Next, we’ll take a look at the making of the beloved film Dumbo. The film was the fourth film produced by Disney, released on October 23, 1941, just a few short weeks prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor the took place the following December. The film, at only 64 minutes long, making this one of Disney’s shortest film releases, was originally made as a last-ditch effort to recover from Disney’s lack of success on their previous movie, Fantasia, which had been released in November of the year prior. The cost of production was therefore very cheap, nearly half of what was spent on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, resulting in much simpler effects and animations. Despite this drawback as well as the lack of attention received once the United States entered the war, Dumbo was a success among the American audience, essentially saving the studio from financial turmoil. Dumbo follows the journey of a helpless, sympathetic elephant through the constant mistreatment he receives from his surrounding society and the outside world. It was a joyous film during a dark time when America was on the brink of war. Americans could connect themselves or other situations they saw happening in the world at the time to the experience Dumbo faced while overcoming adversity and doubt. It was a source of familiarity and comfort to an audience that was in the process of embarking on a very dark and taxing journey.

Taking into consideration that this movie was made in 1941, there are some aspects that would have been acceptable at the time of the making that would not resonate well with people today. In the 1940s, the United States was still very much segregated by race, which is reflected in the film. Towards the beginning of the film there is a scene that shows workers who are faceless, dark skinned males singing “we work all day, we work all night. We haven’t learned to read or write,” stereotyping as well as dehumanizing African American subjects. At another instance, Dumbo encounters five black crows who break out into a jazz number, reflecting the culture surrounding the African American community at the time; however, the “leader” or main crow is named Jim Crow, after the laws enforcing segregation. This decision remains very controversial today and is still debated whether or not Disney’s intentions were to oppose segregation or to further support it.

Despite the possible racist characters, there are some positive messages viewers can take away after watching the film. Dumbo faces adversity the moment he is born when the other elephants see how outrageously large his ears are. It displays how quickly our society is to judge when something strays from normality, a problem that remains true today, over seventy years after the film was originally made. Dumbo’s friendship with Timothy, a small mouse, depicts how we should treat each other, showing the two friends ability to embrace their differences rather than make it a divider between them. The importance of self-confidence is also expressed in the film. Dumbo doubts himself on his ability to fly without the magic feather; however, when he trusts in his own abilities he is in fact able to fly completely on his own. Lastly, the film warns us of the effects of drinking, a questionable message to be sending to such a young audience. The film shows baby animals being delivered by storks, yet they deemed it fitting to include drunk hallucinations. Dumbo begins to experience various visions of different colored elephants morphing into other animals, stirring controversy regarding whether this scene is appropriate to show to young children. Nevertheless, it does send the strong message about the effects of drinking, as well as encourage the audience to overcome hardships and believe in themselves.

Despite some of the controversy surrounding the film, it experienced great success when originally released and still remains a loved story about a cute and innocent young elephant who overcomes heartbreak when separated from his mother and defies the odds others stack against him.

http://www.blu-ray.com/news/?id=7557

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/story-dumbo/