#109) My review of Disney's new book about a Libravet

My last post (#108) announced the publication of a new book about Herman Schultheis, an unusually talented Libravet that previously worked at Disney on their very early animated films. During Herman's time at Disney he, unknown to anyone else at the time, meticulously documented Disney's proprietary animation techniques in his private notebooks. These notebooks were not discovered until long after his death and are now treasured by Disney who has put them in their museum.  Disney also sponsored the publication of this book about these notebooks and Herman's life.

Following is my brief review of this "5 Star" book on Amazon:

It's not just about Disney - a potential documentary film?

By Son of Soren on June 14, 2014

This magnificent book by John Canemaker covers in captivating detail Herman Schultheis' life, including the period of time after he left Disney and worked for Librascope in Glendale, CA. It was while working at Librascope in the 1950's that Herman mysteriously disappeared in the Guatemalan jungle.

While doing his amazingly thorough research, the author discovered the Librascope Memories website, which fortunately included copies of all the Company's old newsletters (Librazettes). Over a year's time, the Librazettes reported on Herman's initial disappearance and the subsequent search. As the self-appointed Librascope historian and webmaster, I had the privilege of helping John Canemaker research Herman Schultheis' time at Librascope. However, this part of Herman's life is not described in unnecessary detail, and so it does not detract from the book's primary subject; i.e., his work at Disney.

Herman's work at Disney was fascinating, but I was also impressed with how each facet of his life reflected his intelligence, diverse interests, and overall curiosity about life. This book certainly provides the foundation for Disney to make a documentary film of Herman's life experiences.

#108) Disney Releases New Book About Former Libravet

The Walt Disney Family Foundation and Weldon Owen Press have released a spectacular new book about a former Librascope employee titled: "The Lost Notebook: Herman Schultheis and The Secrets of Walt Disney's Movie Magic". The book will be available May 27th on Amazon.

After working at Disney, Herman worked at Librascope from 1949 to 1955 when he mysteriously disappeared while on vacation in the Guatemalan jungle. At the time, stories of his disappearance were published in the Librazette. Eighteen months after he disappeared, his remains were discovered.

Three years ago, I posted on this Blog an e-mail from John Canemaker, a distinguished author and animation historian who was preparing to author this book about Herman. You may read John's original inquiry and my initial response on Blog Post #26: Click here. I researched the Librascope archives and Libravet rosters for John, and provided him with whatever information and Libravet contacts I thought would be helpful. John graciously acknowledged Librascope's help in his new book.

At Disney, Herman Schultheis worked in the Special Process/Effects and Camera Lab, where he was a Studio Effects Engineer. The book focuses on the meticulously documented notebooks he covertly kept while working on films utilizing the proprietary animation techniques Disney developed for the very early animation films they are famous for. Fifty years later, these secret notebooks were discovered in his widow's home after she died. That remarkable discovery resulted in the notebooks later being placed in the Walt Disney Family Museum and the publication of this magnificent book.

To read more about the distinguished author and Academy Award winner John Canemaker's work, please visit his website (Click here).

To read much more about the book on Amazon, click here.

#81) In Memoriam - Bill Girouard

The following obituary for Bill Girouard appeared in the Los Angeles Times and the Pasadena Star-News yesterday. 

Bill was responsible for the design and construction of Librascope's buildings, including Buildings 8, 17, and the 100,000 sq. ft. Instrumentation Facility in Marina Del Rey. A couple years ago, Disney's architecture firm contacted me for any information we might still have about the construction of Building 17, that they were planning to renovate soon. I put them in contact with Bill who promptly responded, from memory, with a detailed description of how the building was constructed, including the first of its kind roof parking lot. Disney's firm was very appreciative, and said that Bill's input would save them a lot of research.

Bill last attended the 2008 Librascope Reunion.




Dr. William F. Girouard
May 10, 1921 - Jan. 3, 2013

Son of D.W. and Loretta C. Reidy Girouard, loving husband of Rita F. Phipps, proud father of Kathleen and Maureen Girouard. Alumnus of Oberlin College A.B. '47, University of Southern California B.S. 58' M.S. 60' , Madison University Ph.D. 06'. Dedicated lifetime teacher (with interruptions) 1947-2008; Boston Public Schools, Friends Academy, Faculty Member USC and Cal Poly Pomona. Faithful member (semper fi) United States Marine Corps WWII, Korean War Resigned (Major), Director Librascope Division Singer Co. 1960-1986; Cited Who's Who in the West and Who's Who Nationally. Active in Industrial Engineering, Chapter President, Regional Director, National Director Professional Registration. Active in public life; Planning Commission South Pasadena, President Homeowners Association South Pasadena, Parishioner '64 till passing and Lector and Eucharistic Minister, Holy Family Church.

This was Bill, the engineer's, answer to a request for a biographic resume. However, Bill neglected to state he was a man of staunch faith, provided endless acts enlivened with humor, and every act, robed in love.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, January 11, 2013 at Holy Family Church at 10:30 a.m. A reception will immediately follow at St. Joseph Center (located directly across the street from the church). Holy Family Church 1501 Fremont Avenue, South Pasadena, CA 91030. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Industrial Engineering Department @ Cal Poly Pomona or University of Southern California Cabot & Sons, Pasadena.

#73) Librascope Building Complex Update

Building 8's Directory

I stopped by the old Librascope building complex recently, and noted the following. First of all, Buildings 1 and 2, that were on Flower Street, are completely gone. You cannot tell they were ever there. The rest of the complex (including Buildings 3 and 17) appears to be completely occupied by Disney, although there is very little signage to indicate their presence. The only interesting sign of theirs was a small two-story building directory next to the front entrance of Building 8, which is now titled "Disney Television Animation". See photo of sign (left).
    

"Disney Television Animation", aka Building 8

#26) Help - Anyone Remember Herman Schultheis (1949 - 1955)?

Following is my response to an e-mail request for information about a fellow Libravet. If you can provide any additional information, please contact John Canemaker at NYU.  Mr. Canemaker is an animation historian and the author of ten books on the subject. He is also the winner of both an Academy Award and an Emmy for his work. Currently he is writing a book about Mr. Schultheis' work at the Disney studio in the Special Process/Effects and Camera Lab. You may view a short, but excellent, video about one of his Disney books by clicking here.

Hi John,

I did a search of the 300+ Librazettes (Librascope's company newsletter) on our web-site, and found a very interesting two-page article in the July, 1953 issue about Herman Schultheis' trip to Mexico. There are also five other Librazettes, including the March - April, 1956 issue which has a sad story about his strange disappearance in 1955.

I'll post your e-mail on our Librascope Memories - News Blog, and we'll see if any of our Libravet readers remember Herman.

Hope this helps you.

Carl

----- Original Message -----

From: "John Canemaker" <john.canemaker@nyu.edu>

To: <soren.cng@gmail.com>

Sent: Sunday, May 08, 2011 7:30 PM

Subject: Seeking Libravets for Research Information

8 May 2011 

Dear Carl Sorensen,
I am doing research on an engineer named Herman Schultheis, who worked for Librascope from 1949 - 1955. Your website Librascope Memories has proven very informative and I hope you will be able to help me further. I am seeking to contact any former Librascope employees who may have known or worked with Mr. Schultheis or have memories of him.  I hope you might help me contact the Libravet community.
Thank you for your interest.
John Canemaker
120 West 70 Street
9-D
New York, N.Y. 10023
212/874-7462
john.canemaker@nyu.edu