| My daily routine when I was a young kid at school was | | | | he wasn't afraid to try new things. The movie industry |
| to go home and watch the cartoons before it was | | | | was skeptical when Disney released the first full-length |
| time for supper. This was usually Popeye, Yogi Bear, | | | | feature film for the animation character, with Snow |
| Tom and Jerry, Roadrunner or Top Cat. I would laugh | | | | White and the Seven Dwarfs. It was a success and |
| myself silly, and it was the perfect way to relax after | | | | the studio went from strength to strength, ending up |
| a double lesson of math. My favorite animation | | | | with an empire of production companies and nine |
| character then was Top Cat. Inspired by the Sergeant | | | | theme parks. |
| Bilko TV series with Phil Silvers, TC ran his alley and | | | | There is a huge industry surrounding the animation |
| gang of alley cats with cunning and style. I knew I | | | | character, with merchandise and DVD's. Just as there |
| would never be as cool as him. | | | | are rows upon rows of action figures of Buzz |
| I have retained a fondness for the animation character | | | | Lightyear in the film of Toy Story, so there are real |
| heroes of my youth, and love to watch the replays. | | | | figures of Buzz Lightyear in the shops. The Disney |
| Cartoons, on TV and in movies, are still my favorite | | | | theme parks give fans the chance to see their favorite |
| things to watch. I'm sure I'm not alone in this, and I think | | | | animation character up close and personal. Children are |
| adults gain as much enjoyment from Toy Story, | | | | thrilled when Mickey Mouse walks right up to them and |
| Finding Nemo and The Incredibles as children do. In | | | | says hello. |
| fact, adults probably appreciate them more, because | | | | The biggest television animated hit of recent times is |
| the best story involving an animation character works | | | | of course, The Simpson's. This dysfunctional family has |
| on two levels. There is the story which appeals to the | | | | captured the imagination of fans around the world. |
| kids and there are the inside adult jokes going on too. | | | | Homer, Marge, Lisa, Bart and baby Maggie are well |
| The animation character has evolved over the years, | | | | thought out examples of an animation character, |
| from the first monochrome squiggles to the computer | | | | appealing to adults and children alike. The kids like the |
| produced images we see today. The Walt Disney | | | | antics of Bart and can sympathize with Lisa. There are |
| Studio made the major contribution in the early years, | | | | lots of cultural references in the programme for the |
| creating the iconic animation character of Mickey | | | | adults to enjoy, and guests queue up to be |
| Mouse, Pluto, Goofy and Donald Duck. Walt Disney | | | | immortalized as an animation character. They include |
| had a flair for knowing what the audience wanted and | | | | Paul McCartney, Sonic Youth and The Who. |