Essay on Disney Goes to War: Animated Propaganda

“Ads implied that if you bought a war bond your sacrifice was on par with that of the man in the front lines.” (74) The US government and industry played on Americans’ sense of patriotism in order to get them to support the war or buy their products. However, “Advertising had inherent problems as an educational tool. It is by nature emotional, rather than intellectual; it sells feelings rather than ideas.” (73) Government propaganda and business advertising were not the only factors in forming the inaccurate myth of the Second World War. Hollywood made films where “people get blown up with their clothes and fall gracefully to the ground” (100). Through the realism of motion pictures, such as 1998’s ‘Saving Private Ryan’ and 2001’s ‘Pearl Harbor’, Americans were falsely led to believe in a glorified war.

No one anticipated the international chaos that would emerge during the twentieth century, especially the devastation caused by World War I, World War II, and the Cold War. World War II was the most destructive war in human history and changed the history of the world forever, engaging the world’s most influential superpowers in the largest international event of the era. World War II was fought not only by the armed forces, but also by the home fronts of every belligerent nation, exhausting the economy, the industry, and the morale of those living at home, escalating the conflict into a total war that was larger and fought more expansively than any other conflict in history. The use of American propaganda in the World War II war effort

In 1942, Walt Disney and his crew created the animated film, Bambi. Although the movie was not a success at first the popularity of picture has certainly grown over time. In all of Disney’s works he was not only able to attract the eye of the children, but also attract the compassion of adults. Essentially, he used animation, featuring appealing characters and clever events, to symbolize the issues that were around the world. In essence, while children were in awe of the story that they believed was cute and fun to watch, adults could relate to the symbolism and stereotypes throughout the film.

In recent years, animated programs have dominated the world of film and TV in both America and Japan. These programs, known as cartoons and anime, are some of the most popular forms of entertainment today. Anime and cartoon shows, such as One Piece and Family Guy, have been running for decades and are very well known among society. Animated films such as Disney’s The Lion King and Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away have also thrived and even surpassed animated television shows in some instances. Both American and Japanese animation industries have flourished, and their cartoons and animes continue to grow in popularity. However, similarities and differences between the two soon arise when compared closely; these observations are often what lead fans to prefer one style over the other as well as shape pop culture.

Hi, I’m Emma Ann my companions names are Minnie and Daisy. We work at the propaganda stage that I lead at Walt Disney films. It’s 1942,and also in the middle of World War 2. Mr. Disney asked us personally if we could make a very special propaganda video for the war. “ It wasn’t personally,” “ It was through an assistant.” Said Minnie and Daisy. Ok what ever, as I was saying, it’s about dropping a bomb city in japan . “ No.” Yes it does you two. What do you girls know you're just stupid animals. “That’s what you think of us!” Said Minnie. I’m so sorry you two I didn’t mean it, you guys think you know more than me when I’m the boss. Anyway who should star? “I think Donald, Mickey, Goofy, Pete, and Pluto.” “ Ok Minnie.” You two are so right.

“Mon Dieu,” I murmured, glancing at “the sassy, burping cow” that gawked brainlessly from the cover of Home On the Range; its reverse had the words, “Round up the family and get ready for a whole lotta fun with Disney’s hilarious animated comedy Home on the Range,” (Roper). Unfortunately, Disneytends to exaggerate ever so slightly in marketing their products. Competitors— DreamWorks, Blue Sky, and Laika— usually promote film mediocrity under the all-encompassing banner of “the family film.” But animation has changed significantly since Snow White and the Seven Dwarves: Walter Elias Disney, the pioneering, persevering innovator, lowered the floodgates for a burgeoning art, and suddenly, animation created thrillers, adventures, and worlds full

Plot subjects in animation and media often are reflective of how we as a society are constantly changing. The content in which animation companies produces is often relevant to current and most important events that are occurring. This has shown to be true throughout the many decades of animation. Between the years of 1942 and 1945, the years of World War II, Walt Disney Studios were found to have been producing mass propaganda for the U.S. Government for the purpose of increased morale and support throughout the war. Disney Studios at the time was an extremely popular animation studio which made them incredibly relevant to the public community.

