Bedknobs and Broomsticks, 1971
A great collection of original production animation cels for sale from the Walt Disney feature film.
Original hand painted production animation cel of King Leonidas from "Bedknobs and Broomsticks," 1971, Walt Disney Studios; Set on lithographic background; Walt Disney Copyright stamp lower left; Size - King Leonidas: 9 x 7", Image 10 1/2 x 15 1/4"; Unframed; SOLD!
Original hand painted production animation cel of Fisherman Bear with Fishing Pole from "Bedknobs and Broomsticks," 1971, Walt Disney Studios; Set on lithographic background; Walt Disney Seal lower right; Size - Fisherman Bear & Fishing Pole: 3 1/4 x 9 1/4", Image 10 x 16 1/2"; Unframed; SOLD!
Original hand painted production animation cels of Mr. Codfish, Dancing Fish, Seahorse, & Bubble Effects from "Bedknobs and Broomsticks," 1971, Walt Disney Studios; Numbered 29, 251B, F59, and E141 in ink lower right; Set on lithographic background; Walt Disney Seal lower right; Size - Mr. Codfish, Dancing Fish & Seahorse: 9 1/4 x 9 1/2", Image 11 1/4 x 15"; Unframed; SOLD!
Original hand painted production animation cel of Fisherman Bear from "Bedknobs and Broomsticks," 1971, Walt Disney Studios; Set on lithographic background; Walt Disney Copyright stamp lower right; Size - Fisherman Bear: 7 1/2 x 10", Image 10 1/2 x 16"; Unframed; SOLD!
Original hand painted production animation cel of the Warthog Soccer Player from "Bedknobs and Broomsticks," 1971, Walt Disney Studios; Set on lithographic background; Size - Warthog Soccer Player: 4 3/4 x 4 3/4", Image 9 1/4 x 10 1/4"; Unframed; SOLD!
Original hand painted production animation cel of King Leonidas from "Bedknobs and Broomsticks," 1971, Walt Disney Studios; Set on lithographic background; Walt Disney Copyright stamp lower left; Size - King Leonidas: 9 x 7", Image 10 1/2 x 15 1/4"; Unframed.
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​Disney’s Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971) is a whimsical musical fantasy that combines live-action and animation in the grand tradition of Mary Poppins (1964). Directed by Robert Stevenson and starring Angela Lansbury and David Tomlinson, the film is set in England during World War II and follows Eglantine Price, an apprentice witch who reluctantly takes in three evacuated children from London. When the children discover her magical abilities, they join her on a fantastical adventure involving flying bedknobs, enchanted suits of armor, and a mix of wartime
heroism and lighthearted magic. The story blends comedy, fantasy, and patriotism, creating a film that’s both escapist entertainment and a celebration of courage and imagination in difficult times.
Visually, Bedknobs and Broomsticks showcases Disney’s technical innovation and creativity. The film’s special effects—especially the flying bed and the combination of live actors with animated characters—were cutting-edge for the early 1970s. The animated “Isle of Naboombu” sequence, where the main characters interact with talking animals in a lively underwater soccer game, exemplifies Disney’s skill in merging real and animated worlds seamlessly. This imaginative energy gives the film its distinctive charm, while the visual design—from quaint English villages to magical incantations—reflects a post-Mary Poppins confidence in blending reality with fantasy.
Musically, the film features a delightful score by the Sherman Brothers, who had also written the songs for Mary Poppins. Numbers like “The Age of Not Believing,” “Eglantine,” and “Portobello Road” enrich the story’s emotional and narrative depth. “The Age of Not Believing,” sung by Lansbury, captures the film’s underlying message about rediscovering faith and imagination—a theme that resonates with both children and adults. The extended “Portobello Road” sequence, meanwhile, celebrates the diversity and vibrancy of wartime London with elaborate choreography and colorful costumes, serving as one of the film’s most memorable set pieces.
At its heart, Bedknobs and Broomsticks is a story about finding strength and wonder in times of uncertainty. Eglantine Price, initially a solitary woman studying witchcraft for practical wartime use, evolves into a courageous and nurturing figure, discovering her own bravery alongside the children she protects. Her final act—using magic to animate a museum’s collection of armor and weaponry to defend England from a Nazi invasion—transforms fantasy into heroism, blending magic with patriotism in a uniquely Disney way.
Though initially overshadowed by Mary Poppins, Bedknobs and Broomsticks has gained appreciation over time for its inventive spirit, warm performances, and technical achievement. Angela Lansbury’s performance as Miss Price is both commanding and endearing, embodying the blend of wit, heart, and determination that defines the film. Today, it stands as a testament to Disney’s creativity during a transitional period in the studio’s history—an imaginative adventure that captures the enduring power of belief, courage, and a little bit of magic.
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