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.
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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!
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