THE CRITIC

Half Sheet (22" x 28"); From the Leonard Maltin Collection
Near Mint Rolled
Columbia, 1963

This is a scarce half sheet for the 1963 animated short film. Understandably, paper from this title is so scarce as to be almost non-existent, and since no Brooks collection can call itself complete without it, this is a great opportunity to acquire a significant rarity. A piece from the Leonard Matlin collection.

This is a beautiful rolled copy of this very scarce poster. There is nothing that detracts from the condition.

Fans of comedian, actor, and director Mel Brooks are familiar with much of his work. However, few know of one of his earliest efforts, a short animated film called "The Critic" (1963). This film won an Oscar for Best Animated Short Film at the 36th Academy Awards. The inspiration for the film was an actual incident that occurred when Brooks attended a screening of a surrealistic, avant-garde short cartoon by pioneering animator Norman McLaren. While at the screening, Brooks overheard an elderly gentleman seated near him mumbling his own comments on the picture. The man was bewailing the lack of a plot and the overwhelming abstract imagery. Brooks was amused by this and decided that this would be perfect for an animated short of his own. The result was a hilarious running riff in a style that would later be embraced by such shows as Mystery Science Theater 3000 and Rifftrax.

This lot will be auctioned on Friday, December 8th. The auction will begin at 9:30am PST and lots are sold sequentially via live auctioneer; tune in to the live streaming broadcast on auction day to follow the pace. Note other lots in the auction may close on December 7th.