When Walt Disney made "Cinderella", Eleanor Audley went before the microphone and provided a chilling voice for the stepmother, filled with authority. And then, she went in front of the cameras to act out the role, so that the animators could incorporate her movements and mannerisms. And, they used her face as a model for the stepmother.
Copyright Walt Disney Pictures Photo from The Dick Van Dyke Show
A few years later when Disney made "Sleeping Beauty", the same technique was used for Maleficent. Here is Eleanor acting the character out for the Disney cameramen. Her peculiar tilt of the head, and ways of using her hands can be seen incorporated into the animation of her characters. Both the stepmother and Maleficent wore large rings, which also reflects Eleanor's taste in jewelry!
She is absolutely irreplaceable.
ReplyDeleteWhen she began her acting career, the idea of doing voices and acting for animated films was probably the farthest thing from her mind--and yet, look at the fabulous legacy she left us! <3
DeleteVery cool. Reminded me about the movement capture techniques.
ReplyDeleteMovement capture techniques nowadays use computers, so it's a whole different ball game. They can replicate a movement exactly now--and do a lot of animation quickly. Back in the Disney days of Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty, it was all hand-drawn, based on observation and artistic judgement. I think t's much more satisfying for the animator that way!
DeleteThank you for reminding me that she provided the voice for the "Haunted Mansion" 's Madam Leota, but she only provided the voice. For some reason, it was decided that for filming the face for the actual film-loop, Disney-Imagineers chose to use Ms Leota Tooms, the head of Disney's Costuming Department.
ReplyDeleteWe may never know why Eleanor's image wasn't used for this project.
DeleteOn a side note, I've always thought that Maleficent REALLY needed a date! And, fortunately, Disney created the perfectly matched male for her. They both share so many interests in common: long flowing, black garments with red/purple highlights; long magical staffs with glowing head-pieces; bifurcated, pointy head-gear; avian familiars, both seem to enjoy standing unburnt within eldritch-flames; putting bound & gagged young-men into dungeons; and transforming into giant reptiles in order to battle annoying, plot thwarting heroes. I'm sure you've probably already guessed about whom I'm suggesting, and I could only imaging the evil that Maleficent could get into should she ever become partnered with Jafar!
ReplyDeleteAniman has to agree with you! It sounds like the perfect match. I always wonder though, how villains get along together. They're very competitive, you know. But if ever there was as match for Maleficent, it would absolutely HAVE to be Jafar!
DeleteHere's something I just KNOW you'll love!.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=704EXbJ-b5k
ReplyDeleteLooks interesting.
DeleteOh, yeah... and then there's this also: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uO1D3n-OJGI
ReplyDeleteThey make a good pair!
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