Cinderella at 75: The Princess and Glass Slippers That Saved Disney

In 1947, The Walt Disney Company faced a daunting $4 million debt, a consequence of the financial setbacks suffered by *Pinocchio*, *Fantasia*, and *Bambi*—challenges exacerbated by World War II and other factors. The company's animation legacy teetered on the brink of an early end. However, a beloved princess and her iconic glass slipper stepped in to save the day, ensuring Disney's survival and securing its place in animation history.

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. It's a story surprisingly mirroring Walt Disney's own journey, offering hope not only to the company but also to a world rebuilding itself and yearning for renewed faith.

Disney's 1937 triumph, *Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs*, served as a fairy godmother moment. Its unprecedented success enabled the construction of the Burbank studio, the company's current headquarters, paving the way for more ambitious animated features. *Pinocchio*, released in 1940 with a budget exceeding *Snow White*'s by a million dollars, incurred a million-dollar loss despite critical acclaim and Academy Award wins. *Fantasia* and *Bambi* followed suit, compounding the company's debt. World War II played a significant role, crippling European markets and diverting Disney's resources towards wartime production—training and propaganda films for the military—and the subsequent creation of "Package Films."

“Disney's European markets dried up during the war, hindering releases like *Pinocchio* and *Bambi*,” explains Eric Goldberg, co-director of *Pocahontas* and lead animator on *Aladdin*'s Genie. “The studio was subsequently tasked with creating training and propaganda films. Throughout the 1940s, they produced 'Package Films' such as *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, comprised six Disney releases between *Bambi* (1942) and *Cinderella* (1950). Two, *Saludos Amigos* and *The Three Caballeros*, were part of the Good Neighbor Policy, aiming to counter Nazism in South America. While profitable, they prevented the studio from creating full-length animated features. “I wanted to return to feature films,” Walt Disney stated in 1956, according to 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… We had to decide whether to move forward, get back in business, or liquidate.”

Faced with the prospect of selling his shares and leaving the company, Walt and Roy opted for a high-stakes gamble, committing to *Cinderella* as the studio's first major animated feature since *Bambi*. Failure could have meant the end of Disney's animation studio.

“Walt skillfully reflected the times, recognizing America's post-war need for hope and joy,” says Tori Cranner, Art Collections Manager at the Walt Disney Animation Research Library. “While *Pinocchio* is stunning, it lacks the joyousness of *Cinderella*. The world needed a symbol of beauty emerging from the ashes. *Cinderella* was the perfect choice.”

Cinderella and Disney’s Rags to Riches Tale

Walt's association with *Cinderella* extended far beyond the late 1940s. He created a *Cinderella* short in 1922 at Laugh-O-Gram Studios, a company he founded two years before Disney's inception. The short, and the later feature film, adapted Charles Perrault's 1697 version of the tale, a classic narrative of good versus evil, true love, and dreams realized. This early animation, though unsuccessful, foreshadowed *Cinderella*'s resonance with Walt—a rags-to-riches story embodying dreams and determination.

“*Snow White* was a kind girl believing in wishes and waiting for Prince Charming,” Walt Disney explained in *Disney’s Cinderella: The Making of a Masterpiece*. “*Cinderella*, however, was more proactive. She believed in dreams but also acted upon them. When Prince Charming didn't arrive, she went to the palace herself.”

Cinderella's resilience mirrored Walt's own journey, marked by early failures and relentless dedication. Walt attempted a *Cinderella* Silly Symphony short in 1933, but its expanding scope led to a feature-film adaptation in 1938. The war and other factors delayed its release until 1950, allowing for its evolution into the beloved classic.

“Disney excelled at reimagining timeless fairytales, infusing them with his unique style, heart, and passion,” Goldberg notes. “These tales, often grim cautionary stories, were made universally appealing. Disney modernized them, ensuring their enduring relevance.”

Additions like Cinderella's animal companions—Jaq, Gus, and the birds—provided comic relief and allowed for emotional intimacy. The Fairy Godmother, reimagined as a more relatable, bumbling figure, contributed to the film's charm. The iconic transformation scene, a testament to Marc Davis and George Rowley's artistry, remains a highlight.

“Every sparkle was hand-drawn and hand-painted on each frame,” Cranner marvels. “The scene's magic lies in a subtle pause before the transformation, creating a breathtaking moment of anticipation and release.”

The broken glass slipper, a Disney innovation, underscores Cinderella's agency. “Cinderella isn't a passive protagonist,” Goldberg emphasizes. “Her resourcefulness in presenting the other slipper showcases her strength and control.”

Premiering in Boston on February 15, 1950, *Cinderella* achieved immediate success, surpassing the box office performance of all Disney films since *Snow White*, earning $7 million against a $2.2 million budget. It became the sixth-highest-grossing film of 1950 and garnered three Academy Award nominations.

“Critics hailed *Cinderella*'s release as a triumphant return to form,” Goldberg recounts. “The studio rediscovered its mojo. While they valued the Package Films, this was what the studio was built for. *Cinderella* paved the way for *Peter Pan*, *Lady and the Tramp*, *Sleeping Beauty*, and many more.”

75 Years Later, Cinderella’s Magic Lives On

Cinderella's enduring influence is evident in Disney's modern films, including a pivotal scene in *Frozen*. “When animating Elsa's dress transformation in *Frozen*, we aimed for a direct connection to *Cinderella*,” explains Becky Bresee, lead animator on *Frozen 2* and *Wish*. “Cinderella's legacy, especially the sparkles and effects, is evident, even though Elsa is a different character.”

While numerous individuals contributed to *Cinderella*'s success, including the Nine Old Men and Mary Blair, Goldberg's concluding remarks encapsulate the film's enduring power: “*Cinderella*'s message is hope—the belief that perseverance and strength lead to the realization of dreams, regardless of the era.”