Just as Cinderella's dream was set to end at midnight, so too was The Walt Disney Company's dream in 1947, facing a daunting debt of roughly $4 million following the financial setbacks of Pinocchio, Fantasia, and Bambi, largely due to World War II and other challenges. However, the tale of this beloved princess and her iconic glass slippers played a pivotal role in rescuing Disney from the brink, preventing its animation story from concluding prematurely.

As Cinderella celebrates its 75th anniversary of its wide release on March 4, we engaged with several Disney experts who remain inspired by this timeless rags-to-riches narrative. This story not only parallels Walt Disney's own journey but also rejuvenated the company and offered hope to a world in the process of rebuilding and yearning for inspiration.

To understand the significance of Cinderella, we must revisit Disney's earlier "fairy godmother" moment in 1937 with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Its unprecedented success, holding the title of the highest-grossing film until Gone with the Wind surpassed it two years later, enabled Disney to establish its Burbank studio, still its headquarters today, and pave the way for more animated feature films.

Disney's next venture, Pinocchio in 1940, carried a hefty $2.6 million budget, yet despite critical acclaim and two Academy Awards for Best Original Score and Best Original Song, it resulted in a $1 million loss. This was not a solitary incident; Fantasia and Bambi also underperformed, exacerbating Disney's financial woes. The primary reason was the disruption caused by World War II, as Germany's invasion of Poland in 1939 halted Disney's European market access.

“Disney's European markets vanished during the war, and films like Pinocchio and Bambi couldn't be shown there, leading to poor performance,” Eric Goldberg, co-director of Pocahontas and lead animator on Aladdin’s Genie, explained. “Additionally, Disney was commissioned by the U.S. government to produce training and propaganda films for the military. Throughout the 1940s, the studio also produced what they called Package Films, like Make Mine Music and Fun and Fancy Free. While these were of high quality, they lacked a cohesive narrative from start to finish.”

For those unfamiliar, Package Films were compilations of short cartoons assembled into feature-length movies. Disney produced six of these between 1942's Bambi and 1950's Cinderella, including Saludos Amigos and The Three Caballeros, which were part of the U.S. Good Neighbor Policy aimed at countering Nazism in South America. Although these films managed to cover their costs, and Fun and Fancy Free reduced the studio's debt from $4.2 million to $3 million by 1947, they hindered the production of true feature-length animated stories.

“I wanted to return to feature films,” Walt Disney stated in 1956, as quoted in The Animated Man: A Life of Walt Disney by Michael Barrier. “But it required substantial investment and time. Creating a quality animated feature is a time-consuming and expensive endeavor. My brother Roy and I had quite a heated discussion... It was one of my biggest upsets. I said we either push forward, re-enter the business, or liquidate and sell out.”

When it seemed that Walt might sell his shares and leave the company, he and Roy chose the riskier path of investing in their first major animated feature since Bambi in 1942. The success of this film was crucial to the survival of Disney's animation studio.

“At that time, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, and Cinderella were all in development, but Cinderella was chosen first due to its similarities to the successful Snow White. More importantly, Walt believed this story could offer something beyond mere entertainment,” said Tori Cranner, Art Collections Manager at Walt Disney Animation Research Library. “Walt had a keen sense of the times, recognizing America's need for hope and joy post-war. While Pinocchio is a beautiful film, it doesn't exude joy the way Cinderella does. The world needed a story of rising from the ashes to something beautiful, and Cinderella was the perfect choice for that moment.”

Cinderella and Disney’s Rags to Riches Tale

Walt's fascination with Cinderella dates back to 1922 when he created a short for Laugh-O-Gram Studios, which he founded before starting Disney with Roy. The story was adapted from Charles Perrault’s 1697 version, which may have origins as early as 7 BC to AD 23. It was a classic tale of good versus evil, true love, and the fulfillment of dreams that deeply resonated with Walt.

“Snow White was a kind and simple girl who believed in wishes and waiting for her Prince Charming,” Walt Disney remarked in footage from Disney’s Cinderella: The Making of a Masterpiece special DVD feature. “Cinderella, on the other hand, was more pragmatic. She believed in dreams, but she also took action to achieve them. When Prince Charming didn’t come to her, she went to the palace to find him.”

