Prod. 2069 (Alice) - Seq. 12.0 - Ending -- Chase
The draft of this last sequence, dated 5/10/51 shows that this, too was directed by Wilfred Jackson assisted by Mike (Holoboff), and layout by MacLaren Stewart. Animation by Harvey Toombs, Don Lusk, Eric Larson (Alice), Hal King (King), Judge Whitaker (cards), Phil Duncan (Caterpillar), Frank Thomas (Doorknob), Bill Justice (sister), Cliff Nordberg (many characters incl. Queen) and effects by George Rowley...
This then concludes the draft of Alice in Wonderland, which I am glad to have been able to present to you here for the first time ever.
According to Disney management, more precisely Roy Disney himself, "Unfortunately, ALICE is disappointing, but (...) it will probably give an overall pretty good account of itself."
Mary Blair's production design shines through throughout, and it has some great animation, with highlights of draughtmanship and comedy animation, like the Mad Tea Party, the Walrus and the Carpenter, and Frank Thomas' Doorknob and Queen, just to mention a few. This film is certainly worth a careful study, even if only because it was "the film Walt HAD to make." If he wanted it or not - it was expected of him. As such, it had been in production at least since early 1939, as the first Leica reel detailing the story with paintings by David Hall was produced in July that year.
Let us not forget that Alice had her Disney-roots go back to 1923, when little Virginia Davis appeared for the first time in the Laugh-O-gram produced Alice in Cartoonland, which became the basis for Walt's Los Angeles endeavours. The Alice series ran through 1927, and later featured Dawn O'Day, Lois Hardwicke and Margie Gay - it was finally replaced by the all-cartoon Oswald the Lucky Rabbit series, followed by Mickey Mouse - but you know all this, of course.
As a follow-up of the hugely successful Cinderella, and followed by also successful Peter Pan, most of the artists seem to have been quick to write Alice off as an unfortunate experiment. Through the years it has gathered its own following, and many fans and collectors have embraced Alice as their film of choice.
Luckily, we are all entitled to our own opinion...
[Addition: Check out Steven Hartley's Alice mosaics!!!]
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According to Disney management, more precisely Roy Disney himself, "Unfortunately, ALICE is disappointing, but (...) it will probably give an overall pretty good account of itself."
Mary Blair's production design shines through throughout, and it has some great animation, with highlights of draughtmanship and comedy animation, like the Mad Tea Party, the Walrus and the Carpenter, and Frank Thomas' Doorknob and Queen, just to mention a few. This film is certainly worth a careful study, even if only because it was "the film Walt HAD to make." If he wanted it or not - it was expected of him. As such, it had been in production at least since early 1939, as the first Leica reel detailing the story with paintings by David Hall was produced in July that year.
Let us not forget that Alice had her Disney-roots go back to 1923, when little Virginia Davis appeared for the first time in the Laugh-O-gram produced Alice in Cartoonland, which became the basis for Walt's Los Angeles endeavours. The Alice series ran through 1927, and later featured Dawn O'Day, Lois Hardwicke and Margie Gay - it was finally replaced by the all-cartoon Oswald the Lucky Rabbit series, followed by Mickey Mouse - but you know all this, of course.
As a follow-up of the hugely successful Cinderella, and followed by also successful Peter Pan, most of the artists seem to have been quick to write Alice off as an unfortunate experiment. Through the years it has gathered its own following, and many fans and collectors have embraced Alice as their film of choice.
Luckily, we are all entitled to our own opinion...
[Addition: Check out Steven Hartley's Alice mosaics!!!]
posted by Hans Perk at 7:00 AM
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