COWARDLY LION™

R. John Wright Dolls Inc. Wizard of Oz™ Collection

17",2013, Faithfully based on the beloved character immortalized by Bert Lahr in the 1939 film, the Cowardly Lion™ has been brought to life by R. JOHN WRIGHT DOLLS for the first time in the medium of molded felt.

Bert Lahr (1895-1967) was an American actor and comedian. Prior to his appearance in the Wizard of Oz™, Lahr was already well known for his work in burlesque, vaudeville, and on Broadway. Lahr was signed to play the dual role of "Zeke" the Kansas farmhand and Oz's "Cowardly Lion" on July 25, 1938. Lahr's lion costume was created from real lion pelts and under the high-voltage lighting required for Oz's Technicolor© scenes, was unbearably hot. Lahr also contributed many ad-lib comedic lines and elements to bring his unforgettable film character to life.

The Cowardly Lion™ from R. John Wright Dolls is faithfully based on the original motion picture images. Standing 17 inches tall, he is fully jointed at the shoulders, hips, knees, elbows and neck with the R. John Wright ball & socket jointing system with an internal wood mechanism. Under his costume, the Cowardly Lion™ has a realistic molded felt torso and limbs and under his fur mittens his amazing sculptural felt hands have individually sewn fingers! The molded felt character face has been finely modeled in a true likeness with hand painted features and inset whiskers.

Extensively researched for the utmost in authenticity, the Cowardly Lion™ is costumed in a detailed lion suit fashioned of the fine custom-dyed and shaded mohair plush in varying lengths. His paws and feet include resin claws and his wig is meticulously hand-knotted of the finest mohair.

The 'RJW' brass button will be affixed to each doll as a lasting mark of identification and a signed and numbered certificate of authenticity will be included inside the deluxe Wizard of Oz™ presentation box.

THE WIZARD OF OZ TM & © Turner Entertainment Co.

LE 250

10-RJWCWL