Lee Caller

Animation Archives: Leon Schlesinger suspends Tex Avery

June 29, 2021

I've got hold of a handful of Hollywood Reporter and Variety newspapers from July 1941 (original, trust me, they're authenticated and they smell of what I think is very "1941", it's weird bordering on intoxicating).

Why that time?  There was a strike by animators (amongst other things - obviously it was a busy time in the world politically as well), animation in the US was getting fiery at this time with people and companies settling down) and if you want to get a feel of the time then get the news of that time.  Anyway I'll be sharing snippets of news from them as I go, here's one to start:

It's 2nd July, 1941 and Leon Schlesinger (who's studio later gets sold on to Warner Bros) suspends some upstart Fred "Tex" Avery (who got the job by "pretending" to be an experienced director) for refusing to cut a Bug's Bunny piece down.

Have an internet rummage around for Leon Schlesinger when you get a few minutes he's a good starting to get a feel of the animation industry of the time.

Hollywood Reporter, July 2, 1941
Hollywood Reporter, July 2, 1941

Tex Avery hissy fit with Leon Schlesinger over Bugs Bunny
Fred "Tex" Avery gets in a hissy fit with Leon Schlesinger over 40 feet of Bugs Bunny!