Just as Cinderella’s dream come true was set to end at midnight, so too was that of The Walt Disney Company in 1947, which was teetering on the brink of financial collapse, roughly $4 million in debt following the commercial failures of Pinocchio, Fantasia, and Bambi, exacerbated by World War II and other economic factors. However, thanks to this beloved princess and her iconic glass slippers, Disney as we know it was saved from having to end its own animation story well before its time.
As Cinderella celebrates its 75th anniversary of its wide release today, March 4, we've had the privilege of speaking with several Disney insiders who continue to be inspired by this timeless rags to riches tale. It’s a story that echoes the journey of Walt Disney himself, offering not just a lifeline to the company, but also to a world seeking to rebuild and find hope once more.
The Right Film at the Right Time --------------------------------To understand the significance of Cinderella, we must revisit the moment when Disney experienced its own fairy godmother miracle in 1937 with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. This film's unprecedented success—the highest-grossing film until Gone with the Wind surpassed it two years later—enabled Disney to establish its Burbank studio, still its headquarters today, and embark on a path toward creating more feature-length animated films.
However, Disney's next venture, 1940's Pinocchio, despite its $2.6 million budget and critical acclaim, including Academy Awards for Best Original Score and Best Original Song, lost approximately $1 million. This was not an isolated incident; Fantasia and Bambi similarly underperformed, adding to Disney's financial woes. The primary reason was the outbreak of World War II following Germany's invasion of Poland in September 1939, which disrupted Disney's European market.
“Disney's European markets dried up during the war, and films like Pinocchio and Bambi couldn’t be shown there, leading to poor performance,” explained Eric Goldberg, co-director of Pocahontas and lead animator on Aladdin’s Genie. “Additionally, Disney was commissioned by the U.S. government to produce training and propaganda films. Throughout the 1940s, the studio shifted to making what they called Package Films, like Make Mine Music, Fun and Fancy Free, and Melody Time. These were excellent projects, but they lacked a cohesive narrative from start to finish.”
For those less familiar, Package Films were compilations of short cartoons assembled into feature films. Between 1942's Bambi and 1950's Cinderella, Disney produced six such films, including Saludos Amigos and The Three Caballeros, which supported the U.S.'s Good Neighbor Policy aimed at countering Nazism in South America. While these films managed to break even and Fun and Fancy Free reduced the studio’s debt from $4.2 million to $3 million by 1947, they hindered the studio from producing full-length animated features.
“I wanted to get back into the feature field,” Walt Disney reflected in 1956, as cited in The Animated Man: A Life of Walt Disney by Michael Barrier. “But it required significant investment and time. A quality animated feature takes a lot of both. My brother [Disney CEO Roy O. Disney] and I had quite the argument over it… It was one of my big upsets… We had to decide whether to push forward, get back into business, or liquidate and sell out.”
Faced with the possibility of selling his shares and leaving Disney behind, Walt and Roy chose the riskier path, betting everything on their first major animated feature since Bambi in 1942. This decision was crucial; failure could have spelled the end of Disney's animation studio.
"I think the world needed the idea that we can come out from the ashes and have something beautiful happen," said Tori Cranner, Art Collections Manager at Walt Disney Animation Research Library. "While Pinocchio is a beautiful film, it lacks the joy that Cinderella brings. Walt recognized the post-war need for hope and joy, and Cinderella was the perfect story to convey that message at the right time."
Cinderella and Disney’s Rags to Riches Tale
Walt's fascination with Cinderella dates back to 1922 when he produced a Cinderella short at Laugh-O-Gram Studios, which he founded just two years before starting Disney with Roy. This short, along with the eventual feature film, was adapted from Charles Perrault’s 1697 version of the tale, which may have originated between 7 BC and AD 23 by the Greek geographer Strabo. The story of good versus evil, true love, and dreams coming true deeply resonated with Walt.
“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, as seen in footage from Disney’s Cinderella: The Making of a Masterpiece special DVD feature. “On the other hand, Cinderella was more practical. She believed in dreams, but she also took action to make them happen. When Prince Charming didn’t come, she went to the palace to find him.”
Cinderella's character was defined by her strength and resilience in the face of mistreatment by her Evil Stepmother and Stepsisters. While Walt's personal story didn't mirror Cinderella's family troubles, his journey was also one of humble beginnings, filled with failures and challenges, yet driven by an unwavering dream and work ethic.
Walt's connection to Cinderella persisted through the early days of Disney, leading to an attempt to revive it as a Silly Symphony short in 1933. However, as the project's scope expanded, it was decided in 1938 to develop it into a feature film. Despite taking over a decade to reach theaters due to the war and other factors, this time allowed the project to evolve into the beloved film we celebrate today.
Cinderella's success can be attributed to Disney's ability to enhance these traditional tales, infusing them with universal appeal. “Disney took these centuries-old fairytales and added his unique touch, blending entertainment, heart, and passion to make audiences care deeply about the characters and stories,” Goldberg noted. “These tales were originally cautionary and often grim, but Disney transformed them into stories that were enjoyable for all ages, ensuring their longevity.”
This transformation was evident in Cinderella, particularly through her animal friends, including Jaq, Gus, and the birds, who provided comic relief and helped reveal Cinderella's true self. The Fairy Godmother, reimagined as a bumbling, relatable character by animator Milt Kahl, added a touch of humor and warmth, leading to the iconic transformation scene that has captured the hearts of audiences worldwide.
The animation of Cinderella’s dress transformation, often cited as Walt’s favorite, was meticulously crafted by Disney Legends Marc Davis and George Rowley. “Every sparkle was hand-drawn and painted, which is mind-blowing,” Cranner enthused. “There’s a magical moment during the transformation where the magic holds for a split second before the dress changes, adding to the scene’s enchantment.”
Another innovative addition was the breaking of one glass slipper at the film's end, symbolizing Cinderella's agency and strength. “Cinderella isn’t just a passive character; she’s assertive and resourceful,” Goldberg pointed out. “When the slipper breaks, she presents the other one she’s kept, showcasing her control and cleverness.”
Cinderella premiered in Boston on February 15, 1950, and was widely released on March 4, becoming an instant success. It grossed $7 million on a $2.2 million budget, becoming the sixth-highest grossing film of 1950 and earning three Academy Award nominations.
“When Cinderella was released, critics hailed it as a return to form for Walt Disney,” Goldberg recalled. “It was a massive success, rekindling the studio's passion for narrative features. Post-Cinderella, Disney embarked on creating classics like Peter Pan, Lady and the Tramp, Sleeping Beauty, 101 Dalmatians, and The Jungle Book, all thanks to the triumph of Cinderella.”
75 Years Later, Cinderella’s Magic Lives On
Seventy-five years on, Cinderella's influence remains strong within Disney and beyond. Her iconic castle inspires the design of the castles at Walt Disney World and Tokyo Disneyland, as well as the opening sequences of Disney films.
Her legacy also permeates modern Disney films, notably seen in the dress transformation scene in Frozen, animated by Becky Bresee and effects artist Dan Lund. “Jennifer Lee wanted Elsa’s dress transformation to echo Cinderella’s,” Bresee explained. “The sparkles and effects pay homage to Cinderella, connecting the past and present of Disney animation.”
While numerous other contributors, including the legendary Nine Old Men and artist Mary Blair, deserve recognition for their work on Cinderella, Eric Goldberg's words encapsulate the film's enduring impact: “The essence of Cinderella is hope. It teaches that with perseverance and strength, dreams can come true, no matter the era.”
