The world of animation has come a long way since its inception. From black and white silent films to the vibrant, full-color cartoons of today, animation has evolved in leaps and bounds. But what was the first color cartoon? The answer is Fiddlesticks, a 1930 Celebrity Pictures theatrical cartoon short directed and animated by Ub Iwerks.

Fiddlesticks was the first complete sound cartoon to be photographed in color. It featured Iwerks’ character Flip the Frog, a popular cartoon character of the time. The cartoon was released on June 15, 1930, and was an instant hit with audiences. The cartoon follows Flip as he tries to impress a beautiful female frog. To do this, he performs a variety of stunts, including juggling, tightrope walking, and playing the fiddle.

The cartoon was groundbreaking in its use of color. It was the first cartoon to use the three-color Technicolor process, which allowed for more vibrant and realistic colors. This process was used in many of the early color cartoons, and was a major step forward in animation technology.

The cartoon was a success, and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Short Subject: Cartoons. It was the first cartoon to be nominated for an Academy Award, and the first to win an Academy Award. This was a major milestone for animation, and it opened the door for future animated films to be nominated for Academy Awards.

The success of Fiddlesticks was also a major milestone for Ub Iwerks. After leaving Walt Disney’s studio, Iwerks had struggled to find success. But with Fiddlesticks, he was able to prove himself as a talented animator and director. He went on to create many more successful cartoons, and his legacy lives on today.

Fiddlesticks was a major milestone in animation history. It was the first cartoon to be photographed in color, and the first to be nominated for an Academy Award. It was also a major success for Ub Iwerks, who went on to create many more successful cartoons. The success of Fiddlesticks paved the way for future animated films to be nominated for Academy Awards, and it is still remembered today as a groundbreaking achievement in animation.