Books &Disney &Mary Blair 11 Jun 2008 08:02 am
The Runaway Lamb 1
- So Dear To My Heart was Disney’s second try at a live action feature, following Song of the South. Like the earlier film, they employed the same two children, Bobby Driscoll and Luana Patten, and told a story around them and their pet lamb. There was a sweet animated sequence which was directed by Ham Luske. Mary Blair, John Hench and Dicke Kelsey designed it. Animation Department
Les Clark, Milt Kahl, Hal King, Eric Larson, John Lounsbery, Don Lusk, and Marvin Woodward were credited as animators.
Here’s a book that built on the film’s characters. It’s done in a style somewhat similar to the animated sequence in the film. The book is illustrated by Julius Svendsen, who became an animator at the studio, working in films from Melody (1953) to Robin Hood (1973). He also did a nunber of comic book illustration for Disney in the late 50′s and 60′s, working with Floyd Gottfredson.
The drawings in this book are excellent; strong poses with fine watercolored backgrounds. It’s similar to but totally different from the Little Golden Books that were being done at the same time.
The book comes from John Canemaker‘s collection, so I want to thank him for allowing me to post the pictures. A lot of scanning’s involved, so I have to break it into two posts to give you the full book.
(Click any image to enlarge.)____________
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11____________Look for the conclusion tomorrow.
on 11 Jun 2008 at 1:18 pm 1.Tom Pope said …
That picture of Danny sniffing the pie looks very familiar. Was this ever included in a Disney anthology storybook?
on 11 Jun 2008 at 2:58 pm 2.biblioadonis aka George said …
Wow…
Great scans.
Thank Mr. Canemaker for me.
And thanks for posting it!
on 11 Jun 2008 at 9:02 pm 3.R. Phoenix said …
That lamb is the most adorable thing ever. Even for a Disney animal. I really want to see this movie now, partially because of the cuteness, partially to placate myself over Song of the South not being in circulation.
on 31 Mar 2012 at 3:32 pm 4.mary said …
I have this book in my bookshelf.. read it over and over when i was a tot……. that was 60 years ago..but i’m keeping the book!