Original production animation drawing of Mickey Mouse in red, blue, green, and graphite pencils, production stamp lower left, numbered 63 lower right, and used during the production of "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" sequence of "Fantasia," 1940, Walt Disney Studios; Size - Mickey Mouse: 4 1/4 x 4", Sheet 10 x 12"; Unframed.
"The
Sorcerer's Apprentice" was initially going to be a "Silly Symphonies"
short and be a venue for a comeback role for Mickey Mouse, who had
declined in popularity. However, it was eventually included in the full
length feature film "Fantasia," in 1940. The Disney version of "The
Sorcerer's Apprentice" is based on the 1797 poem by Goethe of the same
name. Mickey Mouse takes the role of the apprentice and the only real
change from the original poem occurs when the Sorcerer is stern and
angry with the apprentice after he saves him from a spell gone horribly
wrong.
Close up of the Mickey Mouse production animation drawing.
In
1935 a young animator, born in Los Angeles, named Fred Moore gave
Mickey his first makeover. Earlier animators had drawn the mouse as a
series of circles, which limited his movement. Moore gave him a
pear-shaped body, pupils, white gloves, and a shortened nose; all of
which added to make the World's most famous mouse a lot cuter. Moore
animated Mickey Mouse for the 1938 short "The Brave Little Tailor,"
which was to be the last significant appearance of the "pie-eyed"
Mickey. For "Fantasia," 1940 the "pie-eyes" were gone and Moore's
complete transformation of Mickey Mouse for the film continues to be his
official look up to this day.
Close up of the production stamp.
Close up of the production number.
"The
Sorcerer's Apprentice," is perhaps Mickey Mouse's most well known role
(despite the fact that he never utters a single word), and as such it
was the only 1940 segment that was added to the later film "Fantasia,
2000." Original production drawings and cels of the character are
extremely rare and highly collected and this drawing is a wonderful eyes
open image of the character. Mickey is full figure, wearing his robe and large shoes, and both of his ears are clearly seen. His arms are outstretched in front of him and there is a shadow cast on the floor to the left. A great addition to any animation art collection!
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