60 years today!

*Today is the 60th Anniversary for Rankin/Bass' first feature film, Willy McBean and his magic machine!  It was shot simultaneously with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and designed and co-written by Antony Peters and featured the same voice cast with some additions, like James Doohan (Scotty from Star Trek).  Antony Peters was the original artist at Rankin/Bass and left the studio after this production.  He and I became great friends and he gave me great insight into the early days at Videocraft International,  which later became Rankin/Bass Productions .  I loved his UPA, streamlined style, for the work he did at Rankin/Bass.  This is why Rudolph and Willy McBean are among my favorites.  Tony also designed all of the Animagic commercials Rankin/Bass Produced for GE and others.  You can read much more about Antony Peters in my books. #Willymcbeanandhismagicmachine