Filmography

Gay Purr-ee

 

Early Films (1943 thru 1948)

UPA got started by making industrials and informational films for the government, unions, and companies, many of them being done for the World War II war effort.

Theatrical Shorts (1948 thru 1959)

UPA got their big break when Columbia Pictures tapped them to take over their Fox and Crow animated shorts from Screen Gems. UPA’s versions were so popular that they were able to strike a deal with Columbia to do the Mister Magoo series, plus, shorts of their own choosing.

Television (1947 thru 1959)

As theatrical shorts began to be eliminated from cinemas, UPA struck a deal with CBS to do a series of half hour programs with several original shorts, plus one of the Columbia shorts at the end. But, the new shorts were a bit out of the realm of normal television programs, so it only lasted two seasons. But, UPA had had a bit of television work even before the CBS “Gerald McBoing Boing Show.”

Later Industrials (1947 thru 1959)

Throughout the creatively active years of UPA in the late forties and fifties, they continued to make industrials and informational films, one even garnered their only Oscar Nomination for a Short Documentary.

Commercials (1946 thru 1960)

UPA made many award winning commercials out of their highly acclaimed New York studio, but the Burbank, and even the short-lived London studio, also contributed to the numerous and financially profitable commercials.

Features (1948 thru 1962)

In all, UPA only produced two features, although many were discussed, including Hecht-Lancaster’s desire to turn James Thurber’s White Deer into a feature. However, UPA did create many memorable titles, credits and interstitials, including The Four Poster, which introduced the international animation community to UPA.