My Own Personal Nerdy Disney and Animation Scrutinizing Analyses: Jiminy Cricket - The First Disney Sidekick Who Manged to Live a Life of His Own

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

Before starting this entry, I just wanted to state that this year marks the 10th Anniversary of my blog (forgive me for hightlighting this remark). First of all, it`s incredible how time has passed. I remember the excitement of starting my very first entry in January 2015, finding my audience and afterwards getting my following. Afterwards, I`ve been hooked on blogging ever since. Secondly, I want to give a huge shoutout and thanks to all my readers. As hokey as it sounds, without you, my blog wouldn`t have functioned at all.

Being a blogger during a decade has taught me a lot of valuable things. And it would`ve taken me all day long to summarize everything that I`ve learned. But perhaps the biggest thing that it taught me, is to have a passion and dedication to what I`m doing. Sure, it`s sometimes been hard work, but the love and passion for what I`m doing have surpassed the hardship. As for the timing, it`s a synergy that this entry marking this anniversary has a connection to my previous entry that marked my fifth year anniversary of my blog. Which is Pinocchio. But while that entry was about the movie itself, this entry will be about it`s sidekick, Jiminy Cricket.

Don`t worry, my hat doesn`t have any germs :)

When Walt Disney released Pinocchio in 1940, it was coming of the heels of the very successful Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Which was a sensation, for being perceived as Disney`s folly, but afterwards became positively received and exceeding all expectations. Therefore, the expectations for Walt`s follower, Pinocchio, was high. Unfortunately didn`t ended up being the big hit that Walt had hoped for. However, fortunately fate had another plans for Pinocchio, at it ended up being more successful in re-releases (as with most of his animated features for his first Golden Age). But also perceived as being the Citizen Kane of animation.

However, while Pinocchio was cherished for most of it`s components, it was essentially particularly cherished for one specific thing: It`s sidekick, Jiminy Cricket. Sure, Pinocchio was not the movie who eventually invented what is known as the Disney Formula. Which usually contains the funny Disney sidekick. But at least Jiminy Cricket is perceived, by many Disney historians, as being the first and best sidekick. But also being the kind of sidekick who had a life of his own and managed to feature in movies beyond Pinocchio. Sure, Jiminy isn`t the only Disney sidekick who`s essentially done that (cough, Tinker Bell from Peter Pan, cough). But at least he has the honor of being the first sidekick to doing so.

The Origins of Jiminy Cricket

My size may be small.
But my anger is stronger.
Right, Powhatan? :)

The position of Jiminy Cricket is extremely funny and also somewhat contradictory. In the original novel of Carlos Collodi, the nameless cricket is basically just a character who made a cameo. But was crushed by Pinocchio with a hammer at the end. And afterwards appears as a ghost. So it`s safe to say that Jiminy was given more prominence and significance in Walt`s version (where he was actually given his name, Jiminy. Deriving from the old expression Jiminy cricket, which meant Jesus Christ). He was added to the story to give more warmth and heart and showcase a friendship. Jiminy was designed by Ward Kimball, who was sullen by his soup sequence for Snow White was dismissed and wanted to quit the studio. Until Walt gave him the task of supervising Jiminy. However, the irony is how Jiminy doesn`t really resemble a cricket and is more anthrophomorphized. Kimball was repulsed by the ugly nature of real crickets and deliberately wanted him to look funny. However, Walt didn`t wanted him to look like a clown and instructed Kimball to have him look cute. But when Walt saw the final design, he told Kimball that he looked like his uncle Ed. Kimball himself was pleased with his final look. Actor Val Stanton did the live action reference for him. Jiminy was also animated by Ollie Johnson (in the scenes where he`s helping Pinocchio out from the cage) and Woolie Reitherman.

