Translate

Saturday, December 27, 2014

Captain Hook Drawing From "Peter Pan," 1953 - "You’d fly away like a cowardly sparrow."


Original production drawing of Captain Hook from "Peter Pan," 1953; Size - Captain Hook 8 x 8", Sheet 15 1/2 x 12 1/2"; Three peg hole paper stamped PROD 2074 - SEQ 14 - SCENE 79 lower left and numbered in pencil 215 lower right.

To purchase this drawing or to visit the Art Gallery, CLICK HERE

Captain Hook was animated by legendary Frank Thomas and voiced by Hans Conried.  Conried was also the voice of George Darling, which is consistent with the roles of "Peter Pan" for the stage.  I remember seeing Conried acting on "I Love Lucy" where he played an English tutor as well as playing the character Wrongway Feldman on "Gilligan's Island."  His voice was so distinctive and so memorable that he was perfect for the role of Captain Hook; as he had a wonderful way of conveying both the rough gruff pirate role as well and the sly calculating villain.


Frank Thomas's first sketches of Captain Hook were much more menacing than the final product.  Walt Disney felt the character was going to be too frightening for children and so Thomas toned down his drawings.  The result is a wonderful villain and I would say that he is my favorite male villain in the Disney film world.  

This is a fantastic production drawing from the final battle between Captain Hook and Peter Pan aboard the pirate's ship, Jolly Roger.  Captain Hook, armed with is sword and his raised hook pursues Peter Pan into the rigging of the ship, daring Peter to face him.  As he climbs up the rope ladder he says, "Ha ha ha, you wouldn’t dare fight old Hook man to man. You’d fly away like a cowardly sparrow."


Close up of Captain Hook drawing.

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Mad Hatter and March Hare Cels from "Alice In Wonderland," 1951


Original hand inked and hand painted production cels of The Mad Hatter & The March Hare set on a lithographic copy of a production background from "Alice In Wonderland," 1951; Size - Mad Hatter 6 1/4" x 4 1/4", Cel 9 1/2" x 10 3/4"; March Hare 5 1/4" x 3 3/4", Cel 9 1/2" x 12"; Background 10 1/2" x 16 1/4"

To purchase this cel or to visit the Art Gallery, CLICK HERE

The Mad Hatter and the March Hare are two of the most famous characters in the Walt Disney classic film "Alice In Wonderland," from 1951.  The story is taken from "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" (commonly shortened to "Alice in Wonderland"), a 1865 novel written by English author Charles Lutwidge Dodgson who wrote under the pseudonym Lewis Carroll.  Disney reworked the story to fit with both a younger audience and a time frame suitable for an animated film (it's run time is 75 minutes).  Kathryn Beaumont was just 10 years old when she was chosen for the voice of Alice and Walt Disney was so impressed by her that she was also chosen to be a model for Alice.  The main villain of the story is the Queen of Hearts, however practically every other character functions as an antagonist towards Alice.


Close up of the two cels.

The Mad Hatter was voiced by Ed Wynn and the voice of the March Hare was provided by Jerry Colonna.  Ed Wynn is one of the most memorable voices in "Alice" and he is a real stand out for the film.  Wynn had a long history in Vaudeville and had developed his giggly, wavering voice in 1921 for the musical review, "The Perfect Fool."  He had several roles at Walt Disney Studios, including his most famous acting role there as Uncle Albert in the film "Mary Poppins," 1964.


Photograph showing The Mad Hatter cel without the background.

The animator Ward Kimball was a tour de force for the film "Alice In Wonderland," and he animated the following: Alice (one scene), the White Rabbit, Tweedledee and Tweedledum, the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter, the March Hare, the Walrus and the Carpenter, the Oysters, and the Dormouse.  Kimball, was a superb draftsman, and he preferred to animate comical characters rather than realistic human figures.  Because of this, "Alice In Wonderland" was the perfect film for him as it was filled with wonderful creatures all acting odd and comical.  Animating came easily to him and he was constantly looking to do things in a different way; which lead Walt Disney to call Kimball a genius in the book "The Story of Walt Disney."


Photograph showing The March Hare cel without the background.

