A Reel 100: Walt Disney Animation Studios

This month marks the 100^th anniversary of Walt Disney Animation Studios. 

 

Founded on October 16, 1923, by brothers Walt Disney and Roy O. Disney, it was originally founded as a cartoon studio dedicated to producing animated short films. In 1928 they had their breakthrough when they produced STEAMBOAT WILLIE; their first cartoon with synchronized sound. WILLIE would skyrocket the popularity of its lead character, Mickey Mouse…who would become a worldwide icon and the symbol for Disney for all time. 

 

The Studio would push the boundaries of animation techniques, but recognized the value of classic, simple storytelling. In 1937 they would create SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS, the first feature-length animated film in history. SNOW WHITE was an instant success, and for a time became the highest grossing film of all time before being surpassed by GONE WITH THE WIND two years later. 

 

The 1940’s saw even further advances in animation, while providing short-films which gave Mickey some new pals: Donald Duck and Goofy. Feature films during this time included PINOCCHIO (1940), FANTASIA (1940), DUMBO (1941), BAMBI (1941), SALUDOS AMIGOS (1942), and THE THREE CABALLEROS (1944). CINDERELLA arrived in 1948, and led the Studio into the 1950’s, which gave us ALICE IN WONDERLAND (1951), PETER PAN (1953), LADY AND THE TRAMP (1955), and SLEEPING BEAUTY (1959). This decade also saw Walt move his attentions to live-action films along with the Disneyland theme park. In 1964, Disney would bring animation and live-action together in one of the Studio’s grandest films, MARY POPPINS. 

 

Walt Disney would pass away in 1966. But the Studio would still produce future classics such as ONE HUNDRED AND ONE DALMATIONS (1961), and THE JUNGLE BOOK (1967). Disney World would open in 1971, and with the success of Disneyland, the parks and films began their own circle of life: the parks would promote the films, and the films would promote the parks. In this decade the Studio would deliver ROBIN HOOD (1973), and THE RESCUERS (1977). 

 

By the 1980’s the Disney name and the shape of Mickey Mouse had become international symbols. This alone helped along films such as THE FOX AND THE HOUND (1981), and THE GREAT MOUSE DETECTIVE (1986). 

 

The decade would close with THE LITTLE MERMAID in 1989, which would usher in the magnificent era now known as The Disney Renaissance. Films in this period would include THE RESCUERS DOWN UNDER (1990), BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (1991), ALADDIN (1992), THE LION KING (1994), POCAHONTAS (1995), THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME (1996), HERCULES (1997), MULAN (1998), and TARZAN (1999). 

 

The early part of the new millennium would deliver TREASURE PLANET (2002), and BROTHER BEAR (2003). THE PRINCESS AND FROG would close the decade in 2009. The Studio would make the transition into 3D computer-animation with success, and in 2010 would bring one of their best all-time films to the big screen, TANGLED. 

 

More hits in the new 3D era would be on the way: WRECK-IT RALPH (2012), FROZEN (2013), ZOOTOPIA (2016), MOANA (2016), and ENCANTO (2021). 

 

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In the last 100 years, Walt Disney Animation Studios have produced 61 feature films, winning 135 Academy Awards (including 32 by Walt personally), with several of their films sitting as some of the highest grossers of all time. Their name has become synonymous with terms such as magic, fun, adventure, and cinema. Their films may have been made for children, but as adults we can appreciate the effort and beauty of the animations, and deep down the grassroots-style of storytelling makes a deep connection with everyone. 

The success of Walt Disney Animation Studios enabled the company to become the empire that it is today. As a huge entity that seems to own or have a piece of everything, it is easy to lump it in with the Amazon's and the Apple's of the world. But their contributions to cinema, in art and technology, has stood the test of time...while their characters and stories have become parts of our every day lives. There is no other studio that can strike up swelling emotion when their opening logo lightens up the screen.  That’s the way Walt dreamed it in 1923, and that’s the way they will do cinema for the next 100 years.