Peter Pan

1953

Directed by Hamilton Luske, Clyde Geronimi, and Wilfred Jackson

Welcome back to Movie Monday, dear readers! Since this is the first Monday of the month, we’re taking our scheduled break from my ongoing chronicle of the worst films ever made to focus instead on a classic from Disney’s animated vault. Think of it as a palate cleanser—a brief respite before we dive back into the cinematic sewage next week.

Today, we’re setting course for the second star to the right and straight on ’til morning as we explore Disney’s 1953 adaptation of J.M. Barrie’s timeless tale, Peter Pan. This high-flying adventure marked the 14th animated feature from Walt Disney Productions and would be the final Disney animated film distributed by RKO Radio Pictures before Disney launched its own distribution company.

The Road to Never Land: A Long Production Journey

What many don’t realize is that Peter Pan took nearly 15 years to make it from concept to screen. Walt Disney himself had a personal connection to the story—he’d seen a touring production starring Maude Adams back in 1913 and had even played Peter in a school production. The young Walt was so committed to the role that he actually flew across the stage (thanks to his brother Roy operating a block and tackle system), until the rigging gave way and he flew right into the surprised audience. Talk about method acting.

Disney first expressed interest in adapting Barrie’s play in 1935, while Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was still in production. By 1938, he had purchased the animation rights from Paramount Pictures, and the studio began preliminary development in 1939. But then, like so many projects of that era, production was shelved following the attack on Pearl Harbor, as Disney’s studio shifted to producing training and war propaganda films for the U.S. government.

The project sat dormant for most of the 1940s until it experienced a revival in 1949. This lengthy gestation period likely contributed to the film’s polished quality, as the story and characters had years to be refined. It also meant that Peter Pan would become the final Disney animated feature on which all nine of Disney’s legendary “Nine Old Men” (the core group of Disney’s founding animators) would work together as directing animators.

Breaking Tradition: Casting and Characters

One of the most significant departures from tradition came in the casting of Peter Pan himself. For decades on stage, the character had been played by adult women, including the aforementioned Maude Adams. Walt Disney originally wanted to continue this tradition by casting Mary Martin (who would later play Peter Pan in the famous 1954 Broadway production and subsequent television specials). Roy Disney, however, vetoed this idea, finding Martin’s voice “too heavy, matured and sophisticated.”

Instead, Disney made the then-revolutionary decision to cast 13-year-old Bobby Driscoll, marking the first time a male actor portrayed Peter Pan. Driscoll, who was Disney’s first contract child actor and had previously starred in Song of the South and Treasure Island, was chosen to bring a more boyish authenticity to the role. Tragically, Peter Pan would be Driscoll’s last Disney film—his contract was abruptly terminated shortly after its release, initiating a downward spiral in the young actor’s life.

For Wendy Darling, Disney sought a “gentle and gracefully feminine” voice, which he found in Kathryn Beaumont, who had just finished voicing Alice in Alice in Wonderland (1951). In a brilliant bit of casting efficiency, Hans Conried was selected to play both Captain Hook and Mr. Darling—maintaining the theatrical tradition of having the same actor play both roles.

Artistic Achievements: Animation Wizardry

From an animation standpoint, Peter Pan represents Disney at the height of its powers. The film shows off the refined techniques and artistic confidence that came from years of experimentation and innovation. The studio employed live-action reference footage, with actors performing to pre-recorded dialogue tracks to help animators capture realistic movements. Margaret Kerry served as the live-action reference for Tinker Bell, while Bobby Driscoll and Roland Dupree shared duties as the reference for Peter Pan.

The flying sequences in the film were particularly challenging. Legendary animator Milt Kahl, who animated Peter Pan and the Darling children, claimed that the hardest thing to animate was a character floating in mid-air. The fluidity of these sequences is a testament to the skill of Disney’s animation team.

Frank Thomas, who was assigned to animate Captain Hook, had to navigate conflicting visions of the character. Some story artists saw Hook as a foppish dandy, while director Geronimi envisioned him as a more intimidating Ernest Torrence type. The resulting character masterfully balances menace with comedic flourishes—Hook is simultaneously dangerous and ridiculous, making him one of Disney’s most entertaining villains.

The film’s color palette deserves special mention. The vibrant, dreamlike qualities of Never Land contrast beautifully with the more subdued tones of Edwardian London. The glowing pixie dust effects for Tinker Bell were revolutionary for the time and established a visual language for magic that Disney would continue to use for decades.

The Musical Landscape

Like most Disney animated classics, music plays a crucial role in Peter Pan. The film features memorable songs by Sammy Cahn and Sammy Fain, including the soaring “You Can Fly!” and the wistful “The Second Star to the Right” (which was originally written for Alice in Wonderland as part of a song called “Beyond the Laughing Sky”).

Other notable tracks include “Following the Leader,” “Your Mother and Mine,” and “The Elegant Captain Hook.” The catchy “Never Smile at a Crocodile” was actually cut from the movie’s soundtrack but was later included in various Disney compilations and became quite popular.

The incidental music by Oliver Wallace masterfully enhances the film’s moments of wonder, danger, and humor. Whether it’s the ticking clock motif for the crocodile or the sweeping orchestration during the flight to Never Land, the score elevates every scene it accompanies.