Both of the cels pictured here for sale are from the Mad Tea Party scene and it is one of the most famous scenes in the film, if not all of the Disney films!  The March Hare is from the scene where he uses a spoon and begins to conduct a band of tea pots in the singing of the Unbirthday Song.  The Mad Hatter is also from the Tea Party scene where he pours a cup of tea into a tea pot and then drinks the tea from the tea pot, while saying the following:

Mad Hatter: "Come come my dear, don't you care for tea?"
Alice: "Why, yes. I'm very fond of tea."
March Hare: "If you don't care for tea, you could at least make polite conversation!"

To see the Mad Hatter cel in the film, click on the short clip below:


To see the March Hare cel in the film, click on the short clip below:


Friday, December 12, 2014

Mad Madam Mim In Dragon Form Cel from "The Sword In The Stone," 1963


 A very rare, eyes and mouth open original hand painted production cel of Mad Madam Mim in Dragon form and an original hand painted production cel of fire flames effects from "The Sword In The Stone," 1963.  This cel is from the famous Wizard duel scene with Merlin, when both Mim and Merlin change into various creatures each trying to best the other.  Matted in original Walt Disney Art Corner mat with label sticker verso.

To purchase this cel or to visit the Art Gallery, CLICK HERE

Madam Mim was the villain in the Walt Disney 1963 film "The Sword In The Stone," based on T. H. White's novel by the same name.  Mim was voiced by Martha Wentworth a veteran actress with a long radio history dating back to the 1920's.  She was the voice of several Disney characters in "101 Dalmatians" including Nanny; and Mim was her final credited role.  Madam Mim was animated by two of Disney's greatest animators Milt Kahl (who also designed the character, refining storyboard sketches from animator Bill Peet), and Frank Thomas.  Kahl animated her first appearance in the film, her initial interaction with Arthur; while Frank Thomas oversaw her famous "Wizards' Duel" with Merlin.

Although Mim claims to be more powerful than Merlin, during her opening scene she does only minor tricks.  When Merlin stops her from attacking Arthur she challenges him to a Wizard's duel which involves mutating into various forms in order to best your opponent.  She states that she is "mad for games," and lays out the rules for her duel with Merlin. 

MADAM MIM: "Now, rule one, no mineral or vegetable. Only animal. Rule two, no make-believe things like, pink dragons and stuff. Now, rule three, no disappearing." 
MERLIN: "Rule four, no cheating." 
MADAM MIM: "All right, all right." 

At the very start of the duel, Mim breaks her own rule by disappearing and proves she can not be trusted.  During the battle, Mim's incredible shape shifting abilities almost give her the upper hand against Merlin.  She turned herself into: an alligator, a fox, a hen, an elephant, a tiger, a rattlesnake, and a rhinoceros, all of which were colored pink and finally into an ugly, purple, fire-breathing dragon.  This cel along with a flame overlay cel is from the very begining of the scene when Mim first transforms into a purple dragon and then asks Merlin (knowing that her rule stated no Pink Dragons), "Did I say no purple Dragons?"  BTW: Merlin wins the battle, of course!

Saturday, December 6, 2014

Shere Khan Cel from "The Jungle Book," 1967


A very rare, eyes open original hand painted production cel of Shere Khan from "The Jungle Book," 1967;  With the Disney Seal lower right; Set on a lithographic copy of an original Jungle Book production background;  Framed with two suede acid free mats, a gold and brown wood frame, and UV conservation clear glass.

To purchase this cel or to visit the Art Gallery, CLICK HERE

Shere Khan the tiger is the main antagonist in the 1967 Walt Disney film "The Jungle Book," an adaption of writer Rudyard Kipling's series of stories.  Khan was voiced by George Sanders, a veteran actor with a deep bass voice and a heavy British accent.  The choice of Sanders was perfect for Shere Khan who, in the film, seemed to adopt a British gentleman persona and used British phrases such as "Good show."

Milt Kahl, the great veteran Disney animator, was in charge of bringing Shere Khan to life and so of course Kahl set out on a crash course in tigers.  Kahl said in an interview: " I learned so much about tigers by studying them that I didn't have to rely on any life action crutch."  From Disney animator Andreas Dejas about the animation of Shere Khan, "Great perspective walk, and I love the way the tiger lies down, upper body first, then the rear.  The way he moves those front feet is worth studying alone.  Such great anatomy."


