Sleeping Beauty (1959) - Screencaps

 

I watched Sleeping Beauty (1959) just about 2 weeks ago, and upon re-visiting it, it is one of the most massive, incredibly ambitious, most pleasurable animated film I ever seen.

You ever just watch a film with the vibrant colors, cute characters, and didn't expect as an adult to relate to the emotional depth of the characters, and some symbolism and dark imagery?

Sorry to say but Disney rarely does that in their films in my opinion. I mostly found their movies to be more aimed at beginners who are looking for something to start being amused by. Moana, Tarzan, Aladdin, they're perfect for regular people but not for me. 

Sleeping Beauty is just beautiful, simple as that. There's a purpose at least and there's a natural intelligence to the entire film that makes it likeable.

The start of the film is just perfect. So much power, my favorite bits are when The Three Fairies watch Aurora at birth and they grant gifts and we get to see these utterly cool effects. 

Maleficent is truly wicked and her castle is just like her personality, I love the green color palette. 

We get a glimpse inside of the castle.

What I notice is that the movies I like especially animated in this era, are not full on the dialogue. It's strange because movies I absoutely enjoyed that weren't fully animated are dialogue heavy to be honest, it's so weird. But maybe I just have certain tastes that fit the genre of the films best.

They did so good with the final act of the movie. The final fight of Maleficent's dragon transformation and everything.

Credits to FILMGRAB.

This movie was insane production-wise. It had taken nearly a decade to make. It was made during Cinderella's release and further releases like Alice In Wonderland and Peter Pan. There was alot of experimental elements to the movie, using the Cinemascope method like in Lady And The Tramp, the angular but still charming art style, and the rise of TV from Walt Disney's studio. It was alot, and luckily this film was confident enough to be released in January of 1959.

Unique Camera Angles from Old Movies

 

Here's some camera angles I find distinctive and useful for inspiration. Since I'm an artist, particularly both hand-drawn and digital, and soon starting animation. I experience cinema very differently. I personally have a unique interest in inventive scenes from old movies, since I'm drawn to actors/actresses from the Golden Age of Hollywood. Also it makes films with creativity blooming effects and passion more enjoyable, at least to me.

Usually when I'm watching a movie, I just watch the characters talk, follow through the premise and easily appreciate them, but sometimes a film is so impactful, I could swear I wasn't watching just a movie at all, felt like a real experience and actors aren't acting their roles, they LIVE their roles.

Something about movies resonates me. I can relate to these movies. They aren't short cartoons just to laugh at.

A Streetcar Named Desire, The Grapes Of Wrath, It's A Wonderful Life, North By Northwest, Strangers On A Train, Mr. Smith Goes To Washington, all of those movies have a certain element to them whether it's the performances, the writing, etc. 

This scene is from The Killers (1946). I have actually never heard of this movie until now. Apparently it's a mystery, and people enjoy it, so I might give it a chance. I like this shot because you can directly see the woman staring at an actor I'm familiar with Burt Lancaster. The whole situation looks amusing. 

It's definitely an appealing scene.

Next is Suspicion (1941), I'm a fan of both Hitchcock and Grant, I'll get to another scene of them shortly, but this is by far the most iconic shots of the movie. We don't get to see Cary's face, it's almost completely silhouette. The shadow effect of the stairs is also outstanding.

I recently watched Touch By Evil (1958) a film directed by Orson Welles. He's by far my favorite directors when it comes to the cinematography and camera angles as I stated in his other films like Citizen Kane and Mr. Arkadin. This shot is just chef's kiss. It's so serious but sophisticated. I like that tough look on Orson's face. Also it being B&W while Technicolor was considered a standard process at this point, fit the film best.

Time for another Hitchcock movie starring Cary Grant, Notorious (1946). 

Unlike Suspicion, I actually watched this film, and while I wouldn't say it's great, it's got a great scene in it. The whole scene is focused on Alicia's point of view as Devlin walks into the room and the camera starts to move downwards. It's satisfying.

Lastly for now is the close-up of Miriam's glasses from Strangers On A Train (1951). This is such a great shot in particular showcasing Bruno's utter mysterious but abusive behavior. I'm not going into too much spoilers even for a movie made 75 years ago. 

And that's all I have for now. I may as well be doing a Part 2, maybe Technicolor version? Yet I haven't seen too much of old movies in color, but I'll definitely be on that trail very shortly. Besides I've shown you pictures from movies I have not yet seen so it is possible. 

More Great Vintage Art + Unique Color Styling

 

Wow! When I saw one of these, I needed to save more. This art is just amazing!

This is from 1952. It has my favorite artstyle. Blending the two-tone color palette and human illustration.

This next one is beautiful. Designed by one of my favorite artists, Alexander Ross.

I like these poses. They feel like they actually belong in a movie with heavy on dialogue characters and the crazy scenarios around them.

Here's a solid one by Ward Brackett. I like the yellow and purple palette.

These drawings look very sophisticated, I like the different textures of each human whether it's their facial expressions and wrinkles so they don't look too basic or young by their appearance. The pink reminds me of Barbie for some reason.

"The Gift That Couldn't Be Wrapped" that sounds like a movie title. I seen that these were stories but they would've worked decently as supposedly parody feature film posters.

Vintage art like this aspires more clever, inventive pleasure at least to me. 

I think that's why I want to experience the most likeable, and appealing art from generations I'm mostly aware of. 

Here's some of my artwork with the two-tone style.

