Robin Hood scene by Milt Kahl which was discarded; Little John dressing in drag running in place, putt’in on ‘is nickers. 

Original Roughs (X)

Nanny

The live-action reference for 101 Dalmatians character Nanny, was actually not a woman, it was actor Don Barkley. Here is a photography performing for the puppy theft sequence, where the position and props are quite hilarious!

The character was animated by Ollie Johnston, and created her the most charming walk.  Nevertheless,  Milt Kahl helped with   pushing her proportions and definition. Frank Thomas had his hand a little bit there too. 

(Source: fancysomedisneymagic)

MILT AND MARC

Everybody knows that Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston were the best of friends. But they were not the only BFFs in the Nine Old Men gang. Marc Davis and Milt Kahl were pretty unseparable as well.

They worked in many sequences, their characters alongside each other interactive, like Aurora and Prince Phillip, Cinderella and the Fairy Godmother, Roger and Anita Radcliffe with Cruella DeVil and Peter Pan with Tinkerbell, to name only some. They respected each other’s work, Milt often raved about Marc’s incredible abilities and artistry in general, whereas Marc admitted that his favorite animator was Milt.

It didn’t stop in the workplace, as they used to hang out with their wives, and the four of them would go to ball games and socialize together. 

The image is from a card Milt made for Marc Davis around 1975 in honor of their friendship, with a drawing of the both of them. 

Source: DejaView

(Source: fancysomedisneymagic)

THE FOX IN THE STORK

Here are some of Milt Kahl’s sketches, trying to figure out how the fox’s body would fit inside the stork disguise. The position of the legs to manipulate the storks stiff long legs, and the way the arms grab the wings.

In the end, in the film the final result is much more free, without considering this realistic analysis much, but it is interesting to see the logic behind it.

(Source: fancysomedisneymagic)

DISNEY’S NINE OLD MEN

Had to take the time to create an ode to these nine incredible men who were there when it all started. It was tough to find autographs of some of them though.

Which one is your personal favorite? Personally I can’t choose only one, but some stand out more for me. How about you guys?

(Source: fancysomedisneymagic)

26 YEARS AGO…

Today, 26 years ago, the talented Milt Kahl, one of the legendary Nine Old Men, left this world, leaving behind a legacy of beloved characters that will stay a part of our lives forever, such as Pinocchio, Bambi, Cinderella, Prince Phillip (Sleeping Beauty), Shere Kahn (The Jungle Book), Robin Hood and Medusa (The Rescuers).

Milt is a role-model and inspiration for animators today, and,even though not the most  charismatic and patient man, he will be remembered for his art and passion.

(Source: fancysomedisneymagic)

I SEE SPOTS! … Spots everywhere!

These are all model drawings by Milt Kahl for the sequence where the puppies are watching the Thunderbolt TV Show. Interestingly enough, he didn’t animate a single scene for this section of the film, he was just asked to do a few key poses. Here you can see the distinct personalities of the pups, it’s really appealing!

(Source: fancysomedisneymagic)

JUNGLE BOOK RECORDING SESSION… taking a break!

Here you can detect Milt Kahl in the back, with his arms over his head, Ollie Johnston smiling, arms crossed in the center with his glasses and Ken Anderson in the right, at the front, sitting crossing his legs, looking at the back, probably at his drawings.

These are Ken’s designs for Baloo’s and King Louie’s scene before the I Wanna Be Like You sequence, performed by the late Sherman Brothers.

It seems like they are all just taking a break, chilling during one of those long recording sessions.

MILT KAHL’S LAST DRAWINGS

Milt had left the studio and was living in California right about when production for The Fox and the Hound was done (film in which he had no input at all). For the next Disney film though, The Black Cauldron, he was asked to help out with a few character designs.

These were in fact the last sketches Milt did for Disney. Nonetheless, they are not as masterful as usual, according to a series of animators. Milt admitted to call himself to be more of a refiner when it comes to setting the look of Disney characters for a new film. He usually had his colleagues, like Bill Peet or Ken Anderson, conceive the artistic designs first to go past him and, then, he would use that as inspiration and a starting point.

The studio didn’t send him any for this film, so the characters resemble a lot of his previous characters. Taran is a mix between Mowgli and Peter Pan whereas Eilonwy looks like Tiger Lily and Alice melt together, and the costumes need a little bit more punch.

(Source: fancysomedisneymagic)

“Now take it easy, Friar. I’m just doing my duty.”

- The Sheriff of Nottingham