Animation Pioneer Mark Davis Subject of Lecture

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will present its sixth annual Marc Davis Lecture on Animation--named for the legendary Disney animator who was one of the studio’s “Nine Old Men”--April 28 at 8 p.m. in the academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater.

This year’s lecture will be devoted to the work of its namesake, who died in January. Davis began working for Disney Studios in 1935 and created Disney characters including Bambi, Cinderella, Alice, Tinkerbell and Cruella De Vil. He also did extensive work on a number of attractions at the Disneyland parks.

Scheduled panelists include film critic Leonard Maltin; three “Nine Old Men” animators, Frank Thomas, Ollie Johnston and Ward Kimball; Mary Costa, who voiced Princess Aurora and Briar Rose in “Sleeping Beauty”; Kathy Beaumont, who voiced Wendy in “Peter Pan” and Alice in “Alice in Wonderland”; composer Richard Sherman, who worked with Davis in writing songs for some of Disneyland’s most well-known rides; Andreas Deja, an animator who worked on “The Lion King,” “Beauty of the Beast” and other Disney films; writer and animation historian Charles Solomon; and Davis students who are animators today.

The event also will include several film clips.

The event is free, but tickets are required and may be obtained at the academy (8949 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills) or at the door.

Information: (310) 247-3000, Ext. 111.