Original Production Animation Cels of Paul McCartney and John Lennon from "Yellow Submarine," 1968

 

Original hand painted production animation cels of Paul McCartney and John Lennon from "Yellow Submarine," 1968; Apple Films/United Artists/King Features Syndicate/TVC London; Production numbers in ink lower edges; Set on a lithographic background; Size - Paul McCartney & John Lennon: 8 x 11 3/4", Image 9 3/4 x 14 3/4"; Unframed.

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

“We all live in a yellow submarine.” - The Beatles

Yellow Submarine is a 1968 animated psychedelic jukebox musical fantasy adventure comedy-drama film inspired by the music of The Beatles and directed by George Dunning. Early press reports suggested that the Beatles would voice their own animated counterparts. However, aside from composing and performing the songs, the band’s only direct involvement came in the film’s closing live-action scene; the voices of their animated characters were provided by professional voice actors: John Clive as John, Geoffrey Hughes as Paul, Peter Batten as George (uncredited), Paul Angelis as Opening Narrator / Ringo / Chief Blue Meanie / George Harrison (additional dialogue), Dick Emery as Max / Lord Mayor / Jeremy Hillary Boob, Ph.D., and Lance Percival as “Young” and “Old” Fred.

The film was met with widespread acclaim from both critics and audiences. Former Pixar and Disney chief creative officer John Lasseter has credited it with helping to establish animation as a serious art form at a time when the medium was largely dismissed as being for children. Time magazine noted that the film delighted “adolescents and aesthetes alike.” More than half a century after its release, Yellow Submarine continues to be regarded as a landmark achievement in animation. The plot of the film is summarized below:

Pepperland is a bright, music-loving paradise beneath the sea, home to Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. The famous Yellow Submarine rests atop an Aztec-like pyramid that crowns a hill, while a range of towering blue mountains marks the edge of the land.

 
Peace is shattered when Pepperland is ambushed by the music-hating Blue Meanies, who dwell beyond the mountains. Their assault begins with a music-proof glass globe that traps the band. Projectiles and giant apples—an allusion to the Beatles’ then-new company, Apple Corps—rain down, freezing Pepperland’s residents into lifeless statues and draining the countryside of all colour.

 
In the final moments before capture, Pepperland’s elderly Lord High Mayor dispatches Young Fred to seek help. As Fred departs in the Yellow Submarine (“Yellow Submarine”), the Mayor is “bonked” by the Apple Bonkers’ enormous apples. Fred sails to Liverpool (“Eleanor Rigby”), where he finds a dejected Ringo wandering near “The Pier,” a hilltop building. Persuaded to return, Ringo gathers John, George, and Paul. The four agree to join Fred and set out for Pepperland in the submarine (“All Together Now”).

 
Their voyage takes them through the Sea of Time (“When I’m Sixty-Four”), the Sea of Science (“Only a Northern Song”), and the Sea of Monsters. There, Ringo recklessly presses the forbidden panic button and is swept overboard, but John, Paul, and George rescue him with a special button just before a vacuum beast devours the entire sea—and itself. Crash-landing in the Sea of Nothing, they encounter Jeremy Hillary Boob, Ph.D., a studious, eccentric creature (“Nowhere Man”), who repairs the submarine’s tiny motor. Ringo invites him along.

 
The journey continues through the Foothills of the Headlands (“Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds”), where they are accidentally separated from both Fred and the submarine. Wandering into the Sea of Holes, Ringo pockets one of the holes. A Blue Meanie abducts Jeremy, and when Ringo steps into a green hole, it transforms into the Sea of Green—delivering them at last to Pepperland.

 
Reunited with Fred and reviving the apple-bonked Lord Mayor, the Beatles behold Pepperland’s dreary, colourless ruin. Disguising themselves as Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, they seize instruments and inspire rebellion (“Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” / “With a Little Help from My Friends”). The Chief Blue Meanie retaliates with the Dreadful Flying Glove, which John defeats (“All You Need Is Love”). Colour floods back into Pepperland as its people and flowers revive. Ringo uses his pocketed hole to free the imprisoned Lonely Hearts Club Band, and together with the Beatles they battle the Meanies’ monstrous, many-headed dog (“Hey Bulldog”).

