Original Production Animation Drawing of Cinderella from "Cinderella," 1950

Original production animation drawing of Cinderella in red and graphite pencils from "Cinderella," 1950, Walt Disney Studios; Numbered 35 in pencil lower right; Size - Cinderella 5 1/4 x 2 1/4", Sheet 10 x 12"; Unframed.

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

The 1950 Walt Disney feature film "Cinderella" was based on the French version of the tale by Charles Perrault, entitled "Cinderella" and written in 1698. The film was the second in the series of great Princess films developed by Disney, the first being Snow White in 1937. The character of Cinderella is usually front and center in the pantheon of Disney Princess merchandise, perhaps because she is the only Princess not to be of a noble blood line who ended up marrying a Prince and becoming royalty.

Cinderella was animated by both Marc Davis and Eric Larson, however the two animators had different perceptions of the character, with Davis preferring elegance and Larson opting for simplicity. This actually worked in the film's favor, resulting in Cinderella being a much more complicated character than her predecessor Snow White. As with other Disney films, the studio hired actress Helene Stanley to perform the live-action reference for Cinderella. She would later return to the studio for the characters of Aurora in "Sleeping Beauty," 1959 and Anita Radcliffe in "One Hundred and One Dalmatians," 1961.

Close up of the original production animation drawing of Cinderella.

According to Christopher Finch, from his book "The Art of Walt Disney":
"Disney insisted that all scenes involving human characters should be shot first in live-action to determine that they would work before the expensive business of animation was permitted to start. The animators did not like this way of working, feeling it detracted from their ability to create character. The animators understood the necessity for this approach and in retrospect acknowledged that Disney had handled things with considerable subtlety."

About 400 women and girls auditioned for the voice role of Cinderella, but the role ended up going to Ilene Woods. Woods, who at the time worked on the radio and did not know anything about the audition, was asked one day by her colleagues Mack David and Jerry Livingston to sing a song from Cinderella. Without her knowledge, her recording was given by her friends to Disney Studios. After listening to the material Walt Disney immediately decided that he had found the voice with which to speak and sing the character of Cinderella and contacted Ilene.

Close up of the production number.

This is a wonderful and very delicate production drawing of Cinderella. She is masterfully rendered in graphite and red pencils. Her eyes and mouth are open are her hands are visible in front of her. Eric Larson, one of Walt Disney's master animators known as his Nine Old Men, supervised the animation of Cinderella in this scene. The drawing is from the scene when Cinderella is in Lady Tremaine's bedchamber and the wicked stepmother scolds Cinderella after Gus the mouse was discovered hiding under a teacup. The dialog for the scene is below:

Lady Tremaine: "Now, it seems we have time on our hands."
Cinderella: "But I was only trying to..."
Lady Tremaine: "Silence!"

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

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Original Production Animation Drawing of Pinocchio with Donkey Ears, Geppetto's Arm and Hand, and the Outline of Figaro from "Pinocchio," 1940

Original production animation drawing in red, blue, green, and graphite pencils of Pinocchio with donkey ears, Geppetto's arm and hand, and the outline of Figaro from "Pinocchio," 1940, Walt Disney Studios; Numbered 126A in pencil lower right; Size - Characters 6 3/4 x 10 3/4", Sheet: 10 x 12"; Unframed.

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

"Pinocchio," 1940 was the second animated feature film produced by Disney, and followed on the success of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." 1937. It was released to theaters by RKO Radio Pictures on February 23, 1940 and was based on the Italian children's novel "The Adventures of Pinocchio" by Carlo Collodi. The general plot of the film involves an old wood-carver named Geppetto, who carves a wooden puppet that he names Pinocchio. One night the puppet is brought to life by the Blue Fairy, who informs him that he can become a real boy if he proves himself to be "brave, truthful, and unselfish". Pinocchio's journey to become a real boy is challenged by his encounters with an array of scrupulous characters.

"Pinocchio" became the first animated feature to win an Academy Award; it won for both Best Music - Original Score and for Best Music - Original Song for "When You Wish Upon A Star." Most critics and audiences agree that "Pinocchio" is among the finest Disney features ever made, and one of the greatest animated films of all time. In 1994, it was added to the United States National Film Registry as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."

Close up of the original animation drawing of Pinocchio, Geppetto, and Figaro.

