Abe Levitow(1922-1975)

Abe Levitow was an important member of the Chuck Jones production unit during the latter stages of the Golden Age of Animation. He animated some of the best-loved Looney Tunes cartoons of the 1950's, like Deduce, You Say (1956), Ali Baba Bunny (1957) and Robin Hood Daffy (1958). First signing on with Leon Schlesinger in 1939, he remained with Warner Brothers for the next fifteen years -- his tenure only interrupted by wartime service in the Army Signal Corps. Having graduated to animation director Levitow then joined UPA, where he worked in a supervising capacity on two series of 'Mr. Magoo'. He also directed a much-acclaimed animated version of the Dickens classic, Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol (1962), in addition to the charming animated feature Gay Purr-ee (1962). From 1966 to 1967, he also had a brief spell at MGM, turning out 'Tom & Jerry' cartoons. In January 1972, he set up his own production company, Levitow /Hanson Films, which specialised in animated commercial projects and specials. Levitow died at the premature age of 52 in May 1975.