 
Ringo rescues Jeremy, who works “transformation magic” on the Chief Blue Meanie, causing him to sprout roses and reluctantly admit defeat. John extends a hand of friendship, and the Chief—confessing kinship with the Bluebird of Happiness—accepts. The Beatles, the Blue Meanies, and Pepperland’s citizens celebrate their newfound peace and love (“It’s All Too Much”).

 
The film concludes with the real Beatles in live action. They display mementos from their adventure: George holds the submarine’s motor, Paul offers “a little love,” and Ringo reveals “half a hole” in his pocket, hinting that he gave the other half to Jeremy (though Paul suggests patching it to keep his “mind from wandering”). Peering through a telescope, John warns that “newer and bluer Meanies have been sighted within the vicinity of this theatre,” and urges the audience to sing along for protection. The Beatles lead “All Together Now,” ending with the song’s title flashing in multiple languages across the screen.

Yellow Submarine received widespread critical acclaim. Released at the height of the 1960s psychedelic era, the film captivated audiences with its lush, wildly imaginative visuals and a soundtrack filled with Beatles classics. To celebrate its July 1968 premiere, the Beatles hosted a submarine-themed disco at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in Bayswater, London, where guests dressed entirely in yellow. In a 1980 interview, John Lennon reflected on the film, saying, “I think it’s a great movie, it’s my favorite Beatle movie. Sean loves it now, all the little children love it.” 

 

This is an extremely nice pair of original production animation cels Paul McCartney and John Lennon dressed as members of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band from "Yellow Submarine," 1968. Both Paul and John are in action oriented poses, John is holding his trombone, and Paul is playing his flute. A fantastic psychedelic pop art piece of animation history that would certainly be a highlight for any animation art collection! 

 

#YellowSubmarine #JohnLennon #PaulMcCartney #GeorgeHarrison #RingoStarr #Beatles #TheBeatles #AppleFilms #UnitedArtists #KingFeatures Syndicate #TVCLondon #animation #animationcel #cel #animatedfilm #GeorgeDunning #SgtPepper #SgtPeppersLonelyHeartsClubBand #LoveYouTo #ADayintheLife #AllYouNeedIsLove #WithALittleHelpfromMyFriends #HeyBulldog #BlueMeanie #JeremyHillaryBoob #Max #OldFred #AppleBonkers #Pepperland

#AllTogetherNow #NowhereMan #LucyintheskywithDiamonds #untitledartgallery

Original Production Animation Cels of Lady As A Puppy and A Door from "Lady and the Tramp," 1955

Original hand inked and hand painted production cel of Lady as a Puppy and a Door set on a lithographic background from "Lady and the Tramp," 1955, Walt Disney Studios; Size - Lady As A Puppy: 2 3/4 x 2 1/2", Door: 6 x 9 1/2, Image 6 1/4 x 13 1/4"; Unframed.

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

“Oh, I love her. What a perfectly beautiful little Lady.” ―Darling

"Lady and the Tramp" (released on June 22, 1955) is a full length featured animated film produced by Walt Disney and released by Buena Vista Distribution. The film was the 15th in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series, and it was the first animated feature filmed in with the CinemaScope widescreen film process. The film was based on the story "Happy Dan, The Whistling Dog" by Ward Greene and tells the story of a female American Cocker Spaniel named Lady who lives with a refined, upper-middle-class family. Lady meets a male stray mutt named Tramp and they embark on many exciting and romantic adventures.

One evening in 1937, Disney storyman Joe Grant invited Walt Disney over to his house for dinner and ended up showed Disney a drawing he had made of his pet springer spaniel, who was named Lady. Walt loved the drawing and suggested that Joe make a storyboard out of it; which he did and the plan was to create a new animated film, simply titled "Lady." The story that was pitched ended up being too simplistic to Walt Disney's taste, and the project was put on hold until about 20 years later.

Lady was wonderfully animated by the great Disney artist Ollie Johnston and she was voiced by Barbara Luddy. Barbara Luddy (1908 — 1979) was an American actress from Great Falls, Montana and she starred in silent pictures in the 1920s. She was also a prolific radio performer; known for her performances on the long running radio show "The First Nighter Program" which aired from 1936 until 1953.