Due to the huge success of "Snow White," Walt Disney wanted more famous voice actors for "Pinocchio." He cast popular singer Cliff Edwards (who had made the first record selling over a million copies) as Jiminy Cricket. Disney also wanted the character of Pinocchio to be voiced by a real child. The role ended up going to twelve year old actor Dickie Jones, who had previously been in Frank Capra's enormous Hollywood hit, "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington."

Close up of the animation number.

Animation began in September 1938 and just as in "Snow White," live-action footage was shot for "Pinocchio" with the actors playing the scenes; which was supervised by Hamilton Luske. The animators then used the footage as a guide for their animation drawings by studying the human movement and then incorporating many of those poses and scenes. The title character was animated by Milt Kahl (initial design), Frank Thomas, and Ollie Johnston. "When I was doing Pinocchio," Johnston said, "I thought of the character being real, a living person, not a drawing."

This is a spectacular drawing in red, blue, green, and graphite pencils of Pinocchio with donkey ears and tail, Geppetto's arm and hand, and the outline of Figaro. The image is very large occupying the majority of the sheet. A great addition for any vintage Walt Disney animation collection!

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Original Production Animation Drawing of Mickey Mouse from "Puppy Love," 1933

Original production animation drawing of Mickey Mouse from "Puppy Love," 1933, Walt Disney Studios; Graphite, green, and red pencil on peg hole paper; Numbered 30D lower right; Size - Mickey Mouse: 3 3/4 x 4 1/2", Sheet 9 1/2 x 12"; Unframed.

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

"Puppy Love"(released on September 2, 1933) is a black-and-white animated short film produced by Walt Disney Productions and directed by Wilfred Jackson. Walt Disney is the voice of Mickey Mouse and Marcellite Garner is the voice of Minnie Mouse.

Close up of the original production animation drawing of Mickey Mouse.

The story of "Puppy Love" is that Mickey and his dog Pluto have come to call on Minnie and her dog Fifi. Mickey brings a bouquet of flowers and a heart shaped box of candy. As Mickey and Minnie begin playing the piano and singing the song "Puppy Love," Pluto and Fifi begin to flirt with each other. Pluto gives the unopened box of chocolates, that Mickey had brought to Minnie, to Fifi. When Fifi eats the chocolates, Pluto puts Fifi's bone into the empty box and returns it to the living room. When Minnie opens the candy box for the first time and reveals the bone, Minnie mistakingly thinks Mickey was playing a mean joke on her and suddenly a violent argument begins. Mickey and Pluto storm out of the house; and they along with Minnie, each vow to give up the opposite sex. But when Fifi reveals to Minnie the heart shaped box with a few left over chocolates; Minnie realizes that it was the dogs that had eaten the chocolates and then put the dog bone in the box. Mickey and Minnie, along with Pluto and Fife, reunite in the end!

Close up of the production number.

This is a great drawing of Mickey Mouse carrying a bouquet of flowers and a heart shaped box of candy, from the opening of "Puppy Love," 1933. He is full figure, his eye is open, and he is smiling. The drawing is rendered in graphite, red, and green pencils on peg hole animation paper. This is a wonderful image of Mickey Mouse and one of the best images to be had from the Walt Disney black-and-white cartoons of the 1930's.

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

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Original Production Animation Cel of Friend Owl Over A Courvoisier Background from "Bambi," 1942

 Original hand painted and hand inked production animation cel of Friend Owl over a Courvoisier air brush background from "Bambi," 1942, Walt Disney Studios; WDP stamp lower right; Size - Friend Owl: 2 3/4 x 4 1/4", Image 5 x 6 1/2"; Mat 9 3/4 x 13"; Matted.

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

"Ugh. Twitterpated." - Friend Owl 

"What's "twitterpated"?" - Flower 

"Oh, I'll, uh, tell you when you're older." - Friend Owl

"Bambi," 1942 is a full length animated film by Walt Disney Studios and based on the book "Bambi, A Life in the Woods" by Austrian author Felix Salten. The film was released by RKO Radio Pictures on August 13, 1942. "Bambi" received three Academy Award nominations: Best Sound (Sam Slyfield), Best Song (for "Love Is a Song" sung by Donald Novis), and Best Original Music Score. In June 2008, the American Film Institute presented a list of its "10 Top 10" (the best ten films in each of ten classic American film genres) and "Bambi" placed third in the animation category. In December 2011, "Bambi" was added to the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress.

Close up of the WDP stamp.

