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Monday, August 19, 2019

Original Production Animation Cel Setup of Captain Hook and Tick-Tock from "Peter Pan," 1953



Original hand inked and hand painted production animation cel of Captain Hook and Tick-Tock with Water Effects cel from "Peter Pan," 1953; Walt Disney Studios; Set over a lithographic background; Production numbers lower cel edge and lower right corner; Size - Captain Hook, Tick-Tock, & Water Effects: 6 x 7 3/4", Image 11 1/2 x 14 1/2"; Unframed.

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

“Aye, but throwing it to that crocodile! That cursed beast liked the taste of me so well he's followed me ever since, licking his chops for the rest of me.” -  Captain Hook

The author J. M. Barrie first used Peter Pan as a character in a section of the adult novel "The Little White Bird" in 1902. He returned to that character with his stage play entitled "Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up," which premiered in London on December 27, 1904. The play ran until 1913, and it was later adapted by Walt Disney for the animated feature film entitled, "Peter Pan," in 1953.

Captain Hook was initially designed by Milt Kahl animated by legendary Frank Thomas and Wolfgang Reitherman. Hook voiced by Hans Conried who was also the voice of George Darling, which is consistent with the roles of "Peter Pan" for the stage. Conried was a well known actor including roles 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.

From Disney animator Andreas Deja:
Many of you would agree that Captain Hook is one of Frank Thomas' best creations. To some Frank is the best animator who ever lived. - He used live action reference for a number of his characters. In this case it was character actor Hans Conried who provided the voice and acting reference for Hook. Frank was very critical about the way other animators used live action. To him the acting ideas were all you needed, but you still had to pass judgement on the footage and interpret what the actor gave you. His animation never has that roto, floaty feel to it. For one thing Frank was way too talented and smart to let that happen."

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 character and certainly one the fan favorite male villains in the Walt Disney film world.

The primary Villain of "Peter Pan" is Captain Hook, and the film is unusual because Captain Hook has a Villain; a crocodile which was named (in later publications) Tick-Tock. The name is derived from the fact that he had swallowed a clock, whose ticking sound was a warning to anyone he approached. Whenever Tick-Tock appeared in the original film, the song "Never Smile at a Crocodile" is played as his theme. "Never Smile at a Crocodile" was a song written by Frank Churchill with lyrics by Jack Lawrence; although only the music is heard in the film.


Original production animation cel of Captain Hook and Tick-Tock without the background.


Original production animation cel of Water Effects without the background.

Tick-Tock seems very set on eating Captain Hook. In a prior fight, Peter Pan cut off Hook's left hand and fed it to the crocodile; and once Tick-Tock had a taste of Captain Hook he wanted more! Tick-Tock's first appearance in the film was animated by John Lounsbery, but most of the crocodile's animation was done by lead Disney animator Wolfgang Reitherman. Reitherman was most known for directing action scenes in the Disney animated features and for later becoming Disney's chief animation director in 1961. Disney sound man Jimmy MacDonald provided Tick-Tock's biting sounds in the film (uncredited).

This is an absolutely spectacular two cel setup of Captain Hook and the Crocodile Tick-Tock with a water effects cel, and they occur at the very end of the film "Peter Pan." Tick-Tock has one eye open and is winking to the viewer with the other. His mouth is wide open, as poor Captain Hook is trying to keep the Crocodile's jaws from closing shut on him! A stunning and impressive setup from the Walt Disney vintage period for animation art!

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