Paul Terry
Director
About Paul Terry
Paul Terry was a pioneering American animator, director, and producer who revolutionized the animation industry during the silent and early sound eras. Born in California, he began his career as a newspaper cartoonist before transitioning to animation in 1915. Terry created the iconic character Farmer Al Falfa, who became the star of hundreds of animated shorts. In 1929, he founded Terrytoons, which would become one of the most prolific animation studios in history, producing over 1,300 cartoons. His 1928 film 'Dinner Time' was one of the first animated shorts with synchronized sound, predating Disney's 'Steamboat Willie.' Despite his technical innovations, Terry was known for his extreme frugality and business-first approach to animation, often prioritizing quantity over artistic quality. His studio created beloved characters like Mighty Mouse, Heckle and Jeckle, and Deputy Dawg, cementing his legacy as one of animation's most successful entrepreneurs. Terry sold Terrytoons to CBS in 1955 but remained involved until his retirement.
The Craft
Behind the Camera
Paul Terry's directing style was characterized by efficiency, simplicity, and commercial appeal. He prioritized rapid production schedules and cost-effective animation techniques over artistic innovation. His cartoons featured straightforward storytelling, limited animation, and repetitive gags that could be produced quickly and cheaply. Terry believed in giving audiences exactly what they wanted: simple entertainment with recognizable characters and predictable outcomes. His approach contrasted sharply with Disney's emphasis on artistic quality and technical innovation, but proved highly profitable and sustainable.
Milestones
- Created Farmer Al Falfa character in 1915
- Founded Paul Terry Productions in 1920
- Released 'Dinner Time' (1928), one of first sound cartoons
- Founded Terrytoons studio in 1929
- Created Mighty Mouse in 1942
- Introduced Heckle and Jeckle in 1946
- Sold Terrytoons to CBS in 1955
- Produced over 1,300 animated shorts
Best Known For
Iconic Roles
Must-See Films
Accolades
Special Recognition
- Inducted into the Animation Hall of Fame
- Hollywood Walk of Fame star (Animation)
Working Relationships
Worked Often With
Studios
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Paul Terry's impact on animation was primarily commercial rather than artistic, yet profoundly influential. His Terrytoons studio demonstrated that animation could be a profitable business model through mass production and television distribution. The characters he created, particularly Mighty Mouse, became cultural icons and influenced generations of animators and storytellers. Terry's business-first approach proved sustainable long after many other animation studios closed, showing that quantity and consistency could be as valuable as artistic innovation. His studio's output dominated television animation in the 1950s and 1960s, shaping the childhood viewing experiences of millions of Americans.
Lasting Legacy
Paul Terry's legacy endures through the enduring popularity of Terrytoons characters and the business model he pioneered for animation production. While often overshadowed by Disney in historical accounts, Terry's studio produced more cartoons than any other during the golden age of animation. His characters, especially Mighty Mouse and Heckle and Jeckle, continue to be referenced in popular culture and rerun on television. Terry proved that animation could be a viable commercial enterprise without the artistic ambitions of studios like Disney or Warner Bros. His business practices, while criticized for their frugality, created a sustainable model that allowed Terrytoons to survive the transition to television when many other studios failed.
Who They Inspired
Paul Terry influenced the animation industry primarily through his business model and production methods. His emphasis on cost-effective production and television distribution influenced later animation studios, particularly those producing Saturday morning cartoons. Many animators who got their start at Terrytoons, including Ralph Bakshi and Gene Deitch, went on to become influential figures in animation. Terry's success with limited animation techniques paved the way for television animation's distinctive style. His character-driven approach to creating franchises around animated personalities became standard industry practice, influencing everything from Hanna-Barbera to modern animation studios.
Off Screen
Paul Terry married twice during his lifetime, first to actress and model Alice Kelley, and later to Alma Hall. He was known for his extreme frugality both in his personal life and business practices, often recycling animation cels and reusing backgrounds to save money. Despite his wealth from Terrytoons, Terry lived modestly and was famously reluctant to spend money on anything he deemed unnecessary. He had no children of his own but mentored many animators who went on to successful careers in the industry.
Education
Self-taught animator; attended San Francisco Art Institute briefly
Family
- Alice Kelley (1910s-1930s)
- Alma Hall (1930s-1971)
Did You Know?
- His 'Dinner Time' (1928) was one of the first cartoons with synchronized sound, released before Disney's 'Steamboat Willie'
- Terry was notoriously frugal, once saying 'Animation is a business, not an art'
- He reused animation cels and backgrounds extensively to save money
- Farmer Al Falfa appeared in over 100 cartoons between 1915 and 1955
- Terrytoons produced an average of 12 cartoons per month at its peak
- Mighty Mouse was originally created as a parody of Superman
- Terry sold Terrytoons to CBS for $5 million in 1955 (equivalent to over $50 million today)
- He never allowed his animators to sign their work, believing the studio was the true creator
- Despite his success, Terry lived in the same modest house for most of his life
- His studio was one of the few animation houses to successfully transition from theatrical shorts to television production
In Their Own Words
Animation is a business, not an art. We're here to make money, not masterpieces.
Give the public what they want, and they'll keep coming back for more.
Why spend time and money on one beautiful cartoon when you can make twelve good ones for the same price?
The secret to success in animation is simple: make it fast, make it cheap, and make it sell.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Paul Terry?
Paul Terry was an American animation pioneer, director, and producer who founded Terrytoons studio. He created iconic characters like Farmer Al Falfa and Mighty Mouse, producing over 1,300 cartoons during his career. He was known for his business-minded approach to animation and his extreme frugality in production.
What films is Paul Terry best known for?
Terry is best known for the Farmer Al Falfa series (1915-1950s), 'Dinner Time' (1928) - one of the first sound cartoons, the Mighty Mouse series (1942-1961), and the Heckle and Jeckle cartoons (1946-1966). His Terrytoons productions dominated television animation in the 1950s and 1960s.
When was Paul Terry born and when did he die?
Paul Terry was born on February 19, 1887, in San Mateo, California, and died on July 25, 1971, in New York City at the age of 84. His career spanned from 1915 to 1955, covering the silent era through the golden age of animation.
What awards did Paul Terry win?
While Paul Terry didn't receive major industry awards during his lifetime, he was posthumously inducted into the Animation Hall of Fame and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Animation. His greatest recognition came from the commercial success and longevity of Terrytoons.
What was Paul Terry's directing style?
Terry's directing style emphasized efficiency, simplicity, and commercial appeal over artistic innovation. He used limited animation techniques, straightforward storytelling, and repetitive gags to maximize production output while minimizing costs. His approach prioritized quantity and consistency, making animation profitable for mass audiences.
How did Paul Terry influence the animation industry?
Terry pioneered the business model for profitable animation production, demonstrating that quantity and television distribution could sustain an animation studio. His cost-effective techniques influenced television animation production methods, and many animators who started at Terrytoons became industry leaders. His character-driven franchise approach became standard industry practice.
What was Terrytoons?
Terrytoons was the animation studio founded by Paul Terry in 1929. It became one of the most prolific animation studios in history, producing over 1,300 cartoons featuring characters like Mighty Mouse, Heckle and Jeckle, and Deputy Dawg. CBS purchased the studio in 1955, and it continued producing cartoons until the 1970s.
Learn More
Films
4 films
