Hi folks! Welcome to my My Own Personal Nerdy Disney and Animation Scrutinizing Analysis blog. A blog where I'm analyzing several Disney films, Disney or Animation in general! These entries are just meant to be my analyses. Not reviews or statements. Just fun analyses! Though I'll make some personal remarks now and then, the content of these entries are meant to be depicted objectively. They're made for entertainment purpose only and the pictures/clips are copyright Disney or other companies.
Make sure to leave a comment if you like this site! And if there's something you think could be improved, please let me know. But in a constructive way, please. And just a note; I'm not a Native English writer, so my incorrect grammar may be notable.
And finally; If you haven't seen the films, beware of spoilers! And the funny lines aren't meant to be nothing than funny. So I hope you won't find them offensive. If so, I apologize
And this is my wrinkle-less version ;) |
Even I can whistle when I work :) |
After all, it was a huge high risk for Walt. Having only made short featurettes with Silly Symphony and Mickey Mouse, it was certainly a departure to do a full-length feature (or as Walt would've call it, the Feature Symphony).
Welcome to Wackyworld :) |
At
the time the naysayers labeled as Disney’s folly, since people were
expecting it to fail. Something that Walt's staff were cautious about
(as well as his wife Lilly), which actually worried Walt.
Of
course Disney's so-called folly turned out to be a huge, astounding
success and getting acknowledges from film critics about it's
importance. And even getting compared to D.W. Griffith's Birth of a Nation (Time Magazine claimed that
it was was exciting as a Western, funny as a Haywire comedy and sad as a
Symphony). It was recognized as being one of the best films of the
year. Animator Shamus Culhane cites that the audience for the premiere was the most receptive, enthusiastic audience he's ever seen.
Snow White also influenced live action properties as well. As Citizen Kane and MGM Studios The Wizard of Oz,
proving that fantasy could have an adult appeal (yet Frank Thomas
commented that he didn't know how Walt would finish the project). Snow White was Disney's very first contribution with RKO Pictures, due to disagreements with their former distributor, United Artists.
For
us who's born a lifetime later, it’s hard to imagine a world without
full-length animated features. Which was simply something that was new
at the time.
The world was certainly a different place in 1937 than today (sound on
film was barely ten years old at the time). So that`s why Snow White
didn't have many animated counterparts to be compared to. And would set the
mold for Disney's following features to come and their components.
Snow White cost
then-astounding $ 1.5 millions to produce, Walt first assumed that it
might cost 250,00, yet he realized that it would eventually cost
$500,000 dollars. Afterwards Walt had to show the unfinished film to The
Bank of America, pleaded by his brother Roy (who was in charge of the
Finances) when the finance were in
trouble. The
small crisis happened in the summer of 1937, where both Walt and Roy
held this issue quiet for the rest of the staff. Yet the guy from the
bank, however, believed that the film would be a success. The economy
proved to be an advantage, since Walt could recruit skilled artists at
the time.
While not all of Walt's staff worked on Snow White and worked on other properties at the time. Walt was at the time given a special Oscar and seven little miniature Oscars (given by Shirley Temple). Which were for innovating the new genre. But believe it or not, the movie ran for just five weeks, since both Walt and Roy feared that the film could loose it luster if it was played longer.
While not all of Walt's staff worked on Snow White and worked on other properties at the time. Walt was at the time given a special Oscar and seven little miniature Oscars (given by Shirley Temple). Which were for innovating the new genre. But believe it or not, the movie ran for just five weeks, since both Walt and Roy feared that the film could loose it luster if it was played longer.
At the time Snow White
was dubbed in more than 20 different languages. And the writings of the
dubbers language within the movie was also made (which was expensive at
the time, but also somewhat invigorating for a studio to dub in so many
different languages). Snow White was also re-released in 1940, to make up for the under-performance of Pinocchio.
And while the actors (which were taken from radio, stage, film and
Vaudeville) weren't given as much exposure at the films initial release,
at least Adriana Caselotti toured America at the film's re-release in
1944. Yet she lost her luggage at one tour and was forced to only wear
the dress of Snow White.