However, Luddy is perhaps best remembered for her voice work in Walt Disney animated films; with her most memorable role being that of Lady from Lady and the Tramp.  She also performed in Sleeping Beauty (voice of Merryweather), One Hundred and One Dalmatians (voice of Rover), Robin Hood (voice of both Mother Church Mouse and the Mother Rabbit), and the Winnie-the-Pooh featurettes (Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree, Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day, and Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too) all of which she provided the voice for Kanga.

This is a very nice original production animation cel of Lady as a young puppy, who was a Christmas gift to Darling from Jim Dear. This is an adorable cel of Lady from the memorable sequence when Lady is put into her dog bed located in a downstairs room with a swing door; for her first night sleeping in her new home. Lady is full figure, eyes open, and is a charming piece of animation history; and would certainly would be a highlight for any Walt Disney vintage animation art collection!

#Tramp #Lady #Peg #LadyandtheTramp #Disney #WaltDisney #animation #animationcel #animationdrawing #productiondrawing #productioncel #animationart #cel #Disney #WaltDisney #PeggyLee #MiltKahl #untitledartgallery #EricLarson #LarryRoberts #OllieJohnston #FrankThomas #WolfgangReitherman #JoeGrant #Tony #BellaNotte #spaghetti #TonysRestaurant

Original Production Animation Cel Setup of Bambi and Twelve Quail from "Bambi," 1942

Original hand painted and hand inked production animation cel setup of Bambi and Twelve Quail over a Courvoisier air brush background from "Bambi," 1942, Walt Disney Studios; WDP stamp lower left, Walt Disney Productions stamp and original Courvoisier Galleries label verso; Size - Bambi & Quail: 5 1/2 x 9", Image 7 1/2 x 10"; Unframed.

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

"Good morning young prince." - Animals of the forest

"Bambi," 1942 is a full length animated film by Walt Disney Studios and based on the book "Bambi, A Life in the Woods" by Austrian author Felix Salten. The film was released by RKO Radio Pictures on August 13, 1942. "Bambi" received three Academy Award nominations: Best Sound (Sam Slyfield), Best Song (for "Love Is a Song" sung by Donald Novis), and Best Original Music Score. In June 2008, the American Film Institute presented a list of its "10 Top 10" (the best ten films in each of ten classic American film genres) and "Bambi" placed third in the animation category. In December 2011, "Bambi" was added to the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress.

The story centers on Bambi, a white-tailed deer, his parents (the Great Prince of the forest and his unnamed mother), his animal friends Thumper (a pink-nosed rabbit), Flower (a skunk), and his childhood friend and future mate, a doe named Faline. Walt Disney wanted all of the animals to be more realistic and expressive than those in "Snow White". He had Rico LeBrun, a wildlife animal painter, come into the Disney Studios to lecture to the animators on the structure and movement of animals. The animators went on excursions to the Los Angeles Zoo and Walt Disney set up a small zoo at the Disney Animation Studio with animals such as rabbits, ducks, owls, skunks, and a pair of fawns aptly named Bambi and Faline; so that the artists could see first-hand animal movement. Animator Marc Davis created the final design of Bambi by incorporating LeBurn's realistic study of deer anatomy but exaggerating the character's face by making his proportions baby-like; including a short snout and big expressive eyes.

"Bambi" was Walt Disney's favorite film he ever made, and it is not too surprising given his love of nature films. The special effects, particularly the water, and the lush hand painted backgrounds create a wonderful environment that allows the viewer to be totally immersed into the film. Combined with a great story of friendship and complete success in the creation of characters; the film is able to provide amazing feelings of both happiness and sadness, as the viewer watches Bambi grows up from fawn to deer.

Although the character of Bambi was designed by Marc Davis; animation was accomplished by Frank Thomas, Milt Kahl, Eric Larson, Ollie Johnson, and Preston Blair. The voice of Bambi was provided by four different actors, corresponding to the different ages of Bambi as he grew older: Bobby Stewart (baby), Donnie Dunagan (young), Hardie Albright (adolescent), and John Sutherland (young adult). Donnie Dunagan was also the performance model for the character, with the animators integrating his facial expressions onto the face of Bambi.

This is a wonderful full figure, eyes and mouth open original production animation cel of Bambi and an original production animation cel of twelve Quail that have been set on a Courvoisier air brushed forest background. A beautiful and rare piece of vintage Walt Disney original production animation artwork that is perfect for any collection!