Framed Shere Khan cel

This is an absolutely wonderful cel of Shere Khan and he is almost 10 inches long!  He is seen walking from the left, is large paws slowly moving his massive body forward.  Both eyes are open and he is wearing is ever present frown.  This cel is from when Shere Khan is wondering through the Jungle when he suddenly hears Kaa singing "Trust In Me," and then goes to investigate.  The Walt Disney seal is lower right, he is set on a beautiful lithographic copy of a "Jungle Book" background, and the entire work is custom museum framed.

To see the cel in the film, just click on the short video below:


"Allow me to present your charming daughter." - Ratigan Cel


Original hand painted production cel of Professor Ratigan set on a hand painted non-production watercolor background that matches the scene from "The Great Mouse Detective," 1986; Disney seal lower right; Framed with a brown wood frame, three acid free mats, and UV conservation clear glass.


It took Disney way too long to finally cast veteran actor Vincent Price, known for his roles in horror films, in the role of the villain Ratigan.  Price had such a distinctive voice that had been used for so many horror and thrilling roles, so the casting just seemed to be overdue.  Ratigan was a character created by Eve Titus in a series of stories about Basil of Baker Street; a mouse that lived next door to Sherlock Holmes and who shared many of his skills and traits.  Ratigan was a takeoff of Moriarty, Sherlock Holmes nemesis, and the character was brought to life by veteran Disney animator Glen Keane.


Close-up of Ratigan cel

This is a wonderful very large, eyes, and mouth open full figure original production cel of Professor Ratigan from the 1986 full length animated Walt Disney feature film "The Great Mouse Detective."  The evil Professor Ratigan is holding his cape up getting ready to reveal to Hiram Flaversham his kidnapped daughter, Olivia.  "Allow me to present your charming daughter," Ratigan says.  He measures an incredible 8" x 9 3/4", is placed over a custom hand painted watercolor background that matches the scene from the film, and the entire setup is museum framed.


Photograph of framed Ratigan cel.

To see the cel in the film, just click on this short video below:


Friday, November 28, 2014

Stromboli drawing from "Pinocchio," 1940


Original production drawing in red, green, and graphite pencils on five peg hole paper; of Stromboli from the 1940 full length animated feature film "Pinocchio" from Walt Disney Studios; The drawing is stamped PROD 2003 SEQ 4.2 SCENE 50 lower right; Stromboli measures 7 3/4" x 7 1/2" and is on a 12 1/2" x 15 1/2"

Although Pinocchio encounters a wide range of antagonists, two of the cruelest are the Coachman and Stromboli; the evil puppeteer, showman, and gypsy whose only goal was to make money.  Both the Coachman and Stromboli were voiced by Charles Judes who added a heavy Italian accent.  Stomboli is also the only Disney Villain who cursed, however it was obscured by being done in Italian.  


Close up of Stromboli

Hamilton Luske directed the live-action footage of most of the actors posing as characters for Pinocchio.  Luske admitted to the fact that the character, acted by story man T. Hee dressed in full gypsy garb, was a bit understated but that he did not want Stromboli's animator Vladimir Tytla doing "too many things."  Tyla was a tall and imposing personality and he had a physical build that was similar to that of Stromboli, which may account for him being given the character to animate.  It is known that while Tytla was working out sequences for Stromobli in his room, that he would perform the story aloud and that Eric Larson stated that he "thought the walls would fall in."  Obviously the performance worked because the villainous Stromboli is one of Walt Disney's greatest memorable villains!

This is a magnificent full figure, eyes and mouth open, multicolor pencil drawing of the villain Stromboli; and he would make a nice addition to any animation collection!

#pinocchio #stromboli #productiondrawing #cel #disney #ericlarson #hamiltonluske #vladimirtytla #animationart

Maleficent & Diablo Drawing from "Sleeping Beauty," 1959


Original production drawing of Maleficent and Diablo from "Sleeping Beauty," 1959; Numbered "20" lower right and has the words "NO YOUR" upper right with line connectors between the O and Y showing that is the letters that Maleficent is pronouncing; Size - Maleficent & Diablo 8 x 5 1/4", Sheet 15 1/2 x 12 1/2"; $1,450 or Pay Over Several Months!


