"Broken Toys" (1935) - Assorted Pencil Drawings

Merry Christmas and Season's Greetings!

Since I will be away for part of December, I thought this would be a good opportunity to post some Christmas/Holiday related art. To see other holiday related items, select "Category-Holiday" from the "Content by Category" list on the right.

"Broken Toys" (1935) is a Christmas-time film where the discarded Sailor Doll (patterned after actor Ned Sparks), gives the other toys a plan on how they could bring happiness to others during Christmas.

Earlier, I posted another item from "Broken Toys" -- a great pencil pan background.


As with several other films during this period, "Broken Toys" brings to the screen a number of easily identifiable (at least at the time) Hollywood-types.

Ned Sparks was a unique actor with a very identifiable style. Disney used Sparks as a character concept for not only the Sailor Doll, but as the Caterpillar in "Snow White," The Jester in "Mother Goose Goes Hollywood." Tex Avery used Sparks as The Hermit Crab in "Fresh Fish."

Sailor Doll (Ned Sparks)

Two additional characters that were popular at the time were Aunt Jemima (Tess Gardella) and Stepin Fetchit.

Tess Gardella was a white, Italian who played in "black face." Many recall her as "Queenie" the black cook in "Show Boat." Stepin Fetchit was the first African-American actor to become a millionaire playing roles that offended many in the Black community, but later he was given the N.A.A.C.P. Special Image Award in 1975.

3rd or 4th Generation Model Sheet

Aunt Jemima Pencils

Stepin Fetchit Pencils

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From “Broken Toys” (1935). Part of a set of 4 images (See 399, 406, 415 416) Boy in sailors cap with feet that are wheels. (or simply a dressed up kid). Comments include: "20 MK"-lower right, "Reg to H-1[red]" Ned Sparks stars as an optimistic sailor doll: whereas the others are despondent, he has had a great idea as to how they could give pleasure to others this Christmas. [Item: 12"W x 10"H] Acquired 1999. SeqID-0416

From “Broken Toys” 1935. A 3rd or 4th generation model sheet. "U.S. 34" "Models" Aunt Jemima and Stepin Fetchit. [14”W x 11”H] Acquired 2000. SeqID-0492

From “Broken Toys” (1935). Part of a set of 4 images (See 399, 406, 415 416). This Aunt Jemima Image has some red shading and greed for the shadow under her dress. Comments include: "20 O.J."-lower right, "H-1-A" [frame 20] Acquired 1999. SeqID-0406

From “Broken Toys” (1935). A pencil sketch of Aunt Jemima, right leg lifted looking to side. Notes: "22" [frame 22] See “0406 for almost identical frame 20. [Item: 12"W x 10"H] Acquired 2000. SeqID-0494

From “Broken Toys” 1935. A pencil sketch of Stepin Fetchit as marionette. Notes: Red shoe; "Reg 15x"; "57"; "CC x 59". See #0415 for an almost identical copy (frame 61). [Item: 12"W x 10"H] Acquired 2000. SeqID-0493

From “Broken Toys” 1935. Part of a set of 4 images (See 399, 406, 415 416) A large image of Stepin Fetchit as a marionette. Red right shoe. Notes: "61"-lower right; "follow roughs"; "Reg15x[red]"; 3-hole paper. Acquired 1999. SeqID-0415

"Disney Showcase Collection" (2005) - Unique DeBrekht 9-Inch Figures

Merry Christmas and Season's Greetings!

Since I will be away for part of December, I thought this would be a good opportunity to post some Christmas/Holiday related art. To see other holiday related items, select "Category-Holiday" from the "Content by Category" list on the right.

