The Little Broomstick

 

A stunning story sketch by Mel Shaw for the unproduced Disney project The Little Broomstick. The story is based on the 1971 childrens' novel by author Mary Steward. Woolie Reitherman and Mel Shaw worked on a treatment during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The Reitherman family gifted me this beautiful piece of art.

When I started at Disney in August of 1980, there were still "broomstick" storyboards floating around the hallways of the animation building. Of course I was very intrigued by the idea for this proposed project. To be honest, anything Mel Shaw sketched stimulated your imagination. 

Here is the Wikipedia link to Mary Steward who died in 2014, aged 97:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Stewart_(novelist)

Geraldine Page inspires Medusa II

Here is one more press photo of actress Geraldine Page from the 1962 film Sweet Bird of Youth. Milt Kahl stated that he actually studied her acting in this movie. In one scene Page kicks Paul Newman in the chest, something Milt applied to Medusa and the character of Penny toward the end of The Rescuers.

It is only my assumption that Milt saw this B&W photo and used a similar pose for the final key drawing of a scene, in which Medusa puts on her coat. She gets ready to travel to Devil's Bayou.

Here are a few cels showing Medusa's eccentric personality as well as Milt's extraordinary draughtsmanship.

Here is part 1 : 

https://andreasdeja.blogspot.com/2025/04/geraldine-page-inspires-medusa.html

Kley Wild Life

It's always a good day when you discover a new drawing by Heinrich Kley. These fantastic sketches of anthropomorphic elephants, rhinos and hippos were published in an old German magazine offered on Ebay. I should receive the magazine shortly, and I am looking forward to studying additional Kley drawings that are included in this edition.

Just when you think you have seen all of Kley's work in books and online, new amazing art pops up. This was one prolific artist! 

Milt Kahl Pics

I recently discovered this scene from Disney's Hyperion days. Artists taking a break.  Except for one person at the bottom of the photo, and that person has to be Milt Kahl.

Milt at the studio, mid 1950s. Possibly during production of Lady and the Tramp. 

Kids...smoking is bad for you! Milt was not a smoker anymore when I met him in the early 1980s.

Here he is answering questions posed by Mike Bonifer for Disney Chanel's "Disney Family Album."

Around 1983. Milt was the only animator who drew character sketches for his episode. 

This was filmed at his home just north of San Francisco, after he had left Disney.

Just a few years prior, Milt had sketched character designs for The Black Cauldron. Stunning drawings of Princess Eilonwy. 

As I mentioned recently, the oversized book on Milt Kahl is in the works. I got Disney's verbal approval, and I am determined to make this one of the best books on Disney Animation ever.

As Milt said: "You got to have high standards".