Cinderella Turns 75: How the Princess and Glass Slippers Revived Disney

Just as Cinderella's dream was set to end at midnight, The Walt Disney Company faced its own midnight moment in 1947, struggling under a debt of roughly $4 million after the financial disappointments of Pinocchio, Fantasia, and Bambi, largely due to World War II and other challenges. However, thanks to the timeless appeal of this beloved princess and her iconic glass slippers, Disney was able to turn its fortunes around, preventing the premature end of its animation legacy.

Today, on March 4, as we celebrate the 75th anniversary of Cinderella's wide release, we've had the privilege of speaking with several Disney insiders who continue to draw inspiration from this classic rags-to-riches tale. The story of Cinderella not only revitalized Disney's financial standing but also resonated deeply with a post-war world in need of hope and renewal. It's a narrative that echoes the journey of Walt Disney himself, who faced numerous challenges before achieving success.

To understand the significance of Cinderella, we must first revisit Disney's earlier triumphs and trials. In 1937, Disney experienced a fairy godmother moment with the release of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, which became the highest-grossing film of its time until it was surpassed by Gone with the Wind two years later. This success allowed Disney to establish its Burbank studio, still its headquarters today, and set the stage for future animated feature films.

However, the subsequent films, Pinocchio in 1940, Fantasia, and Bambi, despite their critical acclaim and awards, including Pinocchio's wins for Best Original Score and Best Original Song, did not fare well financially. The outbreak of World War II in 1939 played a significant role in these failures, as Disney's European markets were cut off, severely limiting the films' distribution and revenue.

“Disney's European markets dried up during the war and the films weren’t being shown there, so releases like Pinocchio and Bambi did not do well,” explained Eric Goldberg, co-director of Pocahontas and lead animator on Aladdin’s Genie. “The studio was then co-opted by the U.S. government to produce training and propaganda films. Throughout the 1940s, Disney shifted to making what they called Package Films, such as Make Mine Music, Fun and Fancy Free, and Melody Time. These were excellent projects, but lacked a cohesive narrative from start to finish.”

Package Films were collections of short cartoons compiled into feature-length films. Disney produced six of these between the releases of Bambi in 1942 and Cinderella in 1950, including Saludos Amigos and The Three Caballeros, which were part of the U.S. Good Neighbor Policy to counter Nazism in South America. While these films managed to break even and slightly reduce Disney's debt, they were not the full-length animated features Walt Disney yearned to create.

“I wanted to get back into the feature field,” Walt Disney expressed in 1956, as noted in Michael Barrier's book, The Animated Man: A Life of Walt Disney. “But it was a matter of investment and time. A good cartoon feature takes a lot of time and money. My brother Roy and I had quite a screamer... It was one of my big upsets... I said we’re going to either go forward, get back in business, or liquidate and sell out.”

Facing the possibility of selling his shares and leaving the company, Walt and Roy Disney decided to take a significant risk by investing in their first major animated feature since Bambi. This gamble was placed on Cinderella, which shared thematic similarities with the successful Snow White and was seen as a story that could offer hope and joy to a post-war America.

“Walt was very good at reflecting the times, and I think he recognized what America needed after the war was hope and joy,” said Tori Cranner, Art Collections Manager at Walt Disney Animation Research Library. “While Pinocchio is an incredibly beautiful movie, it's not a joyful movie in the way Cinderella is. The world needed the idea that we can rise from the ashes and have something beautiful happen. Cinderella was the right choice for that moment in time.”

Cinderella and Disney’s Rags to Riches Tale

Walt Disney's connection with Cinderella dates back to 1922, when he created a short film during his time at Laugh-O-Gram Studios, two years before founding Disney with Roy. The story was adapted from Charles Perrault’s 1697 version, which itself may have originated from tales told by the Greek geographer Strabo between 7 BC and AD 23. It's a classic narrative of good versus evil, true love, and dreams coming true, which deeply resonated with Walt.

“Snow White was a kind and simple little girl who believed in wishing and waiting for her Prince Charming to come along,” Walt Disney remarked, as featured in Disney’s Cinderella: The Making of a Masterpiece DVD special feature. “Cinderella, on the other hand, was more practical. She believed in dreams but also in taking action. When Prince Charming didn’t come along, she went to the palace and got him.”

Despite her hardships and mistreatment by her Evil Stepmother and Stepsisters following the loss of her parents, Cinderella remained a strong and determined character. Walt Disney's own journey from humble beginnings, filled with failures and challenges, mirrored Cinderella's story, fueled by an unwavering dream and work ethic.

Walt attempted to revive the Cinderella story in 1933 as a Silly Symphony short, but the project's scope grew, leading to a decision in 1938 to develop it into a feature film. It took over a decade to bring Cinderella to the screen, due to the war and other factors, allowing the film to evolve into the beloved classic we know today.

Disney's success with Cinderella can be attributed to their ability to transform traditional fairytales into universally appealing stories. “Disney was adept at taking these fairytales and adding his own spin, infusing them with his taste, entertainment sense, heart, and passion,” said Goldberg. “He made these stories enjoyable for all audiences, modernizing them and ensuring their timeless appeal.”

The inclusion of Cinderella's animal friends, such as Jaq, Gus, and the birds, provided comic relief and a way for Cinderella to express her true self. The Fairy Godmother, redesigned by animator Milt Kahl to be more relatable and bumbling, added to the film's charm. The iconic transformation scene, where Cinderella's belief in her dreams leads to a magical night, remains one of Disney's most celebrated moments.

The animation of Cinderella’s dress transformation, credited as Walt’s favorite, was meticulously crafted by Disney Legends Marc Davis and George Rowley. “Every single sparkle was hand-drawn on every frame and then hand-painted,” Cranner noted. “There's a perfect moment where all the stardust holds before falling, creating a magical effect that holds your breath for a second.”

The addition of the glass slipper breaking at the film's end, a Disney innovation, emphasized Cinderella's strength and agency. “Cinderella is not a cipher,” Goldberg emphasized. “She has a personality and strength. When the stepmother breaks the slipper, Cinderella reveals the other one she’s been holding onto, showcasing her control and cleverness.”

Cinderella premiered in Boston on February 15, 1950, and had its wide release on March 4, becoming an instant success. It grossed $7 million on a $2.2 million budget, marking Disney's best box office performance since Snow White and earning three Academy Award nominations. “When Cinderella came out, critics praised it as a return to form for Walt Disney,” said Goldberg. “It brought the studio back to narrative features, paving the way for future classics like Peter Pan, Lady and the Tramp, Sleeping Beauty, 101 Dalmatians, and The Jungle Book.”

75 Years Later, Cinderella’s Magic Lives On

Today, Cinderella's influence remains strong within Disney and beyond. Her castle is a central icon at Walt Disney World and Tokyo Disneyland, and her story continues to inspire modern Disney films. “When we animated Elsa’s dress transformation in Frozen, we wanted it to connect directly to Cinderella,” said Becky Bresee, lead animator on Frozen 2 and Wish. “Cinderella’s legacy can be seen in the sparkles and effects, honoring the impact of the films that came before.”

The contributions of the Nine Old Men and Mary Blair further enriched Cinderella's visual and narrative appeal. As we reflect on this film's enduring legacy, Eric Goldberg sums up its significance: “The big thing about Cinderella is hope. It gives people hope that perseverance and strength can lead to dreams coming true, no matter the era.”