100 Years of John Halas
Today would have marked the 100th birthday of one of British and perhaps world animations most innovative figureheads, John Halas. Born in Hungary on the 16th April 1912, Halas trained under George Pal of Puppetoons fame before heading to the UK to set up his own studio. He met his future wife Joy Batchelor (1914-1991) who he set up a 50 year partnership creating some of the most vibrant and stylish works outside of Hollywood.
Perhaps the most famous contribution to world animation from the Halas and Batchelor studio is the 1954 feature film “Animal Farm” the first worldwide release of a british animated feature, based on Geroge Orwells novel of the same name was supposedly financed by the CIA who owned the right to the book as propagada during the cold war however it is extremely unlikely that the studio would have had both the knowledge that it was a participant in propaganda or had any desire to be involved.
John Halas went on to co-found A.S.I.F.A with a goal to unite the world through animation and the group has since spread out across the globe to continue that quest and continues on to this day. You may also recognise Halas as the co-author of “Timing for Animation” a book that any animator worth their salt should seek out.
The Barbican is hosting an evening in celebration of Johns legacy with a screen-talk hosted by Prof. Paul Wells in conversation with Johns daughter Vivian Halas, Jez Stuart of the BFI and Andy Wyatt details of which can be found HERE.
Skwigly would like to extend our anniversary wishes to the man who made such an enormous contribution to the world of animation that we all cherish today.