So Dear To My Heart, 1949
A great collection of original production animation cels for sale from the Walt Disney feature film.
Original hand painted and hand inked production animation cels of The Owl and Danny the Lamb from "So Dear To My Heart," 1949, Walt Disney Studios; Set on a colored paper background; Size - The Owl & Danny The Lamb: 4 1/2 x 6 3/4", Image 7 1/2 x 9 1/2", Mat 11 x 14"; Single matted; SOLD!
Original hand painted and hand inked production animation cels of The Owl and Danny the Lamb from "So Dear To My Heart," 1949, Walt Disney Studios; Set on a colored paper background; Size - The Owl & Danny The Lamb: 4 1/2 x 6 3/4", Image 7 1/2 x 9 1/2", Mat 11 x 14"; Single matted.
Disney’s So Dear to My Heart (1948) is a heartfelt blend of live-action and animation that captures the warmth and nostalgia of rural American life at the turn of the 20th century. Based on Sterling North’s book Midnight and Jeremiah, the film tells the story of a young boy named Jeremiah Kincaid who raises a black lamb, Danny, against the odds. Set in the small town of Fulton Corners, Indiana, the story centers on Jeremiah’s dreams of turning his mischievous lamb into a prize-winning champion at the county fair. Guided by his devoted grandmother and inspired by the wisdom of his friendly mentor, Uncle Hiram,
Jeremiah learns the values of hard work, patience, and perseverance.
The film’s setting is one of its most distinctive features. Walt Disney, who grew up in small-town Missouri, infused So Dear to My Heart with his own memories of farm life and early 1900s Americana. The result is a deeply personal work that reflects Disney’s admiration for simple virtues and his nostalgia for childhood innocence. The film’s meticulous depiction of rural details—such as train rides, general stores, and harvest fairs—creates a rich atmosphere of authenticity. It also demonstrates Disney’s ongoing fascination with American heritage, which would later inspire attractions like Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland.
A defining element of So Dear to My Heart is its innovative combination of live-action and animation, a technique that Disney had experimented with in earlier films like Song of the South (1946). In this film, the animated sequences appear as Jeremiah’s daydreams and moral lessons, often featuring whimsical characters and lively songs that illustrate key themes. For example, the animated “Wise Old Owl” teaches Jeremiah about persistence, while other segments transform moral sayings into vibrant visual metaphors. These moments add charm and imaginative energy to the otherwise realistic narrative, bridging the gap between fantasy and everyday life.
Musically, the film is rich with classic Americana tunes and original songs that evoke a sense of home and heart. “Lavender Blue (Dilly Dilly),” performed by Burl Ives, became one of Disney’s early hit songs and earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song. The music underscores the film’s emotional tone—gentle, sincere, and rooted in folk traditions. Combined with the warm cinematography and tender performances, especially by Bobby Driscoll as Jeremiah and Beulah Bondi as Grandma Kincaid, the film radiates a genuine sense of comfort and moral grounding.
Although So Dear to My Heart was not a major box-office success upon release, it has endured as a hidden gem in the Disney canon. It reflects Walt Disney’s personal ideals more than almost any other film he produced—a celebration of determination, family, and the quiet beauty of rural life. Its simple story, heartfelt message, and blend of realism and imagination make it a timeless reminder of the values Disney cherished most: love of home, faith in hard work, and the belief that dreams, no matter how humble, can come true.
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