This Week in Disney History

by Tracy Woods | More from this Blogger

23 Dec 2006 10:11 AM

On December 21, 1937, "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" premiered. This was the first animated feature film by Walt Disney Productions. Even though it was not the first animated feature to be produced, this was the first one to become successful in the English speaking world, and it was the first film made in Technicolor. "Snow White" was the most successful film in 1938, and was in fact the highest grossing film in American history until "Gone With The Wind" took that spot in 1940. "Snow White" still ranks in the top ten of all time in the US. At the premier the film received a standing ovation from the audience, many of whom were the same that had earlier dubbed the film "Disney's Folly."

Walt's wife, Lillian, and brother Roy tried to talk Walt out of producing "Snow White." Hollywood mocked Walt, calling the film "Disney's Folly" while it was being produced. Walt even mortgaged his home in order to finance the production. This film took three years to produce, and many of the techniques used in the film later became industry standard. "Snow White" used many new or improved animation techniques, like elaborate effects to show rain, lightning, sparkles, and magic, through the use of a multiplane camera. "Snow White" won an honorary Academy Award for Walt Disney, and he received a full sized Oscar statue, and seven miniature ones, which were presented to Walt by Shirley Temple. The movie was nominated for Best Music Score as well.

The film was re-released in 1944 to raise revenue for Disney's studio during World War II. This set the tradition of re-releasing Disney animated films every seven to ten years. Snow white was re-released several times in theaters, in 1952, 1958, 1967, 1975, 1983, 1987, and in 1993. In 1994, the film was released on VHS and became the first film in the Walt Disney Masterpiece Collection, and it was released on DVD (in the Disney Platinum Series) in 2001.

This film stands as a testament to Walt's desire to take whatever existed, and make it even better. "Snow White" is the film that started the long standing tradition of making full length animated feature films at Walt Disney Studios, and the film holds a special place in many hearts. Few people will forget the first time they saw the film.

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