The Walter Lantz Story

Active in the field of film animation for more than 50 years, Lantz is best known for having created Woody Woodpecker. Adamson, author of several other books on film, including one on animator Tex Avery, here does a good job of informally recounting Lantz's life and career. The illustrative material is well chosen, and the book is generally well written. A few more dates in the text would have been helpful, however, and a filmography should have been appended. Despite Lantz's sterling personal qualities, his productions were usually of the second rank, and for most libraries the information in Leonard Maltin's Of Mice and Magic (LJ 9/1/80) will be sufficient. For special collections and large libraries, Adamson's book is a worthy addition. John Smothers, Monmouth Cty. Lib., Freehold, N.J.Copyright 1985 Reed Business Information, Inc