Nearly a century ago, Walt Disney took one of the biggest gambles in cinematic history by mortgaging his home to produce the world’s first full-length animated feature, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. At the time, nobody could have anticipated that this would become one of the most influential films in cinema. Released in 1937, Snow White was the first animated feature to use cel animation and revolutionised the way films were made, laying the foundation for Disney’s long-lasting dominance in the entertainment industry.
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Walt Disney, having found success with short films like Three Little Pigs, saw the financial potential of a feature-length animated film. In 1934, he announced the ambitious Snow White project to his staff, which some initially called “Disney’s Folly” due to doubts that an animated feature could hold the audience’s attention. However, Disney’s vision focused on the relationship between Snow White and the Queen, bringing the tale to life in a way that had never been done before. Visually, the film drew inspiration from both contemporary Hollywood films and the darker German expressionist style, giving Snow White its unique look.
The production process was painstaking, requiring detailed craftsmanship from Disney’s team. Animator Grim Natwick, known for his work on Betty Boop, took charge of animating Snow White herself, while dancer Marge Champion was filmed to guide the character’s movements. Innovations such as Helen Ogger’s use of a red dye to colour individual cells added to the film’s distinctive visual flair. Despite the enormous financial risk, the movie’s meticulous production paid off. Upon release, Snow White became the highest-grossing sound film of its time, only surpassed by Gone with the Wind two years later.
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The cultural and cinematic impact of Snow White cannot be overstated. The film earned Disney an honorary Oscar, complete with seven mini statuettes, and was praised by pioneering directors like Sergei Eisenstein. Most importantly, it laid the groundwork for Disney’s future as a powerhouse of animated filmmaking. Thanks to Snow White‘s success, Disney could expand his studio and embark on producing classic animated films like Pinocchio, Bambi, and Dumbo, solidifying his legacy as a trailblazer in both animation and global popular culture.