Here are some interesting Christmas pieces from DeBrekht. These Eastern European/Russian designed items combine classic Christmas icons with a variety of interesting Disney characters. [Note: the images are from the DeBrekht web site]

Fairy Godmother and Cinderella

Prince Charming and Cinderella

Mickey and Minnie (front & reverse)

Snow White

Mickey and Minnie's "Winter Wonderland"

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From “Cinderella’s Enchantment” (2005) from the Disney Showcase Collection (Derevo Collection) by DeBrekht. Images of Cinderella and the Fairy Godmother drawn on the front of Santa Claus. A Limited Edition (187/1500) figurine. SKU: 72221 [9”H] SeqID-1695

From “A Dance In The Clouds” (2005) from the Disney Showcase Collection (Derevo Collection) by DeBrekht. Images of Prince Charming and Cinderella drawn on the front of Santa Claus. A Limited Edition (87/1500) figurine. SKU: 72222 [9”H] SeqID-1696

From “Mickey and Minnie’s Majestic Friend” (2005) from the Disney Showcase Collection (Derevo Collection) by DeBrekht. Images of Mickey and Minnie with Santa Claus. A Limited Edition (58/1500) figurine. SKU: 72111 [6.5”H] SeqID-1694

From “Snow White and Friends Santa” (2005) from the Disney Showcase Collection (Derevo Collection) by DeBrekht. Images of Snow White and the Dwarfs drawn on the front of Santa Claus. A Limited Edition (510/1500) figurine. SKU: 72321 [8.5”H] SeqID-1697

From “Mickey and Minnie’s Winter Wonderland” (2005) from the Disney Showcase Collection (Derevo Collection) by DeBrekht. Images of Mickey and Minnie in front of a Christmas Tree. A Limited Edition (157/1500) figurine. SKU: 72411 [8”H] SeqID-1693

"Abominable Snow Rabbit" (1951) - Chuck Jones Story Board of Bugs

Merry Christmas and Season's Greetings!

Since I will be away for part of December, I thought this would be a good opportunity to post some Christmas/Holiday related art.

What would Winter Time be without Bugs Bunny! Here's a concept story board drawn by Chuck Jones from a great cartoon!

Bugs & the Abominable Snow Man Meet

----- DATABASE NOTES -----

From "Abominable Snow Rabbit" (1961). Concept story board drawn by Chuck Jones of the Abominable Snow Monster holding Bugs Bunny. Co-directed by Chuck Jones & Maurice Noble. [Image: 12”W x 9”W; Frame: 18”W x 18”H] Acquired 2004. SeqID-1218

"Christmas Seals" (circa 1939) Poster by Rockwell Kent

Merry Christmas and Season's Greetings!

Since I will be away for part of December, I thought this would be a good opportunity to post some Christmas/Holiday related art.

Let's start with a fantastic 26-inch high Christmas Seals poster by Rockwell Kent (an amazing artist). The "deco" feel makes the piece very dynamic and no matter where in the room this piece is hanging, your eye immediately goes to it.

26-Inch High Rockwell Kent Poster

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"Buy Christmas Seals" (circa 1939) poster by Rockwell Kent. Sothebys Description: A circa 1939 off-set printed poster by Rockwell Kent asking for support for the National Tuberculosis Association. The poster reads: "Buy Christmas Seals / Protect Your Home From Tuberculosis." It depicts and angel sprinkling yellow flowers while rising before a vibrant blue background and a red cross. The printer is unknown. Vp4 Condition: A. This linen backed poster is in fine to very fine condition. It is exceptionally clean and bright with little or no visible wear or touch-up. [Item: 19"W x 26"H] SeqID-0725

Notes: The idea of a Christmas seal was conceived by a Danish postal clerk and the first Christmas seal was issued by Denmark in 1904 to raise money for tuberculosis. The first U.S. Christmas seal was issued in 1907. Emily Bissell, a Red Cross worker, deigned a simple red and white seal to raise money to save a local TB sanitarium. She had heard about the success of Christmas seal sales for TB in Denmark and thought the idea was worth trying. She was so successful the first year that in 1908 the American Red Cross ran the campaign on a national basis. The Red Cross issued seals every year until 1919 when the National Tuberculosis Association took over. With the decline of TB, the name was changed in 1968 to the National Tuberculosis and Respiratory Disease Association. In 1973, the name was changed again to its current name of the American Lung Association. (http://hometown.aol.com/betsychuck/xmas.htm) Circa 1939. 26x19in.

