Movie Musings: Disney and More

Milt Kahl: King of Prince Charmings

Many movies created by Walt Disney Studios are based on “princess stories,” and while not always central to the story, the princess was often accompanied by a prince. “Prince Charming,” as it was often called, became an important part of the success of Disney films, and those characters are exactly what one of Walt Disney’s “Nine Old Men,” Milt Kahl, was known for. Like every animator at Disney, he achieved great versatility as an “animator/actor,” at the studio, animating heroes, sidekicks, and even some classic Disney villains throughout his time at Disney. But he was most famous for his work on the princes.

Milt Kahl grew up in San Francisco, California. He took up drawing as a kid but was unfortunately unable to receive training for it having to drop out of high school at the age of 16 to help provide for his family. He continued drawing through his teens, and after seeing the classic Disney short, The Three Little Pigs (1933), Kahl knew what he wanted to do for the rest of his life, and was officially employed by Disney the following year in 1934. Milt’s first assignment was animating Mickey Mouse in the short Mickey’s Circus (1936).

It’s been said that an animator’s most difficult assignment is animating human characters, simply because they have to be drawn as they are photographed; more like normal, natural humans-while animal characters don’t. Kahl was admired for this king of work, however, and Disney took advantage of it. Kahl’s first chance to animate a prince was Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), along with drawing the forest animals and the dwarfs dancing. He also animated Prince Charming as well as the King, the Grand Duke, and the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella (1950), and Prince Philip, King Hubert, King Stefan, Samson, Goons, and Forrest Animals in Sleeping Beauty (1959).

In addition to his “Prince” assignments, Kahl animated Pinocchio, along with some scenes of Jiminy Cricket and Gepetto in Pinocchio (1940). In between “Snow White,” and “Pinocchio,” Kahl both animated and provided the voice of Ferdinand the Bull in a short that the Disney Studios produced called Ferdinand the Bull (1938). (Walt Disney himself provided the voice of Ferdinand’smother in the short. The short won the Oscar for Best Short Subject, Cartoons.) Kahl also animated Bambi, Flower, and Thumper as adults in Bambi (1942), Alice, the Dodo Bird, and the Flamingos in Alice in Wonderland (1951), Peter Pan and the entire Darling family in Peter Pan (1953), Lady, Tramp, Trusty, and Beaver in Lady and the Tramp (1955). Prior to animating Shere Khan and Medusa, Milt Kahl was the main animator for Roger, Anita, and some scenes with Pongo in 101 Dalmatians (1961), O’Malley the Alley Cat in The Aristocats (1970), Robin Hood, the Sheriff of Nottingham, Little John, and Allan-a-Dale (the rooster) in Robin Hood (1973), and Tigger in The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977).     

Throughout his time at Disney, Kahl wanted to animate the villain characters, but dis not get his first villain assignment until The Jungle Book (1967) as the supervising animator for Shere Khan. His second villain assignment wound up being his very last assignment for the studio, when he was named the supervising animator for Madame Medusa in The Rescuers (1977). Kahl based his animation for the character off of his ex-wife, Phyllis Bounds Detiege, who ironically was the niece of Walt Disney’s wife, Lillian Bounds Disney. (Kahl never particularly liked her!). In “Rescuers,” Kahl also animated Mr. Snoops, Penny, Brutus and Nero, and a few scenes with Bernard and Miss Bianca.

Milt Kahl also mentored Brad Bird, 2-time Oscar-winning writer/director of Disney/Pixar’s The Incredibles (2004) and Ratatouille (2007).

Milton “Milt” Erwin Kahl was a true virtuoso at the Walt Disney Studios. His handiwork was foundational to many Disney successes, from animating Mickey Mouse, to forest animals, to princes, and villains. A true master of the art form throughout his career. Kahl’s name may not be known to many Disney fans, but his work is loved by young and old.