The Enduring Appeal of Disney’s “Chanticleer“: A Lost Animated Classic
The story of Disney’s “Chanticleer,” an animated adaptation of Edmond Rostand‘s play Chanticleer, is a fascinating tale of unrealized potential. It’s a project that continues to capture the imagination of animation enthusiasts and industry professionals alike, despite never fully seeing the light of day. This article delves into the history of this intriguing project, its setbacks, and the enduring hope for its eventual realization.
The Initial Vision: Marc Davis and a Unique Style
During the 1950s, Walt Disney himself was captivated by Rostand’s charming story of a proud rooster who saves his farm from a fox.He tasked legendary disney animator Marc Davis with developing the film. Davis, known for his expressive character work on characters like maleficent and Cruella de Vil, envisioned a strikingly different aesthetic.
His concept art,characterized by elegant lines and a elegant European style,departed from disney’s typical approach.Davis aimed for a more realistic and nuanced portrayal of the characters, focusing on their personalities and emotions. you can see a clear influence of UPA (united Productions of america) in his designs, a studio known for its stylized and artistic animation.
A Shift in Priorities and the Rise of “The Sword in the Stone”
Regrettably, “Chanticleer” faced numerous hurdles. Developing sympathy for a rooster as a protagonist proved challenging for studio executives. They worried audiences wouldn’t connect with a barnyard animal in the same way they did with princesses and princes.
Ultimately, in the late 1950s, Disney decided to shelve “Chanticleer” in favor of “The Sword in the Stone.” This decision, while resulting in another beloved Disney classic, left Davis’s beautiful designs gathering dust. It’s a reminder that even the most promising projects can fall victim to shifting priorities and perceived market risks.
Don Bluth‘s Attempt: “Rock-a-Doodle” and Box Office Disappointment
The idea of bringing Chanticleer to the screen didn’t entirely disappear. In 1991, Don bluth, a former Disney animator who had found success with independent films like The Secret of NIMH and An American Tail, attempted his own adaptation with “Rock-a-Doodle.”
However, Bluth’s version, while visually appealing, significantly deviated from the original play’s tone and sophistication. it incorporated musical numbers and a more slapstick approach, resulting in a film that felt tonally inconsistent. Sadly, audiences in April 1992 weren’t receptive. “Rock-a-doodle” received poor reviews and performed poorly at the box office, quickly fading into obscurity.
Andreas Deja’s Passion and Continued Advocacy
despite the failure of “Rock-a-Doodle,” the legacy of Marc Davis’s “Chanticleer” lived on. Modern Disney master animator Andreas Deja, renowned for his work on characters like Scar, Jafar, and Hercules, remains a devoted admirer of Davis’s conceptual art.
Deja has consistently championed the project, recognizing the brilliance of Davis’s character designs. He believes these characters are brimming with potential and deserve to be brought to life. In a 1995 interview for Charles Solomon’s The Disney that Never was, deja stated, “Marc designed some of the best looking characters I’ve ever seen – these characters want to be moved and used.”
Deja’s passion was further evident during a 2000 tribute to Marc Davis. He showcased Davis’s “Chanticleer” drawings, expressing his disappointment that the film never materialized. he remarked, ”It’s kind of sad that this movie was never produced; the studio decided to do ‘Sword in the Stone’ instead… Apparently, at that time, the studio felt… that it would be too difficult to develop sympathy for a chicken. I don’t think so. I have sympathy for these guys.”
He even expressed a desire to create pencil tests of the characters himself, simply to see them move. This dedication underscores the enduring artistic merit of Davis’s work.