#Bambi #Thumper #Disney #WaltDisney #MarcDavis #MiltKahl #animation #OllieJohnston #Faline #RicoLeBrun #animationdrawing #productiondrawing #animationart #untitledartgallery #cel #CourvoisierGalleries #CourvoisierGallery #Courvoisier #Owl #animationcel #SamEdwards #TimDavis #PeterBehn #FrankThomas #EricLarson #FelixSalten #SamSlyfield #DonaldNovis

Original Production Animation Cel of Dumbo and Mrs. Jumbo from "Dumbo," 1941

 

Original hand painted and hand inked production animation cel of Dumbo and his Mother (Mrs. Jumbo) over a Courvoisier air brush background from "Dumbo," 1941, Walt Disney Studios; WDP stamp lower left; Walt Disney Productions stamp verso; With original Courvoisier Galleries label; Size - Dumbo and Mrs. Jumbo: 6 1/4 x 5", Image 8 3/4 x 10"; Unframed.

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

"Baby mine, don't you cry
Baby mine, dry your eyes
Rest your head close to my heart
Never to part
Baby of mine" 

The Walt Disney full length feature film "Dumbo," released in 1940, introduced to the world one of the greatest characters in the Disney pantheon, Dumbo the flying elephant! Dumbo was the only character in the film who never uttered a single word, and yet he is one of the most remembered Disney stars. All of his feelings were conveyed through body movements and facial expressions. The extraordinary animation skill needed in order to do this with a human, but in this case a baby elephant, can not be underestimated.

The Disney Studio animation artists were still fairly new to feature animation, having only started in 1937 with "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." The film prior to "Dumbo" was "Fantasia," with one of the most successful sequences being "Night on Bald Mountain." Here again, the main character Chernabog, a huge winged devil, sitting on top of a mountain, commanding the undead below, and never uttering a single word; made a huge impression on the viewing public.

The Disney animator Vladimir "Bill" Tytla created the devil-giant for "Fantasia's" "Night on Bald Mountain," and for the next film he was given the task of animated the film's star, Dumbo. He said: 

"I gave him everything I thought he should have," said Tytla. "It just happened. I don't know a damn thing about elephants. It wasn't that. I was thinking in terms of humans, and I saw a chance to do a chracter without using any cheap theatrics. Most of the expressions and mannerisms I got from my own kid. There's nothing theatrical about a two-year-old kid. They're real and sincere- like when they damn near wet their pants from excitement when you come home at night. I've bawled my kid out for pestering me when I'm reading or something, and he doesn't know what to make of it. He'll just stand there and maybe grab my hand and cry... I tried to put all those things in Dumbo."

Mrs. Jumbo, Dumbo's mother, was voiced by Verna Felton; but she only utters a single line in the film "Jumbo. Junior." Felton was also the voice for the Elephant Matriarch in "Dumbo" and also voiced Flora and The Queen in "Sleeping Beauty," Fairy Godmother in "Cinderella," Queen of Hearts in "Alice In Wonderland," Aunt Sarah in "Lady and the Tramp," and Winifred the elephant in "The Jungle Book." There is no credit for Mrs. Jumbo's singing voice, but is thought to be that of Betty Noyes. Joe Grant and Dick Huemer changed Dumbo's mother's name from "Mother Ella" in the book to Mrs. Jumbo, as a reference to the famed Barnum & Bailey Circus elephant.

This is a fantastic original hand painted and hand inked production animation cel of Dumbo and Mrs. Jumbo from the full length feature animation film "Dumbo," 1941. Mrs. Jumbo is full figure and looking down at her son Dumbo peeking out from behind her left back foot. A wonderful addition and a highlight to any animation art collection. 

#Dumbo #Disney #WaltDisney #VladimirTytla #BillTytla #animation #animationcel #cel #animationart #untitledartgallery #animationdrawing #productiondrawing #productioncel #TimothyMouse #EdwardBrophy #TimothyQMouse #FredMoore #WolfgangReitherman #MrsJumbo #BabyMine

Original Production Animation Cel of Tramp from "Lady and the Tramp," 1955

Original hand inked and hand painted production animation cel of Tramp set on a lithographic background from "Lady and the Tramp," 1955, Walt Disney Studios; Size - Tramp: 5 x 5 1/4", Image 10 x 12"; Unframed.

