1940 - Great Expectations

©Disney

As the opening credits start for Pinocchio, a little tune about a little wooden head begins to play just before an orchestral and choral swelling leads us into a tune about what it means to “wish upon a star.”

A cricket. We’ve been serenaded by a cricket.

A cricket named Jiminy, who feels compelled to tell us a story of Pinocchio, a puppet brought to life by a kindly woodcarver. We meet a fanciful array of characters, from J. “Honest John” Worthington Foulfellow and his sidekick Gideon, to evil puppeteer Stromboli, to a sinister coachman with some truly dastardly motives. We see boys become donkeys, woodcarvers become whale chow, and puppets become real boys. The audience sees all of this and more, set against a backdrop of beautiful artistry; more than a backdrop, actually. True scenery, brought to life in radiant color and depth, thanks in no small part to use of the multiplane camera. 

The Hollywood Reporter was equal with the New York Times in its praise for Pinocchio. "Pinocchio is entertainment for every one of every age, so completely charming and delightful that there is profound regret when it reaches the final fade-out,” read the review. “Since comparisons will be inevitable, it may as well be said at once that, from a technical standpoint, conception and production, this picture is infinitely superior to Snow White."

Critics all over were praising the film, and detractors were few. One notable negative review was revealed in an interview with Richard Hubler in 1968. “I loved it. It was one of his best,” said the critic of Snow White. “I loved ‘Fantasia’ and ‘Bambi’. But I didn’t like ‘Pinocchio’ so much.  “ While not stating her exact grievances, Lillian Disney was proving herself perhaps one of Walt’s toughest critics.

Lilly aside, with such glorious reviews as well as memorable music, amazing animation, and heartwarming storytelling at the center of it all, it’s hard to imagine Pinocchio as anything but a rousing success, moving the studio forward and securing funds for more advances in animation and innovation. Alas, this was not exactly the case. Pinocchio was an expensive film to make – $2.6 Million to be exact, basically twice the cost of snow white. By late 1940, the studio had only recouped $1 Million of that, and in coming years, Asian and European markets would be shut off due to World War II. Reissues in coming years would allow for Pinocchio to turn a profit many times over, but the initial release cost the Walt Disney Company dearly.

Or, as Walt succinctly stated, ““It cost two million six hundred thousand. And it was released at a time when the world was kind of collapsing. So it didn’t do so well.”

Mickey Mouse Congratulates Leopold Stokowski after "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" sequence in Fantasia. ©Disney

Perhaps the upcoming release of Fantasia, with its new concept of classical music set to animation both specific and abstract, would appeal to audiences. At the very least, a glorious starring role for Mickey Mouse in “the Sorcerer’s Apprentice” would prove to once again be a huge draw? Sadly, this concert feature would not provide the box office earnings the company so desperately needed either. Though hailed by many critics as a masterpiece (It’s worth mentioning that it was also looked down upon by some in musical circles for the interpretations and arrangements of classical music pieces), RKO found themselves hesitant to release the film. A two-hour plus film with an intermission was deemed “too long.” Instead of the regular distribution route, Walt believed in taking Fantasia on tour as a roadshow attraction, playing thirteen theaters (only one being an actual movie theater – the rest were theaters converted for this motion picture event) across the country. Each theater the film showed at was equipped for Fantasound – the groundbreaking stereophonic system in which Fantasia was recorded and to be released in. While the results of all of this DID bring crowds to the theaters to see the breakthrough film – Fantsia ran an unprecedented 39 weeks at the Carthay Circle Theatre in Los Angeles, surpassing Gone With the Wind for the longest run up to that time - the setup cost of the sound and lighting equipment and limited run ultimately kept Fantasia from turning a profit.

1940 ended with two critical and soon-to-become classics costing the Disney Studio. Much needed profits were not rolling in. A war overseas threatened worldwide film distribution, not to mention the threat of American involvement.

And as for Walt Disney and his studio animators, another war was brewing…

1940

• Walt Disney's Pinocchio is released to theaters on February 23rd.
• .Walt Disney Productions issues its first stock in April 1940.
• Walt Disney Studio move is complete in May 1940.
• "The Ugly Duckling" wins the 1939 Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film.
• Walt Disney's Fantasia is released to theaters on November 13th.

1939 Full-length Releases:

  Pinocchio - February 23

  Fantasia - November 13

1940 Animated Short Releases:

  Donald Duck - The Riveter - March 15

  Donald Duck - Donald's Dog Laundry - April 5

  Mickey Mouse - Tugboat Mickey - April 26

  Donald & Goofy - Billposters - May 17

  Donald Duck - Mr. Duck Steps Out - June 7

  Pluto - Bone Trouble - June 28

  Donald Duck - Put-Put Troubles - July 19

  Donald Duck - Donald's Vacation - August 9

  Mickey Mouse - Pluto's Dream House - August 30

  Donald Duck - Window Cleaners - September 29

  Mickey Mouse - Mr. Mouse Takes a Trip - November 1

  Goofy - Goofy's Glider - November 1

  Donald Duck - The Fire Chief - November 22

  Pluto - Pantry Pirate - December 27

<1939

*"The Walt Disney Company: 100 Years in 100 Weeks" is a project conceived by Craig D. Barton and presented by Communerdy. It is in no way affiliated with The Walt Disney Company, and any opinions presented within its content are that of the author(s). For more updates, follow us on https://www.instagram.com/disney100in100/ .

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