If you ask people to name their favorite Disney Villain, chances are you will one of three answers; The Evil Queen/Witch from "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," Cruella DeVil from "101 Dalmatians," or Maleficent from "Sleeping Beauty."  Two of the three, Cruella and Maleficent, were created/drawn by the great animator Marc Davis.  Davis was part of what has been dubbed Disney's Nine Old Men; the core group of animators, some becoming directors, that created the finest animated films ranging from "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs", 1937 to "The Rescuers", 1977.

The voice of Maleficent was performed by Eleanor Audley.  She had worked for Disney prior by also being the voice for the cold and calculating Lady Tremaine (The Stepmother) in "Cinderella."  If is known that Frank Thomas for Lady Tremaine and Marc Davis for Maleficent, incorporated facials features of Eleanor into both characters.  

The drawing pictured is for sale and is a very rare, eyes and mouth open original production drawing of Maleficent and her pet raven Diablo from the 1959 full length animated feature film "Sleeping Beauty" from Walt Disney Studios.  This drawing is from the very famous opening scene of Maleficent when she enters the throne room and cast a spell on Princess Aurora aka Sleeping Beauty!

Queen: "And you're not offended, your excellency?"
Maleficent: "Why no, your majesty. And to show I bear no ill will, I, too, shall bestow a gift on the child." 

The drawing is numbered "20" lower right and has the words "NO YOUR" upper right with line connectors between the O and Y showing that is the letters that Maleficent is pronouncing.  Maleficent and Diablo measures an incredible 8" x 5 1/4" and is on a 15 1/2" x 12 1/2" sheet of three peg hole paper.  If you are interested in purchasing the work, please contact me.

To view the scene which this drawing was used to create, click on the short video below:

Saturday, November 22, 2014

"Enough, I am King, King, King!" - Prince John Production Cel from "Robin Hood," 1973


Original hand painted production cel of Prince John numbered 6 in ink lower right; Placed on a lithographic background from "Robin Hood," 1973; Unframed; Size - Prince John 7 1/4 x 5", Image 11 x 15 3/4".


Prince John is a spoiled King who will resort to any underhanded trick so that he can maintain the crown and throne of Nottingham.  He was voiced by the great and deep voiced Peter Ustinov, and he was animated by veteran Disney animator Ollie Johnston.  One of the characteristics of the Prince John is that he throws terrible temper tantrums and will resort to sucking his thumb, particularly if his mother is mentioned.  In this full figure, eyes and mouth open cel; Prince John is furious and throws a tantrum by jumping up and down screaming "Enough, I am King King King!"


Image showing full cel with production number lower right.


Close up of the Prince John cel.

To see the cel in the film, just click on the short video below:


Sunday, November 16, 2014

Original Production Animation Cel of Madame Medusa from "The Rescuers," 1977


Original hand painted production animation cel of Madame Medusa set on a lithographic background from "The Rescuers," 1977, Walt Disney Studios; Numbered 129 in ink and Walt Disney seal lower right; Size - Madame Medusa: 8 1/2 x 5 1/2', Image 10 x 15 1/4"; Unframed.

To purchase this cel or to visit the Art Gallery, CLICK HERE!

"Give you time? You bungler! You have been down there for three months." - Madame Medusa

"The Rescuers" is an animated feature film produced by Walt Disney Productions; and was released on June 22, 1977 by Buena Vista Distribution. The film is based on a series of books by Margery Sharp, most notably "The Rescuers and Miss Bianca." The 23rd film in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series, the film is about the Rescue Aid Society; an international mouse organization headquartered in New York; and shadowed the United Nations. The Rescue Aid Society, a mouse based group, was dedicated to helping abduction victims around the world at large. Two of these mice, jittery janitor Bernard (voiced by Bob Newhart) and his co-agent, the elegant Miss Bianca (voiced by Eva Gabor), set out to rescue Penny, an orphan girl being held prisoner in the Devil's Bayou by treasure huntress Madame Medusa.

