Top 5 Silver Age Disney Animated Movies
1950 to 1959 was an era of creative rebirth in Disney Animation. The World War II years were lean, as the Disney Studio primarily produced training and propaganda films for the war effort with little to no profit. This left Walt and his staff with very few resources, and the studio released films comprised of shorts – called “package features.” While these features are classics in their own right, the Disney staff was capable of more.
As the 1940s turned into the 1950s, Walt knew that he needed another feature to get the studio back on its feet. Cinderella would be the film that would make or break the Disney Studio, and thankfully, it was a huge hit when it was released.
This was also the decade, as many key animators would attest, that Walt began to lose interest in animation. He was still involved in the development of the films, but not as heavily as he was in the past. Walt was always fascinated by his next idea, and Disneyland, which was planned and opened during this time, took up most of his attention.
The five films produced during this era are among Disney’s finest. They all, in their own way, invoke the hallmarks of Disney Animation with their warmth, design, and stunning animation. Here they are in my order of preference.
5) Alice in Wonderland
Story-wise, this is the weakest of the five, but still a charming classic. The animation and art direction revel in the nonsensical and surreal nature of the source material. Artist Mary Blair, referred to as Walt’s favorite artist, lends her unique color styling to this film, making Wonderland a sea of bright hues. Eccentric animator Ward Kimball let loose with the animation of characters like Mad Hatter, March Hare, and the Tweedles. It’s wacky yet grounded, which is probably the best description of the film itself.
4) Peter Pan
A wonderful film with storybook styling film, wonderful art and character design – again influenced by Mary Blair’s inspirational sketches and paintings. The songs, particularly “You Can Fly,” are immortal Disney mainstays. Captain Hook is one of my favorite Disney villains; his pomposity covering his cowardice is hilariously ironic. Animator Milt Kahl pulled off some glorious animation of Peter flying around the children’s bedroom. He simply imagined how a person would “float” in the air; there was know way for him to know that!
3) Cinderella
This is the film that saved the Disney Studio. Walt pooled all his limited resources into this film and maintained a very tight budget. In fact, the film was shot in live action and then rotoscoped (traced) into the animation. The art, again inspired by Mary Blair, evokes the old Little Golden Book style of fairy tale illustration. This film also contains my favorite piece of animation: Milt Kahl’s astounding transformation of Cinderella’s dress from rags to elegant gown. It seems like one fluid movement. I still can’t believe it was done by hand!
2) Lady and the Tramp
What I enjoy most about this film is its stunning detail and beauty. While other studios were going in hyper-stylized, “modern” directions with limited animation (which isn’t necessarily bad), Walt stressed realism, performance, and fluid movement. The story is also one of the most heartfelt – covering heavy themes of change, loyalty, love, and responsibility. I also adore the songs in this film, “Bella Notte” and “La La Loo” especially.
1) Sleeping Beauty
Arguably Disney’s most beautiful animated film, and my favorite in the Disney canon. Walt pulled out all the stops for this one, and it shows. Creating it took six years and $6 million – the most expensive feature created during Walt’s time. It is exquisite in detail of backgrounds and character animation. The stylization is genius, with the backgrounds and characters patterned after the look of medieval paintings – a “moving illustration,” as Walt called it. And the climactic battle between Maleficent (as a dragon) and Prince Philip is one of the most compelling in all animation. It is the best example of what good animation is capable of.
Ironically, the high cost and modest return from the box office of Sleeping Beauty prompted Walt to reign in the costs of the features to follow. Stylization would trump realism, but with artistically amazing results.