The story centers on Bambi, a white-tailed deer, his parents (the Great Prince of the forest and his unnamed mother), his animal friends Thumper (a pink-nosed rabbit), Flower (a skunk), and his childhood friend and future mate, a doe named Faline. Walt Disney wanted all of the animals to be more realistic and expressive than those in "Snow White". He had Rico LeBrun, a wildlife animal painter, come into the Disney Studios to lecture to the animators on the structure and movement of animals. The animators went on excursions to the Los Angeles Zoo and Walt Disney set up a small zoo at the Disney Animation Studio with animals such as rabbits, ducks, owls, skunks, and a pair of fawns aptly named Bambi and Faline; so that the artists could see first-hand animal movement. Animator Marc Davis created the final design of Bambi by incorporating LeBurn's realistic study of deer anatomy but exaggerating the character's face by making his proportions baby-like; including a short snout and big expressive eyes.

"Bambi" was Walt Disney's favorite film he ever made, and it is not too surprising given his love of nature films. The special effects, particularly the water, and the lush hand painted backgrounds create a wonderful environment that allows the viewer to be totally immersed into the film. Combined with a great story of friendship and complete success in the creation of characters; the film is able to provide amazing feelings of both happiness and sadness, as the viewer watches Bambi grows up from fawn to deer.

Matted image of the original production animation cel of Friend Owl.

Friend Owl was animated by Eric Larson and Preston Blair and was voiced by Will Wright; who was an American actor that was frequently cast in westerns and as a curmudgeonly old man. In Bambi, Friend Owl is the first character seen in the movie. Later he is awaken by Thumper the rabbit, who tells him that "the new prince is born." Friend Owl joins the other animals in the forest, where they first see the newborn Bambi and congratulate Bambi's mother. Friend Owl watches the fawn take his first steps, and makes a brief appearance during the song "Little April Showers." He is not seen again until he is rudely awakened by the "Let's Sing a Gay Little Spring Song."

When the birds ignore his attempts to quiet them, Friend Owl moves to another tree; only to be awakened by a stag sharpening his antlers on the tree. Friend Owl suddenly realizes that the stag is Bambi, now a young adult. After Thumper and Flower join Bambi, the three notice some birds acting very strange. Friend Owl explains that they're "twitterpated" (in love). He then explains what being twitterpated involves, and the three promise that this won't happen to them (which of course it promptly does). Friend Owl isn't seen again until the very end of the film, when he once again goes into a thicket to meet some newborns; this time the twins of Bambi and Faline.

This is a wonderful original production animation cel of Friend Owl. He is eyes open, full figure, and has been placed on a hand-painted original Courvoisier background. A beautiful and lush cel setup that would make a great addition to any animation collection.

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Original Production Animation Cel of Tramp from "Lady and the Tramp," 1955

Original hand inked and hand painted production animation cel of Tramp set on a lithographic background from "Lady and the Tramp," 1955, Walt Disney Studios; Size - Tramp: 5 3/4 x 3 1/2", Image 6 3/4 x 11 3/4"; Unframed.

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

"Lady and the Tramp" (released on June 22, 1955) is a full length featured animated film produced by Walt Disney and released by Buena Vista Distribution. The film was the 15th in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series, and it was the first animated feature filmed in with the CinemaScope widescreen film process. The film was based on the story "Happy Dan, The Cynical Dog" by Ward Greene and tells the story of a female American Cocker Spaniel named Lady who lives with a refined, upper-middle-class family. Lady meets a male stray mutt named Tramp and they embark on many exciting and romantic adventures.

Close up of the original production animation cel of Tramp.

Initially Tramp was called Homer and although he was first conceived as Lady's suitor, he ended up as her ex-dog pound mate in the initial 1943 storyboard pitch. A few years after that version was scrapped, Walt Disney read a story called "Happy Dan the Cynical Dog" in Cosmopolitan Magazine and decided that this was they type of character that was needed to enhance the film. Although Walt wanted his new character to be called Tramp, the animators feared that audiences would take offense in such a name, due to the word's sexual connotations that had been popularized by the song "The Lady Is A Tramp." The animators first called the character Rags, then Bozo; before Walt insisted that that name Tramp would be acceptable.

Tramp is a very laid-back dog and acts more like a kid. He's flirtatious and has history of having had a multitude of girlfriends; and he's known for his street smarts, able to both avoid dog catchers and deal with junkyard dogs. However, he dreams about living with a family and in a loving home. Tramp was animated by Ollie Johnston, Milt Kahl, and Wolfgang Reitherman who animated the rat fight scene.

