Original hand painted production animation cel of Merlin from "The Sword In The Stone," 1963, Walt Disney Studios; Set on a lithographic background; Numbered 121 in ink lower right; Size - Merlin: 7 3/4 x 5 3/4", Image 11 x 14 1/2"; Unframed.
"The Sword in the Stone," 1963 is the 18th full length feature film produced by Walt Disney and it was released on December 25, 1963 by Buena Vista Distribution. The film was based on the novel of the same name, that was first published in 1938. It was later republished in 1958 as the first book of T. H. White's tetralogy "The Once and Future King." It was to be the final Disney animated film released before Walt Disney's death on December 15, 1966. The songs in the film were written and composed by the Sherman Brothers, who would become very famous for their future work on later Disney films including; "Mary Poppins," 1964, "The Jungle Book," 1967, and "Bedknobs and Broomsticks," 1971.
Merlin is a very powerful wizard with a pet owl named Archimedes. He befriends and becomes the teacher of a 12-year old orphan named Arthur, who goes by the name of Wart. Merlin is first seen living in a forest cottage, and he believes in the philosophy of "Brain over Brawn." As a wizard, he is very intelligent, has a wide variety of powers, and is considered the most powerful wizard in the world. He has the ability to see into the future, and has the ability to shape-shift. Merlin was animated by Milt Kahl, Frank Thomas, and Ollie Johnston; and voiced by Karl Swenson who was an American theater, radio, film, and television actor.
This is a great original production animation cel of Merlin occurring after he transforms Wart into a fish. Wart asks "Merlin, am I a fish?" and Merlin responds, "Yes. Yes, yes, yes, yes, you are a fish… but if you don’t stop that flippity-flopping around… and get in the water, you won’t last long." This is a great full figure, eyes open image of Merlin as he tries to catch Wart as a fish and get him into the water. An absolutely wonderful piece of original animation artwork perfect for any collection!
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