Welcome to Movie Mondays, a weekly blog series that takes you on a cinematic odyssey through the world of film! Each week, we’ll dive into a list of my 100 least favorite movies, exploring what makes them fall short and discussing the lessons we can learn from their missteps. But fear not, dear reader, for on the first Monday of every month, we’ll take a much-needed break from the cinematic doldrums and instead celebrate the magic and wonder of Disney’s animated classics. From the timeless tales of princesses and talking animals to the modern masterpieces that have captured the hearts of generations, these monthly installments will serve as a delightful palate cleanser and reminder of the power of storytelling. So, grab your popcorn, settle in, and join me on this unique journey through the highs and lows of the silver screen. I promise you won’t want to miss a single post!

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

1937

Back in 1937, Walt Disney made a pretty bold move. He decided to take a beloved fairy tale and turn it into a feature-length animated film – something that had never been done before. The end result was Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, a cinematic game-changer that would go on to become an enduring classic.

The story, of course, is a familiar one. Snow White, a beautiful princess, is forced to flee from her vain and jealous stepmother, the Evil Queen. She takes refuge in the cottage of seven dwarfs – Doc, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, Bashful, Sneezy, and Dopey – until the Queen tracks her down and tricks her into eating a poisoned apple. In the end, it takes true love’s kiss to break the spell.

What makes Snow White so remarkable, even 87 years later, is the painstaking artistry and innovation that went into bringing this tale to life. The film’s lush, detailed backgrounds and realistic character animation were unlike anything audiences had seen before. Disney recruited some of the top talent of the day, including Albert Hurter and Gustaf Tenggren, to shape the movie’s distinct storybook style.

But it’s the character animation that really shines. From Snow White’s graceful movements to the dwarfs’ comedic personalities, the Disney animators imbued these ink-and-paint creations with an astounding sense of life. Voice acting was also key, with 19-year-old Adriana Caselotti providing Snow White’s lilting soprano and veteran stage actors like Lucille La Verne cackling it up as the Evil Queen.

Of course, the road to happily ever after had some bumps along the way. Disney had to mortgage his house to finance the film’s hefty $1.5 million budget. Plenty of naysayers in Hollywood referred to it as “Disney’s Folly,” believing audiences wouldn’t sit through a feature-length cartoon. But Walt’s gamble paid off – Snow White was a massive critical and commercial hit, raking in $8 million during its initial release. Not too shabby for the Great Depression era.

The movie’s impact and popularity have only grown over the years. It’s been re-released multiple times, inspired theme park rides, and even earned a spot in the National Film Registry. And let’s not forget the music – from the dwarfs’ jaunty working song “Heigh-Ho” to the wistful ballad “Someday My Prince Will Come,” Snow White‘s tunes have become an indelible part of the American songbook.

So while the world of animation has advanced light-years since 1937, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs remains the one that started it all – the first Disney animated feature. It’s a magical, timeless blend of artistry, music, storytelling, and humor. As Snow would say, it’s simply “the fairest film of them all!”

But hey, that’s just my take. Did you grow up with Snow White? Or maybe it was your first encounter with the Disney fairy tale canon? Have any favorite scenes or characters? Let me know in the comments – I’d love to hear your thoughts on this legendary flick!