Original production animation cel of Tramp without the background.

Larry Roberts (1926 - 1992) was an American voice actor and comedian who was most active in the 1950s. Although he was well known for his role in the 1950s TV series "Lights, Camera, Action!" but he is best remembered for his role as the voice of Tramp.

This is a large and wonderful original production animation cel of Tramp. He is eyes and mouth open, his ears are up, and he has a great facial expression. This would be a great addition to any animation collection!

#Tramp #Lady #Peg #LadyandtheTramp #Disney #WaltDisney #animation #animationcel #animationdrawing #productiondrawing #productioncel #animationart #cel #Disney #WaltDisney #PeggyLee #MiltKahl #untitledartgallery #EricLarson #LarryRoberts #OllieJohnston #FrankThomas #WolfgangReitherman

Original Production Animation Cel of Thumper On A Courvoisier Background From "Bambi," 1942

Original hand painted and hand inked production animation cel of Thumper over a Courvoisier air brush background from "Bambi," 1942, Walt Disney Studios; WDP stamp lower right; With original Courvoisier Galleries label; Size - Thumper: 2 3/4 x 2", Image 7 x 8 1/2"; Unframed.

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

"I'm thumpin'! That's why they call me Thumper!" - Thumper 

"Bambi," 1942 is a full length animated film by Walt Disney Studios and based on the book "Bambi, A Life in the Woods" by Austrian author Felix Salten. The film was released by RKO Radio Pictures on August 13, 1942. "Bambi" received three Academy Award nominations: Best Sound (Sam Slyfield), Best Song (for "Love Is a Song" sung by Donald Novis), and Best Original Music Score. In June 2008, the American Film Institute presented a list of its "10 Top 10" (the best ten films in each of ten classic American film genres) and "Bambi" placed third in the animation category. In December 2011, "Bambi" was added to the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress.

Close up of the original production animation cel of Thumper.

The story centers on Bambi, a white-tailed deer, his parents (the Great Prince of the forest and his unnamed mother), his animal friends Thumper (a pink-nosed rabbit), Flower (a skunk), and his childhood friend and future mate, a doe named Faline. Walt Disney wanted all of the animals to be more realistic and expressive than those in "Snow White". He had Rico LeBrun, a wildlife animal painter, come into the Disney Studios to lecture to the animators on the structure and movement of animals. The animators went on excursions to the Los Angeles Zoo and Walt Disney set up a small zoo at the Disney Animation Studio with animals such as rabbits, ducks, owls, skunks, and a pair of fawns aptly named Bambi and Faline; so that the artists could see first-hand animal movement. Animator Marc Davis created the final design of Bambi by incorporating LeBurn's realistic study of deer anatomy but exaggerating the character's face by making his proportions baby-like; including a short snout and big expressive eyes.

Close up of the WDP Courvoisier stamp.

"Bambi" was Walt Disney's favorite film he ever made, and it is not too surprising given his love of nature films. The special effects, particularly the water, and the lush hand painted backgrounds create a wonderful environment that allows the viewer to be totally immersed into the film. Combined with a great story of friendship and complete success in the creation of characters; the film is able to provide amazing feelings of both happiness and sadness, as the viewer watches Bambi grows up from fawn to deer.

Original Courvoisier Galleries label.

Thumper (whose name is derived from his common habit of thumping his hind left foot), is Bambi's first and closest friend. He is a young, comical rabbit; and a well-known inhabitant of the forest who takes Bambi "under his wings" and teaches him the ways of the forest. Thumper was voiced by 4-year-old Peter Behn. With Behn's voice added to the film; suddenly the vivacious bunny character was expanded from him having only minor role, to playing a much more significant lead. In addition, the film underwent a major plot change with the theme of friendship front and center. The character of Thumper was initially designed by animator Marc Davis and was brought to life by several animators including: Frank Thomas, Milt Kahl, Eric Larson, and Ollie Johnston. Thumper was not only voiced by Peter Behn (young Thumper), but by Tim Davis (young adult Thumper) and Sam Edwards (adult Thumper).

This is a wonderful and very expressive original production animation cel of Thumper, with his eyes and mouth open. He is full figure, placed on an original hand painted Courvoisier air brush background, and the original Courvoisier Galleries label is included. A rare and great addition to any vintage Walt Disney animation art collection.

