Just Ducky (1953)

METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER STUDIO Just Ducky (1953) original production animation background layout drawing red and black pencil on 10.5" x 50.75" pan animation sheet, image size: 9" x 44" This original animation pan background layout drawing featuring five (5) images of the little duckling was created by an M-G-M Studio artist in development of scenes 33, 35 and 37 in the animated Tom and Jerry cartoon directed by Bill Hanna and Joe Barbera. Just Ducky is one of four 1950s Tom and Jerry cartoons to feature a cute little duckling. Left behind by his family because he cannot swim, the duckling is pursued by Tom and protected by Jerry. In these scenes Tom chases the duckling to the water's edge, but the little fellow hides beneath a ledge and Tom plunges into the lake. Tom calls for help; at first the duckling walks away, then plucks up his courage and dives to the rescue. The artist wrote "Sc 33 35 37 Prod. #258" in the top margin; annotated Studio production stamp appears at top as well. Due to the width of this original it is shown in six details and two complete images in the pictures below.