Since its premiere in cinemas in 1941, “Dumbo” has delighted generations of audiences with its touching story and memorable characters. This Disney animation classic not only captivated viewers with its timeless message of acceptance and courage but is also filled with fascinating curiosities that add an extra layer of charm to its narrative.
In this text, we will explore some of the most interesting tidbits behind the production of this iconic film, unveiling surprising details about its creation, characters, and lasting legacy in popular culture.
1 – BASED ON A MYSTERIOUS BOOK
The story behind “Dumbo” has its roots in a peculiar book. Originally conceived as a “rool-a-book,” a device where people could turn a knob to view different slides, the initial version of “Dumbo” remains a mystery, with no known surviving copies. However, a subsequent adaptation in the form of a traditional book, titled “Dumbo the Flying Elephant,” emerged in 1939, created by Helen Aberson and Harold Pearl.
These originals served as the inspiration for the iconic animated film produced by Walt Disney and released in 1941, following the acquisition of the copyright for the work.
2 – DUMBO´S FRIEND WOULD HAVE BEEN BERY DIFFERENT
Dumbo’s journey companion featured a striking difference. In the original book, there was no Timothy Mouse, who accompanies the little elephant in the animation. Instead, the character aiding Dumbo is a bird named Red. Interestingly, the book’s narrative takes Dumbo and Red to Hollywood, where they find success working in the film industry.
3 – DUE TO WORLD WAR II, COSTS WERE REDUCED
Because of the impact of World War II, Disney studios faced significant pressure to reduce the production costs of the film. Despite being only the company’s fourth feature-length animation, “Dumbo” was produced on a budget of just $814,000 at the time—little more than half the cost of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” Disney’s first feature film released in 1939. As a result of these financial constraints, many scenes feature reduced visual elaboration, and some characters are depicted in a more simplified manner compared to other studio animations.
4 – DUMBO ALMOST MADE THE COVER OF TIME MAGAZINE
Dumbo nearly became the cover star of the renowned Time magazine. Initially, the magazine planned to feature the beloved flying elephant on its cover. However, after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the magazine chose to take a more serious approach and relegated the story about the “Mammal of the Year” to an interior space within the publication.
5 – ANIMATOR STRIKE WAS MOCKED IN THE ANIMATION
During the production of “Dumbo,” Disney studios faced a significant animator strike that had a notable impact. Rumors emerged that the inclusion of the scene featuring circus clowns demanding a raise in the film was a way to mock the strike happening at the time.
6 – THE SHORTEST DISNEY FILM
“Dumbo,” with a runtime of just 64 minutes, holds the distinction of being the shortest classic Disney film ever produced by the studio.
7 – WALT DISNEY´S OWN FAVORITE FILM
Walt Disney himself expressed a special affection for “Dumbo.” On one occasion, the visionary declared, “From the start, ‘Dumbo’ was a happy film.” He emphasized that there were no constraints in creating the story, allowing their imaginations to flow freely during the production process.
8 – DISNEY ALMOST MADE A “DUMBO 2”
John Lasseter, renowned director of films like “Toy Story,” “A Bug’s Life,” and “Cars,” is a self-professed fan of “Dumbo.” When he took over as Chief Creative Officer of Disney and Pixar in 2006, Lasseter made the decision to cancel a project that was in development at the studio: a sequel to the classic 1941 story. In this imagined sequel, Dumbo and his friends would face the challenge of finding a way to escape the big city after being inadvertently left behind when the circus departed.
9 – A DISASTROUS LIVE-ACTION ADAPTATION
A sequel didn’t materialize, but in 2019, Disney released a live-action adaptation of Dumbo, directed by the renowned Tim Burton. The film was a critical and commercial flop, with a budget of $170 million and a box office gross of only $266 million. It “only” grossed that amount because for a film to break even, it needs to make at least double its budget.
10 – OSCAR
The song that accompanies the touching scene where Dumbo’s mother cradles him with her trunk through the bars of a trailer received an Oscar nomination but ultimately lost to a song from the musical “If You Could Only Cook.” Nevertheless, “Dumbo” won the award for Best Original Score.
Exploring the curiosities behind the film “Dumbo” reveals not only the complexity and care involved in its production but also its lasting resonance in popular culture. From its peculiar origin as an adaptation of a book to the unique circumstances that shaped its creation, “Dumbo” continues to captivate and enchant audiences of all ages. The stories behind the characters, the memorable songs, and the creative decisions offer a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes of this timeless animation classic. Through these curiosities, we are reminded not only of the artistic and narrative skill involved in the film’s production but also of its enduring power to touch and inspire generations.