And I`m proud of being
a part of that society :)

Originally Jiminy was going to live at a crack behind Geppetto`s hearth and only appeared after Geppetto went to bed. It was in January 1939 (a year before Pinocchio`s release) that it was proposed that he could be the narrator. Despite how some people were against it, as it could seem confusing. It was a storytelling device used in the French movie Le roman d`un tricheur (1936). Having Jiminy talk to the audience was taken from Eugene O`Neill`s 1928 play Strange Interlude. But Walt didn`t want Jiminy to be the narrator the whole movie. To make it less annoying to the audience. But to have Jiminy be Pinocchio`s conscience was added after Pinocchio was retooled. And it made the movie work. Give a Little Whistle was added in order to make his lecturing more entertaining. It was Joe Grant who came up with the idea of him sleeping in a matchbox.

My aunt gave me this
sweater in advance,
so I can grow into it :)

As for Jiminy`s voice actors, he was originally performed by singer Cliff Edwards. Edwards was known as Ukulele Ike and was a huge star who was on Broadway, Vaudeville and even had his own radio show (and introducing Singing in the Rain). And was the first major star to be ever cast in a Disney feature. But he was cast for his lively and charming voice (and yes, the audience recognized him). Edwards voiced the character until his death in 1971. Clarence Nash voiced him for a brief period, until 1973, when Eddie Carroll took over the role. Carroll played the role for 37 years, until his death in 2010. Actor Hal Smith voiced Jiminy in the Pinocchio Read-Along Storybook in 1992. Afterwards, actor Phil Snyder voiced him for Kingdom Hearts video game series, until retiring from voice acting in 2014 to become a teacher. Actor Joe Ochman took over the role, starting with Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 Remix's on Kingdom Hearts Re:coded. And has been the voice of Jiminy since 2014.

Jiminy Cricket`s Personality & Family

Cinderella made this outfit for
me :)

As for Jiminy`s personality in Pinocchio, he comes across as frankly a well-rounded character with many aspects to his personality. He serves as being wisecracking and talking directly to the audience. But also comes across as contemporary (at the time). Still, his snark and sarcasm is mostly good natured. However, Jiminy also comes across as cranky, short-tempered and assertive. But remarkably enough, he`s also a character who`s instantly smitten by human women (despite remarkably enough not getting any). But overall, Jiminy`s comes across being an elderly, guiding, semi-fatherly figure to both Pinocchio and the audience. Despite how he narrates the story, he`s also a character who functions within the movie.

I wanted to be a bull bug ;)

However, Jiminy has a arc of his own, as he learns to take responsibility for Pinocchio, as being his sidekick. But what really gives Jiminy the most weight, is how he sings When You Wish Upon a Star. Who became the biggest anthem of the company. As for Jiminy`s family, his nephew Wilbur the Grasshopper appeared in the Goofy short, Goofy and Wilbur (and he`s Jiminy newphew, according to the 1956 TV special, On Vacation with Mickey Mouse and Friends). In The Giant Walt Disney Word Book (1972), Jiminy family tree was published in a poster. Which showed his parents, siblings and all his family generations up to his great-great-grandfather.

The List of Franchise

Didn`t your mom tell
you that it`s rude to
wake up an old duck?
:)

Since Jiminy Cricket was the first Disney sidekick who lived a life of his own, it`s mandatory to summarize his list of franchises. Jiminy hosted a one-hour segment ABC Radio special in 1947, about the year 1960. After Pinocchio, Jiminy appeared in Fun and Fancy Free (1947) as a host (where he sings I`m a Happy Go Lucky Fellow, which was cut from Pinocchio). In the 1950s-1970s, he appeared in four educational films for grade-school kids. In the I'm No Fool series, he advised children to steer clear of many types of danger. The second show, You, taught about the human body. The third show, The Nature Of Things, combined live-action and animation. And the fourth show was named Encyclopedia (where he taught audiences to spell the word). All of them were shown on The Mickey Mouse Club from 1955 to 1959.

