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 is part 1 :
https://andreasdeja.blogspot.com/2025/04/geraldine-page-inspires-medusa.html
It may be a mere coincidence, but Medusa and Mr. Snoops could be seen as reflections of Bernard and Bianca. They share some striking similarities: one is a materialistic, fashion-conscious character, while the other is a fearful, clumsy sidekick who always tries to keep up with her. It's almost as if the storytellers behind this incredible and underrated animated film wanted to add a poetic layer by presenting villains who mirror the protagonists, with Penny ultimately being rescued by figures who resemble her captors, but whose toxic traits have been replaced by stoicism and kindness.
ReplyDeleteKnowing that Milt Kahl was inspired by Geraldine Page’s performance in Sweet Bird of Youth adds such depth to Medusa’s character. It's always so inspiring to see how much thought and observation went into these films. Thank you so much for sharing these insights! 😁