"Mickey's Follies" (1929) [1 of 2] - Ub Iwerks(?) Mickey Pencil

According to the seller, this early pencil may have been drawn by Ub Iwerks, but I have not definitive evidence to support the claim.

Note the "pie-eyed" shape of Mickey's eyes -- a characteristic used only for a short period of time. This is the only image I've seen with Mickey's lips actually doing something! The rest of the material I have shows Mickey with a fairly bland smile -- this has character! If you look closely at Mickey's hand on the left you can see where the had was erased and re-positioned -- an aspect I've seen with other Iwerks drawings...

Ub Iwerks(?) Pencil of Mickey

The film featured "Minnie's Yoo-Hoo Song" which was Disney's first printed sheet music and written by Disney and Carl Stalling (who wrote fantastic material at Warner Bros.).

I thought the information about Stalling on IMDB was interesting:

Carl Stalling is the most famous unknown composer of the 20th century, almost solely based on his work composing musical scores for animated cartoons. Stalling's first work in music was as house organist in Newman Theatre in Kansas City, where he would accompany the latest silent film with his organ playing. He soon came to the attention of fellow Kansan Walt Disney, who recruited Stalling as musical director for his fledgling animation company. At Disney, Stalling invented the "tick" method, a timing device that allows animators to set the tempo of the cartoons, so that the musicians can play along before the cartoon is even drawn! Stalling created the music for Disney's early "Silly Symphonies", including The Skeleton Dance (1929). Stalling left Disney in 1930 to join the new animation group at Warner Brothers. The advantage for Stalling was that he now had access to Warner's enormous library of popular songs, which he began to employ as a sort of musical pun. For example, any scene showing someone freezing would be accompanied by a bit of "Am I Blue?", or any shot of a country bumpkin would be followed by a few bars of "Arkansas Traveller." Stalling's main source of musical inspiration, however, were the works of Raymond Scott; Scott's "Powerhouse" theme is forever linked with Stalling's work for Warners. Stalling was a quiet man, granting only one interview about his work (for "Funnyworld" magazine). For a better appreciation of his work, fans should get the two "Stalling Projects" CDs.

----- DATABASE NOTES -----

From “Mickey’s Follies” (1929). A Mickey Mouse film directed by Wilfred Jackson. A pencil sketch of Mickey (pie-eyed) singing. Seller wrote: "One of my earliest Mickey drawings. They stopped animating 'pie eyed' Mickey early on. too much trouble to animate. Probably done by Ub Iwerks. Contains 'Minnie's Yoo Hoo Song' Crude but very early." On sheet: "391" lips in circle as he sings. “Minnie’s Yoo Hoo” as the Mickey Mouse Club song that was Disney’s first printed sheet music - written by Walt Disney and Carl Stalling. [Item: 12"W x 9-1/2"H] SeqID-0691

"Mickey's Follies" (1929) [2 of 2] - Pie-Eyed Mickey and Minnie "Yoo-Hoo Pin

Even though it has a little rust, the colors on this pin are bright. I had purchased a few items and this pin was stuck in the bottom of one of the boxes -- I didn't even know it was there! I thought it was a nice item and have worn it around a few times. The information on the back of the pin would lead me to believe that this was made in England.

Note both Mickey and Minnie are "pie eyed" -- a way of drawing the eyes that was only used for a short period due to the complexity it inadvertently created.

Mickey and Minnie "Yoo-Hoo" Pin

What I didn't realize until later was that the song from the film ("Minnie's Yoo-Hoo Song") became the theme for the Mickey Mouse Club.