The Success, Innovation and Genesis For Snow White
While Snow White wasn't technically the very first full-length animated feature ever made, it still was something that could shine and be a marvel ond it's own merits (and Walt wanted to make this movie as good as it's live action counterparts).
The crew also worried about not being able to get the movie done in time. But the movie was completed two and a half weeks before it's premiere (and the crew didn't have enough money to advertise it). However, Walt himself has jokingly cited in interviews that the Bank was loosing more sleep than he was.
The crew also worried about not being able to get the movie done in time. But the movie was completed two and a half weeks before it's premiere (and the crew didn't have enough money to advertise it). However, Walt himself has jokingly cited in interviews that the Bank was loosing more sleep than he was.
Due to Snow White being the one that started it all, it’s automatically been ranked and cherished for that reason. But no matter how you see it, it's still fair. But regardless of that staple, Snow White
was a legitimate blockbuster at it’s time (earning $ 8 million Dollars
Worldwide on it's release, at a time where the movie tickets cost 23
cents, which was a dime for kids) and being the most watched movie that
year.
And it was also the most beloved picture of that year (Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston bought all of the newspapers which had good reviews of the film or stories about the studio). The sold-out premiere was a sensation, where the crew had their own, staged versions of the dwarfs cottage called Dwarfsland. And had several celebrities (as Clark Cable and Shirley Temple). The event was broadcast on radio by NBC. The studio payed the loan and expanded their studios to different lots and hiring with new animators. Some of them being trained architects (yet Walt had to ensure to his father, Elias, that the studio could be used as a hospital if it failed).
And it was also the most beloved picture of that year (Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston bought all of the newspapers which had good reviews of the film or stories about the studio). The sold-out premiere was a sensation, where the crew had their own, staged versions of the dwarfs cottage called Dwarfsland. And had several celebrities (as Clark Cable and Shirley Temple). The event was broadcast on radio by NBC. The studio payed the loan and expanded their studios to different lots and hiring with new animators. Some of them being trained architects (yet Walt had to ensure to his father, Elias, that the studio could be used as a hospital if it failed).
Perhaps it’s invigorating genre made Snow White the huge event at it was. But Snow White
was really cherished for being good on it's own terms. Since Walt was
known for not just appealing to children, but to the child within
(cliche to say to say this, but it is true), he managed to accomplish
that. Since he received letters from grown ups who felt the same way
about watching the movie.
The reason for why Walt chose Snow White
was for being the first (silent-version) movie that he had ever seen
in 1916 as a teenager by Marguerite Clark (by Paramount Pictures). He
was invited alongside with the others Kansas City delivery boys at the
local Convention Hall at an unusual screening.
The original idea was to make Snow White as a Silly Symphony-featurette
(while Walt did have a couple of other fairy tales that he initially
wanted to do). The project was planned in 1934, where the cast was early set (the
earliest draft dates back to August 9th that year, while the draft from
November 19th became the official outline for the film).
While Walt was originally toying to make Babes in Toyland as an animated feature and wanted to plan the animation/live action hybrids of Alice in Wonderland and Rip Van Winkle (which both were eventually done by different studios), Walt realized that the full length features would be mostly profitable for his studio. And Snow White was the first movie of any kind to have merchandise with it on it's release (and even The Beatles' song Do You Want to Know a Secret has a nod to I'm Wishing)
While Walt was originally toying to make Babes in Toyland as an animated feature and wanted to plan the animation/live action hybrids of Alice in Wonderland and Rip Van Winkle (which both were eventually done by different studios), Walt realized that the full length features would be mostly profitable for his studio. And Snow White was the first movie of any kind to have merchandise with it on it's release (and even The Beatles' song Do You Want to Know a Secret has a nod to I'm Wishing)
Snow White`s Overall Position in Movie History and How It`s The Epitome of The Unrealistic Fairy Tale Tropes
I've been smitten by Kaa :) |
I'm the cheap version :) |
However, it’s also a movie that it’s been easy to mock in current pop culture.