I would recommend you to check out this post if you haven't.

https://sngexplorationblog.blogspot.com/2025/10/vintage-art-two-tone-limited-color.html?m=1

Tick Tock Tuckered Daffy Shoots Moon

 

Been very icky for the past few weeks. Personally I don't feel comfortable talking about my regular ol' self, but I'm getting sick and tired of almost everything in general. But that doesn't stop me from watching stuff from the 1920s-50s.

Here's a very cuddly and soft escape from the past from Warner Bros., it's Tick Tock Tuckered (1944) starring Porky Pig & Daffy Duck, except it isn't brought that way and has this utterly cool and savage scene of Daffy getting fed up by the full moon, shoots it and something creatively unexpected happens. 

Of course this amazing scene was animated by the one and only Rod Scribner. One of my favorite animators. This was Daffy at his cutest, but also most threatening as Scribner is known for animating characters with that angry facial expression.

The animation here is rubbery but it works well with the overall gag they're going for in this particular scene.

Right after he shoots Moon, it suddenly drops like a big drip of rain. Daffy is immediately in shock.

We get ourselves some wacky drawings.  

This drawing stays on screen the longest. I find these scenes to be wonderful since it feels so different than "limited" animation where the characters don't move impulsively.

Daffy then breaks the 4th wall by saying "Unbelievable, isn't it?" 

This is a remake of Porky's Badtime Story (1937). Still directed by Bob Clampett, there was different gags in that cartoon, and instead of Daffy Duck, it was Gabby Goat.

In the original, the certain scene with the moon disturbing Porky's sleep is by tying the window curtain to his bed, causing a wreck and an accident.  

Here's the full scene in action.

 

Credits to Sakugabooru as I found the clip from there, only slightly trimmed.

The Rymahites

 

Sometimes I change my opinion on what my favorite characters I created are, but something about Srobel Ghann just makes it the most unique, distinctive, newly original character I ever made. If you don't know Srobel is the yellow mask. 

I first sketched him back in 2021, he was sorta different and more charismatic in a way that he could be more hilarious or charming, but I liked him more mysterious. It fitted his design clearer.

Just recently, I wanted to give Srobel Ghann a family. A group known as The Rymahites. There is a current total of 6 masks. Who knows when there might be a 7th.

These are sets of diamonds locked in precious safe places to protect them from danger. So far, Srobel Ghann and Dohl Whinn have their own diamonds. They're used for their special spells.

This entire idea was inspired by my love for crystals back when I was in the 5th grade. By then, I started to begin learning about spiritual activities like journaling, daily cards, affirmations and chakras. It was Mom's interest and I enjoyed the experience myself. I still have these sets of uniquely shaped colored crystals I still hold my heart to nowadays. 

Making something so creatively inventive and out of the ordinary makes the franchise more iconic. Looney Tunes mostly had a human and animal cast yet they have Marvin The Martian, Aqua Teen had anthropomorphic food, Toy Story has toys that come alive etc. 

Now let's get onto the 5 other masks, the names and straightforward info. 

Below is basically the same, but there's more details added.

My Favorite Hitchcock Movie So Far

 

January I was on a movie spree, mostly watching the classics, my preferred decades 30s-mid 60s and I've just been having such an enjoyable time watching movies from incredibly talented directors, one of them I seem to admire as of now is Alfred Hitchcock. So far I have watched 5 of his films. I'm planning to just stick to his most likeable and iconic films in particular.

My favorite so far is North By Northwest (1959). This is probably Grant at his absolute coolest. I absolutely loved the acting, and the cinematography is just phenomenal. What I didn't expect from these specific movies is an actual music score. I'm starting to love Bernard Herrmann's music. I love good ol' intensity in the orchestra and it does a stellar job at it.

All images taken from FILMGRAB.

While I was watching the movie I was waiting for the most beautiful scenes of the film. Not to say I dislike ANYTHING from the movie, I didn't, but I just absolutely love these landscapes. They're natural and almost surreal in a way I expect to live in the 50s with it's correct color schemes, cities, and vehicles.

I like the look of these buildings, it's full of personality, I also have to mention the pacing of this film. It's perfect. It doesn't have actions that go on way too quick, no quick cuts, I'm starting to just like 2 hour films for that reason. 

I'm including one character-oriented scene, this is what got me into the film in the first place. Cary Grant in sunglasses! Sometimes I like pictures of movie stars. I mostly like their more standout portraits like shots from actual film recording. 

I like all the characters in this film. Eve Kendell in particular is one of the best female leads ever. 

This view of the train is so GOOD! It appears quite a few times and to me it's breathtaking. Now you guys can have this scene long as possible!

I always liked the uniqueness of Mount Rushmore, it's hard for me to not like it because I'm not personally a fan of carved idolatry work, but I feel like they created it in honor of the most appreciated presidents of The United States. Once they shown it on screen, I was ready for what was going to happen next.

This clip below is one of my favorite parts of the movie. I think it's one of the most massive, cinematic scenes I seen in quite some time. 

Some mild spoilers if you haven't seen it and want to watch the full movie yourself, but this isn't particuarly the final scene of the movie so don't hesitate.

North By Northwest is just fantastic. I enjoy when I watch a movie that makes me impressed and it inspires a little tint of my creativity, and this movie is no exception. As someone who's more animation oriented, these classic movies use inventive concepts that remind me of what I like about cartoons, in fact it's the best approach in creating something impressive. That's why when I watch movies directed by Hitchcock, Donen, Welles, and Capra they keep me invested with it's compelling characters, creative cinematography, memorable acting, sensible dialogue, and absolutely almost no filler at all.

Expect for me to look for another gem from the cinema archive. I watched 23 films last month.