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From “Mickey’s Follies” (1929). A Mickey and Minnie “Yoo-Hoo” pin from the film. The song, “Minnie’s Yoo-Hoo Song” became the theme for the Mickey Mouse Club. A Mickey Mouse film directed by Wilfred Jackson. “Yoo-Hoo” On the side/back: "Copyright 1930 Walter E Disney All rights reserved for Great Britain" A button of Mickey playing a piano and Minnie sitting on the piano. Enclosed in a package from The Walt Disney Company, 500 S. Buena Vista St. Postmark: Burbank, CA Sep 13 '88 [Item: 3-7/8" diameter] SeqID-0694 8/9/2005

"Happy Thanksgiving" (circa 1950) - Pen and Ink

I don't have any real information on this piece, but it is certainly appropriate to post this today.

Happy Thanksgiving

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From an unknown film (circa 1950). Pen & ink illustration. of Mickey, Goofy and Turkey at thanksgiving dinner. Mickey in center holding pie. Steam rising from the food in red. Turkey has bandanna on head and blanket around his shoulders. [Unframed Item: 14-3/8"W x 7-1/4"H] Acquired 2000. SeqID-0776 11/1/2005

"Mickey's Fire Brigade" (1935) - Pencil of Mickey and Effects Background

Purchased in 1992, this was one of the early pieces we picked up. There were two sheets: a pencil of Mickey and a colored pencil effects background. I wasn't excited about trimming Mickey and putting him on top of the EFX sheet. So, we decided to mount them side-by-side. Because the sheets overlapped, we decided to place more emphasis on Mickey by using a fairly small cut-out. As long as we were doing that, we decided to create a matte relief in the shape of the fire fighter hat worn by Mickey. Finally, we extended the line of the burning wood onto the frame itself and burned lines in the frame (with some connecting lines cut in the matte). The effect is very striking and adds considerable impact to the two sheets.

Mickey and Color Effects Sheet

A Photoshop Combination

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From “Mickey’s Fire Brigade” (1935). A great pencil sketch of Mickey in fireman's hat. But the special effect of fire is excellent. The fire is in red and very good. [Mickey: 4” diameter; SFX: 10"W x 9.5"H] Acquired 1992. SeqID-0080 8/6/2005

"Mickey's Elephant" (1936) [2/2] - Pencil Background and Layout Directions

This is a very nice background sketch. Good shading and detail. The initials on the layout sheet are probably for Joe Grant. The same background also appeared in Lambert's "Mickey Mouse" book.

Pencil Background

When we bought this piece, there wasn't much interest in backgrounds -- people were more interested in (1) color cels and (2) the characters. To increase the "apparent" value, the seller traced the matching image of Mickey and placed it on a cel over the background. Frankly, I think the Mickey is a distraction from this great background! At some point, I'm going to open up the frame and pull Mickey out.


The background as it appeared in Lambert's "Mickey Mouse" book (see the reference below). By the way, if you don't have Lambert's book I think it is one of those "must have" reference books. I was fortunate to get two signed copies -- one for reference and one that is still sealed in shrink-wrap.

Side-By-Side Views

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From “Mickey’s Elephant” (1936). A Mickey Mouse film directed by Dave Hand. (1) Pencil layout of the elephant house. Mickey cutout is pasted on a cell over the pencil drawing -- Mickey flexing a saw. (2) Also on the pencil drawing are the layout directions -- "semi CU of Elephant House" " 6-9-36 Anim - JG" in green pencil -- possible initials of Joe Grant. Production M46, Scene No. 6 The sleeve has sticker on it: "1936 Dept 24" [Unframed Item: 20”W x 10”H] Acquired 1998. SeqID 0348 8/3/2005

Reference: Color image match of background on Page 131. Lambert, Pierre. Mickey Mouse. NY: Hyperion, 1998. ISBN: 0-7868-6453.2. $150. Limited edition: 000421. Signed by Pierre Lambert. 13"W x 13"H. UNOPENED. SeqID 1469

"Mickey's Elephant" (1936) [1/2] - Pencil of Mickey and Bobo

To my way of thinking, "Mickey's Elephant" (1936) was an OK film -- not one of my favorites. Here's a nice warm sketch of Mickey and the elephant "Bobo."

