Frank and Ollie MPAA Rating: PG Entertainment: +3 Content: +3 1/2

Two of Walt Disney's most famous animators, Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston, are the subject of this fascinating documentary. These talented artists met in 1931 at Stanford University. Later they both were hired by Disney, although neither expected to use their talent to become cartoonists. This film interviews the two men, now in their late 70s, still enjoying life. Frank and Ollie began their careers together, married about the same time, had children approximately the same ages and are still next door neighbors and best friends. They were never competitive in their work at Disney, but each complemented the other with their strengths and weaknesses. Together they worked on Snow White, Bambi, Fantasia, Pinocchio and other Disney classics. The quality of their drawings holds up today, and these two men are still highly regarded by their successors. Some of Frank's and Ollie's favorite scenes from these films are shared with viewers as the two explain how their sketches translated onto the big screen. Film clips of the Disney studio staff working together under demanding schedules over the years reveal their sense of fun and camaraderie.

Young at heart and full of life, Frank and Ollie reminisce before the camera, and their ages seem insignificant. Neither could be called grumpy old men who sit around and complain. Their sense of humor is still going strong. One says that most of his ideas come to him while he is shaving. Maybe it's the electric current close to my brain, he chuckles. What they share with us is more than a fascinating look at the world of animation. Life is such a special gift and those who use their talents and share them are richly rewarded. One exclamatory profanity and two mild crudities mar the dialogue. If this documentary comes to a theater near you, it's well worth the price of admission and free of any objectionable material

Preview Reviewer: Mary Draughon
Distributor: Buena Vista Distribution, 3900 W. Alameda Ave., Burbank, CA 91521