"Cinderella Turns 75: The Tale of a Princess and Her Glass Slippers That Revived Disney"

Just as Cinderella's dream was set to vanish at midnight, so too was The Walt Disney Company on the brink of financial collapse in 1947, burdened by a debt of approximately $4 million following the commercial failures of Pinocchio, Fantasia, and Bambi. These setbacks were exacerbated by World War II and other factors. However, it was the timeless tale of Cinderella and her iconic glass slippers that ultimately rescued Disney from an untimely end to its animation legacy.

As we celebrate the 75th anniversary of Cinderella's wide release on March 4, we've had the privilege of speaking with several Disney insiders who remain inspired by this classic rags-to-riches story. It's a narrative that echoes Walt Disney's own journey and not only revitalized the company but also offered hope to a post-war world seeking inspiration and belief.

To understand the significance of Cinderella, we must revisit Disney's earlier triumph with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in 1937. The film's monumental success—it held the title of the highest-grossing film until Gone with the Wind surpassed it—enabled Disney to establish its Burbank studio, which remains its headquarters today, and paved the way for future animated feature films.

Disney's next venture, Pinocchio in 1940, came with a hefty budget of $2.6 million, significantly more than Snow White. Despite critical acclaim and winning Academy Awards for Best Original Score and Best Original Song, it resulted in a loss of about $1 million. Similarly, Fantasia and Bambi underperformed, adding to Disney's financial woes. A key factor in these failures was the outbreak of World War II, which disrupted Disney's European markets.

“Disney's European markets dried up during the war, and films like Pinocchio and Bambi couldn't be shown there,” explained Eric Goldberg, co-director of Pocahontas and lead animator on Aladdin's Genie. “The studio was then commandeered by the U.S. government to produce training and propaganda films. Throughout the 1940s, Disney shifted to creating 'Package Films' like Make Mine Music, Fun and Fancy Free, and Melody Time. These were well-made but lacked a cohesive narrative.”

For those unfamiliar, Package Films were compilations of short cartoons assembled into feature-length films. Disney produced six such films between Bambi in 1942 and Cinderella in 1950, including Saludos Amigos and The Three Caballeros, which were part of the U.S.'s Good Neighbor Policy to counter Nazism in South America. While these films managed to recoup their costs and reduced the studio's debt from $4.2 million to $3 million by 1947, they delayed Disney's return to full-length animated storytelling.

“I wanted to get back into the feature field,” Walt Disney reflected in 1956, as documented in Michael Barrier's book, The Animated Man: A Life of Walt Disney. “But it required significant investment and time. A good cartoon feature demands both. My brother Roy and I had heated discussions about it. It was one of my biggest upsets. We decided to either forge ahead or liquidate and sell out.”

Facing the possibility of selling his shares and leaving the company, Walt and Roy chose the riskier path, betting everything on Cinderella, their first major animated feature since Bambi. The outcome of this decision could have spelled the end of Disney's animation studio.

“At this time, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, and Cinderella were all in development, but Cinderella was chosen first due to its similarities to Snow White,” said Tori Cranner, Art Collections Manager at Walt Disney Animation Research Library. “Walt recognized the post-war need for hope and joy. While Pinocchio is a remarkable film, it isn't joyful like Cinderella. The world needed to believe in the possibility of beauty emerging from the ashes, and Cinderella was the perfect story for that moment.”

Cinderella and Disney’s Rags to Riches Tale

Walt Disney's connection to Cinderella dates back to 1922 when he created a Cinderella short at Laugh-O-Gram Studios, the precursor to his collaboration with Roy to establish Disney. The short and later feature film were inspired by Charles Perrault’s 1697 version of the tale, which itself may trace back to ancient Greek stories. This classic narrative of good versus evil, true love, and dreams coming true resonated deeply with Walt.

“Snow White was a kind and simple girl who believed in wishing and waiting for her Prince Charming,” Walt Disney noted in a special DVD feature, Cinderella: The Making of a Masterpiece. “Cinderella, however, was more practical. She believed in dreams but also in taking action. When Prince Charming didn't come to her, she went to the palace and found him.”

Despite not sharing Cinderella's family troubles, Walt's own journey was one of humble beginnings, marked by numerous failures and challenges, yet driven by an unyielding dream and work ethic. This story remained with Walt, influencing his efforts to revive it as a Silly Symphony short in 1933, which eventually evolved into a feature film over a decade later due to the war and other factors.

Disney's success with Cinderella can be attributed to its ability to enhance these timeless tales with universal appeal. “Disney took these age-old fairytales and added his own touch,” Goldberg explained. “He infused them with his taste, entertainment sense, heart, and passion, making the characters and stories more engaging than their original versions. These stories were often grim cautionary tales, but Disney made them enjoyable for all audiences, modernizing them to stand the test of time.”

Cinderella's animal friends, including Jaq, Gus, and the birds, along with the comic relief provided by Lucifer the cat, allowed audiences to connect with her struggles and aspirations. The Fairy Godmother, reimagined as a more relatable, bumbling character by animator Milt Kahl, added warmth and charm. The iconic transformation scene, where Cinderella's belief in herself and her dreams culminates in a magical night, is a testament to the painstaking work 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

“Each sparkle in that scene was hand-drawn and hand-painted, which is mind-blowing,” Cranner remarked. “There's a subtle moment where the magic holds for just a fraction of a second before transforming Cinderella's dress. That pause adds to the scene's magic, like holding your breath before the release of wonder.”

The addition of the glass slipper breaking at the film's end was a Disney innovation, emphasizing Cinderella's agency and strength. “Cinderella isn't just a passive character,” Goldberg emphasized. “When the stepmother breaks the slipper, Cinderella reveals she has kept the other one, showcasing her resourcefulness and control over her destiny.”

Cinderella premiered in Boston on February 15, 1950, and was widely released on March 4 of that year. It was an immediate hit, earning $7 million on a $2.2 million budget, becoming the sixth-highest grossing film of 1950, and receiving three Academy Award nominations.

“When Cinderella was released, critics hailed it as a return to form for Walt Disney,” Goldberg noted. “It was a narrative triumph reminiscent of Snow White, and it re-energized the studio. Following Cinderella, Disney went on to create classics like Peter Pan, Lady and the Tramp, Sleeping Beauty, 101 Dalmatians, and The Jungle Book, all inspired by Cinderella's success.”

75 Years Later, Cinderella’s Magic Lives On

Today, Cinderella's influence continues to resonate within Disney and beyond. Her iconic castle graces Main Street, U.S.A. at Walt Disney World and Tokyo Disneyland, and her story inspires countless Disney films, including modern classics like Frozen.

“When animating Elsa's dress transformation in Frozen, we drew direct inspiration from Cinderella,” said Becky Bresee, lead animator on Frozen 2 and Wish. “The sparkles and effects echo Cinderella's magic, honoring the legacy of earlier Disney films.”

The contributions of Disney's Nine Old Men and Mary Blair, whose distinctive artwork shaped Cinderella's visual style, are also worth noting. As we reflect on this beloved film, Eric Goldberg sums up its enduring impact: “Cinderella is about hope. It shows that perseverance and strength can lead to dreams coming true, no matter the era.”