Mickey and Bobo

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From “Mickey’s Elephant” (1936). Good pencil sketch of Mickey and his elephant (Bobo). A Mickey Mouse film directed by Dave Hand. [Image: 11-5/16"W x 6 9/8"H. Framed: 19-7/8"W x 15-5/16"H] SeqID-0079 8/6/2005

"Mickey's Delayed Date" (1947) - Pencil Background

Here's a nice pencil background from "Mickey's Delayed Date" (1947). At first, I thought the lettering on the signs was just the standard "geek" lettering done to show where printing would appear but on closer inspection I figured out that some of the words were real words written backwards!

Pencil Background With Backward Wording

Here's an image from the "Encyclopedia of Walt Disney Animated Art" showing the scene with Mickey and Pluto.


Here's another image of the same background from the Disney web site showing Minnie.


----- DATABASE NOTES ------

From “Mickey’s Delayed Date” (1947). "Hard Times" is the sign in front of the theater. "SC 63" "Hard Times Costume Party Tonite!" Sign: "Next Week Orsayday and His Orchestra" The sign reads in part (backwards): Nite Tues Prizes Fun ???" [Unframed Item: 12"W x 10"H] Acquired 1998. SeqID-0238 Updated: 8/3/2005

Reference: Image from “Encyclopedia of WD Animated Art” pg 42 has scene from film. Some minor differences between the pencil background and what appeared in the film. Also can be seen on the Disney web site with Minnie standing in front of the sign.

"Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron" (2002) - Segment from Senior Video

I was chatting the other day and was reminded of the song "Somewhere Out There" from an "American Tail." It reminded me that for my daughter's graduation from high school in 2002, I decided to make a short video using photos and some video tape that I had shot over the years.

I settled on several pieces of music and used them for different segments. Here, I'd like to share a portion of Segment #2. I decided to use the music from "Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron" (2002). The opening sequence of the film seemed to parallel what I wanted to do with this segment of the video.

It's pretty rough, but I hope you enjoy the animation clips and the video segments from Disneyland...

Opening Segment From Daughter's Senior Video

UPDATE: Off-Line For A While

For the next few days, I'll be away from the computer moving furniture down to the Phoenix area.

Back soon...

Bob

"Mickey's Christmas Carol" (1982) - Sunday Pen and Ink

Since we are coming up on Christmas, I thought I'd post this Sunday pen & ink from Walt Disney's Treasury of Classic Tales Mickey's Christmas Carol (1982).

Scrooge Meets Marley For First Time

----- DATABASE NOTES -----

From "Walt Disney's Treasury of Classic Tales Mickey's Christmas Carol" (1982). Dated "October 17, 1982" Marley visits Scrooge for the first time. [Unframed Item: 23-1/8"W x 16-1/8"H] Acquired 1998. SeqID-0295 Updated: 8/16/2005

"Mickey's Amateurs" (1937) [1 of 5] - Goofy Pencil

Here are some items from "Mickey's Amateurs" (1937). The film was the only time Pinto Colvig was a Director. As you may recall, Pinto was the voice of Goofy and a host of other characters. When not at Disney, he was the original Bozo the Clown and I have one his early 78-rpm record books.

Here is a GREAT Goofy image that was in the Ingeborg Willy Scrapbook.

Classic Goofy

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from "Mickey's Amateurs" (1937). Goofy. Item from “Ingeborg Willy’s Scrapbook” (1936-1937). A scrapbook of photos, pencil drawings and other items put together by Ingeborg Willy, who was an inker for Disney from 11/23/36 to 11/26/41 and who died in 1999. Acquired 1998. SeqID-0243 Updated: 7/28/2005

"Mickey's Amateurs" (1937) [2 of 5] - Combined Pencils

I thought you might like to see how several images combine. I loaded the two images in Photoshop as layers (with Goofy on top) and then erased all non-Goofy parts of the top layer. While the registered images are not quite the ones specified on the backgrounds they are close enough...

