Monday, August 13, 2007

Happy Anniversary Bambi!

Today marks the 65th Anniversary of the animated classis Bambi! Bambi is fifth animated feature produced by Walt Disney and originally released to theatres by RKO Radio Pictures on August 13, 1942. The film is based on the 1923 Bambi, A Life in the Woods by Austrian author Felix Salten.

Pre-production began in 1936 and was intended to be Disney's second full-length animated film after Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937). Disney's perfection and quest for realism delayed the project significantly, so Pinocchio (1940), Fantasia (1940), The Reluctant Dragon (1941) and Dumbo (1941) were released earlier than Bambi.

The most recent release from the Walt Disney Classics Collection is the classic winter scene (pictured above) an Open Edition scene released in November, 2005, featuring Bambi, Thumper and Flower. The scene also includes a Frozen Pond Base, released in January 2006. Scene sculpted by Kent Melton and marks the first time Kent has had an opportunity to sculpt Bambi (he was always hopeful he would have a chance).

This marks Bambi's third scene release in the Walt Disney Classics Collection in addition to being the 2004 Member Gift release for the Walt Disney Collectors Society and 2000 Spring Event sculpture. A complete listing can be found in the Secondary Guide and Image Gallery section.

3 comments:

Matthew said...

This is such a cute little scene, but the piece that "makes" it for me is Flower in hibernation! Just too cute!

Thanks to Kent for a great set.

Cheryl S. said...

I have my eye on Flower for my next piece. It definitely needs to be seen in person. Too cute!!!

DC Pop Fanatic said...

Totally agree with both Matthew and Cheryl. Flower is just too cute and definitely the stand out in this scene.

Kent did an amazing job on this scene. Having the first scene release, undecided on this one but like Cheryl, have my eye on Flower :)