Original Production Animation Cel of The Caterpillar from "Alice In Wonderland," 1951

Original hand inked and hand painted production animation cel of The Caterpillar set on a lithographic background from "Alice In Wonderland," 1951, Walt Disney Studios; Size - Caterpillar: 4 1/2 x 5"; Image 9 1/4 x 7 1/4"; Unframed.

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"Who R U?" - Caterpillar

"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.

 

The Caterpillar is known for smoking his hookah and blowing colorful smoke that forms letters, words, and even amazing moving images; as he talks to Alice. The Caterpillar was animated by John Lounsbery and Eric Larson, and voiced by the English comedic actor Richard Haydn.

 

Alice comes across the Caterpillar after being kick out of the Garden of Living Flowers for being a weed. She hears singing and walks towards the sounds to find the singing Caterpillar who is sitting on the top of a mushroom smoking his hookah. After a very odd conversation, an annoyed Alice stomps off; but the Caterpillar tells her to come back because he has something useful to say. When she returns, Alice tells the Caterpillar that she wants to return to her normal size and the Caterpillar asks "Y." Alice says that it is terrible to be only three inches tall, which is an awful height. The Caterpillar loses his temper (as he is three inches tall) and transforms into a butterfly. He then tells Alice that one side of the mushroom will make her grow taller and the other side will make her grow smaller.

 

The Caterpillar appears at the end of the film in his caterpillar form, but with butterfly wings on his back, sitting on a floating mushroom, and smoking his hookah. Alice is trying to escape from many of the inhabitants of Wonderland and also from being beheaded by the Queen of Hearts. The Caterpillar asks "Who R U?" and blows smoke that warps into a surreal smoke tunnel that leads Alice back to the Doorknob.

This is a rare and wonderful original production animation cel of the Caterpillar. A great action packed close up image with his eyes open, eyebrows raised, and his mouth in an O shape. He is holding the end of his hookah in one of his many hands, and you can just image him saying "Who R U?" This is an absolutely beautiful piece of vintage Walt Disney animation art and a great addition to any animation collection!

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