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

"Lady and the Tramp" (released on June 22, 1955) is a full length featured animated film produced by Walt Disney and released by Buena Vista Distribution. The film was the 15th in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series, and it was the first animated feature filmed in with the CinemaScope widescreen film process. The film was based on the story "Happy Dan, The Whistling Dog" by Ward Greene and tells the story of a female American Cocker Spaniel named Lady who lives with a refined, upper-middle-class family. Lady meets a male stray mutt named Tramp and they embark on many exciting and romantic adventures. 

One evening in 1937, Disney storyman Joe Grant invited Walt Disney over to his house for dinner and ended up showed Disney a drawing he had made of his pet spinger spaniel, who was named Lady. Walt loved the drawing and suggested that Joe make a storyboard out of it; which he did and the plan was to create a new animated film, simply titled "Lady." The story that was pitched ended up being too simplistic to Walt Disney's taste, and the project was put on hold until about 20 years later.

Initially Tramp was called Homer and although he was first conceived as Lady's suitor, he ended up as her ex-dog pound mate in the initial 1943 storyboard pitch. A few years after that version was scrapped, Walt Disney read a story called "Happy Dan the Cynical Dog" in Cosmopolitan Magazine and decided that this was they type of character that was needed to enhance the film. Although Walt wanted his new character to be called Tramp, the animators feared that audiences would take offense in such a name, due to the word's sexual connotations that had been popularized by the song "The Lady Is A Tramp." The animators first called the character Rags, then Bozo; before Walt insisted that that name Tramp would be acceptable

Tramp is a very laid-back dog and acts more like a kid. He's flirtatious and has history of having had a multitude of girlfriends; and he's known for his street smarts, able to both avoid dog catchers and deal with junkyard dogs. However, he dreams about living with a family and in a loving home. Tramp was animated by Ollie Johnston, Milt Kahl, and Wolfgang Reitherman who animated the rat fight scene.

Larry Roberts (1926 - 1992) was an American voice actor and comedian who was most active in the 1950s. Although he was well known for his role in the 1950s TV series Lights, Camera, Action!, he is best remembered for his role of the voice of Tramp.

This is a wonderful full figure original production animation cel of Tramp. He is eyes and mouth open, and would be a great addition to any animation art collection!

#Tramp #Lady #Peg #LadyandtheTramp #Disney #WaltDisney #animation #animationcel #animationdrawing #productiondrawing #productioncel #animationart #cel #Disney #WaltDisney #PeggyLee #MiltKahl #untitledartgallery #EricLarson #LarryRoberts #OllieJohnston #FrankThomas #WolfgangReitherman #JoeGrant #Tony #BellaNotte #spaghetti #TonysRestaurant #BillBaucom #Jock #Trusty #BillThompson 

Original Production Animation Cel of The Grand Duke from "Cinderella," 1950

Original hand inked and hand painted production animation cel of The Grand Duke holding the Glass Slipper on a Velvet Pillow; Set on a lithographic background from "Cinderella," 1950, Walt Disney Studios; Numbered 47 in ink lower right; Size - The Grand Duke: 6 3/4 x 6 1/2", Image 10 1/2 x 14"; Unframed.

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

 

"You'll try this on every maid in my kingdom, and if the shoe fits... (brings his sword to the Grand Duke's nose, with the slipper hanging off the tip) bring her in!" - King

"Y-y-yes, Your Majesty." - Grand Duke  

The 1950 Walt Disney feature film "Cinderella" was based on the French version of the tale by Charles Perrault, entitled "Cinderella" and written in 1698. The film was the second in the series of great Princess films developed by Disney, the first being Snow White in 1937. The character of Cinderella is usually front and center in the pantheon of Disney Princess merchandise, perhaps because she is the only Princess not to be of a noble blood line who ended up marrying a Prince and becoming royalty.

 

The Grand Duke was animated by Milt Kahl and voiced by Luis d'Antin van Rooten, a Mexican born American actor and author. He voice both the Grand Duke and the King. The Grand Duke was tasked with trying on the glass slipper that was left behind during 

The King commanded the Grand Duke to ensure that Cinderella and Prince Charming enjoyed a perfect, uninterrupted evening. Ever dutiful, the Duke arranged for the curtains to be drawn, giving the couple privacy and sparing them the distraction of the crowd. All went smoothly until the clock struck midnight.

