Hey Good Lookin' VINNIE
Vinnie – Original Production Cel
Hey Good Lookin' (1982)
Sequence C • Scene 3 • Cel #130
Vinnie – "Hey Good Lookin'" Original Production Cel
A vibrant close-up of Vinnie, the unforgettable leader of the Stompers, from Ralph Bakshi's Hey Good Lookin' (1982). Bursting with confidence and streetwise charm, this hand-painted original production cel perfectly captures the energy and personality of one of Bakshi's most iconic characters. A standout piece from the director's autobiographical love letter to 1950s Brooklyn, celebrating the music, friendships, and rebellious spirit of a generation.
- Hand-painted cel (ink & paint on acetate) over laser bg of the painted background
- Approx. 12-field animation format
- Sequence: C
- Scene:3
- Cel: #130
- Size: 11" x 13"
- Original Hand Drawn, Hand Painted Animation Production Cel on acetate used in the 1982 Ralph Bakshi feature film Hey Good Lookin'
- This Original Animation Production Cel is an actual frame in the feature film and is an historical piece of art. By acquiring this art you agree to be the caretaker of a significant piece of animation history for future generations to experience.
- This exact cel is THE ONLY ONE IN EXISTENCE IN THE WORLD. It is NOT a reproduction.
- Paired with a laser Background from the film.
- Ralph Bakshi Signs for proof of authenticity from Bakshi Private Archives.
- COA on Request
Collector's Note
Released in 1982, Hey Good Lookin' is among Ralph Bakshi's most personal films, inspired by his memories of growing up in Brooklyn during the 1950s. Filled with rock 'n' roll, classic cars, neighborhood gangs, and youthful dreams, the film captures an era with warmth, humor, and unmistakable Bakshi style. Original production cels featuring major characters like Vinnie are highly collectible examples of hand-painted animation from one of independent animation's most influential filmmakers.
This original production cel features a dynamic close-up of Vinnie, the charismatic leader of the Stompers and one of the unforgettable central characters from Ralph Bakshi's Hey Good Lookin'. Full of attitude and confidence, Vinnie's exaggerated pose and sly expression perfectly embody the rebellious spirit of 1950s Brooklyn street culture that defines the film.
Originally conceived as a groundbreaking blend of live action and animation, Hey Good Lookin' evolved into a fully animated feature after years of production challenges. Drawing inspiration from Ralph Bakshi's own youth growing up in Brooklyn, the film celebrates the music, friendships, rivalries, romance, and energy of postwar New York with a uniquely personal and nostalgic voice.
This expressive cel showcases Bakshi's signature character animation, preserving one hand-painted frame from a film that remains one of his most autobiographical and beloved works.
What are Cels?
Traditionally, animated films were created by each motion or movement of every character being hand painted on a transparent material called a cel – short for celluloid acetate. These cels – whether it is one layer or many characters moving separately on many layers, are then laid over a painted background and photographed by an animation camera to create one single frame of the film. This process is repeated for the entire film to be completed. By painting on cels, the illusion is created of a different world inhabited by the painted characters moving within the background they are placed upon.
Original Production Cels
Original production cels are the actual cels used to create the animated film (or TV show) that they were created for. Each one has been hand drawn and painted by an artist and has been then photographed over a background by the animation camera to eventually take part in the entire creation of the film.
This is very different from what are called Limited Edition cels or Serigraph cels. Limited Edition cels are re-creations of a favorite image or scene which is then hand painted. Serigraph cels are silk-screened re-creations. Here at Bakshi Productions we offer to you the real, original production cels used in each of the films.
These production cels are preciously collected and becoming more and more valuable as we progress into the future of animation through computers. There are animation cels from the early days that are valued in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. These cels are rare and there is only one like it in the world! No wonder they collectible and only increase in value.
Original Production Drawings
Original production drawings are also one of a kind pieces of art from an animated film. Before the image is drawn and painted on cel, the entire film is drawn in pencil by animators. This is where the experimentation and fun truly happens by the artist who creates the image. These are also highly sought after because they are the original drawings and considered “the backbone” of any animated creation. They also can cost much less than an original production cel because they are not painted.
Some Pointers in what to look for in an original piece of animation art
First and foremost, the image has to appeal to you. It jumps out at you, you have to have it. Looking at it illicit some sort of emotional response or reminds you of something or recalls a memory. Other than that – Here are some pointers that many collectors (NOT ALL) use:
-Artwork that depicts a characteristic pose or expression, an emotion common with the film it is from.
-Characters or at least one character that is facing as close to forward as possible with their eyes open are best usually.
--The closer up the character is to you, the better. That is either a full body pose or a close up of the face.
-Some people like to collect the more obscure characters who show up rarely in the film. Others like the main characters. It is obviously up to your preference for which characters you like looking at really!
We hope this helps a bit. Any questions you might have please feel free to e-mail us at shop@ralphbakshi.com.
As always…ENJOY!