Early designs for Medusa were done by Ken Anderson, there were even discussions about bringing back Cruella deVil from "101 Dalmatians" as the villain; but that was eventually abandoned. The character of Medusa was eventually created and although there are many similarities with Cruella (thin build, similar cars, appear wealthy, bad tempers, cry upon realizing that they have lost, etc.), Medusa is still quite distinct with her wild red hair, sagging breasts, green eyes, and lots and lots of makeup. Her ultimate goal in the film is to possess the Devil's Eye, the world's largest diamond. Milt Kahl was given the task of animating Medusa and it is known that one his inspirations was his ex-wife. Kahl's brilliance in animation is really showcased with this character and many point to the scene where she is removing her false eyelashes as proof of his technical skill.


Original production animation cel of Madame Medusa without the background.

The next three paragraphs are from veteran Walt Disney animator Andreas Deja:
"When Milt Kahl was asked in an interview if he had a favorite character he animated, his response was: "Oh I enjoyed a few, I just loved doing Madame Mim, Shere Khan was a lot of fun, and so were the butler and old lawyer in 'Aristocats'. But I guess I enjoyed Medusa more than any one of them." And it shows. His last animation assignment at Disney -just like Marc Davis's- was a tour de force of character acting. It was a "I'm going to give it all" feel to it.

Marc told me that Milt promised him, Medusa will "wipe his Cruella off the screen". Then he added with a chuckle: "Of course that didn't happen". So there was definitely a friendly competition going on between these two great animators and their characters. Milt sort of designed Medusa's features opposite from Cruella's. Cruella has small nose, Medusa's is longer. Cruella's hair parts in the middle, Medusa's off to one side. Cruella has a pointy jaw, Medusa is almost chin less etc.

I have to admit, when I first saw Medusa in "The Rescuers" in a London theater, I couldn't believe my eyes. So much inventiveness in her drawing and motion. How on earth can you show an animated character removing her make up? Wasn't that something only a live actress could pull off...but in animation? Incredible! I have spent way too much time studying this character, on the other hand I think I got a lot out of it. Dialogue, graphic but dimensional drawing and just being gutsy in general."

When Madame Medusa is first introduced in the film "The Rescuers," she is barging into her back room of her pawn shop to answer a ringing telephone. "Madam Medusa's Pawn Shop Bou-tique," she says. Geraldine Page, the Oscar winning actress, provided the voice to this wonderful villain and the way that she increases her voice tone with the words pawn shop boutique is just so wonderful and extremely memorable.


Close up of the Walt Disney seal.

This is an original production animation cel of Madame Medusa. A wonderful image from a key scene in the film when she is talking on the phone to her henchman Snoops and says to him, "Give you time? You bungler! You have been down there for three months." Medusa is eyes open and her mouth is in a disapproving frown showing her teeth as she is staring into the telephone in her left hand. A great addition to any animation art collection!

Monday, November 10, 2014

"I'll be gone, no oh no... they'll be gone!" - Edgar cel from "Aristocats," 1970


Original hand painted production cel of Edgar holding a basket containing Duchess and her kittens from the 1970 full length animated feature film "The Aristocats" from Walt Disney Studios; Set over a non-matching lithographic line overlay background; Cel is hand signed by Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston in black marker lower center - photograph taken during the actual signing of this cel is included; Framed using a black wood frame, three mats, and plexiglass.


It is Paris 1910 and Madame Bonfamille tells her lawyer Georges Hautecourt that she has decided to leave all of her stocks, bonds, mansion, treasures, jewels, and her entire fortune to her beloved cats rather than to her butler, Edgar Balthazar.  When Edgar overhears this he fears the cats will outlive him, and that he will never see a penny of the inheritance.  He then realizes that he has to get rid of the cats; "I'll be gone, no oh no... they'll be gone," he says.  Edgar decides to put sleeping tablets into the cats milk and when they fall asleep, he takes them in a covered basket on his motorcycle far away from the city of Paris.  

