As Cinderella's enchanting story marks its 75th anniversary of its wide release on March 4, we reflect on how this timeless tale not only captivated audiences but also played a pivotal role in rescuing The Walt Disney Company from the brink of financial ruin. In 1947, Disney was grappling with a staggering debt of $4 million, largely due to the underperformance of films like Pinocchio, Fantasia, and Bambi, exacerbated by the impacts of World War II. However, Cinderella's iconic glass slippers helped pave the way for Disney's resurgence, preventing the premature end of its animation legacy.
Today, we spoke with several Disney insiders who continue to draw inspiration from Cinderella's rags-to-riches journey. This narrative not only echoes Walt Disney's own life story but also offered a beacon of hope to a post-war world in need of uplifting tales.
The Right Film at the Right Time --------------------------------To understand Cinderella's impact, we must first revisit Disney's earlier success with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937. The film's unprecedented success enabled Disney to establish its Burbank studio and set the stage for future animated features. However, the subsequent releases of Pinocchio, Fantasia, and Bambi, despite their artistic acclaim, struggled financially due to the war's disruption of 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. During this period, Disney shifted focus to producing Package Films, such as Make Mine Music and Fun and Fancy Free, which, while successful in managing costs, lacked the cohesive narrative of a feature-length story.
Package Films were compilations of short cartoons designed to form a feature film. Between 1942's Bambi and 1950's Cinderella, Disney released six such films, including Saludos Amigos and The Three Caballeros, which were part of the U.S. Good Neighbor Policy aimed at curbing the spread of Nazism in South America. While these films helped reduce Disney's debt, they did not fulfill the studio's vision for full-length animated storytelling.
Walt Disney's determination to return to feature animation was evident in his 1956 statement, as quoted in The Animated Man: A Life of Walt Disney by Michael Barrier: "I wanted to get back into the feature field... But it was a matter of investment and time. Now, to take and do a good cartoon feature takes a lot of time and a lot of money. But I wanted to get back." Facing the possibility of selling his shares and leaving the company, Walt and his brother Roy chose to invest in what would become Disney's first major animated feature since Bambi—Cinderella.
"At this time, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, and Cinderella were all in varying levels of development, but Cinderella won out as the film to make first because it had many similarities to the hit that was Snow White," noted Tori Cranner, Art Collections Manager at Walt Disney Animation Research Library. "Walt believed this story could accomplish something greater beyond mere entertainment. He recognized what America needed after the war was hope and joy."
Cinderella and Disney’s Rags to Riches Tale
Walt Disney's connection to Cinderella dates back to 1922 when he created a short film at Laugh-O-Gram Studios, inspired by Charles Perrault’s 1697 version of the tale. This early animation, though not commercially successful, highlighted the story's resonance with Walt, mirroring his own journey from humble beginnings to realizing a dream through perseverance and hard work.
"Snow White was a kind and simple little girl who believed in wishing and waiting for her Prince Charming to come along," Walt Disney remarked in the special DVD feature, Cinderella: The Making of a Masterpiece. "On the other hand, Cinderella here was more practical. She believed in dreams all right, but she also believed in doing something about them. When Prince Charming didn’t happen to come along, she went right over to the palace and got him."
Cinderella's character embodies resilience and determination, qualities that Walt Disney himself exemplified throughout his career. Despite setbacks, Walt's vision for Cinderella evolved from a Silly Symphony short in 1933 to a full-length feature film that took over a decade to complete due to the war and other challenges.
Disney's ability to transform classic fairy tales into universally appealing stories played a significant role in Cinderella's success. "Disney was so good at taking these fairytales... and putting his own spin on it," Goldberg noted. "This meant he brought his taste, entertainment sense, heart, and passion into it so people came to care about the characters and story unfolding even more than in the original stories themselves."
The addition of animal friends like Jaq and Gus, along with the comedic relief provided by Lucifer the cat, enriched Cinderella's world. The Fairy Godmother, reimagined as a more relatable, grandmotherly figure, added warmth and humor to the narrative. The iconic transformation scene, where Cinderella's dress magically changes, stands as a testament to the meticulous craftsmanship 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
"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," Cranner shared with enthusiasm. "But there's also a part of it that’s so subtle, as there is a perfect moment in the middle of that transformation where all of the stardust and the magic holds for just a fraction of a second before it all falls in and her dress changes. I really think that that's part of what makes that scene so magical."
The broken glass slipper at the film's climax adds depth to Cinderella's character, showcasing her strength and agency. "Cinderella is not a cipher... she has a personality and a strength within her," Goldberg emphasized. "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 the same year marked a triumphant return for Disney. Earning $7 million on a $2.2 million budget, it became the sixth-highest grossing film of 1950 and received three Academy Award nominations. "When Cinderella came out, all the critics went, ‘Oh, this is great! Walt Disney's back on track again!'" Goldberg recalled. "It was hugely successful for them because he was back doing narrative features like Snow White and people just loved it."
75 Years Later, Cinderella’s Magic Lives On
Seventy-five years after its release, Cinderella's influence continues to permeate Disney's legacy. From the iconic castles at Walt Disney World and Tokyo Disneyland to the inspiration behind modern classics like Frozen, Cinderella's magic endures.
"When we were doing Elsa’s dress transformation moment in Frozen... Cinderella’s legacy can especially be seen in the sparkles and all the effects surrounding Elsa’s dress," shared Becky Bresee, lead animator on Frozen 2 and Wish. "Although she is a much different character, there are so many moments and things we bring forward to honor the impact of Cinderella and other movies that came before."
The contributions of Disney's Nine Old Men and artist Mary Blair further enriched Cinderella's visual and emotional impact. As Eric Goldberg aptly summarized, "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."
