"Robin Hood" (1973) - More Background

There were some great comments about the background that I just posted.  I thought I'd put up a higher resolution copy of the background (fully image).  Enjoy!

"Robin Hood" (1973) - Robin & Marian Key Set-up on Master Background

Here is a great 35-inch wide piece from Robin Hood.  Consists of cels of (1) Robin and Marian, (2) church doors, (3) detail edging of rocks on a watercolor pan master background.  A great piece...

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From “Robin Hood” (1973).  The water color master background of the church when Robin Hood and Maid Marian leave after the wedding (no markings on the back of the background). The cels are key setup.  Consists of (1) watercolor pan master, (2) cel with detail edging of rocks, (3) cel of church doors, (4) cel of Robin and Marian arm-in-arm.  [35-1/8”W x 12.5”H]  SeqID 0398  7/15/2005

"Duck Tales" (1989) [Series] - Cel and Master Background

Since my company was involved in teleconferencing, I've tended to collect some artwork that reflected telecommunications technology.  This is a nice piece from one of the Duck Tales shows. Good image of the Bad Boys; Huey, Dewey & Louie; and Scrooge McDuck (my favorite).  All on a great Master Background.

Key Character Cel and Master Background

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From “Duck Tales” (1989).  A very interesting image of the Bugle Boys on a large TV with Huey, Dewey & Louie and Scrooge McDuck looking at them. Master background. Key.  Initialed "TV Film Cell."  [Image: 9-13/16"W x 7 7/16"H]  SeqID 0034

"Dr. Snuggles" (circa 1980) [Series] - Rocket & Flying Sheep Cel on Production Background

In the last post, I mentioned that I tended to also look for aeronautical related animation work. This fun piece from the UK "Dr. Snuggles" is an example.  The cel consists of a Rocket (the Dreamy Boom Boom) and Flying Sheep on the Production Background. In addition, the piece is signed by J. O'Kelly who was the writer, producer and creator of the series. Two of series were written by Douglas Adams (of "Hitchhiker's Guide" fame).

Here's the entry from Wikipedia:

Doctor Snuggles is an animated series about a friendly and optimistic inventor named Doctor Snuggles who has unusual adventures with his friends in a slightly psychedelic world. The show featured fantastical scenarios which usually involved Doctor Snuggles inventing something outlandish such as a robot helper or diamond-making machine, and had a variety of supporting characters who were mostly anthropomorphic animals. The show was a co-production between British, German and Dutch producers and was originally released as two separate English and German language versions. In the English language version the title character was narrated by veteran actor Peter Ustinov. The show debuted in 1980, and consisted of thirteen half-hour episodes. The show featured original artwork by Nick Price, original scripts and ideas by Jeffrey O'Kelly, and television scripts by Richard Carpenter. Two episodes (#7 and #12) were written by Douglas Adams and John Lloyd, both dealing with ecological issues. In the UK the show featured as part of the Watch It! strand for children on the ITV network. In the United States, the series aired on Nickelodeon's Nick Jr. block and in Ontario, Canada, on TVO.

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From “Dr. Snuggles” (circa 1980).  10x11"  Sotheby’s:  "Description (guaranteed) Rocket and flying sheep, gouache on celluloid, with original production background, signed in black felt tip pen by "J. O'Kelly" the writer, producer and creator of the series."  The wood spacecraft was called the Dreamy Boom Boom. From the UK. 1980c  [Item: 10-3/4"W x 10-1/8"H]  Acquired 1999. SeqID-0420

"Donald In Mathmagic Land" (1959) [Series] - Donald Cel on Master Background

For the "Geek" in me, I was immediately attracted to this Master Background.  AND Donald's great expression was a bonus.  Hummm, reminds me of those awkward times when I had to stand in front of the class and repeatedly show that I didn't know what I was doing.

