Cinderella at 75: How a Princess and Glass Slippers Revived Disney
In 1947, The Walt Disney Company found itself in a precarious financial position, burdened with roughly $4 million in debt due to the underperformance of films like Pinocchio, Fantasia, and Bambi, exacerbated by World War II. However, the release of Cinderella marked a turning point, saving the company from a potential end to its animation legacy. As we celebrate the 75th anniversary of Cinderella's wide release on March 4, Disney insiders reflect on how this timeless tale of rags to riches not only revived the studio but also resonated with a world seeking hope and renewal post-war.
The Right Film at the Right Time --------------------------------To understand the significance of Cinderella, we must look back to 1937 when Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs became a blockbuster, enabling the construction of the Burbank studio and paving the way for more animated features. However, the subsequent releases of Pinocchio, Fantasia, and Bambi struggled financially due to the European market's collapse during World War II. Eric Goldberg, co-director of Pocahontas and lead animator on Aladdin’s Genie, explained, "Disney's European markets dried up during the war and the films weren’t being shown there, so releases like Pinocchio and Bambi did not do well." During this period, Disney shifted focus to producing Package Films, collections of short cartoons, to manage financial pressures.
Despite these challenges, Walt Disney remained determined to return to feature-length animation. In a critical moment, as recounted in Michael Barrier's The Animated Man: A Life of Walt Disney, Walt considered selling his shares and leaving the company. Instead, he and his brother Roy chose to bet on Cinderella, a project that echoed the success of Snow White and promised to bring much-needed joy and hope to a post-war audience. Tori Cranner, Art Collections Manager at Walt Disney Animation Research Library, noted, "Walt was very good at reflecting the times, and I think he recognized what America needed after the war was hope and joy."
Cinderella and Disney’s Rags to Riches Tale
Walt's connection to Cinderella dates back to 1922 when he produced a short version at Laugh-O-Gram Studios. The story, adapted from Charles Perrault's 1697 version, resonated with Walt due to its themes of perseverance and dreams coming true. Despite early failures, Walt's vision for Cinderella persisted, culminating in a feature film that took over a decade to complete due to various delays.
Disney's adaptation of Cinderella introduced elements that enhanced its appeal, such as the addition of animal friends and a more relatable Fairy Godmother. The iconic transformation scene, animated by Disney Legends Marc Davis and George Rowley, remains a highlight, celebrated for its intricate hand-drawn details. Tori Cranner praised the scene, saying, "First of all, you have to remember that every single one of those sparkles was hand-drawn on every frame and then hand-painted, which just blows my mind."
The film also added a unique twist with the breaking of the glass slipper, emphasizing Cinderella's strength and agency. Eric Goldberg remarked, "When the stepmother causes the glass slipper to break, Cinderella has the solution to it by presenting the other one she had been holding on to. It’s such a powerful moment and a clever story thing to show how strong and in control she actually is."
Cinderella premiered in Boston on February 15, 1950, and its wide release on March 4 of that year was a resounding success, grossing $7 million against a $2.2 million budget. It became the sixth-highest grossing film of 1950 and received three Academy Award nominations, signaling Disney's triumphant return to narrative feature films.
75 Years Later, Cinderella’s Magic Lives On
Today, Cinderella's influence is evident throughout Disney's legacy, from the iconic castles at theme parks to the inspiration behind scenes in modern classics like Frozen. Becky Bresee, lead animator on Frozen 2 and Wish, shared, "When we were doing Elsa’s dress transformation moment in Frozen, which I animated along with effects artist Dan Lund, co-director Jennifer Lee wanted it to have a direct connection to Cinderella."
As we reflect on Cinderella's enduring impact, Eric Goldberg encapsulates its essence, stating, "I think the big thing about Cinderella is hope. It gives people hope that things will work out when you have perseverance and when you are a strong person. I think that's its biggest message… is that hope can actually be realized and dreams can come true, no matter what time you are living in."
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