Fred Spencer
Encyclopedia
Fred Spencer was an American animator
who worked at Walt Disney Productions. He was considered an authority on Donald Duck
and wrote an influential analysis of the character.
newsletter.
The character Donald Duck
was introduced at Disney in 1934, and Spencer began to focus more on Donald than on Mickey. In 1935 Spencer wrote an analysis of Donald which served as the standard for writing for, drawing, and animating the character. Spencer's model sheets included in the report feature a redesigned version of Donald that was shorter and rounder – largely identical to his appearance today. Spencer also included remarks on Donald's personality and mannerisms.
Spencer animated on seven Disney short films as well as the studio's first feature, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
(1937). Spencer's short projects include Mickey's Fire Brigade (1935), On Ice, Moving Day
(1936), Donald and Pluto
, Don Donald
(1937), Pluto's Quin-puplets, and Donald's Golf Game
(1938).
and received the prestigious Legion of Honor award. He died in a car accident in 1938.
Animator
An animator is an artist who creates multiple images that give an illusion of movement called animation when displayed in rapid sequence; the images are called frames and key frames. Animators can work in a variety of fields including film, television, video games, and the internet. Usually, an...
who worked at Walt Disney Productions. He was considered an authority on Donald Duck
Donald Duck
Donald Fauntleroy Duck is a cartoon character created in 1934 at Walt Disney Productions and licensed by The Walt Disney Company. Donald is an anthropomorphic white duck with a yellow-orange bill, legs, and feet. He typically wears a sailor suit with a cap and a black or red bow tie. Donald is most...
and wrote an influential analysis of the character.
Career
Spencer joined Walt Disney Productions in 1931 and first worked on several early Mickey Mouse cartoons. In 1932 he began independently producing a two-tier Mickey Mouse comic strip, even though he was not connected with the comics department at Disney. The studio approved the project and the strip appeared in the national DeMolayDeMolay International
DeMolay International , founded in Kansas City, Missouri in 1919, is an international organization for young men ages 12–21. DeMolay derives its name from Jacques DeMolay, the last Grand Master of the Knights Templar...
newsletter.
The character Donald Duck
Donald Duck
Donald Fauntleroy Duck is a cartoon character created in 1934 at Walt Disney Productions and licensed by The Walt Disney Company. Donald is an anthropomorphic white duck with a yellow-orange bill, legs, and feet. He typically wears a sailor suit with a cap and a black or red bow tie. Donald is most...
was introduced at Disney in 1934, and Spencer began to focus more on Donald than on Mickey. In 1935 Spencer wrote an analysis of Donald which served as the standard for writing for, drawing, and animating the character. Spencer's model sheets included in the report feature a redesigned version of Donald that was shorter and rounder – largely identical to his appearance today. Spencer also included remarks on Donald's personality and mannerisms.
Spencer animated on seven Disney short films as well as the studio's first feature, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937 film)
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is a 1937 American animated film based on Snow White, a German fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm. It was the first full-length cel-animated feature in motion picture history, as well as the first animated feature film produced in America, the first produced in full...
(1937). Spencer's short projects include Mickey's Fire Brigade (1935), On Ice, Moving Day
Moving Day (film)
Moving Day is a 1936 American animated short film produced in Technicolor by Walt Disney Productions and released by United Artists. The cartoon, set during the contemporary Great Depression, follows the antics of Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy as they franticly pack their belongings after...
(1936), Donald and Pluto
Donald and Pluto
Donald and Pluto is the first Disney cartoon in which the characters Donald Duck and Pluto star together. Although the official headliner for this cartoon is Mickey Mouse, only Donald and Pluto appear in it...
, Don Donald
Don Donald
Don Donald is a 1937 American animated short film produced by Walt Disney Productions and released by United Artists. The cartoon follows Donald Duck attempting to woo a female Mexican duck named Donna. It was directed by Ben Sharpsteen and features music by Paul J...
(1937), Pluto's Quin-puplets, and Donald's Golf Game
Donald's Golf Game
Donald's Golf Game is a cartoon released by the Walt Disney Company in 1938. Donald falters on the fairway while his caddies Huey, Dewey, and Louie all try to "tee" him off, with a grasshopper and a bag of trick clubs....
(1938).
Personal life
Spencer was a member of DeMolay InternationalDeMolay International
DeMolay International , founded in Kansas City, Missouri in 1919, is an international organization for young men ages 12–21. DeMolay derives its name from Jacques DeMolay, the last Grand Master of the Knights Templar...
and received the prestigious Legion of Honor award. He died in a car accident in 1938.