After all, Snow White is the epitome of all the trademarks which Disney fairy
tale adaptations have been criticized for. And certainly because it was
a product of it’s time. And simply because it is a straightforward
depiction of the fairy tale (and let's not forget all the feminist
reasons).
However,
though, Disney did eventually listen to the criticism afterwards and
made their upcoming Princesses (and heroines) more proactive and
independent after all. But no matter how you put it (and while it's far
from my intention to slam the film), Snow White is really an prime example of the norms within the fairy tales that were going to be mocked afterwards.
Snow White Herself
It will soon look like the Garden of Eve :) Without nature:) |
Originally she was modeled after Janet Gaynor, while the crew looked at several other celebrities for reference (and animated partly by Hamilton Luske. Who lectured that animated characters needed to be more interesting than usually everyday life. While Woolie Reitherman said that she was the most successfully drawn girl by the studio).
In fact, Snow White herself is the epitome of the so-called “typical” Disney Princess and certainly fills the bill. But perhaps of all Walt’s Princesses, she’s the one who displays an actual personality and gets her characterization more fleshed out. Regardless of her staple of being bland, as with the other Walt Princesses
I'll soon not be as pale after cleaning this mess :) |
While
Adriana was the first actress to audition in September 1934, Walt
looked for 149 other girls as well, before her being cast a year after
her audition. Yet Caselotti's voice has been labeled as being too shrill
later on (sorry to say this guys, but it's true) and even the studio
guys found her voice as such. Caselotti used 48 days to record and was
given a salary of $ 970. However, Adriana nor the actor that played the
Prince, Harry Stockwell, were let in to the premiere, so they had to
sneak in.
Why
Snow White was given rouge on her cheeks was because she looked pale on
the ink- and painting. Yet constantly adding rogue was exhausting for
the crew. Despite paying nod to the original tale with her hair
color, Snow White was initially blonde in concept art.
Whatever
could be said about Snow White for her Princess trademarks, at
least she does serve as a authorial leader for the animals and
the dwarfs. But unfortunately her nativity leads her to her
demise, since she falls for the trick for the witch.
Originally Snow White was going to have a naughty side of her who liked to mock, since she would mock her stepmother and her Magic Mirror. And the Huntsman was going to take her on a flower ride and then leave her alone (and he was afterwards going to be dragged away by Nubian torturers). It’s noteworthy that Snow White is to this day the youngest of the official Princesses, being just fourteen years old (something that Moana was originally going to be).
Originally Snow White was going to have a naughty side of her who liked to mock, since she would mock her stepmother and her Magic Mirror. And the Huntsman was going to take her on a flower ride and then leave her alone (and he was afterwards going to be dragged away by Nubian torturers). It’s noteworthy that Snow White is to this day the youngest of the official Princesses, being just fourteen years old (something that Moana was originally going to be).
The Dwarfs
This was the highest pyramid we could make |
You'll have to wait for your turn :) |
In fact, what made Disney`s version distinctive is that it`s title partly was called after the dwarfs themselves (and they were the reason for Walt to do the picture). While not appearing into the film immediately, they're after all just as much protagonists as their female counterpart.
While in some ways they become Snow White's sidekicks, since their roles could be easily perceived as such, they pretty much plays the same role as what a Disney sidekick would play.
While Walt had used dwarfs priorly on his Silly Symphonies-cartoons, at least these dwarfs could be distinctive on their ow way. Being individualized and given names, these cartoony dwarfs are named after their trademarks, which makes them a departure from the original fairy tale.
While Walt had used dwarfs priorly on his Silly Symphonies-cartoons, at least these dwarfs could be distinctive on their ow way. Being individualized and given names, these cartoony dwarfs are named after their trademarks, which makes them a departure from the original fairy tale.
The
story team came up with fifty different names (yet their names were
finally settled a year before the movie was released). Yet both Doc and
Dopey were the ones who were the last to be named. One of them was going
to be named Seventh and another was going to be named Awful. Who
ironically was going to be the most lovable, despite that he did naughty
things. Sneezy
was played by an actor who was expert in sneezing, Billy Gilbert. Who
approached Walt on his audition by sneezing five times. Whereas Grumpy and Sleepy were played by the same actor, Pinto Colvig, who played Goofy.
