Barré Studio
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Animation, Film production |
| Founded | 1914 |
| Founder | Raoul Barré, Bill Nolan |
| Fate | Bankruptcy in 1923 |
| Successor | Bud Fisher Film Corporation (Barré-Bowers Studio) |
Key people | Raoul Barré (animation production), Charles Bowers (financial matters), Bud Fisher (public recognition) |
| Products | Animated Grouch Chasers, Phables, The Boob Weekly, Mutt and Jeff |
Number of employees | Numerous early animators including Frank Moser, Gregory La Cava, George Stallings, Tom Norton, Pat Sullivan, Manny Gould, Dick Friel, C. T. Anderson, Clarence Rigby, Vernon Stallings, Ted Sears, Mannie Davis, Burt Gillett, Dick Huemer, Tom Palmer, Ben Sharpsteen, Bill Tytla, Albert Hurter, Carl Lederer, F. M. Follett, Isadore Klein, Milt Gross, Walter Lantz, George Ruffle |
Barré Studio, established in 1914 by Raoul Barré and Bill Nolan, ranks among the earliest film studios devoted exclusively to animation. The studio was instrumental in developing foundational animation methods, such as the mechanical perforation of cels and the technique of animating effects on glass surfaces.
Beginning with commercial film production, the studio landed a contract for a series with Thomas Edison titled Animated Grouch Chaser, which blended live-action footage with animated sequences. Additionally, the studio created the cartoon series Phables and The Boob Weekly. Prominent early animators working there included Frank Moser, Gregory La Cava, George Stallings, Tom Norton, and Pat Sullivan, while The Boob Weekly featured writing contributions from Rube Goldberg.
In 1916, following the establishment of International Film Service by William Randolph Hearst, who recruited many of Barré's animators including Nolan, Barré formed a partnership with Charles Bowers, known for animating Mutt and Jeff. This alliance resulted in the Bud Fisher Film Corporation, also referred to as Barré-Bowers Studio, named after Bud Fisher, creator of Mutt and Jeff.
Although Bud Fisher received public recognition, Barré was responsible for overseeing animation production while Bowers handled financial matters. However, financial mismanagement by Bowers caused Barré to leave in 1918; subsequently, Bowers was dismissed in 1919 and again in 1921. The company eventually declared bankruptcy in 1923.
Among the studio's directors were Manny Gould and Dick Friel. Its team of animators included C. T. Anderson, Clarence Rigby, Vernon Stallings, Ted Sears, Mannie Davis, Burt Gillett, Dick Huemer, Tom Palmer, Ben Sharpsteen, Bill Tytla, Albert Hurter, Carl Lederer, F. M. Follett, Isadore Klein, Milt Gross, Walter Lantz, and George Ruffle.
Filmography
Series
- Animated Grouch Chasers (1915)
- Phables (1915–1916)
- The Boob Weekly (1916)
- Mutt and Jeff (1916–1926)
One-Shots
- Cartoons On A Yacht (1915)