Walter Lantz Productions
A great collection of original production animation cels for sale from the Walter Lantz Studio.
Original hand painted and hand inked production animation cel of Woody Woodpecker; circa 1950's; Walter Lantz Productions; Numbered 9 in ink lower right; Set on an original hand painted production background; Size - Woody Woodpecker: 2 3/4 x 3 1/2", Image 9 x 12"; Unframed; SOLD!
Original hand painted and hand inked production animation cel of Woody Woodpecker; circa 1950's; Walter Lantz Productions; Numbered 9 in ink lower right; Set on an original hand painted production background; Size - Woody Woodpecker: 2 3/4 x 3 1/2", Image 9 x 12"; Unframed
Walter Lantz Productions, founded by animator and producer Walter Lantz in the late 1920s, was one of the key players in the development of American animation during Hollywood’s Golden Age. The studio is best known for creating Woody Woodpecker, a zany and mischievous cartoon character who became one of the most recognizable figures in animation history. While Walter Lantz Productions never reached the size or dominance of studios like Disney or Warner Bros., it carved out a distinctive niche through its lively humor, strong character animation, and memorable voice performances. The studio’s work reflected both the changing trends of the
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animation industry and Lantz’s enduring ability to adapt to new audiences and technologies.
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Woody Woodpecker, introduced in 1940 in the short film Knock Knock, quickly became the studio’s signature character and a symbol of its energetic style. Designed by Ben Hardaway and first voiced by the legendary Mel Blanc, Woody embodied the wild, unpredictable energy of early 1940s cartoons. With his maniacal laugh, rapid movements, and penchant for mischief, Woody stood out among the more polished or restrained cartoon stars of the era. He was brash, eccentric, and unapologetically chaotic—often serving as both hero and troublemaker in his own stories. Woody’s antics, whether outsmarting adversaries like Wally Walrus or getting into absurd situations of his own making, captured the irreverent spirit that defined much of mid-century American animation.
Under Walter Lantz’s leadership, the studio balanced slapstick comedy with solid craftsmanship. The animation, while not as lush as Disney’s, emphasized timing, personality, and comedic rhythm. The shorts often relied on strong visual gags and physical humor reminiscent of live-action comedians like the Marx Brothers. Woody’s exaggerated expressions and quick-paced antics were supported by dynamic direction and clever use of sound effects—particularly his trademark laugh, later performed by Grace Stafford, who also happened to be Lantz’s wife. The combination of wild animation and memorable sound design gave the series a distinctive energy that helped it thrive for decades.
The Woody Woodpecker series also reflected the evolution of American animation through the mid-20th century. As the industry transitioned from theatrical shorts to television, Walter Lantz Productions successfully adapted, bringing Woody and other characters—such as Chilly Willy the penguin and Andy Panda—to TV audiences. The Woody Woodpecker Show, which debuted in 1957, introduced these cartoons to a new generation and helped maintain the character’s popularity well into the 1970s. The studio’s willingness to embrace new formats and distribution methods allowed it to outlast many of its contemporaries.
Walter Lantz Productions ultimately closed in 1972, marking the end of an era. Yet its legacy lives on through Woody Woodpecker’s enduring cultural presence. Woody became an emblem of mid-century American humor—irreverent, noisy, and full of life. Beyond his comic chaos, the character symbolized the resilience of animation outside the Disney model: simple, fast-paced, and rooted in personality rather than perfectionism. Through Woody Woodpecker and the creative energy of Walter Lantz and his team, the studio contributed an essential chapter to the history of animation—one defined by humor, ingenuity, and an uncontainable sense of fun.
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