Goofy and Background Overlays

"Mickey's Amateurs" (1937) [3 of 5] - Goofy Pencils

Here's a nice set of Goofy pencils as he does his one-man-band "thing." The first pencil has color directions. The others have some great examples of how all the other images are to "register" with each other.

Goofy Plays The Trombone

----- DATABASE NOTES -----

From "Mickey's Amateurs" (1937). A color guide for Goofy as he plays the trombone. "Sc30" "M51" "233" Numerous color notations. "Reg 705" Part of the series 0732, 0733, 0734, 0735, 0736. [Unframed Item: 12"W x 10"H] SeqID-0732 10/14/2005

From "Mickey's Amateurs" (1937). Goofy playing the trumpet with his eyes closed and cheeks puffed out. "Reg #703" "142" Various registration marks with over/underlays. Part of the series 0732, 0733, 0734, 0735, 0736. [Unframed Item: 12"W x 10"H] SeqID-0733 10/14/2005

From "Mickey's Amateurs" (1937). Goofy is sitting, looking slightly up and above a trumpet hooked to a stand. "64" "Reg 703" Various registration marks for overlays/underlays. Part of the series 0732, 0733, 0734, 0735, 0736. [Unframed Item: 12"W x 10"H] SeqID-0734 10/14/2005

From "Mickey's Amateurs" (1937). Goofy is sitting and holding a trumpet and looking at the audience. "243" "1" "Reg 702" Part of the series 0732, 0733, 0734, 0735, 0736. [Unframed Item: 12"W x 10"H] SeqID-0735 10/14/2005

"Mickey's Amateurs" (1937) [4 of 5] - Pencil Backgrounds

Here are some nice pencil backgrounds. The first one is one that I purchased and the other two were part of the Ingeborg Willy Scrapbook.

One-Man Band Backgrounds

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From "Mickey's Amateurs" (1937). A background layout for the Goofy series. Showing all the instruments and the various controls for the one-man band unit. "B.G. 703" "Fr M 203" Part of the series 0732, 0733, 0734, 0735, 0736. [Unframed Item: 12"W x 10"H] SeqID-0736 10/14/2005

from "Mickey's Amateurs" (1937). Background of Goofy's instruments. Item from “Ingeborg Willy’s Scrapbook” (1936-1937). A scrapbook of photos, pencil drawings and other items put together by Ingeborg Willy, who was an inker for Disney from 11/23/36 to 11/26/41 and who died in 1999. Acquired 1998. SeqID-0243 Updated: 7/28/2005

"Mickey's Amateurs" (1937) [5 of 5] - Goofy Pencils

These are from the Ingeborg Willy Scrapbook (see archive links). A nice squash-and-stretch sequence.

Goofy Squash-and-Stretch

----- DATABASE NOTES -----

From "Mickey's Amateurs" (1937). Goofy from behind. Item from “Ingeborg Willy’s Scrapbook” (1936-1937). A scrapbook of photos, pencil drawings and other items put together by Ingeborg Willy, who was an inker for Disney from 11/23/36 to 11/26/41 and who died in 1999. Acquired 1998. SeqID-0243 Updated: 7/28/2005

"Make Mine Music: Peter and the Wolf" (1946) - UPDATE

UPDATE

I received an email from Susan H. in Singapore with an attached image of her cel of Peter and the Wolf that was very similar to the one in our collection that I posted earlier. ! I thought you might be interested in seeing it as well...

Susan H.'s "Make Mine Music: Peter and the Wolf" Pan Cel

Thanks, again, Susan for sharing your art...

"Melody Time" (1948) [1/16] - Introduction To Series

[Poster image from Nordic Posters]

OK. Now, let me try another approach to a series of images from a film...

Background to "Melody Time"

Let's see what the Internet has to say about this film...

Jeff Pepper's "2719 Hyperion" has two good postings on the film. To start with, Jeff has a good overview of the film and its segments that was written May 27, 2008. In addition, there is another great look into the character of Pecos Bill -- and some good examples of how Bill's cigarette was removed to make the film more Politically Correct.

Here's Wikipedia's entry on "Melody Time"...