Even the carving of their names in their beds was suggested by Walt at the time. Yet these seven little men were hard to animate (they were given four fingers instead of five, in order for the simplicity rule in animation). And originally looked more than elderly, hunched wise men.
Even the carving of their names in their beds was suggested by Walt at the time. Yet these seven little men were hard to animate (they were given four fingers instead of five, in order for the simplicity rule in animation). And originally looked more than elderly, hunched wise men.
Some storymen
felt the introductory scene between our Princess and her seven little
men was too long. And while Walt agreed, he felt the pacing was
sufficient enough. Originally Walt wanted certain
radio hosts to voice the dwarfs. But as the dwarfs evolved and changed,
those performers never recorded the voices. Despite the voice
process being a difficult one, finding voices for them were easier for
their heroine.
Diamonds are a dwarfs best friend :) |
It’s needless to say that the mute Dopey is the one who’s received most attention of the bunch. For being more lively and sillier than his counterparts.
While the team tried to find a voice for him and actually auditioned several actors, they realized that he was more compelling by being mute (while he was given an actor for reference, Eddie Collins). Yet he was the toughest to tackle. He was given the personality of a dog. Yet some storymen were dissatisfied with the name Dopey, for how modern it sounded (yet Walt's final argument was that Shakespeare used modern names, too). Dopey's hitch step was something that was suggested by Frank Thomas, which made the rest of the animators angry at him. Dopey was particularly promoted in the publicity campaign for the re-releases.
While the team tried to find a voice for him and actually auditioned several actors, they realized that he was more compelling by being mute (while he was given an actor for reference, Eddie Collins). Yet he was the toughest to tackle. He was given the personality of a dog. Yet some storymen were dissatisfied with the name Dopey, for how modern it sounded (yet Walt's final argument was that Shakespeare used modern names, too). Dopey's hitch step was something that was suggested by Frank Thomas, which made the rest of the animators angry at him. Dopey was particularly promoted in the publicity campaign for the re-releases.
No
matter how individualized these dwarfs are, it's impossible to forget
that Grumpy is their true counterpart. For being the sole negative
person among the group (and originally going to be deaf). Despite that
Grumpy serves as, yes grumpy for most of the story, he goes through an
minor arc of his own. Yet the most popular dwarf among collectors were
actually Happy.
The Remaining Characters: The Forest Animals, The Prince and The Queen
We spy with our four eyes :) |
Despite Disney being labeled for their staple of talking animals as a Princess' sidekicks, people seems to forget that Disney’s very first animated feature didn’t have talking animals at all. But the trope of the animal sidekick is something that the Disney Princesses would be forever stuck with (and yes, it also has a couple of vultures in this old Germanic Kingdom. Who's location is never confirmed in the movie, but confirmed in other parts).
Of
course the character with the least screentime is our dear fellow
Prince. Modeled after being a Doug Fairbanks-type (and yes,
apparently being only four years older than our Snowy).
While Walt originally wanted the Prince to be more present, he was difficult to animate in terms of how to handle male human anatomy (yet his animator, Grim Natwick, actually helped Luske to animate Snow White. While Natwick did his experimental animation prior). Of course the Prince has led to the bland Prince trope that Disney would be forever stuck with (while it`s been reduced now).
While Walt originally wanted the Prince to be more present, he was difficult to animate in terms of how to handle male human anatomy (yet his animator, Grim Natwick, actually helped Luske to animate Snow White. While Natwick did his experimental animation prior). Of course the Prince has led to the bland Prince trope that Disney would be forever stuck with (while it`s been reduced now).
Don't worry, it's not Pandora's box :) |
The
first meeting between our lovebirds was added with purpose, for making
the romance more believable. Originally he was going to surprise her by
giving her a kiss and play the mandolin to serenade her. And getting so excited that he would fall in the fountain!
