Tributes have been paid to Danger Mouse animator Mark Hall, who has died at the age of 74.
The veteran artist, whose award-winning company Cosgrove Hall created a stream of iconic cartoons, passed away today after a short illness.
Friends and colleagues paid tribute to an 'utterly passionate' animator who changed the face of children's TV.
Hall founded the firm with fellow Manchester artist Brian Cosgrove in 1969.
Together they went on to create classic cartoons including Count Duckula, Jamie and the Magic Torch, Wind in the Willows and Chorlton and the Wheelies.
Jean Flynn, who worked with the pair for more than 30 years, said: “Mark Hall was so well loved and was such an inspirational and fantastic boss.
“He fostered such encouragement and creativity and had a terrific generosity of spirit, helping hundreds of people start out in the animation industry.
“He had such a love for life and brought so much life into Cosgrove Hall.
“His love for life sparked all his ideas and characters and he was completely and utterly passionate about telling animation.
“He will be dearly missed.”
His lifelong friend Brian Cosgrove said he would be sadly missed.
The pair met at Manchester's regional college of art in the late 1950s.
After working as graphic designers for Granada TV they went on to entertain generations of children with their quirky cartoons.
Their most successful show was 1980s spy parody Danger Mouse, featuring actor David Jason, which at its peak attracted 19m viewers.
Stop-frame animation Chorlton and the Wheelies was named after Chorlton cum Hardy, where Cosgrove Hall was founded.
Five years ago the company received the coveted judge's award at the Royal Television Society Awards, in honour of its internationally acclaimed work.
It ceased trading in 2009 but last month both Mark Hall and Brian Cosgrove came out of retirement to re-found it with entrepreneur Francis Fitzpatrick.
Francis said: “It is with great sadness that I heard of the passing of my business partner Mark Hall.
“He was iconic within the animation industry and it has been a real pleasure to work with such a kind, caring and generous person.”
Tweet
Comments
Login or Register to comment
Thanks for so many great childhood memories
Crumbs, DM!
Oh Crumbs!!!....
Dangermouse was different class. Loved it. RIP.
He was amazing and fantastic when ever there was danger he was there .R.I.P Mark my condolences to your family thanks for the cartoons whilst growing up fond memory's you were the ace.
Can't beat Chorlton and the Wheelies for Me !.
The loss of a true genius, and the end of a lifelong partnership. Mark Hall was a genius among animators, he and Brian Cosgrove provided some of the best memories of my childhood, most notably Cockleshell Bay and Jamie and the Magic Torch.
Words right now are simply not enough to convey my complete and utter grief at Mark's death. To lose a man of inspiration, talent and freewilled spirit - that's something you just can't express like this.
Rest in Peace, Mark.
R.I.P thanks for the great cartoons. a true mancunian icon.
'alloh, little ol' lady. a test of a good kids show is if you watch it years later & still enjoy it as an adult. Chorlton & the Wheelies is one of the best kids shows ever. thanks for your part in my childhood.
I'm so gad that I have all of the DM's on DVD. Also have Ducky boos (Duckula). Such nostalgia of my child hood along with Ourprice lol. RIP and thanks for the fun and fond memories.
What a lovely and gifted man. My sincere condolences to Margaret, Simon and my school friend Rachel.
What a lovely and gifted man. I had the privilege to have known him and his family when I was a child.
What a lovely and gifted man. I had the privilege of knowing Mark and his family as a child and want to passon my deepest sympathies. Wendy Richardson
What a privilege to have known such a gifted and lovely man and his family, especially Rachel,
Love Wendy x
Very sad news.I'd like to thank Mr.Hall (and Mr.Cosgrove!)for Chorlton and the Wheelies.I've bought many of the shows mentioned in the artical on DVD and my kids love them as much as i do. Nobody will ever create a better character than Fenella IMO. Hugs to Mr. Halls family and friends x
Thanks you for that funny cartoon
Sadly Cosgrove Hall and Mr Hall's legacy will soon be forgotten. These days Manchester seems to only recognise achievement or attribute cultural significance to people who kick a football or strum a guitar.
Next up for the cultural whitewashing treatment (following the destruction of most of our industrial and engineering heritage in the last twenty years) will be the Granada studios site to make way for yet another shallow and unfulfilled 'development opportunity'.
Tony Hart, Oliver Postgate and now Mark Hall another childrens TV great has gone.
what a wonderful contribution to our cultural landscape you made. like the late/great Oliver Postgate, your toons were classy, character driven, and imbued with universally gentle humour and common decency. As long as there are kidults in the world, your work will play on eternal.
Walked past the studios every day on my way to school and always thought of it as where Danger Mouse and Count Duckula (my fav) lived. You were a genius, thank you for all the belly aching giggles RIP
He brought lots of entertainment to probably millions of children over the years, our included. R.I.P.