Peter Ellenshaw


William Samuel Cook "Peter" Ellenshaw was an English matte designer and special effects creator who worked on many The [Walt Disney Company|Disney] features. Born in London, he moved to America in 1953.

Career & life

He first worked in matte painting for producer Alexander Korda on such films as Things to Come, and later on such Powell and Pressburger productions as Black Narcissus assisting his mentor W. (Walter) Percy Day. A few years later, while still based in Europe, he began to work for Hollywood studios. He worked for MGM on Quo Vadis, but his most extensive association was with Walt Disney Studios beginning with their first completely live action feature film, Treasure Island. He went on to work on 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and Mary Poppins, for which he won an Academy Award. He retired after his work on The Black Hole, but contributed matte paintings for Dick Tracy. both of which he collaborated with his son Harrison Ellenshaw, also a renowned matte artist and effects designer.
After Peter Ellenshaw retired from the film business, he dedicated his life to his passion for painting. Numerous works were created, of both Disney and non-Disney themed subjects, which have been highly collected. He was named a Disney Legend in 1993.

Selected filmography

The Thief of Bagdad, assistant matte artistA Matter of Life and Death, assistant matte artistBlack Narcissus, assistant matte artistThe Red Shoes, assistant matte artistTreasure Island, matte artist20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, matte artistDavy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier, matte artistOld Yeller, matte artistJohnny Tremain, production designerDarby O'Gill and the Little People, special effectsPollyanna, matte artistSwiss Family Robinson, matte artistThe Absent-Minded Professor, special effectsMary Poppins, special effects The Love Bug, special effectsBedknobs and Broomsticks, art direction The Island at the Top of the World, special effects and production design The Black Hole, miniature effects creator Dick Tracy, matte artist

Books