Just as Cinderella's fairy tale ended at midnight, The Walt Disney Company faced a similar deadline in 1947, burdened with a debt of approximately $4 million following the financial struggles of Pinocchio, Fantasia, and Bambi due to World War II and other factors. However, the iconic story of Cinderella and her glass slippers saved Disney from concluding its animation journey prematurely, offering a new beginning when it was needed most.
As Cinderella celebrates its 75th anniversary of its wide release on March 4, we had the opportunity to speak with several Disney employees who remain inspired by this timeless tale of transformation from rags to riches. The story of Cinderella not only parallels Walt Disney's own journey but also provided a beacon of hope for the company and a post-war world seeking inspiration and belief.
The Right Film at the Right Time --------------------------------To understand the significance of Cinderella, we must look back to Disney's transformative moment in 1937 with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Its unprecedented success, which held the title of the highest-grossing film until Gone with the Wind surpassed it in 1939, enabled Disney to establish its Burbank studio, still its headquarters today, and paved the way for more animated features.
Following Snow White, Disney released Pinocchio in 1940 with a budget of $2.6 million, significantly higher than its predecessor. Despite critical acclaim and two Academy Awards, Pinocchio lost about $1 million. This trend continued with Fantasia and Bambi, contributing to Disney's growing debt. The reason? The outbreak of World War II in 1939, triggered by Germany's invasion of Poland, which severely impacted Disney's European markets.
"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," explained Eric Goldberg, co-director of Pocahontas and lead animator on Aladdin's Genie. "The studio was then commissioned by the U.S. government to produce training and propaganda films. Throughout the 1940s, Disney also produced Package Films like Make Mine Music, Fun and Fancy Free, and Melody Time. These were excellent projects but lacked a cohesive narrative."
Package Films were compilations of short cartoons assembled into feature-length films. Between Bambi in 1942 and Cinderella in 1950, Disney produced six such films, including Saludos Amigos and The Three Caballeros, which were part of the U.S. Good Neighbor Policy aimed at countering Nazi influence in South America. While these films covered their costs and Fun and Fancy Free reduced the studio's debt from $4.2 million to $3 million in 1947, they did not allow Disney to focus on true feature-length animated stories.
"I wanted to get back into the feature field," Walt Disney stated in 1956, as quoted in The Animated Man: A Life of Walt Disney by Michael Barrier. "But it required significant investment and time. A good cartoon feature demands a lot of both. My brother Roy and I had a heated discussion... It was one of my big upsets... I said we're going to either move forward, get back into business, or we should liquidate or sell out."
Facing the possibility of selling his shares and leaving the company, Walt and Roy chose the riskier path, betting everything on their first major animated feature since Bambi. If it failed, it could have spelled the end for Disney's animation studio.
"At this time, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, and Cinderella were all in development, but Cinderella was chosen first due to its similarities to Snow White," said Tori Cranner, Art Collections Manager at Walt Disney Animation Research Library. "Walt recognized that post-war America needed hope and joy. While Pinocchio is a beautiful film, it's not joyful like Cinderella. The world needed a story of rising from the ashes to something beautiful, and Cinderella was the perfect choice for that moment."
Cinderella and Disney’s Rags to Riches Tale
Walt Disney's connection to Cinderella dates back to 1922 when he created a Cinderella short at Laugh-O-Gram Studios, just before founding Disney with Roy. The short and the later feature film were inspired by Charles Perrault's 1697 version of the tale, which may have originated between 7 BC and AD 23. This classic narrative of good versus evil, true love, and dreams coming true deeply resonated with Walt.
"Snow White was a kind and simple girl who believed in wishing and waiting for her Prince Charming," Walt Disney remarked in Disney's Cinderella: The Making of a Masterpiece special DVD feature. "Cinderella, however, was more practical. She believed in dreams but also in taking action. When Prince Charming didn't come, she went to the palace to find him."
Cinderella's strength and resilience, despite her mistreatment by her Evil Stepmother and Stepsisters, mirrored Walt's own journey from humble beginnings through numerous failures to success, driven by an unwavering dream and work ethic.
Walt's vision for Cinderella evolved from a Silly Symphony short in 1933 to a feature film by 1938. Despite delays due to the war and other challenges, the film took over a decade to complete, allowing it to become the beloved classic we know today.
"Disney excelled at reimagining these timeless fairytales, infusing them with his unique taste, entertainment sense, heart, and passion," Goldberg noted. "These stories, often grim and cautionary, were transformed into universally appealing narratives, modernizing them for all audiences."
Cinderella's animal friends, including Jaq, Gus, and the birds, provided comic relief and allowed her to express her true self. The Fairy Godmother, reimagined as a bumbling, grandmotherly figure by animator Milt Kahl, added relatability and charm. The iconic transformation scene, where Cinderella's belief in herself manifests into a magical night, remains a highlight, with the dress transformation often cited as Walt's favorite animation sequence, thanks to the meticulous work of Disney Legends Marc Davis and George Rowley.
Thanks so much for all your questions about Cinderella! Before we sign off, enjoy this pencil test footage of original animation drawings of the transformation scene, animated by Marc Davis and George Rowley. Thanks for joining us! #AskDisneyAnimation pic.twitter.com/2LquCBHX6F
— Disney Animation (@DisneyAnimation) February 15, 2020
"Every sparkle in that scene was hand-drawn and painted, which is mind-blowing," Cranner said. "There's a perfect moment during the transformation where the magic holds for a fraction of a second before the dress changes, adding to the scene's magic."
The addition of the glass slipper breaking at the end of the film, a Disney innovation, underscores Cinderella's agency and strength. "Cinderella is not a cipher; she has a personality and strength," Goldberg emphasized. "When the slipper breaks, she presents the other one she's been holding onto, showing her control and cleverness."
Cinderella premiered in Boston on February 15, 1950, and had its wide release on March 4, earning $7 million on a $2.2 million budget, making it Disney's most successful film since Snow White. It received three Academy Award nominations and was celebrated for bringing Disney back to narrative feature films.
"When Cinderella came out, critics praised it, saying, 'Walt Disney's back on track!' It was a huge success because it returned to the narrative style of Snow White, which people loved," Goldberg said. "The studio regained its mojo, leading to films like Peter Pan, Lady and the Tramp, Sleeping Beauty, 101 Dalmatians, and The Jungle Book."
75 Years Later, Cinderella’s Magic Lives On
Seventy-five years later, Cinderella's influence continues to grow, evident in Disney parks and films. Her castle inspires the iconic Disney castle seen in movie intros, and her legacy is felt in modern films like Frozen, where Elsa's dress transformation echoes Cinderella's.
"When we animated Elsa's dress transformation in Frozen, we wanted a direct connection to Cinderella," said Becky Bresee, lead animator on Frozen 2 and Wish. "The sparkles and effects around Elsa's dress honor Cinderella's impact and the legacy of Disney's earlier films."
Cinderella's enduring appeal is also due to the contributions of the Nine Old Men and Mary Blair, whose work brought the film to life. As Eric Goldberg aptly summarized, "Cinderella's biggest message is hope. It shows that with perseverance and strength, dreams can come true, no matter the era."
