UPA

United Film Production (UPA) was established by former Disney animators John Hubley, Zack Schwartz, Dave Hilberman and Steve Bosustow after the animation strike against Disney in 941. Their mission was founded in the belief that animation was an artistic form of expression that didn't necessarily have to follow the Disney model of “the illusion of life”, but instead could be more graphic and experimental in the design of characters, layouts and backgrounds. Their first production was a cartoon called “Hell Bent for Election” designed to help re-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt, and directed by Chuck Jones. Columbia Studios quickly gave them a contract for the production and distribution of theatrical shorts, the first of which won a Nomination for the Academy Award® for Best Animated Short Subject of 1948 – “Robin Hoodlum.” The following year UPA introduced their most successful character, Mister Magoo, in “The Ragtime Bear”, which lead to a series of Magoo cartoons – each highly stylized and distinctly different than the Disney look, two of which won Academy Awards® for Best Animated Short Subject, “When Magoo Flew” (1953) and “Magoo’s Puddle Jumper (1955). But their most critically acclaimed character arrived in 1951, the title character of “Gerald McBoing-Boing”, based on a story by children’s author Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel, and which once again snagged the Academy Award® . UPA’s golden age came to a sad and abrupt end in 1952 when Hubley fell victim to the McCarthy era blacklisting. Upon his release (at Columbia’s insistence) dozens of artists followed him out the door, and the studio was sold to Henry G. Saperstein. What followed was never quite as inspired as the brilliantly graphic and so-called “limited” style of animation that influenced the industry for decades to come (as evidenced in the work of Chuck Jones at Warner Bros. and even at Disney in films like “101 Dalmatians” and “The Sword in the Stone.”) After two final high-water-mark accomplishments – the 1963 “Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol” produced for television, and the Abe Levitow directed and Chuck Jones written “Gay Purr-ee” for theatres - the studio eventually stopped producing original animation altogether and became a film distributor of such Japanese films as Godzilla – thus bringing to a sad end the once brilliant and progressive animation unit that changed the face of animation.

Below is a partial list of UPA artwork we have in stock. Be sure to check out our wide selection of Animation related BOOKS.

Please be sure to register in our GUEST BOOK. We are constantly searching out new artwork, and it takes us a while to get everything onto the web site, so if you do not see what you are looking for listed below, please E-Mail or call us at 800-599-3693 or 818-788-2357.


MR. MAGOO
UPA's most well known creation.

TROUBLE INDEMNITY - Great Original Production Background and Cel set up from this great Magoo cartoon. The background measures 10.5" x 15" and the cel of Magoo and passenger in their car on the Ferris Wheel measures 10.5"x 12.5", with an image of 7.5"x 12.5"...$1500 (upa-25magoo01)

RAGTIME BEAR - Geat Original Production Cel SetUp of Magoo and the Bear set over a color copy of the matching background. The reflections are from the protective bag the art is stored in. The untrimmed cels measure 10.25" x 12.5" and the character image area measures 6.5" x 7.5"...$600 (upa23magoo01)

NOTE: The Following Cel and Master Background Setups come from the estate of Animator/Director Pete Burness. They are some of the only Original Background setups we have ever seen offered, and represent some of the most important and most popular UPA shorts made.

WHEN MAGOO FLEW WITH PRODUCTION BACKGROUND ...An Excellent Matching Cel and Master Background from the 1955 Academy Award Winning Short, "When Magoo Flew". This was the first Magoo short to win an Academy Award. The Background and Cel measure 10.5" X 12.5". Some minor restoration is needed, which is included in the price...$1500 (#ups01magoo05)

WHEN MAGOO FLEW WITH PRODUCTION BACKGROUND ...An Excellent Matching Cel and Master Background from the 1955 Academy Award Winning Short, "When Magoo Flew". This was the first Magoo short to win an Academy Award. The Background and Cel measure 10.5" X 12.5". Some minor restoration is needed, which is included in the price...$950 (#upa01magoo04)

MAGOO'S PUDDLE JUMPER ...Fantastic Matching Cels and Pan Master Background from the 1956 Academy Award Winning Short, "Magoo's Puddle Jumper". This short is one of the most well known in the Magoo series. The Pan Master Background measures 11" X 20"...$2000 (#UPA01magoo09)

1001 ARABIAN NIGHTS ... A great cel of Aladdin on his magic carpet. The cel has been slightly trimmed. The image size is 2.5" X 6.5" ...$90 (UPA10magoo3)

