When it comes to classic Disney films, a few are more recognizable than the rest, and among the most iconic isCinderella. The story follows Cinderella (voiced byIlene Woods), an orphan who is mistreated by herstepmother (Eleanor Audley), as she falls in love with a prince (William Phipps) and all her dreams come true. While some claim the story is dated, with the prince falling desperately in love at their first meeting but only being able to find her because of the shoe she left behind,Cinderellais about much more than that. Withthe titular character’s kindness and hopefulness,Cinderellabecomes much more than a love story. Disney’s film may look very different from the original fairytale, but it has held a special place in the hearts of audiences for 75 years, and with good reason.
The magical story captivated audiences in 1950 and has remained relevant, even becoming one ofDisney’s best live action remakes. But long before that,Cinderellacemented its importance in the Disney catalog. Even before its release,Cinderellawas one of the most important films Disney would ever make because the future of the company was in the balance.The success of the animated masterpiece actually savedWalt Disney’s company from financial ruin. ButCinderelladid more than make a desperately needed profit. It represented a return to the kind of story that made Disney famous, creating the possibility for an entire franchise of Disney Princesses and proving what drew audiences to these stories.Cinderellaleft a lasting impact on Disney, earning its place among the classics.
‘Cinderella’s Success Was Crucial for Disney
Disney earned its reputation for animated films in the late 30s and early 40s, starting withSnow White and the Seven Dwarfs, which was among the first feature-length animated films (though contrary to popular belief,not strictly the first). But despite the success of Disney’s premier film,by 1950, the company was struggling. After World War II, Disney’s films hit a lull. Thoughloved now, evenPinocchio,Fantasia,andBambididn’t turn an immediate profit, which the company needed, especially since Walt Disney owed the Bank of America millions for funding his films. So, strange as it may seem,Cinderellawas a last-ditch effort to save the Disney Company.
Unlike Walt Disney’s other films,Cinderellahad a tight budget and rigid schedule. Walt was known to scrap months of work (he most famously did so withSnow White and the Seven DwarfsandPinocchio), but it wasn’t an option forCinderella. The production team meticulously filmed reference footage for the entire film, hoping to make Cinderella and the Stepmother feel real despite the fantastical elements of the film. It was a departure from protocol from other films, which only used reference footage for certain sequences, butCinderellahad to be done right.
Though Disney took a major risk, it ultimately paid off.Cinderellawas an overwhelming success, which is just what the company needed. The film saw a huge increase in profits for the company. Though it cost only 2 million, it grossed more than 4 million upon release and has only made more money since. (For reference,Pinocchiocost 2.6 million, and its first theatrical run grossed 1.4 million.) With such an overwhelming increase,Cinderellasaved Disney, allowing it to go on to make so many other classics.
‘Cinderella’ Proved What People Wanted From Disney
Cinderellawas more than a financial boon for Disney as it proved what people wanted to see. The film was one of Disney’s biggest successes at the time and alsoa very clearreturn to what made Disney so famousin the first place–Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Though audiences had been asking for it, Disney had not made other films likeSnow White and the Seven DwarfsuntilCinderella.Like Disney’s breakout film,Cinderellafeatures a sympathetic princess in a child-friendly retelling of a classic fairytale. Both female protagonists are kind and hopeful andmeet funny friendsalong the way. Plus, both films havememorable musical numbersand the theme of dreams coming true. Sure,Snow White and the Seven Dwarfsused new technology, but the story intrigued people as well.Cinderellaproved that it was not a one-time thing, which was something of a surprise.
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The combined popularity ofCinderellaandSnow White and the Seven Dwarfsproved what Disney excelled in most, in part because there was so much overlap between the two. Many doubted the story would have the same impact asSnow White and the Seven Dwarfsbecause of the historical context. Released in 1938,Snow White and the Seven Dwarfswas a Great Depression film, making the message of hope something the world needed. The postwar era was different in many ways. No longer was going to theaters a rare opportunity to escape the pain of life, at least not for the masses. Yet, people still flocked to theaters to see a Disney film about a princess with a happy ending.
‘Cinderella’ Left an Important Legacy
WhileCinderellawas not a first for Disney, it earned its reputation amongthe company’s quintessential classics. It is beautifully animated and can even boast of havingWalt Disney’s favorite sequencein any of his films (Cinderella’s dress transformation). Even 75 years later,Cinderellais often referenced when talking about Disney. Though thefairytale is retold more often than any others, no one does it better than Disney.Cinderellais everything Disney is known for, especially because it helped set those expectations.The Disney Princess franchise was not established until many years afterCinderella’s release, but as only the second film that now falls under that category,Cinderellaproved that there was lasting interest in these stories, which have become a staple for the company.
Ironically,Cinderellabecame something of a rags-to-riches story for Disney itself,taking the struggling company back to the top with its overwhelming popularity and profit, mirroring the protagonist’s story. After 75 years,Cinderellahas cemented its place in the Disney canonin many ways, but saving the company will always be its most important legacy because of the countless groundbreaking films that were allowed to come after.Disney may be an industry giantnow, but without the success ofCinderella, things would be very different.
Cinderellais streaming on Disney+ in the U.S.
Cinderella
When Cinderella’s cruel stepmother prevents her from attending the Royal Ball, she gets some unexpected help from the lovable mice Gus and Jaq and from her Fairy Godmother.
