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Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Mad Madam Mim In Beautiful Woman Form Cel from "The Sword In The Stone," 1963


Original hand painted production cel of Mad Madam Mim as a Beautiful Woman from "The Sword In The Stone," 1963; Numbered 55 lower right and set on a lithographic background; Size - Madam Mim: 8" x 3 3/4", Image 11 1/4" x 15 1/4"; Unframed.


Madam Mim was the villain in the Walt Disney 1963 film "The Sword In The Stone," based on T. H. White's novel by the same name.  Mim was voiced by Martha Wentworth a veteran actress with a long radio history dating back to the 1920's.  She was the voice of several Disney characters in "101 Dalmatians" including Nanny; and Mim was her final credited role.  Madam Mim was animated by two of Disney's greatest animators Milt Kahl (who also designed the character, refining storyboard sketches from animator Bill Peet), and Frank Thomas.  Kahl animated her first appearance in the film, her initial interaction with Arthur; while Frank Thomas oversaw her famous "Wizards' Duel" with Merlin.


Photograph showing the entire cel and the number 55 lower right.

This cel is from the first appearance of Mim, animated by Kahl; and occurs when Wart (soon to be King Arthur, but at the moment having been transformed into a bird by Merlin), accidentally falls down Mim's chimney.  In order to impress Wart and prove she is more powerful a wizard than Merlin, Mim sings the "Mad Madame Mim Song."  This cel is from the part of the song when she transforms into a beautiful woman and sings the following lyrics:

"I can be beautiful, lovely and fair
Silvery voice, long purple hair
La la la la, la la la la la
La la la la la
La la la la la la la
But it's only skin deep
For Zim zaberim zim
I'm an ugly old creep
The magnificent, marvelous, mad, mad, mad, mad Madam Mim!"


Close up of the Mim Cel.

To view the scene which this cel was used to create, click on the short video below:

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