Original hand painted production animation cel of Merlin and Sir Ector from "The Sword In The Stone," 1963, Walt Disney Studios; Set on a lithographic background; Size - Merlin & Sir Ector: 6 1/2 x 5 1/4", Image 11 x 14 1/2"; Unframed.
"The Sword in the Stone," 1963 is the 18th full length feature film produced by Walt Disney and it was released on December 25, 1963 by Buena Vista Distribution. The film was based on the novel of the same name, that was first published in 1938. It was later republished in 1958 as the first book of T. H. White's tetralogy "The Once and Future King." It was to be the final Disney animated film released before Walt Disney's death on December 15, 1966. The songs in the film were written and composed by the Sherman Brothers, who would become very famous for their future work on later Disney films including; "Mary Poppins," 1964, "The Jungle Book," 1967, and "Bedknobs and Broomsticks," 1971.
Merlin is a very powerful wizard with a pet owl named Archimedes. He befriends and becomes the teacher of a 12-year old orphan named Arthur, who goes by the name of Wart. Merlin is first seen living in a forest cottage, and he believes in the philosophy of "Brain over Brawn." As a wizard, he is very intelligent, has a wide variety of powers, and is considered the most powerful wizard in the world. He has the ability to see into the future, and has the ability to shape-shift. Merlin was animated by Milt Kahl, Frank Thomas, and Ollie Johnston; and voiced by Karl Swenson who was an American theater, radio, film, and television actor.
Sir Ector was animated by Milt Kahl and Eric Larson and voiced by the great Sebastian Cabot. Sir Ector was once a knight of Uther Pendragon, and at some point adapted the orphaned Arthur whom Ector and his son Kay now refers to as The Wart. Sir Ector does not know about Arthur's birthright, dotes on his birth son Sir Kay, and does not trust magic and therefore Merlin; who is incorrectly refers to as Marvin.
The cel Merlin and Sir Ector appears in the film with the following dialog:
Sir Ector: "You will, uh... yes, I must say, you... have me there, Marvin, Yes. Well, as you win. You're welcome to stay if you like.
Merlin: (magically reappears) "Thank you. You're very kind. Very generous, I must say."
Sir Ector: "Well, uh, all we can offer is room and board. Hard times, you know, Marvin, we'll put you up in the northwest tower. (points to an aged, damaged tower) That's the guest room. It's a bid drafty in the winter, but in this blazing hot weather, it's the best room in the house."
This is a great original production animation cel of Merlin and Sir Ector, both characters are eyes open, and full figure images. An absolutely wonderful piece of original animation artwork perfect for any animation art collection!