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

As the clock neared midnight in Cinderella's tale, so too did it approach a critical hour for The Walt Disney Company in 1947, burdened by a $4 million debt from the financial struggles of Pinocchio, Fantasia, and Bambi, exacerbated by World War II and other challenges. Yet, it was the enchanting story of Cinderella and her iconic glass slippers that ultimately saved Disney from prematurely concluding its animation legacy.

Today, on the 75th anniversary of Cinderella's wide release on March 4, we've engaged with several Disney insiders who continue to draw inspiration from this timeless rags-to-riches narrative. The story not only echoes Walt Disney's own journey but also provided a beacon of hope for the company and a post-war world seeking to rediscover faith and optimism.

To fully appreciate the significance of Cinderella, we must first revisit Disney's fairy godmother moment in 1937 with the unprecedented success of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. This film, the highest-grossing of its time until overtaken by Gone with the Wind, enabled Disney to establish its Burbank studio, still its headquarters today, and embark on a new era of feature-length animated films.

However, Disney's next venture, Pinocchio in 1940, despite its $2.6 million budget and critical acclaim, including Academy Awards for Best Original Score and Best Original Song, resulted in a $1 million loss. This pattern continued with Fantasia and Bambi, largely due to the impact 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. Consequently, Disney shifted focus to producing training and propaganda films for the U.S. military and created "Package Films" throughout the 1940s, which, while financially viable, lacked a cohesive narrative.

These Package Films, such as Saludos Amigos and The Three Caballeros, were part of the U.S. Good Neighbor Policy aimed at countering Nazi influence in South America. Despite helping to reduce Disney's debt from $4.2 million to $3 million by 1947, they did not fulfill the studio's vision for feature-length animation.

Walt Disney's determination to return to feature films was palpable. "I wanted to get back into the feature field," he declared in 1956, according to Michael Barrier's book, The Animated Man: A Life of Walt Disney. Facing a critical decision, Walt and his brother Roy chose to invest in what would become Disney's first major animated feature since Bambi in 1942. This gamble was crucial; failure could have led to the end of Disney's animation studio.

Among several projects in development, including Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan, Cinderella was chosen as the next film due to its similarities to Snow White and its potential to offer more than entertainment. "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. Cinderella's narrative of emerging from hardship to find beauty and happiness resonated deeply with a world in recovery.

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. This short, inspired by Charles Perrault's 1697 version of the tale, encapsulated themes of good versus evil, true love, and the realization of dreams—themes that struck a chord with Walt, reflecting his own journey from humble beginnings to success.

"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 in footage from Disney’s Cinderella: The Making of a Masterpiece special DVD feature. "On the other hand, Cinderella here was more practical. She believed in dreams all right, but she also believed in doing something about them. When Prince Charming didn’t happen to come along, she went right over to the palace and got him."

Cinderella's resilience and proactive nature mirrored Walt's own life, marked by challenges yet driven by an unwavering dream and work ethic. This connection persisted, and by 1933, Walt attempted to revive the story as a Silly Symphony short. However, the project's scope expanded, leading to its transformation into a feature film by 1938. Despite delays due to the war, the film evolved into the beloved classic we cherish today.

Disney's ability to modernize and universalize these tales was key to Cinderella's success. "Disney was so good at taking these fairytales... and putting his own spin on it," Goldberg noted. The inclusion of animal friends like Jaq, Gus, and the birds added humor and depth to Cinderella's character, while the Fairy Godmother, reimagined as a bumbling yet endearing figure, connected with audiences on a personal level.

The iconic transformation scene, often cited as Walt's favorite, showcases the magic of Cinderella's dress change, a testament to the meticulous artistry of Disney Legends Marc Davis and George Rowley. "Every single one of those sparkles was hand-drawn on every frame and then hand-painted," Cranner marveled, highlighting the scene's breathtaking subtlety and magic.

The addition of the breaking glass slipper at the film's end further emphasized Cinderella's agency and strength, as noted by Goldberg: "When the stepmother causes the glass slipper to break, Cinderella has the solution to it by presenting the other one she had been holding on to. It's such a powerful moment and a clever story thing to show how strong and in control she actually is."

Cinderella premiered in Boston on February 15, 1950, and its wide release on March 4 of that year marked a triumphant return for Disney. Earning $7 million on a $2.2 million budget, it became the sixth-highest-grossing film of 1950 and received three Academy Award nominations. "When Cinderella came out, all the critics went, 'Oh, this is great! Walt Disney's back on track again!'" Goldberg recalled, signaling the studio's renewed vigor and commitment to narrative features.

75 Years Later, Cinderella’s Magic Lives On

Cinderella's legacy continues to thrive, influencing Disney's parks and modern films alike. Her castle remains a symbol at Walt Disney World and Tokyo Disneyland, while her impact is evident in scenes like Elsa's dress transformation in Frozen, animated by Becky Bresee. "Cinderella's legacy can especially be seen in the sparkles and all the effects surrounding Elsa's dress," Bresee shared, illustrating the enduring influence of Cinderella's magic.

The contributions of the Nine Old Men and Mary Blair to Cinderella's distinctive style and character depth are also noteworthy. Yet, as Eric Goldberg succinctly puts it, "I think the big thing about Cinderella is hope... It gives people hope that things will work out when you have perseverance and when you are a strong person. I think that's its biggest message... is that hope can actually be realized and dreams can come true, no matter what time you are living in."