Here's Wikipedia's note on the film:

Donald in Mathmagic Land is a 27 minute Donald Duck featurette released on June 26, 1959. It was directed by Hamilton Luske. Contributors included Disney artists John Hench and Art Riley, voice talent Paul Frees, and scientific expert Heinz Haber, who had worked on the Disney space shows. It was released on a bill with Darby O'Gill and the Little People. In 1959, it was nominated for an Academy Award (Best Documentary - Short Subjects). In 1961, two years after its release, it had the honor of being introduced by Ludwig Von Drake and shown on the first program of Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color. The film was made available to schools and became one of the most popular educational films ever made by Disney. As Walt Disney explained, "The cartoon is a good medium to stimulate interest. We have recently explained mathematics in a film and in that way excited public interest in this very important subject."

Donald Cel and Master Background

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From “Donald in Mathmagic Land” (1959).  Donald at black board working a math problem. Key setup applied to master background.  3 items in setup.     (1) Background is of books and empty blackboard; (2) Cel with formula and eraser; (3) Donald holding chalk.  Background: "Science:  "BG-H.1"  Cel math: "H.4"  Cel Donald: D253.  Nothing on back.  [Unframed Item: 12.5"W x 10.5"H]  SeqID 0347  8/3/2005

"Baggage Buster" (1941) [Series] - Pan Master Background

Now, a return to the 1940's!  I only have one item from The Baggage Buster (1941) and it is great!  This is a fantastic watercolor pan Master Background!  I like it because of its simplicity and focus on the center Depot Building...  It makes a great wall hanging because of its large size (the unframed image is almost 58-inches wide)!  The marks on the lower right are start/stop timing marks and cel position marks -- there are position marks on the bottom center as well.

FYI:  I was going to modify the light/dark elements in Photoshop until I looked at the color chart that I included in the larger original shot.  The light tone of the background is correct and to add some contrast would not have given the correct impression about the pieces role as a "background" element...

Pan Master Background (click to enlarge)

 

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From “Baggage Buster” (1941).  Pan master background of depot in this Goofy cartoon.  [Image: 57.5"W x 12"H]  SeqID-0317

"Fantasia 2000" (1999) [Series] - Five cel Set-up of Noah's Ark Sequence

More Fantasia 2000 items in the Cowan Collection...

A fantastic 5-cel set-up of the animals getting ready to get on the Art.  I'm afraid I couldn't get an image that really matched the wonderful quality of this large (25"x19").  In this segment, Donald is Noah's First Mate that has to deal with the detail of getting everyone on board...

5-Cel Set-up of Noah's Ark Sequence

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From “Fantasia 2000” (1999).  Noah's ark and the animals getting ready to get on.  This is a five cel setup, one of which is an underlay and two of which are overlays/underlays.  [19-3/8x24.75]  SeqID-0711

 From Sotheby's: The grand ark sits in the distance with heavenly rays shining down upon it as the animals approach it from all directions.  (Note: )  Sotheby's auction 7491, Lot 202.  BACK: "#1215081  SEQ 4  SCN 21"

wikipedia: Edward Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance - Marches 1, 2, 3 and 4 – is a pastiche of the story of Noah's Ark, with Donald Duck as first mate to Noah. Donald musters the animals to the Ark, and misses, loses, and is reunited with Daisy Duck in the process; music arranged by Peter Schickele, including a wordless soprano solo by Kathleen Battle as part of the No. 1 March ('Land of Hope and Glory').

"Fantasia 2000" (1999) [Series] - Baby Whale and Parents Setup and Master Background

More "Fantasia 2000" items in the Cowan Collection...

An interesting segment in which the whales end up flying through the air.  This setup includes two cels (one of the whales and one of the bubble effects) on the Master Background.  This had a nice feel to it -- a flowing quality, curiosity and hope...

Two Cel Setup On Master Background

The entry in Wikipedia notes:

Ottorino Respighi's Pines of Rome – this segment features a family of frolicking humpback whales that are able to fly due to a supernova. At one point, the whale calf is separated from his parents when he's trapped in an iceberg, later finding his way out with his mother's help. The final section, the Via Appia gives the impression of the larger pod of adults in migration.

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From “Fantasia 2000” (1999).  Baby whale and parents near iceberg.  Note: This is a two cel setup on master background.  Notes:  BACK: "#123408  SEQ 10  SCN 49"  [Image: 15-7/8"W x 10-15/16"H; Frame: 25-1/2"W x 20-1/2"H x 2" deep]  SeqID-0709  8/4/2005

"Fantasia" (1940) [Series] - Sorcerer's Apprentice Multi-Cel Setup On Production Watercolor Background

More items in the Cowan Collection from "Fantasia"...