Melody Time (first released on May 27, 1948) is an animated feature produced by Walt Disney and released to theatres by RKO Radio Pictures. Made up of several sequences set to popular music and folk music, the film is, like Make Mine Music before it, the contemporary version of Fantasia, an ambitious film that proved to be a commercial disappointment upon its original theatrical release. Melody Time, while not meeting the artistic accomplishments of Fantasia, was a mildly successful film in its own right. It is the tenth animated feature in the Disney animated features canon.

Film segments

This particular film has seven segments:

1 "Once Upon a Wintertime" features Frances Langford singing the title song about two romantic young lovers in December. The boy shows off for his girl, and near-tragedy and a timely rescue ensue. This short was also featured in a Disney Sing-Along video as a background movie for the song Jingle Bells.

2 "Bumble Boogie" is a surrealistic nightmare for a solitary bee trying to escape from a visual and musical frenzy. The music is courtesy of Freddy Martin and his orchestra (with Jack Fina playing the piano) and is a swing-jazz variation of Rimsky-Korsakov's Flight of the Bumblebee, which was one of the many pieces considered for inclusion in Fantasia.

3 "The Legend of Johnny Appleseed" is a retelling of the story of John Chapman, who spent most of his life roaming America and planting apple trees, thus earning his famous nickname. Dennis Day narrates and provides all the voices.

4 "Little Toot" is based on the poem by Hardie Gramatky, in which the title protagonist, a small tugboat, wants to be just like his father but can't seem to stay out of trouble. The Andrews Sisters provide the vocals. Out of all the musical segments, this one is the most famous.

5 "Trees" is a reciting of the famous Alfred Joyce Kilmer poem by Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians with the lyrical setting seen through the seasons.

6 "Blame It On the Samba" has Donald Duck and José Carioca meeting with the Aracuan Bird who introduces them to the pleasures of the samba. The Dinning Sisters provide the vocals while organist Ethel Smith plays the organ.

7 "Pecos Bill" is the finale about the famous hero from Texas, the biggest and best cowboy that ever lived, his horse Widowmaker, and how he was brought back down to earth by a woman named Slue-Foot Sue. This retelling of the story is courtesy of Roy Rogers, Bob Nolan, and the Sons of the Pioneers to Bobby Driscoll and Luana Patten. This segment was later edited on the film's NTSC video release [2000] (but not the PAL release) to remove all scenes of Bill smoking a cigarette. The entire scene with Bill rolling the smoke and lighting it with a lightning bolt was cut and all other shots of the offending cigarette hanging from his lips were digitally removed.

Images

There are a couple of items I'd like to point out in the following postings...

Mary Blair pastels. A nice set of pastel concepts attributed to Mary Blair.

Scrapbook items. Some time ago, I picked up a scrapbook that was compiled by an unknown Disney employee. The cels were just taped into the book and a brief description was written. I've included a shot of the original and shots of the same cel but with a background added.

Pecos Bill. A number of folks like Pecos Bill himself. But I happen to like Slue Foot Sue... I thought she was a fairly independent and self-reliant character for the late 1940's -- much as Ariel and the other current female leads in Disney films.

Hope you enjoy them...
Bob

"Melody Time: 1 Once Upon A Wintertime" (1948) [2/16] - Mary Blair Pastel Concepts

Here is a fantastic set of 15 pastel concepts (15"W x 12"H). The pastels are attributed to Mary Blair, but there are no specific notations that would verify that fact... I decided to put them in one huge 80"W x 41"H frame.

Mary Blair Pastel Concepts

----- DATABASE NOTES -----

From “Melody Time: Once Upon A Wintertime” (1948). A very unusual series of pastel concept (story board) elements to the "Once Upon A Wintertime" program believed to have been drawn by Mary Blair. Very good and fresh. Total of 15 images. [Image: 15 sections (3 rows of 5).15-3/8"W x 12-3/8"H. Frame: 80"W x 41"H] Acquired 1993. SeqID-0097 8/4/2005