Disney's Cinderella: 75 Years of Magic

Just as Cinderella's midnight deadline approached, so too did The Walt Disney Company's in 1947. A staggering $4 million in debt, following the financial setbacks of Pinocchio, Fantasia, and Bambi, attributed to World War II and other factors, threatened to end Disney's animation legacy prematurely. Yet, this beloved princess and her iconic glass slipper became the unlikely saviors.

As Cinderella celebrates its 75th anniversary today, March 4th, we spoke with Disney employees still inspired by this timeless rags-to-riches tale. It's a story remarkably mirroring Walt Disney's own journey, offering hope not only to the company but also to a world rebuilding and yearning for belief.

Disney's own fairy godmother moment arrived in 1937 with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Its phenomenal success—the highest-grossing film until Gone with the Wind—enabled the construction of the Burbank studio, still the company's headquarters, and paved the way for more feature-length animated films.

Pinocchio (1940), with a budget exceeding Snow White's by a million dollars, lost approximately $1 million despite critical acclaim and Academy Awards for Best Original Score and Best Original Song. Fantasia and Bambi followed suit, further increasing the debt. A major factor was Germany's invasion of Poland in 1939 and the ensuing World War II.

“Disney's European markets dried up during the war; those films weren't shown there,” explained Eric Goldberg, co-director of Pocahontas and lead animator on Aladdin's Genie. “The studio was then 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 continuous narrative of a feature film.”

Package Films were compilations of short cartoons forming a feature. Disney produced six between Bambi (1942) and Cinderella (1950), including Saludos Amigos and The Three Caballeros, part of the Good Neighbor Policy aimed at countering Nazism in South America. While profitable, and 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, according to The Animated Man: A Life of Walt Disney by Michael Barrier. “But it required investment and time. My brother [Roy O. Disney] and I had a major disagreement… I insisted we either move forward or liquidate.”

Faced with the possibility of selling his shares and leaving Disney, Walt and his brother opted for the riskier path, betting everything on the studio's first major animated feature since Bambi. Failure could have meant the end of Disney animation.

“Walt skillfully reflected the times, recognizing America's post-war need for hope and joy,” said Tori Cranner, Art Collections Manager at the Walt Disney Animation Research Library. “While Pinocchio is magnificent, it lacks the joy of Cinderella. The world needed to see beauty emerge from the ashes. Cinderella was the right choice.”

Cinderella and Disney’s Rags to Riches Tale

Walt's connection to Cinderella extended far beyond the late 1940s. He created a Cinderella short in 1922 at Laugh-O-Gram Studios, founded two years before Disney. The short, and the feature film, adapted Charles Perrault's 1697 version, a classic tale of good versus evil, true love, and dreams realized.

The seven-minute animation and other Laugh-O-Gram productions weren't successful, leading to bankruptcy, but illustrated Cinderella's resonance with Walt—a rags-to-riches story of dreams and determination.

“Snow White was a kind girl who believed in wishing,” Walt Disney said in Disney’s Cinderella: The Making of a Masterpiece. “Cinderella was more practical. She believed in dreams and acting on them. She didn't wait for Prince Charming; she went to the palace.”

Cinderella's strength and unwavering will, despite mistreatment, mirrored Walt's own journey of humble beginnings, failures, challenges, and relentless ambition.

This story persisted, leading to a 1933 attempt at a Silly Symphony short. However, the project's scope expanded, resulting in a 1938 decision to make it a feature film. The war and other factors delayed its release for over a decade, allowing it to evolve into the film we know today.

Cinderella's success stemmed from Disney's ability to transform beloved stories into something globally appealing.

“Disney masterfully adapted these age-old fairytales, infusing his own style, entertainment sense, heart, and passion,” Goldberg noted. “These tales were often grim cautionary stories. Disney made them universally enjoyable, modernizing them for lasting appeal.”

“Cinderella isn't a bland protagonist,” Goldberg added. “She has personality and strength. When the stepmother breaks the slipper, Cinderella presents the other, showcasing her strength and control.”

Cinderella's self-advocacy resonated globally, giving Disney the needed victory. Premiering in Boston on February 15, 1950, and widely released on March 4th, it 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 back on track,” Goldberg said. “The studio regained its momentum. They valued the Package Films, but this was what the studio was built for. Cinderella led to 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 legacy continues to grow. Her castle dominates Main Street, U.S.A. at Walt Disney World and Tokyo Disneyland, inspiring other Disney castles. Her influence is evident in modern films, including a pivotal scene.

“When animating Elsa's dress transformation in Frozen, Jennifer Lee wanted a direct connection to Cinderella,” said Becky Bresee, lead animator on Frozen 2 and Wish. “Cinderella's legacy is seen in the sparkles and effects, honoring her impact.”

While many contributed to Cinderella's success, including the Nine Old Men and Mary Blair, Goldberg's summary encapsulates its significance:

“Cinderella's message is hope,” Goldberg concluded. “It shows that perseverance and strength lead to success. It demonstrates that hope can be realized, and dreams can come true, regardless of the era.”