WALDO ...A great cel of Mr. Magoo's Nephew Waldo. This original production cel has been slightly trimmed, the image size is 3"X 2" ...$25 (UPA10magoo6)

MR. MAGOO ...A rare original Photostat Model Sheet from "Magoo Opera Story," is untrimmed. The entire page did not fit on the scanner, but is all there. The image size is 11" X 14" ...$35 (UPA10magoo7)

MAGOO LAYOUT A great production layout from a Mr. Magoo cartoon. This layout is on animation paper the measures 10" X 12.5" The images size is 8" X 11" ...$75 (UPAmagoo12)

MAGOO LAYOUT ...A very nice background layout from a Mr. Magoo cartoon. The window has been cut out at the studio, most likely for a cel to show through. There is also some staining in the middle of the layout. The layout is 9.5" X 12.5" The image is 9" X 12"...$50 (UPA10magoo18)

MAGOO LAYOUT ...A very nice background layout from a Mr. Magoo cartoon. There is also some staining in the middle of the layout. The layout is 9.5" X 12.5" The image is 9" X 12"...$50 (UPA10magoo19)

MAGOO LAYOUT ...A very nice background layout of a ship from a Mr. Magoo cartoon. This piece is 9.5" X 12.5" The image is 9" X 12"...$50 (UPA10magoo21)

BACKGROUND LAYOUT...Nice Background Layout from the 1960s Mr. Magoo TV Series. The untrimmed animation paper measures 10" X 12.5"....$75 (#UPA2magoo4)

MR. MAGOO...Nice original Production cel from the 1953 short, "Magoo's Masterpiece". The untrimmed cel measures 10" X 12.5". Magoo's image size is 4" X 3"...$150 (#UPA2magoo7)

MR. MAGOO...Excellent image of Magoo from a 1950s Animated Short. The untrimmed animation paper measures 10" X 12.5". The image size of Magoo is 3.5 X 2.5"...$50 (#UPA1magoo3)


MR. MAGOO...Excellent image of Magoo from a 1950s Animated Short. The untrimmed animation paper measures 10" X 12.5". The image size of Magoo is 3.5 X 2.5"...$50 (#UPA1magoo5)

MAGOO AS PAUL REVERE...Nice large hand-inked cel of Magoo from TV circa 1967. Image size 5" X 7"...$200 (#UPC104V)

GERALD McBOING-BOING

We have more GERALD McBOING BOING cels! Call for images and details!

PETE HOTHEAD

PETE HOTHEAD...Excellent Bill Hurtz Storyboard Panel from a 1950s Pete Hothead Short. The entire panel measures 3.5" X 4.5"...$200 (#UPA2pete)

PETE HOTHEAD...Excellent Bill Hurtz Storyboard Panel from a 1950s Pete Hothead Short. The entire panel measures 3.5" X 4.5"...$200 (#UPA2pete2)

PETE HOTHEAD...Excellent Bill Hurtz Storyboard Panel from a 1950s Pete Hothead Short. The entire panel measures 4.5" X 6.5"...$300 (#UPA2pete3)

PETE HOTHEAD...Excellent Bill Hurtz Storyboard Panel from a 1950s Pete Hothead Short. The entire panel measures 4" X 5"...$250 (#UPA2pete4)

...A rare multi cel setup of a guy from a 1950s Pete Hothead. This cel is missing some paint in the coat. Image size 3" X 2.25" ...$25 (UPApete02)

PETE HOTHEAD...Excellent Bill Hurtz Storyboard Panel from a 1950s Pete Hothead Short. The entire panel measures 3.5" X 2.5"...$175 (UPApete3)

PETE HOTHEAD ...Excellent Bill Hurtz Storyboard Panel from a 1950s Pete Hothead Short. The entire panel measures 3.5" X 2.5"...$200 (UPApete4)

PETE HOTHEAD...Excellent Bill Hurtz Storyboard Panel from a 1950s Pete Hothead Short. The entire panel measures 3.5" X 2.5"...$150 (UPApete5)

MAN ALIVE

MAN ALIVE...This great original storyboard of a man and his wife cruising along in their car is from the 1950s "MAN ALIVE". The image is on untrimmed paper that measures 8" X 6" and the image size is 7" X 4" ...$50 (UPApete6)

MAN ALIVE ...This excellent original storyboard of a man and his wife cruising along in their car is from the 1950s "Man Alive." The image is on untrimmed paper that measures 8" X 6" and the image size is 7" X 4" ...$75 (UPApete8)