Cinderella's character, resilient despite adversity and mistreatment by her Evil Stepmother and Stepsisters, mirrored Walt's own journey from humble beginnings through numerous failures to relentless pursuit of his dreams.

Walt's connection to Cinderella persisted into the early Disney years, and he attempted to revive it in 1933 as a Silly Symphony short. However, the project's scope expanded, leading to its transformation into a feature film by 1938. The war and other factors delayed its release until 1950, allowing for its evolution into the beloved film we know today.

Disney's success with Cinderella stemmed from its ability to enhance these timeless tales with global appeal.

“Disney excelled at reimagining these age-old fairytales with his unique flair, infusing them with heart and passion that made audiences care deeply about the characters and stories,” Goldberg noted. “The original tales were often grim and served as cautionary tales. Disney, however, made them universally enjoyable, modernizing them for lasting impact.”

Disney achieved this with Cinderella through the addition of her animal friends—Jaq, Gus, the other mice, and the birds—who provided comic relief and allowed Cinderella to express her true feelings. The Fairy Godmother, reimagined by animator Milt Kahl as a more relatable, bumbling grandmother figure rather than a regal fairy, further connected with audiences.

The iconic transformation scene, where Cinderella's unwavering belief in her dreams materializes into a magical night, is often cited as one of the most memorable moments in Disney's history. The hand-drawn sparkles and seamless animation of Cinderella’s dress transformation, credited to Disney Legends Marc Davis and George Rowley, have been celebrated as some of Walt's favorite work.

Thanks so much for all your questions about Cinderella! Before we sign off, enjoy this pencil test footage of original animation drawings of the transformation scene, animated by Marc Davis and George Rowley. Thanks for joining us! #AskDisneyAnimation pic.twitter.com/2LquCBHX6F

— Disney Animation (@DisneyAnimation) February 15, 2020

“Every single sparkle was hand-drawn and painted on every frame, which is mind-blowing,” Cranner said with enthusiasm. “There’s a subtle moment during the transformation where the magic pauses for a fraction of a second before completing, creating a magical effect that holds your breath before the release.”

The addition of the breaking glass slipper at the film's end, a departure from previous versions, underscored Cinderella's strength and agency, emphasizing her role as the protagonist of her own story.

“Cinderella is not a passive character; she has a personality and inner strength,” Goldberg emphasized. “When the slipper breaks, she cleverly reveals the other one she kept, demonstrating her control and resilience.”

Cinderella premiered in Boston on February 15, 1950, and enjoyed a wide release on March 4, achieving the highest box office performance for Disney since Snow White, earning $7 million on a $2.2 million budget. It secured three Academy Award nominations and was the sixth-highest-grossing film of 1950.

“When Cinderella was released, critics hailed it as a triumphant return for Walt Disney,” Goldberg recalled. “It was a massive success because it brought back the narrative features that defined Disney. It reignited the studio's passion, leading to subsequent classics like Peter Pan, Lady and the Tramp, Sleeping Beauty, 101 Dalmatians, and The Jungle Book—all thanks to Cinderella.”

75 Years Later, Cinderella’s Magic Lives On

Today, Cinderella's legacy continues to grow, influencing Disney and beyond. Her castle stands as a symbol at Walt Disney World and Tokyo Disneyland, and her influence is evident in modern Disney films, such as the iconic dress transformation scene in Frozen.

“For Elsa’s transformation in Frozen, we drew direct inspiration from Cinderella,” said Becky Bresee, lead animator on Frozen 2 and Wish. “The sparkles and effects around Elsa’s dress pay homage to Cinderella, connecting it to the rich legacy of Disney's past films.”

There are countless more stories and contributions to highlight, including the work of the Nine Old Men and Mary Blair, whose art gave Cinderella its distinctive style. Yet, perhaps the best way to conclude this reflection is with another insight from Eric Goldberg, encapsulating why Cinderella was the perfect film and princess at the perfect time to save Disney.

“The essence of Cinderella is hope,” Goldberg concluded. “It instills the belief that perseverance and strength can lead to the realization of dreams, no matter the era.”