Originally the film would precede Sleeping Beauty
by having the Queen (who was modeled after Lady Macbeth and was voiced
by Lucille La Verne. Who played the Queen's parts as both royal and the
witch) capture the Prince in the dungeon and her proposing to marry, And
he would try to escape her! He would have a battle with the guards and
be released by the birds. While a skeleton named Oswald (a nod to Oswald
the Lucky Rabbit) was there and the Queen would have magic to give life
to the skeletons. Even the Prince's horse was going to be more characterized.
Trivia
I'm worse than the Boogeyman :) |
Yet Walt deliberately wanted to throw away the gags from the Silly Symphonies shorts, yet expand it's concept by adding music to Snow White. He decided to reward each gag to the animators (the gag where each dwarfs pop up to Snow White was Ward Kimball's gag, which he received $5 dollars for).
Some elements from the original story were simplified. As Snow White's encountering with the Queen (which originally happened three times, yet references to the previous bidding's were going to be in and the closing page of the storybook had a picture of a comb with strands of hair). Yet the actual script was written ten days before it's release (yes, believe it or not, folks).
Yet
the experimentation was quite much encouraged by Walt. The technical
achievements were also a breakthrough, since the crew had to draw on
bigger sheets than they've used to and new field sizes. Animating
realistic and convincing human behavior was perhaps the biggest task,
since the studio had never really done it before. The Silly Symphony short The Goddess of the Spring was a preparation for Snow White. And originally the characters were designed in the Silly Symphony-vein. Yet
Walt payed evening classes for his artists and later on had lecturer
Don Graham to take classes at the studio (while the animators looked at
three real dwarfs for reference).
Why the term rotoscoping came to be, is when Walt realized that the animation was too true
to life, it became wooden and stiff. He also wanted more professional
reference and he hired dancers (as then 17-year old Marge Champion,
who's father had a dancing school and would later on marry animator Art
Babbitt).
While the animation of the humans were criticized by critics (as well as Americanizing the Grimm story), especially by Al Hirschfeld in The New York Times 1938, the buzz surrounding Snow White was mostly positive. Yet it was mentioned that "criticizing Snow White was telling Titian to correct his colors"). The crew also built three-dimensional models of the characters and sets. However, though, the animators said that Snow WHite
was the very first project where they were instructed to not animate
all just nicely. The final settlement of the colors for Snow White's
dress was settled eight months before the film's release (yet originally
her dress was pink and afterwards all yellow, while some of the crew
realized that a dark color scheme would be a contrast to her pale skin).
The team were looking at several movies for inspiration, even Charlie Chaplin
films. Walt was known for his scrutinizing nature and even story
sketches and storyboards were being filmed. Yet the moment where the
Prince looks in the well with Snow White and where he leaned to kiss her
was something that Walt eagerly wanted to fix. Yet it would cost
thousands of Dollars to fix when the film was almost finished.
Snow White`s Scary and Sad Moments
Bambi isn't the only one with huge eyes :) |
Aside for it's cuteness and charm, Snow White is similarly labeled for it’s scary and intense moments. And the film does have a few of them.
As our heroine's exaggerated escape through the scary forest (which worried the storycrew that a fall could eventually kill her. And which Roy E. Disney saw only in pencil test as a kid, being terrified by it. Since the film premiered when he was 7). And the scenes which the Evil Queen (the most beautiful of the evil stepmothers, while I personally found Maleficent somewhat hot as well. Yet the Queen was originally intended to be fat). And certainly the scenes with her as a witch are scary, which has given many nightmares.
As our heroine's exaggerated escape through the scary forest (which worried the storycrew that a fall could eventually kill her. And which Roy E. Disney saw only in pencil test as a kid, being terrified by it. Since the film premiered when he was 7). And the scenes which the Evil Queen (the most beautiful of the evil stepmothers, while I personally found Maleficent somewhat hot as well. Yet the Queen was originally intended to be fat). And certainly the scenes with her as a witch are scary, which has given many nightmares.