How Does It Compare to Other Disney Classics?

Peter Pan arrived at an interesting juncture in Disney’s filmography. Released in 1953, it followed the ambitious package films of the late 1940s and the return to princess fairy tales with Cinderella (1950). It came right after the whimsical, somewhat experimental Alice in Wonderland (1951), which had been a financial disappointment despite its artistic merits.

In many ways, Peter Pan represents a more confident Disney studio than the one that produced Alice. Where Alice sometimes feels like a series of loosely connected set pieces, Peter Pan offers a more cohesive narrative with stronger character arcs. The animation is equally lush in both films, but Peter Pan has a warmth that Alice sometimes lacks.

Compared to earlier Disney classics like Snow White or Pinocchio, Peter Pan is less dark and threatening. The stakes never feel quite as high as when Pinocchio is swallowed by Monstro or Snow White is lost in the forest. Even Captain Hook, for all his bluster, doesn’t inspire the same dread as the Evil Queen or Monstro. This lighter touch would become more pronounced in Disney films of the 1950s and 1960s.

In terms of animation quality, Peter Pan stands shoulder to shoulder with Disney’s best. The character animation is fluid and expressive, the backgrounds are richly detailed, and the special effects (particularly for flight and Tinker Bell’s pixie dust) are spectacular. It lacks some of the experimental boldness of Fantasia or the lush atmospheric qualities of Bambi, but it excels in character design and movement.

Reception and Cultural Impact

Upon its release in February 1953, Peter Pan was a commercial success, grossing $87.4 million in the United States and Canada. Adjusted for inflation, the film has had a lifetime gross of $427.5 million, making it one of Disney’s more successful animated features.

Critical response was generally positive, though some reviewers, including Bosley Crowther of The New York Times, criticized the film’s lack of faithfulness to Barrie’s original play. Crowther claimed the film “has the story but not the spirit of Peter Pan as it was plainly conceived by its author.” Nevertheless, he praised the film’s colors and technical features.

Time magazine, on the other hand, gave the film a highly favorable review, writing that “it is a lively feature-length Technicolor excursion into a world that glows with an exhilarating charm and a gentle joyousness.”

Peter Pan‘s cultural footprint extends far beyond its initial release. The film has spawned numerous re-releases, sequels, and spin-offs. “Peter Pan’s Flight” remains one of the most popular attractions at Disney theme parks worldwide, having been an opening day attraction at Disneyland in 1955. The 2002 sequel Return to Never Land and the successful Tinker Bell direct-to-video film series further expanded the franchise.

Perhaps most notably, Michael Jackson was so enamored with the film that he named his famous estate “Neverland Ranch” after the magical setting.

The Film’s Legacy and Controversies

Like many Disney films of its era, Peter Pan has aspects that haven’t aged well, particularly its portrayal of Native Americans. The stereotypical depiction of the “Indian tribe” of Never Land and the song “What Made the Red Man Red?” have been rightfully criticized for perpetuating harmful stereotypes. Disney has acknowledged these issues, with animator Marc Davis (quoted in the 2007 audio commentary) stating: “I’m not sure we would have done the Indians if we were making this movie now. And if we had, we wouldn’t do them the way we did back then.”

In 2021, Disney added a content advisory to the film on its Disney+ streaming platform, restricting it to viewers 7 years and older due to these depictions.

Despite these problematic elements, the film’s core themes about the bittersweet nature of growing up continue to resonate. Wendy’s journey from childhood to accepting the inevitability of maturity provides emotional depth to what could otherwise be just a light adventure story.

The Never-Ending Adventure

Disney’s Peter Pan has maintained its popularity for over 70 years because it taps into something universal—the tension between the freedom of childhood and the responsibilities of adulthood. While we may recognize that Peter’s refusal to grow up is ultimately limiting (he can never truly understand love or form deep connections), there’s still something appealing about his carefree existence.

The film’s visual splendor, memorable characters, and infectious songs have helped it endure as one of Disney’s most beloved classics. From Hook’s comical villainy to the magical flight over London, Peter Pan continues to capture the imagination of new generations.

In 2023, Disney released a live-action adaptation titled Peter Pan & Wendy on Disney+, proving that this is one story that, like its titular character, refuses to grow old.

Final Thoughts

Unlike the cinematic disasters I usually cover in this column, Disney’s Peter Pan demonstrates what happens when talented artists have the time, resources, and vision to create something truly magical. Yes, it has flaws and elements that reflect outdated attitudes, but its core strengths—stunning animation, engaging characters, and a story that balances adventure with genuine emotion—remain impressive seven decades later.

For those who haven’t revisited this classic recently, it’s worth another trip to Never Land. And for parents introducing it to a new generation, it offers both entertainment and an opportunity for thoughtful discussion about how our understanding of respectful representation has evolved over time.

Next week, we’ll return to our regularly scheduled programming of cinematic catastrophes. But for now, let’s enjoy this brief flight through the starry night with Peter, Wendy, and the Lost Boys—a journey that reminds us that while we all must grow up eventually, we never have to completely leave our sense of wonder behind.

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What’s your favorite moment from Disney’s Peter Pan? Do you think it holds up compared to other Disney classics? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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