Original production animation drawing in blue and graphite pencils of Pinocchio from "Pinocchio," 1940, Walt Disney Studios; Numbered 23 in pencil lower right; Size - Pinocchio: 7 1/4 x 5 1/2", Sheet: 10 x 12"; Unframed.
"Maybe something awful happened to him." - Pinocchio
"Pinocchio," 1940 was the second animated feature film produced by Disney, and followed on the success of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." 1937. It was released to theaters by RKO Radio Pictures on February 23, 1940 and was based on the Italian children's novel "The Adventures of Pinocchio" by Carlo Collodi. The general plot of the film involves an old wood-carver named Geppetto, who carves a wooden puppet that he names Pinocchio. One night the puppet is brought to life by the Blue Fairy, who informs him that he can become a real boy if he proves himself to be "brave, truthful, and unselfish". Pinocchio's journey to become a real boy is challenged by his encounters with an array of scrupulous characters.
"Pinocchio" became the first animated feature to win an Academy Award; it won for both Best Music - Original Score and for Best Music - Original Song for "When You Wish Upon A Star." Most critics and audiences agree that "Pinocchio" is among the finest Disney features ever made, and one of the greatest animated films of all time. In 1994, it was added to the United States National Film Registry as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."
Due to the huge success of "Snow White," Walt Disney wanted more famous voice actors for "Pinocchio." He cast popular singer Cliff Edwards (who had made the first record selling over a million copies) as Jiminy Cricket. Disney also wanted the character of Pinocchio to be voiced by a real child. The role ended up going to twelve year old actor Dickie Jones, who had previously been in Frank Capra's enormous Hollywood hit, "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington."
Animation began in September 1938 and just as in "Snow White," live-action footage was shot for "Pinocchio" with the actors playing the scenes; which was supervised by Hamilton Luske. The animators then used the footage as a guide for their animation drawings by studying the human movement and then incorporating many of those poses and scenes. The title character was animated by Milt Kahl (initial design), Frank Thomas, and Ollie Johnston. "When I was doing Pinocchio," Johnston said, "I thought of the character being real, a living person, not a drawing."
This drawing is from the scene after Pinocchio and Jiminy Cricket escape from Pleasure Island, but not before Pinocchio developed donkey ears, and the pair make their way back home to Geppetto's house and workshop. Unfortunately Geppetto (as well as Figaro and Cleo) is not there and Pinocchio says to Jiminy, "Maybe something awful happened to him." This is a large and impressive original production drawing of Pinocchio accomplished in graphite and blue pencils. He is full figure, eyes and mouth open, and still has his donkey ears after barely escaping from Pleasure Island and the evil Coachman. This would be a great addition to any animation art collection!