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Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Original Production Animation Drawing of The March Hare from "Alice In Wonderland," 1951


Original production animation drawing of the March Hare in graphite and red pencils from "Alice In Wonderland," 1951, Walt Disney Studios; Animation ladder and numbered 24 in pencil lower right; Size - March Hare & Hammer: 10 x 8", Sheet 12 1/2 x 15 1/2"; Unframed.

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

"There's only one way to stop a mad watch!" - March Hare

"Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" (commonly shortened to "Alice in Wonderland"), is a 1865 novel written by English author Charles Lutwidge Dodgson who wrote under the pseudonym Lewis Carroll. Disney reworked the story to fit with both a younger audience and a time frame suitable for an animated film (it's run time is only 75 minutes).

Kathryn Beaumont, who was born in London England, was just 10 years old when she was chosen for the voice of Alice. Walt Disney personally cast Beaumont after seeing her in the film "On an Island with You," in which the child actress had a small role. Disney was so impressed by her that she was also chosen to be the model for Alice, and would also go on to provide the voice for Wendy in "Peter Pan," 1953. Beaumont has also reprised her voice acting role as Alice in two episodes of the animated series, Disney's "House of Mouse," and as both Alice and Wendy in the video game "Kingdom Hearts." She did not retire as the voice of Alice and Wendy until 2005, when her role for these two characters was taken over by Hynden Walch.


Close up of the original production animation drawing of the March Hare.

The animator Ward Kimball was a tour de force for the film "Alice In Wonderland," and he animated the following: Alice (one scene), the White Rabbit, Tweedledee and Tweedledum, the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter, the March Hare, the Walrus and the Carpenter, the Oysters, and the Dormouse. Kimball, was a superb draftsman, and he preferred to animate comical characters rather than realistic human figures. Because of this, "Alice In Wonderland" was the perfect film for him as it was filled with wonderful creatures all acting odd and comical. Animating came easily to him and he was constantly looking to do things in a different way; which lead Walt Disney to call Kimball a genius in the book "The Story of Walt Disney."

The March Hare's appearance and mannerisms were modeled after his original voice actor, Jerry Colonna. Gerardo Luigi "Jerry" Colonna was an American comedian, singer, songwriter, and trombonist; who is best remembered as the zaniest of Bob Hope's sidekicks in his popular radio shows and films of the 1940s and 1950s.

This drawing is from the mad tea party scene when the March Hare asks for the time, and suddenly the White Rabbit appears shouting that he has no time because he is late! The Mad Hatter says, "No wonder you are late,  why this clock is exactly two days slow." The Hatter then begins a series of crazy fixes to the watch by taking off it's backing, looking at the gears and causing damage by adding salt, picking out the watch wheels and springs with a fork, spreading butter and pouring tea into the watch, pressing two sugar spoons into the open back, and spreading jam into the open back. Finally the March Hare, holding up a pot, asked the Hatter "Mustard?" And the Hatter replies, "Mustard! Yes, mu- MUSTARD? Don't let's be silly! Lemon, that's different..." Suddenly the watch begins to ring and move and jump about the table, throwing out springs, gears, and screws. The Hatter and March Hare realize that the pocket watch has gone mad, and the Hare says "There's only one way to stop a mad watch!" He pulls out a large hammer and smashes the watch. This is a large and spectacular drawing of the March Hare holding his hammer in a very dynamic action oriented pose; an absolutely beautiful piece of vintage Walt Disney animation art and a great addition to any animation collection!

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