FRANK AND OLLIE

The Walt Disney Company became the embodiment of family entertainment with its classical animated features during the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. In film after film, some of the most sublime performances ever to flow from a pencil were created by two star members of Disney's original team, Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston. Their contirbutions to the legacy of these films is the focus of this fascinating and entertaining portrait. Equally remarkable are the lasting friendship and close working relationship of these two artists. They met at Stanford students in 1932 and have been roommates, workmates, and neighbors ever since. Ted Thomas, Frank's son, directs this touching and funny tribute to their labor and lives, and also offers an up close and personal look at the development of character/personality animation. The vital and unusual chemistry that allowed Frank and Ollie to challenge each other, collaborate, and create drawings remembered by millions of people around the world, makes this a ver special film.