Description
The collection at Stanford contains artifacts from the beginning of Moreno's career at the
animation studios in 1928 through his family work in the early 1990s. The collection contains photographs of the staff members at the
early
animation studios, lists of the shorts made by different studios, drawings from some of the work produced by them, as well as the screenplay
for one of the shorts. There are letters of recommendation for Moreno from different studios in the 1920s and 1940s. There
is a documentation of the work Moreno did in Mexico with his Caricolor Studio, including a poster for "Me Voy de Cacería".
There are also newspaper clippings from both the US and Mexico. The collection has a record of Moreno's correspondence with
family and business partners from 1942 until 1947. These are arranged chronologically rather than by subject because many
of Moreno's business and personal letters are related. Moreno's extensive notes and drawings for a book he planned to publish
in Spanish on
animation are included in their entirety in the collection. Cells, drawings, plans and ideas for amateur movies Moreno created for
his family are also a part of the collection. Artwork associated with Moreno's promotion of his business, Professional Color
Service is also contained in the collection. In addition, an interview Moreno gave to researchers about the beginning of the
animation industry is included.
Background
Manuel M. Moreno was a Mexican American who worked in the
animation industry while it was just starting up. He began working in Winkler's
Animation Studio in 1928. He was an in-betweener (below the rank of assistant animator). Winkler's Studio had a contract with Universal
pictures, and while he was working for them he learned more about the business and worked himself up to the rank of assistant
animator. He was hired by Winkler at age 18 on the strength of a few samples of Moreno's cartoon work. Moreno had learned
a little about cartooning from a correspondence course. Through the 1930s until the early 1940s Moreno worked as an animator
and even a director for cartoons done at different studios, such as Walter Lantz's production company and MGM studios. In
1941 he left the US
animation industry to take over his brother, George's, photo-processing store when he was drafted. Because of WWII, supplies to run
the shop were impossible to come by, so Manuel ended up liquidating the store.
Extent
3.5 Linear Feet
(5 boxes)
Restrictions
While Special Collections is the owner of the physical and digital items, permission to examine collection materials is not
an authorization to publish. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. Any transmission
or reproduction beyond that allowed by fair use requires permission from the owners of rights, heir(s) or assigns.
Availability
Open for research. Note that material must be requested at least 36 hours in advance of intended use.