Disney is a multi-billion dollar industry. Originally founded by the Disney brothers, Walt and Roy E., the company has now become a world-wide phenomenon, diversifying its company into live-action film production, television, and theme parks. It surrounds us every day, in almost every way possible. More importantly however, the Disney industry is known to people world-wide as being one of the top leaders in children’s popular films and subsequently, storybooks. The countless movies and short films made over the years have not only provided joy and happiness to families and young children, but have ultimately influenced the way that these young children see the world as they grow older. Many of the traditional fairytales known throughout the ages have been “Disneyfied” and have become more modern through their adaptations, in order to increase revenue and audience appraisal. In addition, a vast majority of the films released are based on different cultures, countries, or a certain historical group or figure to create a more “wholesome” atmosphere where children can “learn” and become cultured.

War has been present since the beginning of human history. Likewise, war movies have been present since the movie industry began. Just like most other genres of film, war films have been created as a form of entertainment to profit a person or organization. More people are willing to spend their money and time on a feeling of action, excitement, heroism, and patriotism than gruesome and horrid images of real and common human destruction. Propaganda has been used by governments for a very long time and when motion pictures came into existence, governments almost immediately saw the new medium as an opportunity to influence the public. Governments such as the United States of America, cooperate with the movie industry to

Part 3: Some Effects of Disney Movies and Formalism “There’s enough ugliness and cynicism in the world without me adding to it” -Walt Disney Disney often made movies during hard times, and the movies helped people enjoy themselves and regain hope... During the “Great Depression ... many people were trying to find an escape and turned to cinema. Films like Snow White and the Seven Dwarves were often used as an outlet to a happier world ... Films were a cheap form of entertainment that became ... popular ... particularly Disney’s heartwarming films filled with joy and satisfaction” (Prouse, Scoff 5).

Walt Disney, a pioneer of the American animation industry, was not insulted by the phrase your imagination is “childlike” and “immature”. He turned these images, ideas, and childhood dreams in his head into reality, creating a multi-million dollar empire. Disney faced many struggles along his whole life journey, but did not give up. His heart and determination for animation led to an out-of-this-world theme parks along with highly successful films. Disney’s innovations have entertained many generations worldwide since the 1920s.

When the motion picture was invented in the early 1900’s, one of the earliest uses of this new medium was the cartoon. Now famous cartoons could be brought to action on the big screen. Patrons of movies were thrilled to see some of the cartoon shorts that would begin to appear. The cartoons of the movies were a fixture for many years and through the work of the Disney Studios in the late 1900’s and the continued work of animation studios such as Disney, Pixar and DreamWorks Studios have advanced the genre of animated cartoon movies to new

The path traversed by Disney is the road in a length of forty years, during of which he became a major industrialist in the field of cinema and television. Here is what one might achieve endowed with talent, perseverance, imagination and determination. Walt Disney made the general public love the animation. We identify the emergence of his cartoon characters on the screen with the joy of life. And for that, he deserves the greatest glory.

‘The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing,’ (Walt Disney) demonstrates the ambition that the Disney brothers had when creating one of the most influential brands of the world. The Walt Disney institution is an infamous diversified global mass media corporation, who has granted us with some of our beloved characters today including Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh and Donald Duck. Roy O and Walt Disney founded the company on October 23rd 1923 . The primary outlet of it was to produce original animations in America. Yet it continued its path of success to conquer the world of theme parks, television programmes, cable television and award winning films. Today, the Disney Brand is recognized as being one of the most successful names in the film and television field, with 14 international theme parks, numerous cable television channels and a strong online presence. Despite the fact that majority of people, are active consumers of Disney productions, the primary demographic are young boys and girls aged 3-9 and the secondary audience is parents and family members of these children. The geographic of a typical Disney consumer ranges from China to America, and from Australia to England, as over time the Disney genre has migrated using it’s success and reputation to cross these borders.

Walt Disney was a pioneer of cartoon films based off of his creative animation and imaginative characters. He is well-known for producing Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, the Seven Dwarfs, and many other famous Disney characters. Walt Disney’s childhood prepared him for the career he never dreamed of having, which was a cartoonist. His greatest achievements lead to huge investments such as Disneyland, Disneyworld, and other companies which hold his name to their title. His legacy lives on today in America and throughout the world. This paper details Walt Disney’s childhood, his amazing achievements, and his legacy on animation and entertainment today.