Fascinating facts about Disney films

I once wrote a post about fun facts about Disney, so I decided to write part 2. However, this time it contains far more ‘fascinating’ facts. At least, they are in my opinion. So, without further ado, as that’s what you came for: let’s dive into it!

1. Snow White’s Dopey was supposed to have a lot of dialogue

He was originally stated to be a chatterbox, but they couldn’t find a voice that was quite suitable for the bald dwarf. Rather than portray him with ‘wrong’ vocals, as they believed, they made him silent instead.

2. Dumbo is Disney’s shortest feature

It’s only 64 minutes long and is, therefore, the shortest feature-length Disney film. Walt Disney was advised to extend the storyline, but he resisted. He believed that if he were to stretch it, it wouldn’t hold the story together. So, it stayed the way it was.

3. Bambi’s voice is a decorated war hero

Donnie Dunagan was a decorated Vietnam War veteran who rose up the ranks quickly. He had spent 25 years in the marine (had 13 promotions in 21 years) and got the Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts for his service. He retired as a Major in 1977 and was finally able to share his secret towards his colleagues who had been listening to his barking orders. They had definitely heard his voice before, as children. And they were right, as he voiced Bambi.

4. Bambi Complex is an existing psychological disorder

People affected by this complex are very sentimental and sympathetic towards wildlife. They have very strong feelings against hunting, controlled fires and any other inhumane treatment of animals.

5. Cinderella was Walt Disney’s favourite animation

The moment where the Fairy Godmother transforms Cinderella’s torn dress into a beautiful gown fit for a princess is said to be his favourite piece of animation.

6. Lady and the Tramp was inspired by a real dog

Disney writer Joe Grant showed Walt Disney some sketches he made of his Springer Spaniel, Lady. He was impressed and wanted Grant to create a full storyboard. The real Lady was learning how to deal with her owners’ new baby, which was the main inspiration for Grant’s plot. It was scrapped but got combined with another idea several years later. Resulting in the film as we know it nowadays.

7. The spaghetti scene almost didn’t happen

Walt Disney was against the cosy pasta scene. He wanted the dogs to have human emotions, but he couldn’t wrap his head around two dogs romantically sharing some spaghetti. He eventually accepted it as animator Frank Thomas showed him what it might look like.

8. The Aristocats was the first Disney film to be produced after Walt Disney’s death

It was the last film that was approved by Walt Disney directly. It’s therefore also the last film to end with the famous line: ‘A Walt Disney Production.’

9. The Godfather himself almost voiced Sykes in Oliver & Company

Disney wanted the part to feel like an evil presence, often shrouded in smoke and shadows. Marlon Brando, The Godfather himself, turned down the role of Sykes because he believed the film wouldn’t do very well.

10. Jackie Chan voiced Beast for the Chinese translation

He dubbed Beast’s voice, including the singing. You can find it on YouTube as he’s performing the title track in Mandarin with Sarah Chen.

11. Genie’s lines were recorded up to 20 different ways

For Aladdin, Robin Williams was available for only a handful of recording sessions. So, he’d rapid-fire each line, in as many different styles as he could create. Resulting in 20 different characters.

12. The Lion King was the first ‘truly original’ film

It was Disney’s first animated film to feature a completely original storyline. Meaning it wasn’t an adaptation of a preexisting story.

13. Hakuna Matata wasn’t originally scripted

Instead, there was a song about eating bugs called ‘He’s got it all worked out.’ As not everyone agreed with it, the research them went to Africa. They came back with the now famously known phrase.

14. Every scene in Pocahontas was rewritten at least 35 times

It was created during a Thanksgiving weekend, but it wasn’t good enough. Susannah Grant, Carl Binder and Philip LaZebnik were the writers that worked off a specific story outline, over and over again.

15. Snow White was the first film to release a soundtrack

It was the first film ever, to release one, back in 1944.

Which fact surprised you?

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