Original production animation drawing by Shamus Culhane in graphite pencil of Gideon from "Pinocchio," 1940, Walt Disney Studios; Numbered 8 in pencil lower right; Size - Gideon: 7 1/2 x 7 1/2", Sheet 10 x 12"; Unframed.
"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."
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."
The inspiration for Gideon was the silent Marx Brother,
Harpo. An earlier Walt Disney film "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,"
had already proven that characters with no dialog (ie. Dopy) could
become one of the the most memorable characters of the film. Gideon was
going to be voiced by the legendary Mel Blanc, but Disney decided to
delete all of his lines; preferring a mute Foulfellow sidekick who has
only 3 hiccups in the entire film. Mel Blanc did provide the voice for
the hiccups and he did receive payment; stating afterwards "that is it
was the most expensive hiccup I ever recorded."
Close up of the original production animation drawing of Gideon.
Close up of the original production animation drawing of Gideon.
James "Shamus" Culhane (1908-1996) was an American animator, film director, and film producer. He worked at various animation studios, but while at Disney he worked on several shorts and films, including being the lead animator on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. He is responsible for animating one of the most well-known sequences in the film, the seven Dwarfs marching home while singing "Heigh-Ho." The scene took Culhane and his assistants six months to complete. He then went on to work on "Pinocchio" where he animated both Honest John (Foulfellow) and Gideon; however he never received on-screen credit.
This is a very nice drawing of Gideon by Shamus Culhane from the famous scene in "Pinocchio," which occurs at the The Red Lobster Inn, where he and Honest John meet with the Coachman. All three are seen smoking, Honest John and Gideon both have cigars and The Coachman has a pipe. The scene opens with Honest John singing the classic "Hi-Diddle-Dee-Dee (An Actor's Life For Me)." This drawing features Gideon holding a cigar in his right hand, while his left is covering his mouth; apparently from coughing up smoke that is now billowing around his head. As a result of coughing, his hat is in mid air above his head. His beer stein is sitting on the table in front of him. A great action oriented drawing and a wonderful addition to any Walt Disney vintage animation art collection!
This is a very nice drawing of Gideon by Shamus Culhane from the famous scene in "Pinocchio," which occurs at the The Red Lobster Inn, where he and Honest John meet with the Coachman. All three are seen smoking, Honest John and Gideon both have cigars and The Coachman has a pipe. The scene opens with Honest John singing the classic "Hi-Diddle-Dee-Dee (An Actor's Life For Me)." This drawing features Gideon holding a cigar in his right hand, while his left is covering his mouth; apparently from coughing up smoke that is now billowing around his head. As a result of coughing, his hat is in mid air above his head. His beer stein is sitting on the table in front of him. A great action oriented drawing and a wonderful addition to any Walt Disney vintage animation art collection!
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