If anyone could draw a sympathetic looking rooster, it was Marc Davis (1913-2000). The senior Disney animator was a master of designing appealing characters, from Brer Rabbit to Tinkerbell.
He teamed up other veterans Ken Anderson, Woolie Reitherman, Milt Kahl to develop a animated feature that told the story of Chanticleer, the rooster who was so proud that he thought his "cock-a-doodle-do" brought on the sunrise. The story wove together the comedy by Edmond Rostand (of Cyrano fame) together with the classic tale of Reynard the Fox.
He began by sketching real chickens to learn their forms and personalities, and then anthropomorphized them into human types.
He began by sketching real chickens to learn their forms and personalities, and then anthropomorphized them into human types.
Unfortunately the material failed to win over Walt Disney, and it might not have worked with American audiences. The studio cancelled the project and put its muscle behind "The Sword and the Stone" instead.
Fortunately, Davis's drawings survive as a fine example of character design.
Read all about the saga of the Chanticleer project at the Animation Archives website.
Contemporary animator Andreas Deja also reflects on the Chanticleer project.
Contemporary animator Andreas Deja also reflects on the Chanticleer project.
Books:
You can still get copies of the printed storybook version with Marc Davis illustrations called Chanticleer and the Fox: A Chaucerian Tale (From the Disney Archives)
All images ©Disney Corp.
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