This is one of the more amazing cel groups we have in the collection.  In all, I think there are more than 4 cels in the grouping (mostly bubble effects) over the watercolor production background.  Since I like to leave a little air space between the cels, I end up getting some uneven surfaces.  This isn't a problem when looking at the artwork, but really becomes a problem when trying to shoot the artwork with a flash!

Mickey Mult-Cel Setup on Production Background (click to enlarge)

A few years ago, I was flipping through Lambert's "Mickey Mouse" that we purchased in 1998 and saw an image very similar to the one we bought in 2000.  Here's a scan of the image from page 222 in his book.  Frankly, it sure looks like the same exact piece....

Mickey Setup on Lambert's Book

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From "Fantasia" (1940), the Sorcerer's Apprentice sequence.  Mickey, in Sorcerer's hat, trying to bail out water with bucket. [ From Sotheby's: Walt Disney celluloid of Mickey Mouse from "Fantasia," 1940.  The multi-cel setup depicts Mickey Mouse desperately trying to bail out the water from The Sorcerer's Apprentice sequence, applied to an original key watercolor production background, matted and framed.  8.5x10.5 ]   Sotheby's auction 7491, Lot 248.  [Image: 11”W x 9"H;  Frame: 21"W x 18.75"H]   Acquired 2000.  SeqID-0715   Updated: 7/28/2005

Reference: Very close match page 222.  Lambert, Pierre.  Mickey Mouse.  NY: Hyperion, 1998.  ISBN: 0-7868-6453.2.  $150.  Limited edition: 000421.  [13"W x 13"H]  Limited Edition: 000421. Signed: Pierre Lambert.  SeqID 1471

"Fantasia" (1940) [Series] - Preview Contact Sheet

Postings of "Fantasia" (1940) related items from the Cowan Collection.

OK....


Here's a contact sheet of the Fantasia items in the collection that I will start posting...

"Cinderella" (1950) [Series] - Cinderella "Glass Slipper" Cel

A series of "Cinderella" items in the Cowan Collection.


I think this in a nice piece -- Cinderella holding the glass slipper. The background is a pre-production watercolor of the house interior. They work very nicely together.

Sorry about the reflections! Don't forget to Click to Enlarge...

Cinderella Cel on Pre-Production Watercolor Background

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From “Cinderella” (1950). Production cel of Cinderella on a preliminary background. A full 16-field production cel of Cinderella, dressed in rags, holding the remaining glass slipper. The cel has all original paint. The background is a full 16-field watercolor pre-production background of the interior of the house. [20”W x 18”H] Acquired 2004. SeqID-1162 Updated: 7/16/2005

Seller: “Cinderella with the Glass Slipper -- A full 16-field production cel of Cinderella, dressed in rags, holding the remaining glass slipper. The cel has all original paint. The background is a full 16-field watercolor pre-production background of the interior of the house.”

"Cinderella" was the first Disney animated feature to be completely shot and then edited in a live-action reference version before being committed to cel and ink.
Ilene Woods was the voice of Cinderella. Actress Helene Stanley performed the live-action reference not only for Cinderella, but also for Princess Aurora in "Sleeping Beauty" and Anita Radcliff in "101 Dalmatians."
Cinderella was created by Marc Davis (1913-2000) was one of the most talented artists at and a main animator for Disney Studios. Some of the animated characters he designed were Thumper from “Bambi” (1942), Cinderella from “Cinderella” (1951), Tinker Bell in “Peter Pan” (1953), Maleficent and Briar Rose in “Sleeping Beauty” (1959) and Cruella De Vil in “101 Dalmatians” (1961).

"Lady and The Tramp" (1955) [Series] - "Bella Notte" Setup

Part of the "Lady and the Tramp" series in the Cowan Collection [click Here to see all the images].


OK. Here's the last item we have in the collection from "Lady and the Tramp" -- a nice piece from the "Bella Notte" sequence.

To put this in perspective, about 25 years ago I had been laid off, Jenny had quit work a few months earlier to stay at home with our new daughter and I was trying to start a consulting company. We were trying to hold onto what little savings was in the bank and we decided to subscribe to the new "Disney Channel" on our cable system.

