Maestro, Not Magical

The maestro launches the symphony orchestra into “Largo al factotum” from Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville” in Tex Avery’s Magical Maestro (1952). Most of the animation in the scene is on ones. Here are some of the frames. See how the hand shapes are drawn.



The conductor’s design is heavily borrowed from MGM shorts musical director Scott Bradley (though Bradley is shorter).

The maestro’s place is taken by Mysto the magician, who puts the singer through a funny hell.

Rich Hogan helped Avery with the gags and the animation is by Walt Clinton, Grant Simmons and Mike Lah. I don’t know who did this scene.