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Thursday, December 5, 2024

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

Original production animation drawing of Alice in graphite and brown pencils from "Alice In Wonderland," 1951, Walt Disney Studios; Numbered 121 in pencil lower right; Size - Alice: 7 1/2 x 3 1/4", Sheet 12 1/2 x 15 1/2"; Unframed.

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

"Goodness, if the people here are like that I must try not to upset them!" - Alice

"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.

Initial design for the character of Alice was accomplished by Mary Blair during the storyboard phase and also by Les Clark. Alice was animated by Ollie Johnston, Don Lusk, and Marc Davis who animated her for the tea party scene.


Close up of the original production animation drawing of Alice.

The Walt Disney animator Don Lusk supervised the animation of Alice in this scene, and this drawing in brown and graphite pencils is his work. He wrote her word of dialogue in the upper right "to." Lusk joined The Walt Disney Studios in the 1930's and he animated Donald Duck shorts as well as working on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937). He was principal animator of Cleo and Figaro in Pinocchio (1940), The Arabian Dance in The Nutcracker Suite of Fantasia (1940), the Great Stag in Bambi (1942), and was involved in feature films through One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961). He passed away at the age of 105 in 2018.
 
This drawing occurs at the end of the first encounter Alice has with the Cheshire Cat; who suggests to her that she seek out the Mad Hatter or the March Hare, who is "mad too." Alice says that she does not "want to go among mad people," and the Cat replies "Oh, you can't help that... most everything's mad here." In the last scene Alice walks away, puts her hands on her hips and says "Goodness, if the people here are like that I must try not to upset them!" This is an absolutely perfect image of Alice; she is eyes open, smiling, and would be a great addition to any vintage Walt Disney animation art collection!

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