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A superb original production drawing featuring the animated caricature of Charles Laughton from Walt Disney's Mother Goose Goes Hollywood (RKO, 1938). Rendered in graphite and red pencil on 12-field animation paper, this drawing exemplifies the refined draftsmanship and expressive linework that characterised Disney's caricature animation during its Golden Age.
In the film, Laughton, depicted here in full naval regalia with powdered wig and tri-corner hat, appears with animated versions of Spencer Tracy and Freddie Bartholomew, lampooning Hollywood's biggest stars of the era in a lavish musical parody of nursery rhymes. The drawing captures the actor's distinctive features with remarkable precision: his theatrical stance, rounded posture, and persona are instantly recognisable. Red pencil annotations such as "Teeth Showing" and "Unnecessary to ink below this line" provide insight into the inking department's detailed instructions and workflow.
Mother Goose Goes Hollywood stands as one of Disney's most ambitious and technically accomplished shorts of the 1930s. Released at the height of the studio's innovation between Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) and Pinocchio (1940), it was directed by Wilfred Jackson and features caricatures of over forty Golden Age stars, including W.C. Fields, Katharine Hepburn, Clark Gable, and Greta Garbo. The short was nominated for an Academy Award® and is now regarded as a landmark of pre-war Hollywood satire, blending the glamour of the studio system with Disney's cutting-edge animation technique.
Charles Laughton, already an Academy Award® winner for The Private Life of Henry VIII (1933), was one of the most recognisable actors of the 1930s, celebrated for his commanding screen presence and nuanced performances. His inclusion in Mother Goose Goes Hollywood reflects Disney's fascination with celebrity culture and the film industry's self-mythologising nature. Laughton's caricature remains one of the short's most enduring images, a perfect fusion of humour, respect, and observation.
Production artwork from Mother Goose Goes Hollywood is exceptionally rare. Much of Disney's pre-war material was recycled or destroyed during the studio's wartime austerity years, making surviving drawings of this calibre highly sought after by collectors and institutions. A related production cel featuring the same characters is held in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, underlining the cultural and historical importance of this film and its artistry.
A beautifully expressive drawing from one of Disney's most sophisticated and satirical Golden Age productions, capturing both the elegance of 1930s caricature and the enduring presence of Charles Laughton's screen persona. Dimensions: 44 cm x 39 cm (17.25" x 15.25")
Sold without copyright; see copyright notice in the Terms and Conditions.
Estimate: £300 - 600 M
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