Les Clark: Timing master of The Silly Symphonies
Disney Studios housed one of the most revered creative groups in our industry history, the fabled Nine Old Men. These were a group of animators, directors, and supervisors that Walt held in the highest esteem in his studio. Most animation enthusiasts know names in this group like, Milt Kahl, Woolie Reitherman, Frank Thomas, and Ollie Johnston. However, a name that is often overlooked, is the man behind some of the best offerings ever to come out of the studio, Les Clark Les Clark started at Disney Studios before reverence was behind the name, they were like any other small animation studio that produced 5-6 minute shorts. Mostly these were silly characters getting into trouble, and the occasional music number like Skeleton Dance . These musical numbers required more than simple gags, and snappy timing, they required dance numbers to a musical beat, and that's where Les Clark shined. He was known around the studio for having an excel...