Suddenly, Cinderella bolted from the ballroom. The Grand Duke pleaded for her to stay, but she fled into the night. Desperate, he called upon the guards to stop her, though she escaped their grasp. All that remained was a single glass slipper, which the Duke carefully retrieved.

With dread in his heart, he returned to the King, who was celebrating his son’s apparent good fortune. Interrupting the merriment, the Duke delivered the disheartening news: the mysterious young woman had vanished. The King, furious beyond reason, accused the Duke of conspiring with the Prince to avoid marriage, and in a fit of rage even attempted to strike him down. The Duke barely dodged the assault, stammering that all was not lost—Cinderella had left behind the glass slipper. The Prince, he insisted, would accept no bride but the one whose foot fit the shoe. At this, the King’s wrath gave way to triumph. Though the Duke cautioned that the slipper might fit any number of women, the King declared that such a complication was the Prince’s problem. His command was simple: the Duke was to scour the entire kingdom until the maiden was found.

"The glass slipper is their only clue. Now, the duke has been ordered to try it on every girl in the kingdom. And if one can be found whom the slipper fits, then, by the King's command, that girl shall be the prince's bride." - Lady Tremaine

By morning, weary but determined, the Duke set out with the Herald. Their search eventually brought them to the manor of Lady Tremaine. One by one, Anastasia and Drizella forced their feet into the slipper, twisting and straining in vain. Convinced there was no one else, the Duke prepared to depart when Cinderella herself appeared. Lady Tremaine protested bitterly, declaring the girl was merely a servant unworthy of notice, but the Duke brushed her aside. His orders were clear—every maiden must be given a chance.

He motioned for the Herald to present the slipper, but Lady Tremaine treacherously tripped him. The glass shoe flew through the air, shattering into countless pieces at the Duke’s feet. His face drained of color as he imagined the King’s wrath. Yet hope was not lost—Cinderella revealed she still possessed the other slipper. Overjoyed, the Duke seized it and pressed it to his lips in relief. Carefully, he placed it upon Cinderella’s foot, and it fit with perfect grace.

At last, the mystery was solved. With jubilant heart, the Duke escorted Cinderella—joined by her loyal animal friends—to the castle. There, she was reunited with Prince Charming, while Lady Tremaine and her daughters were left in stunned silence, their schemes undone forever.

This cel is from the scene when the horse drawn royal carriage arrives to carry Lady Tremaine, and The Grand Duke is seen sleeping as the coach pulls up to the chateau. On his lap is the glass slipper sitting on a velvet pillow. A great piece of vintage Walt Disney animation artwork from the full length masterpiece "Cinderella" and a fantastic addition to any art collection!

#cinderella #stepmother #ladytremaine #Disney #WaltDisney #animation #animationart #animationdrawing #productiondrawing #cel #animationcel #productioncel #frankthomas #Anastasia #Drizella #art #artcollecting #untitledartgallery #EleanorAudley #Lucifer #Luciferthecat #glassslipper

Original Production Animation Cel of Merlin from "The Sword In The Stone," 1963

 

Original hand painted production animation cel of Merlin from "The Sword In The Stone," 1963, Walt Disney Studios; Set on a lithographic background; Size - Merlin: 7 3/4 x 7 1/4", Image 9 1/4 x 12"; Unframed.

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

"The Sword in the Stone," 1963 is the 18th full length feature film produced by Walt Disney and it was released on December 25, 1963 by Buena Vista Distribution. The film was based on the novel of the same name, that was first published in 1938. It was later republished in 1958 as the first book of T. H. White's tetralogy "The Once and Future King." It was to be the final Disney animated film released before Walt Disney's death on December 15, 1966. The songs in the film were written and composed by the Sherman Brothers, who would become very famous for their future work on later Disney films including; "Mary Poppins," 1964, "The Jungle Book," 1967, and "Bedknobs and Broomsticks," 1971.