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Original Production Animation Drawing of Tinker Bell from "Peter Pan," 1953

 

Original production animation drawing of Tinker Bell in blue, brown, and graphite pencils from "Peter Pan," 1953, Walt Disney Studios; Numbered 44 in pencil lower right; Size - Tinker Bell: 6 3/4 x 5 1/2", Sheet 12 1/2 x 15 1/2"; Unframed.

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

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.

Tinker Bell was designed and animated by Walt Disney veteran animator, Marc Davis (who supervised the animation and contributed to the design of: Cinderella, Alice, Wendy, Tinker Bell, Aurora, Maleficent, and Cruella De Vil). Without the aid of a vocal performance, he relied on Tinker Bell's facial and body expressions for the animation; taking inspiration from previous pantomime characters such as Mickey Mouse's dog Pluto and Dopey from "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." Once "Peter Pan" was released, Tinker Bell received critical acclaim and would continue to be one of Disney's trademark characters. She has become one of the main spokes-characters for The Walt Disney Company and one of its most popular and iconic characters since her creation. Many people remember the opening to the TV show "The Wonderful World of Disney," as Tinker Bell would fly towards the center of the screen with a thin wand in her hand, waving it, and causing fairy dust to fly out towards the viewer!

Close up of the original production animation drawing of Tinker Bell.

From veteran Walt Disney animator Andreas Deja:
"To me Tinker Bell is perfection. Her character arc in the story is very strong. Because of her affection for Peter Pan she is jealous of Wendy, which gets her into trouble. But toward the end of the film she saves Peter's life as well as the other kids. Her animation throughout is flawless. Occasionally based on live action reference, Marc animated her beautifully. She always feels like a small figure, but the acting has great range and subtlety. Marc said he really enjoyed the challenge of a mute character, where pantomime is the name of the game."

Because of the public's love of the character, DisneyToon Studios decided to create a series of films staring Tinker Bell; and the movies were extremely popular and very well received. The voices of Mae Whitman, Raven-Symoné, Lucy Liu, America Ferrera, Kristin Chenoweth and Pamela Adlon are featured in the series of films. Each of the first four films is set around one of the four seasons: "Tinker Bell," 2008 centered around Spring, "Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure," 2009 around Autumn, "Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue," 2010 around Summer, and "Secret of the Wings," 2012 around Winter. A fifth title, "Pixie Hollow Games," 2011 was supposed to be based on all four seasons, but it was released before "Secret of the Wings" and the film was scaled down. A sixth film, entitled "The Pirate Fairy," was released on April 1, 2014, followed by the release of a seventh film "Tinker Bell and the Legend of the NeverBeast" on March 3, 2015. The film series was a spin-off of and prequel to the animated feature film "Peter Pan" and to its sequel, "Return to Never Land."

Close of the production number.

This is a wonderful original production animation drawing of Tinker Bell that was drawn by Disney Directing Animator Marc Davis in development of a scene in Walt Disney's animated feature "Peter Pan," 1953. The drawing is from the scene when a very jealous Tinker Bell, frustrated by Peter Pan's attention toward Wendy Darling, races ahead of the flying Darling children to rally the Lost Boys to shoot down the "terrible Wendy Bird." In five scenes in their underground home, Tinker Bell tells the boys she has "orders from Pan!" concerning "a terrible Wendy Bird" that is "flying this way" and they are to "shoot it down!" Tinker Bell is centered on the sheet, eyes and mouth open, and the drawing is accomplished in blue, brown, and graphite pencils. Original animation artwork of Tinker Bell from "Peter Pan," is very rare, and this is an exceptionally large full figured drawing filled with great energy and action. The dialog for this scene is below:

Slightly: "Orders from Pan? Hold it men!"
[Cubby bangs the Twins' heads together]
Nibs: "What's the orders, Tink?"
[Tinker Bell waves her arms and makes her noises]
Cubby: "A terrible what?"
Slightly: "Wendy bird!"
Cubby: "Wendy bird?"
[Tinker Bell makes more movements]
Slightly: "Flying this way?"
Cubby: "Pan's order's are what?"
[Tinker Bell makes her noises and kicks her feet]
Cubby: "Smash it?"
Slightly: "Kick it?"
Twins: "Stomp it?"
[Tinker Bell shakes her head and makes shooting motions]
All: "Shoot it down!"
[All grab slingshots and go to find Wendy]

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

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