The University of Texas Press

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Q&A with Professor of Animation History David McGowan

Mickey Mouse, Betty Boop, Donald Duck, Bugs Bunny, Felix the Cat, and other beloved cartoon characters have entertained media audiences for almost a century, outliving the human stars who were once their contemporaries in studio-era Hollywood. In his book, Animated Personalities: Cartoon Characters and Stardom in American Theatrical Shorts, David McGowan asserts that iconic American theatrical short cartoon characters should be legitimately regarded as stars.  + MORE