BEATLES

played. And it visually represented the ’60s.”

"Yellow Submarine" was made for about $750,000 (Disney’s major 1967 release, "The Jungle Book," had a budget of around $4 million) and didn’t have the resources of an established studio. Still, the film was made and released in just 11 months, Belland said.

“The fact that they could produce a feature

film in that short a time and get it released was groundbreaking,” she said.

Although the images can be enjoyed, the story is what makes the film viable 50 years after its release, Belland said.

“To make a movie vital and important in 2018 is the story. If the story is engaging and timeless, the visuals are obviously a core part of it, but it’s the story that people attach to.”

“It is lively, and there’s a story there. It has a fun story that lasts the ages. And people still enjoy it today.”

Balser points to the movie’s influence on future generations of animators.

“It’s great,” said Balser, who moved from Los Angeles to Whitehall in 2017 to be closer to her family. “It made such an impression on so many (young animators), who have said, ‘If it wasn’t for that, I wouldn’t be here doing what I’m doing.’

“It was a very important part of our lives.”

— Terry Mikesell tmikesel@dispatch.com @terrymikesell