Just as Cinderella's midnight deadline loomed, so too did The Walt Disney Company face its own crisis in 1947. A staggering $4 million in debt, following the financial setbacks of Pinocchio, Fantasia, and Bambi—attributable to World War II and other factors—threatened to end Disney's animation legacy prematurely. Yet, this beloved princess and her iconic glass slipper proved to be the company's salvation.
As Cinderella celebrates its 75th anniversary of its wide release on March 4th, we spoke with Disney employees inspired by this timeless rags-to-riches tale. Its narrative surprisingly mirrors Walt Disney's own journey, offering hope not only to the company, but also to a world rebuilding itself and yearning for renewed faith.
The Right Film at the Right Time
Disney's own fairy godmother moment arrived in 1937 with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Its phenomenal success—reigning as the highest-grossing film until Gone with the Wind—enabled Disney to build its Burbank studio (its current headquarters) and embark on a new era of feature-length animation.
Pinocchio (1940), budgeted at $2.6 million (a million more than Snow White), lost approximately $1 million despite critical acclaim and Academy Awards for Best Original Score and Best Original Song. This wasn't an isolated incident; Fantasia and Bambi further exacerbated the company's debt. Germany's invasion of Poland in 1939 and the ensuing World War II played a significant role.
“Disney's European markets dried up during the war, impacting the performance of films like Pinocchio and Bambi,” explained Eric Goldberg, co-director of Pocahontas and lead animator on Aladdin’s Genie. “The studio was subsequently tasked by the U.S. government with creating training and propaganda films. Throughout the 1940s, they produced 'Package Films' like Make Mine Music, Fun and Fancy Free, and Melody Time. These were excellent, but lacked the cohesive narrative structure of a feature film.”
Package Films, collections of short cartoons compiled into feature-length presentations, numbered six between Bambi (1942) and Cinderella (1950). Two—Saludos Amigos and The Three Caballeros—were part of the U.S. Good Neighbor Policy, countering Nazism in South America. While profitable (with Fun and Fancy Free reducing debt from $4.2 million to $3 million in 1947), they hindered the creation of true animated features.
“I wanted to return to feature films,” Walt Disney stated in 1956 (per Michael Barrier's The Animated Man: A Life of Walt Disney). “But it required significant investment and time. My brother [Roy O. Disney] and I had a major disagreement… I insisted we either move forward, resume full-scale production, or liquidate.”
Faced with the prospect of selling his Disney shares and leaving the company, Walt and his brother opted for a riskier path, staking everything on the studio's first major animated feature since Bambi. Failure could have meant the end of Disney's animation studio.
Cinderella and Disney’s Rags to Riches Tale
Walt's connection to Cinderella predates the late 1940s. He created a Cinderella short in 1922 at Laugh-O-Gram Studios, founded two years before Disney. The short, and the subsequent feature film, adapted Charles Perrault's 1697 version (possibly originating between 7 BC and AD 23). This classic tale of good versus evil, true love, and dreams resonated deeply with Walt.
While Laugh-O-Gram's ventures, including the seven-minute animation, were unsuccessful, leading to bankruptcy, they highlighted Cinderella's appeal to Walt—a rags-to-riches narrative embodying dreams and ambition.
“Snow White was a kind girl who believed in wishing and waiting,” Walt Disney explained in Disney’s Cinderella: The Making of a Masterpiece. “Cinderella was more proactive. She believed in dreams, but also in acting on them. When Prince Charming didn't appear, she went to the palace to find him.”
Cinderella's strength and unwavering will, despite mistreatment by her stepmother and stepsisters, mirrored Walt's own journey of humble beginnings, failures, challenges, and unwavering ambition.
This story persisted through Disney's early years, leading to a 1933 Silly Symphony short attempt. However, the project's expanding scope resulted in a 1938 decision to develop it into a feature film. The war and other factors delayed its release until 1950, allowing for significant evolution.
Cinderella's success stemmed from Disney's ability to adapt beloved stories, infusing them with global appeal.
“Disney excelled at reinterpreting age-old fairytales, adding his unique style, entertainment sense, heart, and passion,” Goldberg noted. “These fairytales were often grim, serving as cautionary tales. Disney made them universally appealing, modernizing them for lasting impact.”
“She believed in dreams all right, but she also believed in doing something about them.”
Disney's additions, such as Cinderella's animal friends (providing comic relief and emotional support), and a more relatable, bumbling Fairy Godmother (thanks to animator Milt Kahl), enhanced the narrative's appeal. The iconic transformation scene, with its hand-drawn sparkles (a testament to the animators' dedication), remains a highlight.
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 was hand-drawn and painted on each frame,” Cranner marvelled. “The moment where the stardust holds before the transformation is magical; a breath-held pause before the release of magic.”
The broken glass slipper, a Disney addition, underscores Cinderella's agency and strength.
“Cinderella isn't a bland protagonist,” Goldberg pointed out. “Her personality and strength shine through. When the slipper breaks, she presents the other one, showcasing her resourcefulness and control.”
Cinderella's self-advocacy resonates deeply, contributing to the film's global appeal.
Premiering in Boston on February 15, 1950, and widely released on March 4th, Cinderella was an instant success, outperforming all Disney films since Snow White, earning $7 million on a $2.2 million budget. It became the sixth-highest-grossing film of 1950 and received three Academy Award nominations.
“Critics lauded Cinderella, declaring Walt Disney's triumphant return to narrative features,” Goldberg recalled. “The studio regained its momentum. While they cherished the Package Films, this was what the studio was built for. Cinderella paved the way for Peter Pan, Lady and the Tramp, Sleeping Beauty, 101 Dalmatians, Jungle Book, and countless others.”
75 Years Later, Cinderella’s Magic Lives On
Cinderella's enduring legacy is evident in Disney's continued success. Her castle dominates Main Street, U.S.A. at various Disney parks, and her influence is felt in modern films.
“Elsa's dress transformation in Frozen, which I animated with Dan Lund, was directly inspired by Cinderella,” Becky Bresee, lead animator on Frozen 2 and Wish, shared. “The sparkles and effects pay homage to Cinderella's legacy, showcasing the enduring impact of earlier films.”
While many contributed to Cinderella's success (including the Nine Old Men and Mary Blair), Eric Goldberg's summation captures its enduring message:
“Cinderella's core message is hope,” Goldberg concluded. “It shows that perseverance and strength lead to the realization of dreams, regardless of the era.”