And
yes, the scary aspect was actually an issue in many countries. Since
the U.K. prevented the movie on it's initial release for kids under 12.
And my neighbor country, Sweden, never showed the full movie until
1992. Walt's first films were equally recognized for their dark,
horrific moments and Snow White certainly fills the bill. Yet
Walt claimed that he showed the movie to his two young daughters at time
and they wanted to play the witch. Yet Walt wanted to
stress the scariness as
much possible.
But perhaps what took the audiences by surprise was the emotional punch. How they cried in the last part where Snow White was unconscious. There's no secret that Walt himself had the mantra “for every laughter there should be a tear” (a mantra
John Lasseter claimed to cherish). But the grief scene was certainly
something invigorating for audiences, who simply didn't expect this from
a cartoon at the time.The Expansion of the Tale, Disneyfication and The Deleted Scenes
This fight is fun, at least for now :) |
In fact, for all the flack Disney gets for their so-called Disneyfication, Snow White pretty much remains faithful to it's original predecessor (with the exception of some details here and there). But the storyteam wanted to keep the story simple and straightforward.
Ignore the wrong title :) |
gooseberry pie was done. And also a brief argument between Grumpy and Doc). Even as little as 31 seconds from the witch dipping the apple was reduced (and originally she was going to have hair popping out of her warts).
Originally
the dwarfs were going to give our heroine a bed as a gift. Which was
going to be interrupted by the animals trying to get the dwarfs to Snow
White. The fly that constantly flies to Sleepy was going to be conquered
by him. Originally our dear Snow White was going to travel through
various places: The Morass of Monsters, Valley of the Dragons,
UpsideDownLand and Backwards Land (two places where birds tails flied
backwards and the trees' roots stick in the air) and Sleepy Valley.
Originally the Huntsman was going to be softened by her kindness
with the bird, when he was about to kill her,.
I know I'm hideous, but the apple isn't :) |
And the Queen (while her name is never mentioned
in the movie, she's named Grimhilde in one newspaper strip written by
one of the story guys, Merrill de Maris) would destroy The Magic Mirror
(who was animated by Wolfgang Reitherman. Which certainly was
a daunting challenge, since he had to redo his scenes) when she gets
the news about Snow White being still alive. While he would get his
revenge. Yet
it was decided that Snow White should be just cursed one time, in order
to make her less naive. Originally even the storyteam planned to show
the demise of our heroine's mother (adding fuel to a certain,
well-known Disney trope. While the mother is actually referred to in
several book adaptations).
But perhaps the most published of these deleted scenes is the Music in Your Soup
song (which was cut just a month prior to it's release, which Ward
Kimball animated). But the actual scene was actually a different than the one that was originally released.
It was deleted in the spring of 1937, but completed in the 50's. While the scene was originally shown in the television program The Plausible Impossible (at least that scene showed how Dopey got the soap out of his stomach. While the cut made it less satisfying, since it was going to transition from the impaled soap to the impaled heart on the Queen's castle). The song was included on an album, though, in The Seven Dwarfs and Their Diamond Mine.
It was deleted in the spring of 1937, but completed in the 50's. While the scene was originally shown in the television program The Plausible Impossible (at least that scene showed how Dopey got the soap out of his stomach. While the cut made it less satisfying, since it was going to transition from the impaled soap to the impaled heart on the Queen's castle). The song was included on an album, though, in The Seven Dwarfs and Their Diamond Mine.
More Trivia, Feminist Aspect and Music
Since
the storycrew were apprehensive about how the audiences would endure the
bright colors, the colors were subdued (for also stressing the realism
and depth). Yet Walt wanted an Old World feeling by Swiss draftsman
Albert Hurter (who was older than the rest of the crew) and Gustaf Tenggren.
The backgrounds were evolved by Sam Armstrong.
Walt
also traveled to Europe at the time and brought back illustrations of
the original fairy tale. The completion made the crew sure and confident
enough to face the following challenges of their following pictures (while they would prove to be daunting on their own rights). Yet for
all the stigma that animation has faced since it's get-go, Snow White genuinely managed to convert critics that animation was an art form. Later on, Disney sold 7,0000 celluloid paintings of Snow White. While Courvoisier Art Gallery of San Francisco traded their usual pictures for pictures of the dwarfs.
And yes, guys. It’s fair to say that Snow White is a product of it’s time. Taking consideration to it’s slow,
mellow and subdued nature (not that it`s a hampering problem), it would’ve not been executed in the same
way today (as I kid, I considered the movie to be too short,
actually). And sure, since Snow White is pretty much a damsel in
distress that feminists love to rant about, it`s easy to ponder
of how her movie would've been made if it were released today.
But if we really think about it, as the original fairy tales pretty
much kept the heroines reactive, the fairy tales made in
Walt's time were pretty much suited for their timelines for that lone reason.
Snow was busy at the moment :) |
And yes, believe it or not, the dwarfs were originally going to perform Three Blind Mice or Frére Jacques to Snow White instead of The Silly Song (and prior they had the original You're Never Too Old to Be Young).
But to enhance the dwarfs personalities, Walt wanted the sequence to be
as bizarre and weird as possible and encouraged the yodeling (and
modeling the song after The Cookie Carnival from Silly Symphony). The storyteam decided afterwards that it would be better to have their own song. The
soundtrack was the very first soundtrack to be released on Phonograph
Records and the first movie to have it's soundtrack released.
Recognitions, Shorts With The Dwarfs and Home Video Releases
Due to it’s position, Snow White is of course labeled as a true Disney icon in more than one sense (and being Bambi's
voice actor Donnie Dunagan's favorite movie). It's placed among the first 25
film titles by the Library of Congress on the National Film
Registry as "culturally, historically and esthetically significant".
It’s been promoted a lot in Disney: Through merchandise, Disneyland and also
being a part of the annual From All of Us to All of You Christmas show.
The crew were so mesmerized by the characters that they were
practically begging Walt to put them on more releases. Which makes Snow White Returns remarkable on it`s own way, while it's presumed that it was rather intended to be a short rather than a full-length sequel. The reason why a sequel was never made was because the sequels to the hugely successful Three Little Pigs failed. Yet the public were pleading for more shorts with the dwarfs, which Walt realized their potential and being an attraction for the movie.
practically begging Walt to put them on more releases. Which makes Snow White Returns remarkable on it`s own way, while it's presumed that it was rather intended to be a short rather than a full-length sequel. The reason why a sequel was never made was because the sequels to the hugely successful Three Little Pigs failed. Yet the public were pleading for more shorts with the dwarfs, which Walt realized their potential and being an attraction for the movie.
No
matter what, the public's wish became true. As John Grierson,
Commissioner of the National Film Board of Canada made the Canadian War bond short with the dwarfs called 7 Wise Dwarfs (blending new and old animation from Snow White). While the short The Winged Scourge, urged by US. Office of the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs, featured new animation and was about a warning for malaria for South-America and afterwards made for India (where Whistle While You Work was played in the background and the dwarfs were more pantomime). The dwarfs were also used to decorate a special certificate by US. Treasury and also appeared on various insignias.
Commissioner of the National Film Board of Canada made the Canadian War bond short with the dwarfs called 7 Wise Dwarfs (blending new and old animation from Snow White). While the short The Winged Scourge, urged by US. Office of the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs, featured new animation and was about a warning for malaria for South-America and afterwards made for India (where Whistle While You Work was played in the background and the dwarfs were more pantomime). The dwarfs were also used to decorate a special certificate by US. Treasury and also appeared on various insignias.
At least it's not seven henchmen :) |
Snow White has also seen a couple of DVD and Blu Ray releases. It was first released on DVD as the then newly beginning Platinum Edition in the fall of 2001 (which featured new animation of the Magic Mirror on the Menu`s). It was also being a part of the new Walt’s Signature Collection lineup, despite how the Diamond lineup not officially having closed before beginning the new line.
Snow White`s Position in Walt`s Pantheon and How It Influenced It`s Fairy Tale Followers
Snow White started what would be called Disney Animation's first Golden Era. But it's a well known fact that out of this pantheon, it`s followers were more successful on their re-releases. And Snow White was the only true blockbuster. The foreign markets were closed off for the upcoming films (while Dumbo made a good profit).
Walt
originally wanted to strive for a release each year. But due to the
overwhelming production time of these movies, they took longer
time than expected to make. Between Bambi and Cinderella there was an eight year span. Of course Snow White did precede the fairy tale components of Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty. While Walt deliberately didn't want to repeat himself, the trademarks in Snow White would
be duplicated in his later fairy tale films (as the classic cleaning
up-sequence, with the washing of the dishes. Which was actually Walt's
idea, while Snow White was originally going to tidy the dwarfs
clothes).
Epilogue
So in the end, Snow White
truly is something valuable and outstanding of it’s own. It's something
that truly deserves the puns and the superlatives for being the fairest of
them all and the one that started the all. To
cite my own personal opinion about it, I remember seeing it
theatrically as a kid with my parents (I don't remember the exact age).
And despite me having a fondness for Walt's films and not his
post-films, my reaction towards Snow White was overall muddled. While I didn`t hate it, I`ve personally found the movie a little scary and grim at times. And perhaps a little too saccarine at the end.
But growing
older and finally getting it on VHS during it's 1994 release, I appreciated and liked the film more. And yes, even now I'm more fond of it than ever.
So no matter what could be said about Disney and no matter which
direction Disney are taking next, we'll never forget the one that
started it all. And that it was not only started a mouse, but a Princess and seven
little men. And their outstanding motion picture. Originally written to
synergize with it's 80th Anniversary, Snow White deserves to live on many years more!
Wish on my updates on https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100035703494050 and https://twitter.com/NerdyLunada.
References:
The Fairest One of All: The Making of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (J.B. Kaufman).
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: The Art and Creation of Walt Disney's Classic Animated Film (J.B. Kaufman).
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs & The Making of the Classic Film (Richard Holliss, Brian Sibley).
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Deluxe CAV Laserdisc Edition
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Platinum Edition DVD.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Diamond Edition Blu Ray.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs VHS UK version (The Making of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7-QaPlTd-M)
http://animatedviews.com/2012/disney-historian-j-b-kaufman-on-the-greatest-snow-white-books-of-all/
http://www.dvdizzy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=32641
http://www.dvdizzy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3542&p=700003&hilit=soup#p700003
http://floydnormancom.squarespace.com/blog/2017/3/7/working-on-snow-white-and-the-seven-dwarfs
http://www.cracked.com/blog/4-ways-disney-princesses-created-modern-feminism/
https://books.google.no/books?id=5JHrODsAdNwC&printsec=frontcover&hl=no&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q=Bambi&f=false
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snow_White_and_the_Seven_Dwarfs_(1937_film)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0029583/trivia?ref_=tt_ql_2
http://www.dvdizzy.com/snowwhite-signature.html
http://www.dvdizzy.com/littlemermaid-bluray.html
https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2016/01/17/exclusive-original-snow-white-first-kiss-shocker/78796158/
http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/You%27re_Never_Too_Old
Mouse Under Glass (David Koenig).
Walt Disney The Art of Animation (Bob Thomas).
Disney's Art of Animation: From Mickey Mouse to Hercules (Bob Thomas).
The Art of Walt Disney: From Mickey Mouse to the Magic Kingdoms and Beyond (Christopher Finch).
Walt Disney's Bambi: The Story and the Film (Ollie Johnston, Frank Thomas)
Pinocchio: The Making of the Disney Epic (J.B. Kaufman)
Pinocchio Platinum Edition DVD
Beauty and the Beast Diamond Edition Blu Ray.
The Little Mermaid Diamond Edition Blu Ray.
Waking Sleeping Beauty
http://www.pophistorydig.com/topics/tag/disney-home-video-history/
https://www.nytimes.com/1996/11/24/movies/slipsliding-between-animation-and-reality.html