting journey through the history of American, in particular Warner Brothers, animation from the 1920's to the late 1960's. A must have if you love classic cartoons. PS Don't forget to flip the pages and see the Cyote chase the Roadrunner.

Animator Extroadinaire

Like Tex Avery, Chuck Jones knows how to tell a joke! His autobiography is as whimsical as the characters that he created and/or supervised in his long association with Warner Brothers. His influence is seen in current animated shows such as "Animaniacs," "Histeria," and "TinyToons." So respected is Jones that many filmmakers have touted the importance that his work has had on their careers.The book is a delight to read, with its accompanying illustrations, as well as Jones's personal reflections on the development of his beloved characters. All of the highlights of his 50-year career are included here, with full details and interesting text. As one who shows no signs of slowing down, the octagenaric Jones will continue to delight present and future audiences with his superlative animated films.

Oh, to have lived back then!

To read "Chuck Amuck: The Life and Times of an Animated Cartoonist" is to be transported back to the days when Termite Terrace turned out the most popular cartoons the world will ever know. Not only does Chuck (how can we call someone we know so well "Mr. Jones" or just "Jones"?) explain the childhood, adolescence and career life that brought him to where he is, he also takes the reader into that wonderful nether-world in a neglected corner of the Warner Bros. Studios lot where Leon Schlessinger ruled a bunch of underpaid, barely appreciated cartoonists. And they actually LOVED what they were doing! The people who gave the world Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies come to life so vividly, one can almost smell the ink and paint. Profusely illustrated with doodles, sketches, caricatures and photographs, "Chuck Amuck" is a literary and visual delight. And, as an added bonus, there's even an actual Wile E. Coyote cartoon that you can enjoy without a VCR or a movie projector! The book's only low point is that the foreword was written by Steven Spielberg, whose "Tiny Toons" and "Animaniacs" are little more than flagrant rip-offs of Chuck's (and Tex Avery's and Bob Clampett's) best material.

A Fantastic Book about Philosophy, Life and, uh, Cartoons

Please do yourself a favor and read this wonderful book. Chuck Jones is an American treasure and a fantastic artist. The Warner Brothers Cartoons were directed to audiences of all ages, they do not talk down to children, nor do they pretentiously preach to adults. Unfortunately, we only seem to recognize as "great" those artists who do these things. If you believe an artist has to be "serious" to be a genius, I hope this book will change your mind! Check out his new book, "Chuck Reducks" too