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Showing posts from December, 2007

Prod. 2069 (Alice) - Seq. 12.0 - Ending -- Chase

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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 ment

Prod. 2069 (Alice) - Seq. 11.0 - Trial (II)

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The second part of this sequence adds a few more characters to Cliff Nordberg, and Alice by Ken O'Brien and Harvey Toombs...

Prod. 2069 (Alice) - Seq. 11.0 - Trial (I)

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Directed by Wilfred Jackson assisted by Mike (Holoboff), layout by MacLaren Stewart. Animation by Don Lusk, Milt Kahl (Alice), Frank Thomas (Queen), Ollie Johnston, Hal King (King), Woolie Reitherman, Marvin Woodward (Rabbit), George Kreisl (Jurors), Cliff Nordberg (March Hare & cards), George Rowley and Judge Whitaker (cards). This draft dated 2/28/51... Details: the "Mad Hatter lands with Ed Wynn laugh..."(sc.60) and Hal King got to do the King, in itself worth a giggle... Did everybody survive Christmas ok? I think I have. I am surprised by the lack of comments: here is the complete draft of Alice, two more posts left, and a total of 18 comments including my responses. This does not make for a good dialogue, folks!

Prod. 2069 (Alice) - Seq. 10.0 - Croquet Game (II)

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The second half of this sequence adds Harvey Toombs as animator on Alice. I would like to see someone writing a book about the lesser-known animators at Disney: Toombs, Hal Ambro, Hal King, Don Lusk, Marvin Woodward, Cliff Nordberg, Eric Cleworth, Jerry Hathcock, Fred Hellmich, Jack Campbell, Julius Svendsen, just to name a few. Where did I hear that someone is researching a book on Hal King?

Prod. 2069 (Alice) - Seq. 10.0 - Croquet Game (I)

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Directed by one of my favorites, Wilfred Jackson assisted by Mike (Holoboff) with layouts by the prolific MacLaren Stewart. Animation by Hal Ambro, Milt Kahl (Alice), Frank Thomas, Eric Larson (Queen), Ollie Johnston (King), Marvin Woodward (Rabbit), Hal King (Hedgehog ball) and Judge Whitaker (cards). This draft of 2/15/51 starts with scene number 302...

Prod. 2069 (Alice) - Seq. 09.5 - Painting the Roses Red

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This Revised Draft of 5/11/51, two and a half months before the opening, shows that a lot of editing was done after animation was finished, and it is therefor interesting to see that in the place of the assistant director we find editor Lloyd Richardson, whom we see credited on IMDb as working for Disney at least since So Dear to My Heart in 1948. He also edited Disneyland U.S.A., that wonderful documentary that is available in a gorgeous restoration on the great new (and already getting scarce) Disneyland Treasures DVD. Directed by Ham Luske (who also directed Disneyland U.S.A.) with layout by Charlie Philippi and Ken O'Conner. Animated by Hal Ambro, Harvey Toombs, Ollie Johnston, Don Lusk (Alice), Hal King, Phil Duncan, Hugh Fraser, Judge Whitaker, George Rowley (Cards), Woolie Reitherman (Rabbit), Eric Larson and again Harvey Toombs (Queen) - and Ollie is the King, but we knew this... As always, feel free to comment - I won't bite!

Talking of Films that Premiere Today...

If in the US, have a look at another film that premieres today, National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets . Because in front of that you'll find Goofy: How to Hook Up Your Home Video ! Then look carefully (and very quickly) in the bottom center of the last credit page at the end...

Prod. 2069 (Alice) - Seq. 09.0 - Tulgey Wood

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Into the Tulgey Wood with six of the Nine Old Men... Gerry Geronimi directs, assisted by Ted Sebern, layouts by Tom Codrick and Don Griffith. Animation by Marc Davis, Ollie Johnston, Les Clark, Don Lusk, Milt Kahl and a bit of Hal Ambro (Alice), Hal King, John Lounsbery, Cliff Nordberg and Frank Thomas (creatures) with Lounsbery doing the Cheshire Cat. This second draft of March 1951... Premiere Day! See below! Thank you, Mike Barrier, for the kind words . We aim to please...