Shortly after we signed up, we started to receive the Disney Store Catalog. On the back of the cover page was a short blurb offering the opportunity to purchase an original cel from "Winnie the Pooh." Pooh had a special meaning to the two of us because I had read some passages from "Winnie the Pooh" on our first date. We really didn't know much about cels and talked a little about the process. Then we went back to watching the show.

Jenny decided that getting a "Pooh" cel for my 40th birthday in 1985 would be a great idea and robbed the "Penny Jar" to come up with enough money. When Jenny called Disney to place the order, she was told that they had sold out, but gave her the name of man and wife dealer that sold animation art. Long story short, it was a special birthday and the start of decades of collecting...

A short time after my birthday we were watching some Disney program that featured scenes from "Lady and the Tramp." Just after seeing the "Bella Notte" scene we turned to each other and said "Wouldn't that be a great cel to have!" Jenny called the woman she had dealt with and excitedly told her about our interest in the scene. As Jenny started to describe the scene, Jenny could hear the woman on the other end of the long distance call start to chuckle. The woman apologized and explained that it was one of the most sought after scenes and extremely rare. Jenny and I let out a collective sigh and didn't think too much of it.

Over the years (before the "internets"), we would check out the auction catalogs for various pieces and always let dealers know of our interest in the scene. In 2004, I received a call from a dealer that had found someone with 6-7 "Bella Notte" items and the dealer wondered if I was still interested in picking up a piece.

Now, we have a "Bella Notte" piece! It isn't the moment when the noses touch, but I like it because it's the moment when you and I suddenly realize what is about to happen -- long before Lady and Tramp figure it out!

[Click on images to enlarge]

Cels of Lady, Tramp, Table and Master Background

Now, here is the frame grab from the film. Notice change in the background, the positioning of the table cloth, etc. I should point out that the final image on the film can be different than the original art if, for creative decisions, the Director wants a different color configuration or brightness level.


Here's the sequence in sketch form found on page 101 of "Too Funny For Words" by Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston (1987).


Finally, here is the art framed...


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From “Lady and the Tramp” (1955). Lady and the Tramp “Bella Notte” setup - (1) a 22” x 10” Disney watercolor Master Production Background of the alley behind Tony’s Restaurant with (2 ) production cel of Lady, (3) production cel of Tramp and (4) very rare production cel cloth covered table. The cels have been trimmed and applied to a cover cel. [22”W x 10”H] Acquired 2004. SeqID-1142. Updated: 7/30/2005

Reference: Similar image on page 101. Thomas, Frank & Johnston, Ollie. Too Funny for Words. NY: AbbeVille Press, 1987. ISBN 0-89659-747-4. SeqID-1503

"Lady and The Tramp" (1955) [Series] - Cels of Lady and Tramp on a Master Background

Part of the "Lady and the Tramp" series in the Cowan Collection [click Here to see all the images].

This is one of the nicer backgrounds.

The scene is where the shy Lady looks around the boxes and is recognized by Tony. A great bit. Lady's expression is in keeping with her emerging character and adds to the overall impact. The detail on the background is fantastic -- especially the lettuce shading. Also notice the light and shadows behind Lady providing a great way to make sure her outline doesn't get lost in the shadows. It just has a beautiful "feel."

The person that sold it to me had a spare Tramp cel lying around and included it when it was framed. Although it's a great cel of Tramp, I've never liked the final product -- I think it is distracting. The whole focus of the scene is Lady's emergence into this new world and the smiling Tramp tends to up-stage the scene. One of these days, I'll take Tramp out of the piece...

Tramp and Lady on a Master Background

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From “Lady and the Tramp” (1955). Key set up cel of Lady on a master background as she watches Tramp beg for food from Tony. The cel of Tramp was added to take advantage of the good Tramp image. [16”W x 9”H] Acquired 1991. SeqID-0061 Updated: 7/26/2005

"Lady and The Tramp" (1955) [Series] - Cels of Lady and Tramp on Master Background

Part of "Lady and the Tramp" series in the Cowan Collection [click Here to see all the images].

