Irv Spence's Cartoon Diary: December 28, 1944

Irv Spence's Cartoon Diary: December 22, 1944

Irv Spence's Cartoon Diary: December 19, 1944

Irv Spence's Cartoon Diary: December 18, 1944

Irv Spence's Cartoon Diary: December 14, 1944

Irv Spence's Cartoon Diary: December 8, 1944

Irv Spence's Cartoon Diary: December 5, 1944

The caption reads: "Make bets for Tex and Dog." So now we know what they called Claude Smith at the studio.

Irv Spence's Cartoon Diary: December 1, 1944

Irv Spence's Cartoon Diary: November 21, 1944

In an upcoming drawing a character very similar to the one laughing here is identified as Claude Smith.  Then again, it also could be Michael Lah.

Irv Spence's Cartoon Diary: November 10, 1944

What the "big news" was exactly is unclear. The speech impediment depicted suggests it is Quimby speaking to Avery about a
job "they" are asking the MGM cartoon studio to undertake. The work apparently originated at Fox and was contracted to Hugh Harman. Possibly Harman is passing it on to MGM or Fox is looking to replace Harman. It does raise a question about the ability the animation studio had to operate independently of MGM. What the job was and whether or not it was ever actually done is also uncertain.

Irv Spence's Cartoon Diary: October 30, 1944

Irv Spence's Cartoon Diary: October 27, 1944

An Irv Spence model sheet for Avery's "Hound Hunters," ("What Price Fleadom" was the working title) featuring "those bears."

Irv Spence's Cartoon Diary: October 23, 1944

A nice selection of color photos of Avery, Spence, Heck Allen and others at the MGM cartoon studio in 1953 at Michael Barrier's blog.

Irv Spence's Cartoon Diary: October 17, 1944

Irv Spence's Cartoon Diary: September 25, 1944

Tex Avery goofs on Spence's diary with Heck Allen and an artist, probably from Avery's crew, identified only as "Dog."

Irv Spence's Cartoon Diary: September 13, 1944

Irv Spence's Cartoon Diary: July 11, 1944