Carl Stalling

The most famous unknown composer of the 20th century

An American composer during the Golden Age of Animation

Born Nov. 10th 1891 in Lexington Missouri

Died Nov. 29th 1972 near Los Angeles, California

He was known for his work with Walt Disney (Silly Symphonies) and for his work with Warner Brothers (Looney Tunes & Merrie Melodies)

Carl Stalling

The Early Years• Carl started playing the piano at 6 yrs old.• He became the principal piano accompanist of a silent movie house at 12

yrs old.• He started conducting his own orchestra and improvising at the organ at

the Isis Movie Theater in his early 30s.

Disney StudiosStalling started his cartoon career with Disney.

The Skeleton Dance (1929)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhZLB-HI0R8

Mostly a fox trot in a minor key

Disney Studios

Stalling used the “tick” method to sync the music with the animation.

Each member of the orchestra would wear an earphone to listen to the clicks the film would

make going through a projector (…or something like that).

Warner Brothers

Stalling’s career at Warner Bros. lasted 22 years from 1936-1958, when he retired.

“One Froggy Evening”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRnX4quv5W4

Listen for:Aural and visual musical gagsTin Pan Alley popular songs

• Stalling was a master at swiftly changing musical styles. • His arrangements are complicated and technically demanding.• He made extensive use of many of the works of Raymond Scott• He often used musical quotation and punning.

“Water Water Everyhare”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGqa_KE1oik

“Carl Stalling almost single-handedly brought about a new form of music that did not exist before 1928. Having established the musical conventions for cartoons, Stalling basically had an influence on every cartoon composer since his run at Warner Bros. He was also a master at telling a story through music, with gestures and nuances so clear, that there is never any doubt as to his intentions. If you don’t believe me, go turn on your television and watch some Looney Tunes. Turn up the volume and listen while doing something else. I guarantee you will know exactly what is happening, and to whom. This was the comedic skill of Carl Stalling.”

--Daniel Goldmark

References• Looney Tunes Golden Collection Vol. 1 DVDs• New Grove Dictionary of American Music• Adamson, Joe (1980) "Chuck Jones Interviewed." in The American Animated

Cartoon, edited by Gerald and Danny Peary,. New York: E. P. Dutton. pp. 128–41• The Mickey Mouse Genius, by August Kleinzahler, Slate Magazine Posted Friday,

Dec. 5, 2003• Funnyworld Revisited, Carl Stalling, by Michael Barrier, Milton Gray, and

Bill Spicer, reprinted from Funnyworld No. 13 (1971)