Animation Artifacts &Books &Disney &Models &Story & Storyboards 15 Oct 2007 07:59 am
Rite of Spring Pics
- Continuing my posting of the art in the 1940 book, published by Simon & Schuster, Deems Taylor’s Fantasia, I focus on the Rite of Spring segment from the film. There are some fine images here, and I’m pleased to post them.
If anyone has any idea of who drew any of these stills, I’ll be glad to give appropriate credit to the artists. I know that
_______ William Martin,
_______ Leo Thiele,
_______ Robert Sterner and
_______ John Fraser McLeish were credited for Story Development Research,
and
_______ McLaren Stewart,
_______ Dick Kelsey and
_______ John Hubley were the segment’s Art Directors.
Here, then, are the stills. A number of them are beauties.
(Click any image to enlarge.)
on 15 Oct 2007 at 10:09 pm 1.Eddie Fitzgerald said …
Wow!!! These look better than the pictures in the book! Thanks a million!
on 20 Feb 2008 at 8:06 pm 2.Maria McLeish said …
I am the daughter of John Fraser McLeish. My father was a fine artist who went on to partner with John Hubley on Gerald McBoing Boing etc. He returned to Disney in the 50′s. At Disney in addition to developing stories and narrating and doing voice overs, he developed many of the original sketches that were later brought to full life by the animators. Disney has been very reluctant to lend his original sketches and cells, but in the mid-1980′s did lend us his sketches for Peter and The Wolf for a retrospective of his work. Hope this adds a little info to your blog.
on 21 Feb 2008 at 9:26 am 3.Michael said …
Maria, I’m so pleased you found my site and left your comment. I, of course, know of your father’s work and would like to see more of his work displayed. I’ll keep my eyes open.
on 17 Jul 2009 at 2:42 am 4.Georgia McLeish said …
I just spotted this e-mail from Maria McLeish is it possible for you to put me in touch with her.
I would like to find out more on John Fraser McLeish
on 04 Nov 2010 at 8:46 am 5.Pam Devine said …
Good morning,
On the weekend at an auction in Ottawa, Ontario, I acquired an early oil painting by John Fraser McLeish. I learned this from a sticker on the back of the painting which also indicated that the painting was shown at the 1937 spring exhibition of the Art Association of Montreal. Someone (perhaps an earlier owner?) had penned in the name John Ployardt in pencil so from this I was able to learn the McLeish also went by that name. The painting is of a clown and printed in large letters at the bottom is the word “humouresque”. I thought that you, Michael Sporn, or McLeish family members might be interested in knowing of this.
regards, Pam
on 04 Nov 2010 at 9:05 am 6.Michael said …
Pam, it sounds like you have a treasure there. John Frasier McLeish AKA John Ployardt was a memorable vocal talent at the Disney studio and UPA for a while during the 40′s. He also wrote some key animated films including The Dover Boys for Chuck Jones. Of course, he did also write on The Rite of Spring.
on 12 Nov 2010 at 2:36 pm 7.Pam Devine said …
Thanks for your reply Michael. I have tried to find a McLeish/Ployardt family member but without success. I was hoping to get the painting back to them but since I haven’t succeeded, I am going to put it on Ebay to see what happens. Perhaps someone who is interested in animation or Walt Disney history might be interested. Thanks again,
Pam
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