The first animated Disney feature storyboarded by a single artist. Bill Peet wrote the screenplay, designed all the characters including the iconic Cruella de Vil, and boarded every sequence himself. Author Dodie Smith declared he had improved her novel. His animated signature in the credits was an unprecedented honor.
This was the first animated Disney feature film done by a single storyman. Bill Peet not only did all of the story boards but he also wrote the script and designed the characters. The author of 101 Dalmatians, Dodie Smith, complimented him on his treatment and thought he had improved on the story. In the credits, Bill Peet's name, his signature, is animated. A unique and unprecedented honor. He received a second credit for character design. Bill Peet also did all of the story boards and character design for The Sword and the Stone, and was the only storyman working on Jungle Book when he retired.
His contribution
"I liked to tease the hxxl out of him (Walt), though; I couldn't resist it. I remember on Dalmatians, I'd worked out the board when these puppies are all watching television, this Rin Tin Tin-type thing, and they're all cheering and reacting to the thing. After I tell the board, Walt says 'When kids are watching television, they don't react at all, they freeze. You know, I was over to my daughter Dianne's house last weekend, and my grandson was watching television, and I walked in and he didn't even look at me.' I said, 'Well maybe he didn't know who you were.' There was this silence, with a giggle or two. It was tough on the guys, because they had to stifle their laughter. No, he didn't like that one damned bit." (Bill Peet, interview with Mike Barrier, 1978)
Story sketches
- RELEASED
- January 25, 1961
- DIRECTOR
- Clyde Geronimi, Hamilton Luske, Wolfgang Reitherman
- BASED ON
- The Hundred and One Dalmatians by Dodie Smith (1956)
- BILL'S ROLE
- Sole Storyman (screenplay, storyboards, character design)
- RUNTIME
- 79 min