Newpaper articles (1944-1997), original drawings of illustrations for "Gourmet" magazine, photocopies of propaganda leaflets distributed by U.S. Intelligence in the Burma, China, India theatre during World War II, photographs of Ishii at work in his studio, and slides.
Biographical / Historical:
Los Angeles, California, and New York painter, animator, and illustrator Chris Ishii (1919-2001) attended the Chouinard School of Art (now Cal Arts) in Los Angeles and upon graduation worked for Walt Disney Studios. Prior to World War II he furnished art and designs for FantasiaThe Reluctant Dragon and Dumbo.
Ishii was interned at Granada (Colorado) Concentration Camp and in 1943 joined the U.S. Army Intelligence Service (1943-1946). During the war he illustrated propaganda leaflets for the Burma, China, and India theatre. After leaving California for New York worked for United Productions of America (UPA) before becoming an independent animator. In 1951 he traveled to Paris on the GI Bill to study at the Académie Julian with Fernand Léger. He designed and directed countless commercials, and industrial, educational, live-action, and feature films.
Ishii also worked on James Thurber's A Unicorn in the Garden, Ludwig Bemelman's Madeline and Academy Award winning Gerald McBoing Boing, and on several Mr. Magoo short subjects. One of his animations, the Snow White sequence, appeared in Woody Allen's Annie Hall.
Ishii died in Westchester County, New York, on November 6, 2001.
Provenance:
Donated 2001 by Chris K. Ishii and his daughter, Naka Ishii. Additions are expected.
Restrictions:
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center.