Merlin is a very powerful wizard with a pet owl named Archimedes. He befriends and becomes the teacher of a 12-year old orphan named Arthur, who goes by the name of Wart. Merlin is first seen living in a forest cottage, and he believes in the philosophy of "Brain over Brawn." As a wizard, he is very intelligent, has a wide variety of powers, and is considered the most powerful wizard in the world. He has the ability to see into the future, and has the ability to shape-shift. Merlin was animated by Milt Kahl, Frank Thomas, and Ollie Johnston; and voiced by Karl Swenson who was an American theater, radio, film, and television actor.

This is a great original production animation cel of Merlin, he is eyes open, and peering through his eye glasses. An absolutely wonderful piece of original animation artwork perfect for any animation art collection!

#FrankThomas #OllieJohnston #Wart #madmadammim #swordinthestone #RickieSorensen #Excalibur #RichardReitherman #RobertReitherman #mim #madammim #merlin #arthur #kingarthur #disney #cel #animationcel #animationart #artcollecting #untitledartgallery #WaltDisney #THWhite

Original Production Animation Cel of Lafayette and Edgar from "The Aristocats," 1970

 

Original hand painted production animation cel of Edgar, Lafayette, and Motorcycle from "The Aristocats," 1970, Walt Disney Studios; Set on a lithographic background; Numbered 53 in ink lower right; Size - Edgar, Lafayette, & Motorcycle: 10 x 14 1/4", Image: 10 x 14 1/2"; Unframed.

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

"Step of the gas Napoleon!" - Lafayette  

"The Aristocats," 1970 is an animated feature film produced and released by Walt Disney Productions.  This was the last film project to be approved by Walt Disney himself, as he died in late 1966, before the film was finally released to theaters by Buena Vista Distribution on December 11, 1970. "The Aristocats" featured the voice talent of Eva Gabor, Hermione Baddeley, Phil Harris, Dean Clark, Sterling Holloway, Scatman Crothers, and Roddy Maude-Roxby.

The film is based on a story by Tom McGowan and Tom Rowe, and centers around a family of aristocratic cats. After the mistress's butler kidnaps them (to gain his mistress' fortune which was intended to go to the cats) an unlikely alley cat acquaintance helps them escape and be returned to their home.  

It is Paris 1910 and Madame Bonfamille tells her lawyer Georges Hautecourt that she has decided to leave all of her stocks, bonds, mansion, treasures, jewels, and her entire fortune to her beloved cats rather than to her butler, Edgar Balthazar.  When Edgar overhears this he fears the cats will outlive him, and that he will never see a penny of the inheritance.  He then realizes that he has to get rid of the cats; "I'll be gone, no oh no... they'll be gone," he says.  Edgar decides to put sleeping tablets into the cats milk and when they fall asleep, he takes them in a covered basket on his motorcycle far away from the city of Paris. 

The two dogs Napoleon a Bloodhound and Lafayette a Bassett Hound, were both animated by Frank Thomas. The dogs were initially going to be in only one scene, but because it was so successful; a second scene was developed involving Edgar returning to the French countryside in order to collect his umbrella and bowler hat. Napoleon and Lafayette were voiced by Pat Buttram and George Lindsey, respectively. The two voice actors would later reunite in "Robin Hood" to provide the voices for the Sheriff of Nottingham and Trigger the vulture guard; and again in "The Rescuers" as Luke and Deadeye.

Original production animation cel of Lafayette and Edgar without the background.

The character of Edgar was voiced by Roddy Maude-Roxby, an accomplished English actor.  He was just wonderful in the role with the delightful snooty English butler voice, that could also morph into a scheming cunning timber perfect for a Disney Villain. This cel of Napoleon and Lafayette appears in the scene when Edgar first makes his appearance at their abandoned windmill site in the French countryside, in order to dispose of Duchess and her kittens. A hilarious chase scene occurs between the two dogs and Edgar riding his motorcycle with attached sidecar. This is a large, rare, and wonderful cel of an eyes and mouths open image of both Edgar, who is standing on top of his motorcycle; and Lafayette, who is hanging onto the detached sidecar with is back paws, while at the same time hanging onto the motorcycle with his front paws. A great addition to any animation art collection!

