Halas and Batchelor
Encyclopedia
Halas and Batchelor was an animation company founded by John Halas
and his wife, Joy Batchelor
. The company started as a small animation unit that created commercials for theatrical distribution. The unit continued until the outbreak of World War II
and became well known for its over 70 animated propaganda
short films
.
HB's first feature film Handling Ships
(1945), made in 1945, was the first-ever British animated feature. After the war, they continued making short films, while in production, the first British animated feature released worldwide, Animal Farm
was being made. The studio grew from a small unit to a proper animation company, with several different British locations. Its best-known animation series were Foo Foo
(1959-60), DoDo, The Kid from Outer Space
(1965-70) and The Lone Ranger
(1966-69). Halas and Batchelor also produced Snip and Snap
(1960).
As well as short films, the studio made a few feature films, such as Ruddigore
(late 1960s). The company no longer exists but most of the 2000 films now form part of The Halas and Batchelor Collection Limited that was started in 1996.
John Halas
John Halas was a Hungarian animator. . He learned his craft under George Pal, but launched his own career in 1934, and two years later moved to England where he and his wife Joy Batchelor founded Halas and Batchelor.Over the years they made over 70 short subjects during the war, using propaganda...
and his wife, Joy Batchelor
Joy Batchelor
Joy Batchelor was an English director, producer, writer, art director and animator. As a director, she primarily worked in television, directing series, including variety shows like The Jackson 5ive , and in animated films...
. The company started as a small animation unit that created commercials for theatrical distribution. The unit continued until the outbreak of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and became well known for its over 70 animated propaganda
Propaganda
Propaganda is a form of communication that is aimed at influencing the attitude of a community toward some cause or position so as to benefit oneself or one's group....
short films
Short subject
A short film is any film not long enough to be considered a feature film. No consensus exists as to where that boundary is drawn: the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences defines a short film as "an original motion picture that has a running time of 40 minutes or less, including all...
.
HB's first feature film Handling Ships
Handling Ships
Handling Ships is a British stop motion animated film made by Halas and Batchelor. The 70-minute film was created at the request of the British Admiralty, as a training aid for new navigators joining the Royal Navy...
(1945), made in 1945, was the first-ever British animated feature. After the war, they continued making short films, while in production, the first British animated feature released worldwide, Animal Farm
Animal Farm (1954 film)
Animal Farm is a 1954 British animated film by Halas and Batchelor, based on the book of the same name by George Orwell. It was the first British animated feature released worldwide, though Handling Ships was the first British animated feature ever made...
was being made. The studio grew from a small unit to a proper animation company, with several different British locations. Its best-known animation series were Foo Foo
Foo Foo
Foo Foo is a little white/pink pet poodle belonging to fictional comic strip character, Walter the Softy in The Beano. Foo Foo's main enemy in The Beano is Dennis's pet dog Gnasher. His character and personality is much like that of Walter's...
(1959-60), DoDo, The Kid from Outer Space
DoDo, The Kid from Outer Space
DoDo, The Kid from Outer Space was an animated cartoon series that was syndicated to television from 1965-1970. DoDo was a young extraterrestrial from the planet Hena Hydro, who came to Earth in his flying saucer and had numerous adventures...
(1965-70) and The Lone Ranger
The Lone Ranger (animated TV series)
The Lone Ranger is the central character of an American animated television series that ran 26 episodes on CBS from September 10, 1966, to September 6, 1969...
(1966-69). Halas and Batchelor also produced Snip and Snap
Snip and Snap
- External links :* , one of the prizewinning episodes of Snip and Snap...
(1960).
As well as short films, the studio made a few feature films, such as Ruddigore
Ruddigore
Ruddigore; or, The Witch's Curse, originally called Ruddygore, is a comic opera in two acts, with music by Arthur Sullivan and libretto by W. S. Gilbert. It is one of the Savoy Operas and the tenth of fourteen comic operas written together by Gilbert and Sullivan...
(late 1960s). The company no longer exists but most of the 2000 films now form part of The Halas and Batchelor Collection Limited that was started in 1996.
External links
- Animation Research Centre archive of Halas & Batchelor's films and artwork
- Official site
- Screenonline Halas and Batchelor biography British Film InstituteBritish Film InstituteThe British Film Institute is a charitable organisation established by Royal Charter to:-Cinemas:The BFI runs the BFI Southbank and IMAX theatre, both located on the south bank of the River Thames in London...
website - BBC Gloucestershire article about Halas & Batchelor animator Harold Whitaker