A TALE OF TWO KITTIES

A TALE OF TWO KITTIES ...This great nine panel story board is on animation paper measuring 11" X 8" with each panel being approx. 2.5" X 2"...$75 (UPAtale01)

A TALE OF TWO KITTIES...This great twelve panel story board is on animation paper measuring 12.5" X 10" with each panel being approx. 2.5" X 2"...$75 (UPAtale02)

TWO KITTIES...This excellent Storyboard features two cute cats. The image size is 5.25" X7.5" and is on paper that measures 10.5" X 7"...$75 (UPAtale03)

TALE OF TWO KITTIES...This excellent nine panel story board is on animation paper measuring 12.5" X 10" with each panel being approx. 2.5" X 2"...$75 (UPAtale04)

TALE OF TWO KITTIES ...A great production drawing of the cat getting hit by by a potted plant. The drawing is on a sheet of animation paper measuring 10.5" X 12.5" and the image size is 7" X 9" ...$40 (UPAtale05)

A TALE OF TWO KITTIES...This excellent nine panel story board is on animation paper measuring 12.5" X 10" with each panel being approx. 2.5" X 2"...$75 (UPAtale06)

A TALE OF TWO KITTIES...This excellent nine panel story board is on animation paper measuring 12.5" X 10" with each panel being approx. 2.5" X 2"...$40 (UPAtale07)

Cat...A great trimmed Thumbnail drawing. The paper has been trimmed to 4" X 4" and the image is 2.25" X 2"...$20 (UPAtale09)

TALE OF TWO KITTIES ...A great trimmed Thumbnail drawing. The paper has been trimmed to 2.5" X 4" and the image is 2" X 2.5 "...$20 (UPAtale11)

THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES

THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES...A Rare cel of the King from The Emperors New Clothes. The image is on an untrimmed animation cel and the image size is 1.75" X 1.5"...$40 (UPAemp01)

THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES ...A Rare cel of two characters from The Emperors New Clothes. The image is on an untrimmed animation cel and the image size is 2" X 2"...$40 (UPAemp02)

THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES ...A Rare cel from The Emperors New Clothes. The image is on an untrimmed animation cel and the image size is 4.5" X 4.5"...$75 (UPAemp03)

THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES ...A Rare cel of the King from The Emperors New Clothes. The image is on an untrimmed animation cel and the image size is 2.25" X 1.25"...$40 (UPAemp04)

THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES ...A Rare cel from The Emperors New Clothes. The image is on an untrimmed animation cel and the image size is 6.25" X 5.75"...$75 (UPAemp05)

THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES ...A Rare cel from The Emperors New Clothes. The image is on an untrimmed animation cel and the image size is 3" X 3.5"...$75 (UPAemp06)

THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES ...A Rare cel from The Emperors New Clothes. The image is on an untrimmed animation cel and the image size is 3.5" X 3.75"...$75 (UPAemp07)

THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES ...A largecel from The Emperors New Clothes. There is a chip in the crown. The image is on an untrimmed animation cel and the image size is 5" X 3.5"...$100 (UPAemp08)

THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES ...A Rare cel from The Emperors New Clothes. There is a small chip in the crown The image is on an untrimmed animation cel and the image size is 3" X 2.25"...$75 (UPAemp09)

THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES ...A Rare cel from The Emperors New Clothes. The cel has been folded in the upper right hand side, the image is not effected at all. The image is on an untrimmed animation cel and the image size is 5.25" X 3"...$75 (UPAemp10)

THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES ...A Rare cel from The Emperors New Clothes. The image is on an untrimmed animation cel and the image size is 7" X 5"...$75 (UPAemp11)

THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES ...A Rare cel from The Emperors New Clothes. There is a chip of paint mising in the green fringe of the carpet, other then that, the cel is in great shape. The image is on an untrimmed animation cel and the image size is 6" X 3 "...$75 (UPAemp12)

THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES ...A Rare cel from The Emperors New Clothes. The is some light cracking in the paint and a small chip. The image is on an untrimmed animation cel and the image size is 6 X 4.5"...$50 (UPAemp13)

THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES ...A Rare cel of the King from The Emperors New Clothes. The image is on an untrimmed animation cel and the image size is 3" X 2.5"...$50 (UPAemp14)

THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES ...A Rare cel from The Emperors New Clothes. There is a small crack in the green of this cel. The image is on an untrimmed animation cel and the image size is 6" X 3"...$75 (UPAemp15)

THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES ...A Rare cel from The Emperors New Clothes. There is a chip of pint missing in this cel. The image is on an untrimmed animation cel and the image size is 3.75" X 2.5"...$40 (UPAemp16)

THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES ...A Rare cel from The Emperors New Clothes. The image is on an untrimmed animation cel and the image size is 3" X 4.5"...$25 (UPAemp17)

THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES ...A Rare large cel from The Emperors New Clothes. The image is on an untrimmed animation cel and the image size is 9" X 8.5"...$75 (UPAemp18)

THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES ...A Rare cel from The Emperors New Clothes. The image is on an untrimmed animation cel and the image size is 8" X 9.55"...$75 (UPAemp19)

THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES 1953 ...Rare cel of two characters from this "Jolly Frolics" Short. Image size 6" X 6"...$75(#UPC101V)

THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES ..Rare cel from this short. Image size 6" X 4"...$50 (#UPC102V)


TREES AND JAMAICA DADDY This short was nominated for the 1958 Academy Award.

We are currently sold out of this artwork, but we do get it in on a regular basis. Be sure to fill out our GUEST BOOK and we will contact you as soon as new artwork comes in.

MISC PRODUCTIONS
GEORGIE & THE DRAGON - Charming pair of Production Drawings of the Dragon and Georgie. Each on 10.5" x 12.5" animation paper. The Dragon measures 3.75"x 2.5" and Georgie measures 3" x 1.5"...$200 PAIR (#UPS-14drag01AB)
LET'S ALL SING...A great production drawing from "Let's All Sing." The showman is on animation paper that measures 10" X 12" and the image is 4.5" X 3.5"...$25 (UpaLets09)
LET'S ALL SING...An excelent background layout from "Let's All Sing."" This great shot of a theater is on animation paper that measures 10" X 12" ...$75 (UpaLets00)

LETS ALL SING...An excellent production drawing from "Let's All Sing."" This great shot of a man flying through the air is on animation paper that measures 10.5" X 12.5" and the image is 4" X 4.5"...$75 (UpaLets01)

ABRAHAM LINCOLN...An excellent cel of the sixteenth President of the United States reading up on his jokes. This cel is from an unknown production. The image of Mr. Lincoln is 5" X 4.25" ..$40 (Upalincoln03)

....A very nice model drawing of a General and his aid from a Wartime cartoon. The image is on an untrimmed piece of animation paper that measures 10.5" X 12.5." The overall image size is 7.75" X8.75"...$40 (Upawar05)

A PILOT...A nice model drawing of a pilot from a Wartime cartoon, pointing out where his plane touched down. The drawing is on a piece of untrimmed paper that measures 10.5" X 12.5." The overall image size is 3" X 2.75"...$25 (Upawar06)

LANDING OFFICER...An excellent drawing of a man directing a plane onto the carrier. The drawing is on a piece of untrimmed paper that measures 10.5" X 12.5." The overall image size is 5" X 8"...$25 (Upawar07)

LANDING OFFICER...An nice drawing of a man directing a plane onto the carrier. The Drawing is on a piece of untrimmed paper that measures 10.5" X 12.5." The overall image size is 4" X 4.5"...$25 (Upawar08)
..Fantastic Storyboard Drawing from an unknown (probably Wartime) UPA production. The untrimmed animation paper measures 10.5" X 12". The total image size of the character is 7" X 6.5"...$100 (#UPA2plane2)

...Great production drawing from an unknown (probably Wartime) UPA production. The untrimmed animation paper measures 10.5" X 12". There is a portion of the paper missing in the right hand corner, but the image is not affected. The total image size of the character is 4" X 4"...$60 (#UPA2plane)

...Nice Black and White Painted Storyboard Panel from an unknown UPA Cartoon. The entire panel measures 7" X 5.5". the Character's image size is 5" X 4"...$50 (#UPA1comm4)



UNICORN IN THE GARDEN

We are currently sold out of this artwork, but we do get it in on a regular basis. Be sure to fill out our GUEST BOOK and we will contact you as soon as new artwork comes in.

We have several more UPA drawings, cels, and model sheets in stock!! Give us a call at 818-788-2357, and let us know what you are looking for.