The Story of the Animated Drawing

The 1955 film "The Story of the Animated Drawing" is a captivating journey into the evolution of animation, centered around the remarkable achievements of Walt Disney Studios. This unique documentary breaks from traditional movie storytelling, instead focusing on the groundbreaking art form of sequential drawing. The host and the illustrious face of Walt Disney Studios, Walt Disney, leads the narrative, using his warmth and charisma to both educate and entertain.

Produced by Walt Disney Productions and aired on ABC Television Network, "The Story of the Animated Drawing" is part of the Disneyland anthology television series. The Disney anthology television series was a groundbreaking enterprise that demonstrated the breadth and depth of the Disney universe to television viewers for the first time. This specific installment showcases the journey of animated drawing from its infancy to new possibilities revealing the secret behind Disney magic that has captured and delighted audiences worldwide.

The film explores the origins of animation, dating back to prehistoric cave paintings, ancient Egyptian murals, and Greek vases, as well as shadow puppetry and magic lantern shows. This offers a historical foundation, tracing the human fascination with moving images and animated storytelling. It comes as no surprise that these early forms of art acted as precursors to the sophisticated animation techniques that Disney and his team eventually developed over the years.

Beyond this, Walt Disney presents a brief history of animation, starting from the basic flipbook and artwork to the more intricate processes involved in creating full-length animated features. There are displays of pre-Disney moving images toys like the zoetrope and praxinoscope, highlighting their contribution to the evolving animation technology. The movie also introduces the audience to how motion pictures evolved, celebrating renowned film pioneers like Émile Cohl and Winsor McCay. Through their innovative works, the audience witnesses the gradual evolution towards what animation has become today.

What sets "The Story of the Animated Drawing" apart is its fluid blend of education and entertainment. Through these engaging historical snippets and thrilling visuals, Walt Disney makes an intricate concept not just accessible, but enjoyable to his audience.

A significant portion of the film is dedicated to demonstrating Disney's invaluable contribution to the realm of animation. Famous scenes from classic Disney films are artfully utilised to explain the art and science of animation, illuminating the laborious process involved.

Walt Disney’s ground-breaking multi-plane camera – a device that allowed for the creation of a three-dimensional effect in animation, adding depth and realism to animated scenes – gets a vital spotlight in the film. Viewers get a first-hand experience of how the multiplane camera revolutionised the animation industry when Disney introduced it in the making of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs."

Through "The Story of the Animated Drawing," viewers receive an insider's view into the drive and innovative spirit that certainly defines Disney. It also celebrates the hard work of thousands of artists and the technical development over many decades that took animation from a simple curiosity to a form of art that has become an integral part of cinematic history.

Disney's ongoing quest for realism, brought to life famously through beloved characters like Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, is showcased in the film. There’s also a glimpse of the journey towards making anthropomorphic animals more lifelike in their motions and personality, adding to the magic that Disney has come to symbolize.

In its entirety, "The Story of the Animated Drawing" is a historical exploration of animated drawing, a tribute to Walt Disney’s pioneering work, and a showcase of the power of imagination, inspiration, and innovation. The film stands as a testament to the shifts in the domain of animation and filmography, where it has come from, and how far it has reached, all while whetting the appetite for what future advancements might bring. Undoubtedly an essential watch for animation lovers and Disney fans alike, this film offers an insightful, nostalgic, and awe-inspiring view into the world of animated drawing.