The character of Edgar was voiced by Roddy Maude-Roxby, an accomplished English actor.  He was just wonderful in the role with the delightful snooty English butler voice, that could also morph into a scheming cunning timber perfect for a Disney Villain.  In this wonderful full figure cel, Edgar is carrying the cats Duchess and her three kittens Marie, Berlioz, and Toulouse in the draped basket to his motorcycle.  The cel is signed by two famed Walt Disney animators, Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston.  Frank and Ollie were the best of friends in and out of the Walt Disney Studios.  When they both married they purchased houses next door to each other and also wrote several books about animation art together.  


Photograph taken during the actual signing of this cel by Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston

Years ago, when Frank and Ollie were still alive and in good health; galleries could pay and fly them  to do book, cel, and/or drawing signings.  The cost to the gallery was $150/signature and several different galleries took advantage of this wonderful and rare opportunity.  Other animators did this as well, such as Ward Kimball, but in a much more reduced capacity.  Today, Frank and Ollie's signatures still add value to the cels, drawings, and books that they inhabit, such is the case for this wonderful cel of Edgar.


Framed Edgar cel

Monday, November 3, 2014

Witch with Apple drawing from "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," 1937 - "Go on, take a bite."


Original production drawing of the Old Hag or Witch from the 1937 full length animated feature film "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" from Walt Disney Studios;  The Witch measures an incredible 7 1/4" x 6 1/2" and is on a 15 3/8" x 12 1/2" sheet of watermarked five peg hole paper.


The famed animator Joe Grant created the initial sketches of the Witch, which had some basis in the early Witch drawings from Arthur Rackham's illustrations from "Hansel and Gretel."  After Walt Disney approved the character design; Norman Ferguson was given the task of animating her.  There were early concerns that the Witch would be viewed by the audience as more of a laughable and entertaining clown rather than an evil old hag; however, Norm's animation skill won out and the character seems even more menacing than her prior Queenly form.  The Witch is the only character in "Snow White" to look directly into the camera and therefore address the audience.  With her one tooth, expressive eyes, and boney hands; Ferguson had a lot of choices in which to invoke fear and to scare.  Despite her slow movements and apparent frailness, we all know there is pure evil afoot!

In this drawing, the Witch is outside holding the poisoned apple and asking Snow White through an open window to "Go on take a bite." Snow White's animal friends, realizing that something is not right, try to frighten the Witch away; and as she tries to shoo away the birds flying around her, she drops her basket of apples.  Of course, when she reaches down to pick them up she clutches hold of the red poisoned apple to make sure it is safe.  Here she is smiling while polishing the apple, to make sure it will tempt Snow White to take a bite!


Close up of the Witch or Old Hag

To view the scene which this drawing was used to create, click on the short video below:


Monday, October 27, 2014

Coachman drawing from "Pinocchio," 1940 - "I'm collecting stupid little boys."


Original production drawing of the Coachman from "Pinocchio," 1940

To purchase this drawing or to visit the Art Gallery, CLICK HERE

The Coachman is possibly the most evil of all the Disney villains.  Unlike other villains who do not escape an ill fate: such as the Evil Queen who is struck by lighting, falls off a cliff, and is smashed by a falling bolder or Maleficent who is impaled by the Sword of Truth hurled by Prince Phillip; the Coachman has no such luck, and continues his purchase of stupid boys for their eventual conversion into donkeys that are then sold for gold.  

The Coachman was voiced by Charles Judels who also provided the voice for another villain in Pinocchio, Stromboli.  Everything surrounding the Coachman seems foreboding; from his long whip and his stagecoach used to transport the boys to Pleasure Island, to his henchman that appear to be dark featureless creatures carrying out his will.

This is a spectacular drawing of the Coachman from his first scene in "Pinocchio" which occurs at the The Red Lobster Inn where he meets with Honest John (Foulfellow) and Gideon.  All three are seen smoking, Honest John and Gideon both have cigars and The Coachman has a pipe.   The Coachman states the he is "collecting stupid little boys" to take to Pleasure Island where they can "tear the place apart" and that "they never come back... as boys!"  This drawing is wonderful because of the extra elements; it has the table top and the sack of gold coins drawn in the image, as well as an eyes and mouth open Coachman holding his pipe.


Framed Coachman drawing

To see the cel made from this drawing in the film, just click on the short video below: