My Own Personal Nerdy Disney and Animation Scrutinizing Analyses: "Peter Pan" - The Flying Disney Prankster Who Never Wanted to Grow Up, But Grew Up To Become a Classic

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.

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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

I may not be God, but I created you and gave you life! :) Hurray! :)

James Barrie's Peter Pan has been ingrained in our culture since it's release. And has seen various adaptations through various forms. Those tales originated from trips with a family Barrrie knew. Where he was hiding treasures for the youngsters, two of them named Peter and Michael. And the name Pan wasn't just a coincidence, since he's was named after the God of Mischief.

Peter Pan had his first appearance in the 1902 novel The Little White Bird. Before taking place on stage two years later, a medium that the story has been known for. And it quickly became a holiday stage play! While Barrie continued writing adult material, he was mostly known for Pan. It's been adapted both in Television and Cinema afterwards and again and again.

The reason for why Peter Pan has seen so manyiterations may be it's intriguing premise and that it yields promise. Barrie even wrote Pan as a screenplay for Paramount Pictures 1924 adaptation as well, which they eventually rejected (he had his own hesitations about the movie medium. But was allowed to decide Peter's actress himself, but really was dissatisfied with Paramount's 1924 version of the story).

No matter how many adaptations Peter Pan has seen, this entry will of course center about Walt Disney's version (duuh). Walt acquired the rights to Peter Pan in 1939, while he began envisioning it four years priorly (Paramount Pictures had the original rights to it, which Disney had to sell them to). While it's rumored to originally follow the schedule as a follower to Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, it ended up being postponed through both the 1930`s and 40`s (mostly due to World War II, while there were plans to make it prior to the war).

Walt`s

Peter Pan cost $ 4 million dollars to make. Which was at the time the most expensive feature from the studio, using 500,000 separate drawings. Pan was also Walt's second favorite childhood story after Snow White (so the following wasn't just mere coincidence). Walt saw the stage adaptation as a child and a silent film. And even starred as Peter Pan himself in a school-play once, which he fell in front of the audience when Roy lost the rope that was holding him!

Peter Pan premiered in New York City at the Roxy Theater and in Chicago at the B&K State Lake Theater (where also the director of the 1924 film attended). It was also shoehorned in at the Cannes Film Festival, which it got nomination for the Grand Prize.

Made by veteran directors of the 50`s Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson and Hamilton Lusk, Disney's version of Peter Pan is a beloved, heralded and iconic version and deservedly so! Pan was also the very first authentic VHS that I received from my parents as a child. While perhaps not my definitive favorite of the Disney pantheon, it was definitively a movie that I enjoyed watching again and again.

Peter Pan`s Message and Being Ideal For Animation

My original intention about my blog was to scrutinize the pictures and themes that I felt where worth to ponder about. However, I've learned to expand my horizons and written more entries that I ever thought I would write about. But also analyzed certain aspects of Disney that I never thought about analyzing in the first place! However, my main reason to analyze Peter Pan is for it's conscious childhood vs. adulthood premise, which the original story also relies on. While coming of age is a recurrent theme in Disney film (and surprisingly enough not just literally, but subconsciously), Peter Pan is probably the only film to date which deliberately shows the fantasy aspect of child- vs. adulthood overtly (yet ironically, the first screenings of Barrie's plays were only for adults).

It was also Michael Jackson's favorite movie (since he adapted the Peter Pan mantra perhaps too literally). Wendy's voice actress, Kathryn Beaumount (who was cast to please both American and British ears and should neither sound like too much of each of them), said that she noticed different things about the movie watching it again as an adult (who quit acting and became a teacher afterwards).

It's a hackneyed cliche to say that animation is a perfect medium to bring certain stories to life. But it's definitively true for Peter Pan's case. Animation was certainly the medium to make Peter both fly and float (a challenge for animators Milt Kahl and Eric Larsson, yet it's rumored that Peter would originally have wings). And humanizing and characterizing Tinker Bell (which some purists didn't like) and all the other fantasy elements (while remarkably enough, the animals on this movie remains naturalistic and "mute").

Marc Davis said that Peter Pan had a magic of it's own. Animators as Norm Ferguson and Bill Tytla were cast to this movie by Walt. One problem with the story, though, is that it had too much material for the creators. It was the last animated feature by Walt to be distributed by RKO, before founding his own company Buena Vista (who took over it's distribution afterwards). And it was the last film to have a fade-out prior to it's "The End" title. Walt even attended the Mexican premiere of the film!

Peter Pan`s Gender Demographic

It's too crowded for Jack Sparrow :)

At least it's not Heil Hitler :)

Probably the most remarkable thing about Peter Pan is that it's a movie catered to a male demographic. Of course this is individually perceived. And despite how Walt's films had male protagonist priorly, Pan had components that is pretty much every boys fantasies (pirates, Native Americans and adventure)! Which of course this is taken from to the original story. Of course it's not to say that Peter Pan is completely unsuitable for a female demographic. But again, it's mostly made to appeal a male audience, which is certainly evident in it's execution, humor and tone.

Character Arc`s

But perhaps the most satisfying thing with Peter Pan among Walt's films, is how it depicts character arcs more overtly and more satisfyingly! Several of the characters goes through arcs. Which is certainly true in Mr. Darling's case. The film sets up his hate for Peter Pan quite nicely, who in true Peter Pan tradition is played by the same actor who also plays Captain Hook (radio actor Hans Conried, who would later on be in 1977's The Hobbit and Horton Hears a Who. And also did other work for Disney, as The Magic Mirror. Conried befriended Walt and his recording for Peter Pan's soundtrack took two years to record). And Mr. Darlings` arc is understated, yet very satisfying.
But regardless of how Walt films shared several protagonists, Peter Pan truly makes it's secondary character, Wendy, the most well rounded and developed of the characters. The film centers mostly about her arc and growth (and Beaumount was chosen for her graceful and feminine voice).

Wendy (who Don Hahn was in love with, alongside with Tinker Bell) doesn't initially want to grow up. But learns the necessity of being an semi-adult in Never Land, where she takes somewhat a part of a surrogate mom (and unfortunately goes through an awful lot of abuse in Never Land). And while it's would be tempting to ponder about why Peter and Wendy never becomes an actual couple (despite the non-subtle signs of Wendy's crush and admiration for Peter), they weren't a couple in the original story either (while Wendy was originally going to take a picture book of Peter Pan with her to Never Land in Disney's version).

Peter Pan Himself

My purpose is to freak you
out with my repeating gesture :)

As for our titular hero himself (a protagonist who doesn't even appear at the very end), he's mostly known for his childlike personality. But also for being a ruthless brat at times. Compared to Walt's earlier child leads, who were innocent, sweet and endearing, Peter Pan is allowed to be a mischievous, cocky. narcissistic and conceited.

At least Disney's version was the first time where Peter himself was played by an actual male (Song of the South's Bobby Driscoll's sixth movie), as opposed to what tradition had made earlier (Walt was considering to give a woman the part, since he was approached by Jean Arthur). Bobby couldn't do an English accent, which is why his American one is prominent. And he's obviously being a teenager in Disney's take (while in some dubbings are given a kid voice).

I just did this for one second :)

Is it fair to label Peter for all of his flaws? Perhaps. But it's not as he comes across as completely ruthless either. Compared to other adaptations and his original counterpart, Peter is not totally heartless and callous. He may have his oppressive moments, but still has some morals and good values in the end. After all, he saves Wendy, Tiger Lily and The Lost Boys more than once. And he goes through a minor arc, by realizing the importance of his sidekick, Tinker Bell, when she saves him from the bomb.

At the end, he takes Wendy and her brothers back to London, despite how the film never dwells on Peter's own realization of the perks of the adult qualities. Had the movie been made today, it would've most likely taken more consideration to Peter's inner turmoil about this. And while Disney`s always faced scrutiny for their Disneyfication, some purists actually liked Disney's portrayal of Peter. Believe it or not.

Tinker Bell

I'm pissed cause Taylor Swift
stole the term from me :)

Of course it's well known how Tinker Bell has become an Disney icon on her own right (since Walt was advised to not use Mickey or his former characters to promote Disneyland). Some Disney sidekicks have managed to live their lives of their own. And our dear Tink is one of them. But what makes our Tink remarkable is that she`s a rare Walt fairy without an voice, despite how there were discussions about giving her one (which was a contradiction for model Margaret Kerry, who never could shut up and Disney were a rare company to ask her if it would be convenient for her to work. Kerry came late at her first day at Disney and was guided by Ollie Johnston, where she worked nine months at Disney).

Tinker Bell was envisioned to be just as childlike as Peter (and Walt impersonated her on the story meetings). But the story crew had their hesitations about her appeal due to her curves and tenacious personality. Kerry did have oversized props to help her with the acting. While she was going to shoot live action footage for the flying, the crew realized that Tink flew differently than Peter. Kerry worked on the film for about nine months and was also urged to show her legs (as how non-PC it sounds, they asked her in a hesitating, but polite way) and took her bathing suit as a reference.

Her pixie dust was also a challenge to bring to life. Since each tiny dot was quite inked. But giving color to her wings was a daunting task, since they were given brush onto the reverse side of the cell with a transparency solution. And it was eventually cooled down, so it could be thinned. The ink department had to work fast, since it had to be smooth. This transparent solution was delicate and hard to put on. It needed to spread very even and very thin, or it could puddle and be dark in spots. And it always had to be refrigerated or it could smell bad, haha!

Her bell sounds were partly made from aluminum, made by Marc Davis, who animated her (inspired from the designs of a story guy named Jack Miller). Davis enjoyed working on the character, yet he never did the flying sequences. But the sound was also made by sound effect man Jimmy MacDonald, who built her bell sounds pitch by pitch. And her basing of Marilyn Monroe is of course non-true, since it was a comment taken from proportions (despite how Margaret Kerry, funny enough, actually worked With Monroe).

Since Tinker Bell was just a spot in the original play, animation was truly an advantage to bring the character to real life. Yet she was also a very expensive character for the crew to work on. But of course another departure is how the audiences at the theaters were urged to clap for her to come alive (something that couldn't be done in movie, while the crew actually tried). The story surrounds on her hate for Wendy and how she becomes neglected by Pan for her (let's be glad that she never saw how Tiger Lily flirted with Pan). And yeah, purists, Tinker Bell was actually willing to kill Wendy. Deliberately (*shrugs*). Should we really try to sweep that issue under the rug? Of course not!

Look at this, Stacie Orrico :)

However, regardless of Bell's flawed nature and

her actually making the blatant mistake of giving Captain Hook direction to Peter's hideout (while originally she was going to deliberately join Hook), her intentions are still human.

And to redeem her a little, she ultimately saves Peter from the bomb and helps the pirates at the end and by bringing the Darlings back home. It's unfortunate that the film never revolves a closure between Bell and Wendy (while the cheapquel Peter Pan II Return to NeverLand had Bell and Wendy's daughter Jane actually coming together and Bell actually encouraging Peter to approach Wendy. Which Beaumont didn't return due to changes). However, Kerry cited once that Tinker Bell was not in love with Peter and was rather was his groupie.

Originally Tinker Bell was going to enthrall the pirates to save Peter and the Lost Boys. But something that animation historians have noticed, is how Tink is remarkably the most proactive of the females of this movie. Of course we should consider Tinker Bell in her former CGI franchise, but we'll take that debate another time. But the Disney Fairies franchise wasn't the only spinoff by Peter Pan, as we've had the Disney Junior show Jake and the NeverLand Pirates.

The Lost Boys, The Native Americans and the Mermaids

We need a couple rehearsals more :)

I'm Ariel's grand cousin.
Twice removed :)

It's also pretty remarkable how NeverLand (an amalgam of several different areas) is never truly a friendly place. Perhaps it's one of the subtle indications that growing up is having decency and courtesy (while Barrie originally called the place Never Never Never Land, Walt shortened it to it's short basics).

The only true exceptions would be the Lost Boys (animated by Ward Kimball and Fred Moore, who also did the mermaids, despite how Moore unfortunately died during production). Those loud and restless lads, who may have their hostile moments, but are deep down good at heart.

The pirates are of course the main antagonists of this piece. Even the Ariel-rip offs (yes, note this mandatory sarcasm) are spiteful and mean to poor Wendy in their short cameo. Originally they were intended to be longer, but due to screentime, they were reduced (which animation veteran June Foray modeled for. Tying her legs and them becoming black and blue, to her dismay).

Modeling for the Mermaids was also something that Margaret Kerry did, who was a friend of Foray, who even voiced the strawberry blonde mermaid (because she was doing such a good job with Tinker Bell and actually worked with Driscoll, whom she says was the one actor who thought through his lines). Aside from aforementioned Kerry and Forey, Connie Hilton voiced the mermaids (and yes, this is true folks: Kerry told Jodi Benson that the mermaids were Ariel's great-great grandmother)

Originally the movie was going to have Tinker Bell mocking Wendy at the Mermaids Lagoon. And surfboarding on a baby flying fish. Another version would have both Wendy and the Lost Boys being transformed to merpeople and to seek a sunken shipwreck, luring Wendy to her doom.

Another version would have the movie open with the mermaids, stressing Tinker Bell's jealousy (which Walt finally thought would be off-putting to audiences). The same opening would feature Peter saving the Lost Boys from the Natives. To their dismay, since it would be nothing for the boys left to do.

And sure, last, but not least the Natives (also animated by Kimball, who enjoyed that assignment better) are crucial characters to Never Land. And while they come across as hostile initially, they turn around after the saving of Tiger Lily (but their hostility is understandable).

This is how you compare
hands, Tarzan and Jane :)

And yes, it's impossible to ignore the havoc of the Natives received, made in an era where Native Americans were actually mocked in Cinema. These caricatured Red Men are truly a departure from the more noble, realistic Natives in Pocahontas (their Chief being voiced by Candy Candido from The Wizards of Oz and Sleeping Beauty). Yet this stereotype existed in Barrie's original play, so it's not something that Disney should be entirely blamed for (Kerry had originally recorded for one Indian squaw, but Foray ended up getting that). The Natives were originally going to protect Peter from the pirates in an earlier version of the film.

Trivia

Don't blame our crazy party, it
could've been worse :)
It could've been drugs and
rock'n roll ;)

It's needless to say that Walt started the 1950 with a bang! He released three movies through three years at the beginning of the decade. The second World War had hampered the development of Cinderella and Alice in Wonderland as well. So they got a full production greenlit when the war was over. While Walt was originally planning Peter Pan for a 1948 release, the final production on the film began in 1949, while the final screenplay was settled in 1950. Then it was scheduled for a 1951 release and afterwards a Christmas 1952 release. Roy O. Disney was against Pan, since he had his hesitations about it's appeal.

Peter Pan, Alice and Cinderella featured even more crisper and polished animation than Walt's earliest films. Yet I personally thought that Lady and the Tramp's style was more akin to Walt's first five films.

While Alice in Wonderland has it's fanbase, it was (unfortunately) quite poorly received and panned during it's release. So Peter Pan had a better reception, both critically and commercially. It's also remarkable how these films actually relied more on comedy than their predecessors.

This will be a new trend from
now on ;) Swan-skating ;)

Walt's first films are known for how their cuteness was equally balanced with harrowing and sappy moments, alongside with pathos. And while the latter elements are present in his movies from the early 50`s, they still felt somewhat lighter in tone.

However, though, Pan has been labeled by some for having little of heart, sentiment and pathos. While of course it's subjective, Pan has some pensive moments and a tearkjearking ending. Yet it's funny enough not regarded for it. Which is the main reason why Walt was dissatisfied with the final product (despite how some of his animators felt thtat the story had heart). Walt often called to Milt Kahl to complain about the wrongs of the character of Pan. However, Walt was less involved with story meetings for Peter Pan and being busy with other things.

Creating sheer magic was a challenge for the crew. Barrie's notes about character descriptions were more helpful to the crew than the actual dialogue and scene descriptions (which Walt managed to get). Walt released the promotional The Peter Pan Story during it's release. Yet a compliment Walt really liked was from some random female Londoners about that the movie's splendid quality would overshadow how Americanized the movie was.

At least it`s Below the
Rainbow :)

Originally the outline was darker, retaining more elements from the book (with Peter kidnapping Wendy for having her as a mother for The Lost Boys). And both the Darling parents finding Peter's shadow. And having Hook putting poison in Peter's medicine (which Tinker Bell drank). Peter and The Lost Boys would discover the pirate treasure filled with booby traps. Originally the crew wanted to explore Pan's backstory that was pretty much from Barrie's first book. Where he gets born in Bird Island, that he escapes to as an adult.

And also showing his escape from his own mother and being replaced with another baby (not so different from Lotso's story in Toy Story 3). Originally Peter was also going to invite his friends to an imaginary dinner. And one story idea (by Joe Grant) would have Peter being raised by the fairies. With Tinker Bell being the Queen and giving him the power to fly (a power not given to everyone). And honestly, I think it's a pity that these ideas were deleted, since I think several of them could've serve the movie well.

Pan was also the very last film where all the members of the Nine Old Men worked together as Directing Animators. The Disney version contains lines from the play itself. The studio prepared a radio version of the film to be broadcast in Korea and China, With original songs and dialogue to be dubbed into each countries languages. Lux Radio Theatre broadcasted a version of the film in December 1953, featuring the actors. Bill Peet was sent to work on Peter Pan commercials. And the original live action reference was actually deleted after the animation was completed (yes, it's true, folks).

Walt even went to see the original statue of Pan himself in KensingtonGardens, London. The Ink and Paint Department completed twenty four fully inked and painted cells for each second of the final film.
With many sequences or characters requiring multiple layers of cells. For sake of consistency, each artist worked on eight to ten cells at a time. Overall, 250,000 completed cells was finished. Marc Davis also animated Mrs Darling as well.

Kathryn Beaumount had of course also starred in Alice in Wonderland previously. Who despite having her credit on her former movie, had to compete with more girls for the part of Wendy. And she still voiced Wendy later on. Beaumount cites that Walt was easy to be around. And she did the live action reference, yet she had to face her fear of flying. Though Peter's live action reference, then 24-year old Roland Dupree, calmed her down.

It's not gold, it's lit by the
moonlight shadow :)

Dupree also worked with Margaret Kerry, who was his student and who suggested Dupree to Disney. Despite that Dupree enjoyed his role, he enjoyed the flying the least. Kerry went to school with Walt's daughters. Bobby Driscoll was one of the few actors who had his exclusive contract at Disney, since it was cheaper for them to hire those who didn't have it. He recorded his lines with Kathryn, despite that they never really got to know together well. Because of their each school work. Unfortunately Driscoll's grave was marked with no name.

The Villain

They wanted me to
say cheese to this pic :)

Yes, I'll use this nicely on ya ;)

A thing both Alice and Pan have in common are comical villains (something that Walt suggested with Captain Hook). Villains that could be fearsome and scary, but also who were equally balanced with their comedic sides. Which was somewhat a departure from Walt's first villains, as they had their funny parts mostly reduced.
The villain of this piece, Captain Hook, is one of Walt's most beloved and heralded villains. And deservedly so (it's remarkable how Mother Gothel visually resembles him).
But

perhaps the irony is with the story is that for once the villain has been legitimately harassed by the hero. And actually has a good reason for revenge (yet in Disney's version, Hook has lost his left hand, as opposed to the play). Walt suggested that Frank Thomas would animate him, because of his way of handling villains. While Thomas` first scenes with Hook never received praise and he was dissatisfied of his work on Hook. And while he had his hesitations about the first test, Walt actually happened to like it. Yet the design for Hook was a struggle, since the director wanted him to look as Ernest Torrence. The story guys saw him as a fop, yet Walt suggested both approaches! Woolie Reitherman also took some fighting and comedy scenes, which that he enjoyed. Since he waas into those things. Hook has made cameos in other properties. As in Walt Disney Anthology Series, The Mouse Factory and Raw Toonage.

The Rest of the Characters

Just as you know, we're just playing ;)

As for the other characters in Peter Pan, they`re allowed to shine as well. As Wendy's younger brothers, the geeky John (who originally was going to stay in London because he was too serious) and the endearing Michael.
Nana also manages to get sympathy through her brief screentime (and she was originally supposed to travel with the kids to Neverland and going to narrate the story. And being the only one who saw the cloud ship at the end).

The Lost boys also dominates in their screentime (and originally they were
going to travel with the Darlings to London and when Peter refused, Wendy would give him an honest lecture). But so does Mr. Smee, the ditzy and dense, yet endearing sidekick of Hook (who looks like he could've been a relative of the Seven Dwarfs, which he was modeled after). Smee was voiced by radio host Bill Thompson, who had voiced other Disney characters priorly and Droopy. And animated by Ollie Johnston, (who almost served as a self portrait). Animation historian John Grant claims Walt's Smee to be the definite version of the character. And let's not forget the clock-ticking crocodile who's always after our villain (animated by Woolie Reitherman, who originally was going to kill Hook).

Music

I'm cute while I'm hungry, ain't I? :)

It makes me look like an angel :)

Usually in my additions I have a tendency to discuss the music as the last component. But it's no coincidence for why that is, since songs are usually labeled as being a integral part to Disney. The most famous ones from Peter Pan are The Second Star To The Right (originally written for Alice and was named Beyond the Laughing Sky), You Can Fly (which has been
immortalized in Disney's From All of Us to All of You Christmas showings) and Following The Leader. The other songs aren`t completely neglected, but still given less attention. There's no secret that one famous song, Never Smile At A Crocodile, is only a musical cue in the score and is never sung (while Jerry Lewis made a cover). But what's remarkable is that Peter Pan never gets to sing himself!

Made by Walt's music veterans Oliver Wallace, Sammy Fain and Frank Churchill, the choir was conducted by Jud Conlon and his Rhythmaires. Who used to work for Bing Crosby at the 40`s and 50`s. However, later on, Richard Sherman was given an earlier treatment for a song from 1939. Which he expanded to a song called Never Land, sung by Paige O'Hara (Belle in Beauty and the Beast).

Epilogue

Overall, Peter Pan is a cherished entry to Disney's second Golden Age. And a important film to Disney's huge legacy. While it's not one of my all time favorites and has a couple of flaws that it's hampered by (some moments of the story drags. several of the characters remains underdeveloped: As out title lead, Tinker Bell and The Lost Boys. And the comedy may be a little blatant and off-putting at times), it's still an enchanting and captivating film that I still enjoy watching to this day. As with most Disney, it evokes the feeling of childhood nostalgia, but Pan maintains captivating regardless. This entry was originally written to honor it's 65th Anniversary. So Happy Belated 65th Anniversary and may you go on to have many more!