#TheAristocats #Aristocats #Disney #WaltDisney #cel #animation #animationcel #animationdrawing #productioncel #productiondrawing #Duchess #ThomasOMalley #OMalley #OllieJohnston #MiltKahl #untitledartgallery #cats #PhilHarris #EvaGabor #Marie #Berlioz #Toulouse #AndreasDeja #FrankThomas #RobieLester #HermioneBaddeley #DeanClark #SterlingHolloway #ScatmanCrothers #RoddyMaudeRoxby #TomMcGowan #TomRowe #AbrahamDeLaceyGiuseppeCaseyThomasOMalley #Napoleon #Lafayette #PatButtram #GeorgeLindsey

Original Production Cels of Mowgli and Kaa from "The Jungle Book," 1967

 

Original hand painted production animation cels of Mowgli and Kaa from "The Jungle Book," 1967, Walt Disney Studios; Set on a lithographic background; Size - Mowgli & Kaa: 7" x 10", Image 9 x 12"; Unframed.

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"Trust in me." - Kaa 

"The Jungle Book," 1967 was the nineteenth animated feature film produced by Walt Disney Productions and inspired by Rudyard Kipling's book of the same name. The film was directed by Wolfgang Reitherman, it was to be the last film that was worked on by Walt Disney, as he passed away during its production. The film follows Mowgli, a feral child raised in the Indian jungle by wolves, as he encounters Bagheera the panther and Baloo the bear; who try and convince him to leave the jungle before the villainous tiger Shere Khan finds him. Voice actors include: Phil Harris, Sebastian Cabot, George Sanders and Louis Prima; as well as Disney regulars such as Sterling Holloway, J. Pat O'Malley, Verna Felton, and the director's son, Bruce Reitherman, as the voice of Mowgli.

Shere Khan, a Bengal tiger and Kaa a python were the main Villains in the 1967 Walt Disney film "The Jungle Book;" an adaption of writer Rudyard Kipling's series of stories. Wolfgang Reitherman was the animation director for the film and he began working for Walt Disney in 1934, along with future Disney legends Ward Kimball and Milt Kahl. The three worked together on a number of classic Disney shorts, including "The Band Concert," "Music Land," and "Elmer Elephant." Reitherman worked on various Disney feature films produced from 1937 to 1981, including "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" (animating the Slave in the Magic Mirror) up to "The Fox and the Hound," where he was the co-producer. Beginning with 1961's "One Hundred and One Dalmatians," "Woolie", as he was called by friends, served as Disney's chief animation director. In addition to "101 Dalmatians," Reitherman directed "The Sword in the Stone" (1963), "The Jungle Book" (1967), "The Aristocats" (1970), "Robin Hood" (1973) and "The Rescuers" (1977).

One of Reitherman's productions, the 1968 short "Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day," won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film. In addition, all three of Reitherman's sons — Bruce, Richard, and Robert provided voices for Disney characters, including Mowgli in "The Jungle Book," Christopher Robin in "Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree," and Wart in "The Sword in the Stone."  Not only did Bruce Reitherman provided the voice of Mowgli in "The Jungle Book," but he also acted out certain scenes as live action reference for the animators. The character of Mowgli was animated by quite a few animators, however Milt Kahl set the final design and the majority of Mowgli's scenes were animated by Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston.

Kaa the python, was animated by Frank Thomas in his entrance appearance of the film which is when Kaa first meets Mowgli and nearly eats Bagheera. Later in the film Kaa was animated by Milt Kahl, whose design for the snake may be more iconic; being that his scene was longer and included his trademark song "Trust In Me" as well as the famous interaction with the villainous tiger, Shere Khan.

Kaa was the second character who was originally voiced by Sterling Holloway, the first being Winnie-the-Pooh. Holloway's voice is just so wonderful in tone and pitch, and it is hard to imagine any other person doing the character justice. Kaa is very similar to another snake character, Sir Hiss from "Robin Hood". The two share several traits as both use hypnosis, and both suck up to the film's main antagonist (Shere Khan in Kaa's case, and Prince John in Sir Hiss's case). Exceptions are that they are different colors, sizes, and Sir Hiss wears clothing (cape and hat). "Trust In Me" ("The Python's Song") was sung by Sterling Holloway and was written by famed Disney songwriters, Robert and Richard Sherman.

This is a wonderful cel setup of both Mowgli and Kaa, the villainous python. Mowgli is eyes open and interacting with Kaa's tail, while Kaa's head is  in front of the Man Cub and looking intensely at him. Original artwork from "The Jungle Book" has become rare to the market, and this is a great piece that would be a prized addition to any animation art collection!

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