It`s not mythical ;)

In the 1950s, he sang two songs related to safety on Stop, Look, And Listen, and Safety First on Mouse Club. Jiminy also appeared in the opening at the Mickey Mouse March, with Dumbo and Timothy Mouse. However, Jiminy also hosted some Disney television specials. As On Vacation with Mickey Mouse and Friends (1956) and This is Your Life, Donald Duck (1952). But of course Jiminy is known for hosting From All of Us to All of You Christmas special. Jiminy also appeared in Mickey's Christmas Carol (1983) as the Ghost of Christmas Past. Jiminy was also part of Mickey's Magical World (a compilation to Mickey Mouse). Jiminy was sometimes a host of Disney Sing Along Songs show. Jiminy made a cameo in the film Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988). In Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers, he appeared with the toons bootlegged by Sweet Pete.

Look at this, The
Weeknd :)

Jiminy also appeared in the House of Mouse (2001-2003) and the direct-to-video 2001 film Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse. Where he`s advising Mickey that he can solve it by wishing on a star. In the The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse show, he was in the Disappearing Act episode (2021), where he`s alongside with the Fairy Godmother from Cinderella, Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather from Sleeping Beauty, Merlin from The Sword in the Stone, and the Blue Fairy. To help Mickey realize he had magic inside him. And of course Jiminy reappears in a new rendition in the Live Action Remake of Pinocchio. Voiced by Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Treasure Planet). Jiminy was also in Once Upon a Studio (2023), singing When You Wish Upon a Star (with archival recordings of Edwards).

Jiminy`s Appearences in Other Forms

Guess who`s magical of us
and who`s not? :)

However, as for other types of appearances, Jiminy Cricket also appears in Kingdom Hearts. As a chronicler of player character Sora's travels. In the first game, he`s on the segment based on Pinocchio. Jiminy is also in Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion (2012), a spin-off to Epic Mickey, where he acts as Mickey's sidekick. Jiminy alo appears in Walt Disney World Quest: Magical Racing Tour (2000). He`s a main character Disney's Villains' Revenge (1999), where he helps to save the stories of Dumbo, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs from their villains. Jiminy is a playable character in Disney Magic Kingdoms (2021). To unlock for a limited time, in an event focused on Pinocchio. Jiminy Cricket makes an appearance in Disney Infinity as a townsperson. In the 3DS version; he welcomes user's team to Story Mode and the first game board.

We wanted to give Radiator
Springs some competition ;)

Jiminy appears at the Disney Parks as a meetable character, mostly at Disney's Animal Kingdom at Rafiki's Planet Watch. He also appears in Pinocchio's Daring Journey, a dark ride themed to the film. A small version can be seen on the It's a Small World ride in Disneyland. He and the Blue Fairy hosted Wishes: A Magical Gathering of Disney Dreams fireworks display at Magic Kingdom. Jiminy also hosts the Nighttime parade, SpectroMagic in the Magic Kingdom (replaced in 2010 for an updated version Main Street Electrical Parade). He also appears in the Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade at Magic Kingdom. Jiminy also appears as the pace of play ambassador at Walt Disney World Golf Resort. And in Fantasmic.

Epilogue

No, my hat ain`t glued to my
head. Despite how it looks like
so :)

At the end, Jiminy Cricket is regarded of being one of Disney`s most beloved characters and icons. And it`s right to say that it`s deservedly so. It would be tempting to wonder if Jiminy is forever going to labeled for Pinocchio. Or if he truly is labeled for standing on his own right. However, despite that scrutiny, he`s always going to be a Disney Icon, no matter how time and fate treats him. As for my own personal opinion of Jiminy, the truth is that despite that he`s never been my very favorite character, I still respect and admire him for what he is.

Don`t worry, Rihanna. It`s not
your umbrella ;)

And for what he`s done and how he`s representing the company. And sure, he`s an honorable and dignified character as a whole, despite his flaws. And it`s hard to believe that he`s been a part of the Disney company and people`s consciousness for so long. And due to how he technically has his 85th Anniversary this year (alongside with his movie), there`s nothing left than to wish Jiminy Cricket Happy 85th Anniversary and may you continue to have many more.