We bought this piece primarily for the background, which is fantastic. Beautiful shadows, nice side light. This is a real slice of "Americana."

Again, I'm always knocked out by the detail in these backgrounds, given the few seconds they are on the screen. The movement of animation from the silver screen to television (along with television's insatiable appetite for content) created a situation where the animation production cycle had to be significantly compressed. To meet the new timeline needs, the amount of time spent on backgrounds was dramatically reduced. For those of us that grew up on Saturday Morning cartoons, our natural focus was on the actions of the main characters and just didn't pay that much attention to the backgrounds.

With that perspective in mind, my first exposure to the backgrounds from the "classic" animated films (Disney AND Fleischer) was that of shock! The detail was amazing! The level of artistic skill was stunning! BUT as someone who owned a business, I just could not cost-justify the work effort for the amount of time the image was on the screen. In addition, I was sure that there were other "kids" like me that were smiling at the antics of Tramp and just didn't "see" the backgrounds.

Pan Master Background (Click to enlarge)

Adding Cels of Lady and Tramp

Then we added two nice cels to give the wall-art some additional interest.

Framed Art

Then we tried to frame the art with colors that complimented the "feel" of the street and add some gold hues to give the piece some additional importance.


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From “Lady and the Tramp” (1955). Cels of Lady and cel of Tramp walking and/or running over production pan master background. Acquired 1998. SeqID-0337 Updated: 8/1/2005

"Lady and The Tramp" (1955) [Series] - Coats Pan Master Background

Part of the "Lady and the Tramp" series in the Cowan Collection [click Here to see all the images].

This is the first real background that we purchased. The seller indicated that it was attributed to Claude Coats, but I have no specific verification of that fact.

I was blown away by the detail and forced perspective in the background. Notice the shape of the framed pictures to provide an additional sense of speed.

There were three additional cels that came with the piece: Lady, Si, and Am. We positioned the cels to provide a realistic set-up. The cels are un-trimmed (since I hate the process of cutting out the images and applying them to another cel). Today, I'd probably just frame the background and leave out the cels or have the cels trimmed and applied to a long piece of acetate.

Here's the wide-shot and some close-ups... Don't forget to Click on the images to see enlargements.

Coats Pan Master Background

I tried to follow Rob Richard's lead and re-create the background from the DVD. I pulled down a bunch of screen captures and was able to take out most of the cat images, with the exception of the closing of the scene when the cloth was moved and water spilled on the piano. Here's what I ended up with and a few of the captures...

Where I stopped trying to re-create the background...

Some of the original captures...

Finally, here's the framed piece...


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

From “Lady and the Tramp” (1955). This is one of the larger pan masters backgrounds and includes cels of Lady, Si, and Am. The background is attributed to animator Claude Coats. [Image: 54.24"W x 11"H. Frame: 62.5"W x 18"H] Acquired 1992. SeqID-0057 Updated: 7/15/2005

"Lady and The Tramp" (1955) [Series] - Opening Watercolor Master Background

Part of the "Lady and the Tramp" series in the Cowan Collection [click Here to see all the images].

Most collectors start out collecting cels. Then picking up some pencils. Then backgrounds. I remember when I saw my first background. I was stunned. They were far more detailed than I thought they would be and I was struck by the amount of time it must have taken to produce this wonderful piece of art that would be on the screen for only a few seconds. Amazing. By the way, if you are interested in other backgrounds go to "Content By Category" and click on "Type-Background."

At first, I liked this background, but it has grown on me over the years and it has become one of my favorites.



This is the opening scene in the film. Many people don't remember the scene, so I thought I'd put up some screen captures from the DVD to show the progression. First, the opening dog-related quotes, a brief de-focused establishing shot and then the scene cleans up and a slow zoom-in on the background.

Opening Sequence

Here's the framed image...


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

From “Lady and the Tramp” (1955). Master background for the opening shot in Lady and the Tramp. The scene is of Winter. There is a long, slow zoom to the house where Lady is first introduced as a Christmas present. "Cine + stand" "2079 - 14 - BG #2" [Frame: 35”W x 21”H; Item: 27"w x 12"h] Acquired 1999. SeqID-0417 Updated: 8/1/2005