"Dumbo" is a 1941 American animated fantasy film produced by Walt Disney Productions. The film's plot, centered around a baby elephant with oversized ears, originated from a children's storybook prototype created by Helen Aberson, Harold Pearl, and Helen Durney. Released by RKO Radio Pictures, the film went on to achieve substantial success.
1939: Inspiration for Dumbo
Walt Disney discovered the children's story that inspired Dumbo in late 1939.
February 27, 1940: Dumbo Animation Style
During a Bambi story meeting on February 27, 1940, Disney decided Dumbo would have a more straightforward cartoon style, leading to the involvement of less experienced animators.
March 1940: Dumbo Story Sketches
In March 1940, a team led by Otto Englander translated the Dumbo outline into story sketches.
March 21, 1940: Dumbo Story Outline Completed
A 102-page script outline for Dumbo, written in chapters, was finished on March 21, 1940.
May 29, 1941: Disney Animator Strike
Dumbo's production faced a disruption on May 29, 1941, due to a strike by a large portion of Disney's animation staff.
September 11, 1941: Dumbo Completion and Delivery
Dumbo was finished and delivered to RKO Radio Pictures on September 11, 1941.
October 23, 1941: Dumbo Premiere
On October 23, 1941, Dumbo premiered, receiving critical acclaim for its story, humor, visuals, and music.
December 8, 1941: Time Magazine's "Mammal of the Year"
Time Magazine had planned to feature Dumbo on its cover for "Mammal of the Year" on December 8, 1941. However, the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7th led to the postponement and eventual publication of the story on December 29th.
1941: Dumbo Enters Production
Dumbo's production began in early 1941 with a focus on simplicity and cost-effectiveness.
1941: Interpretation of Clown Scene in Dumbo
Some viewers interpreted the clowns' requests for a raise in Dumbo as a reference to the 1941 Disney animator strike, though this was denied by involved animators.
1941: Dumbo Released
The animated fantasy film Dumbo was produced by Walt Disney Productions and released in 1941 by RKO Radio Pictures.
1949: Dumbo Re-release
Dumbo was re-released in theaters in 1949.
September 14, 1955: Dumbo Television Premiere
Dumbo made its television debut on September 14, 1955, on the Disneyland television show, although it was significantly edited.
1959: Dumbo Re-release
Dumbo was re-released in theaters in 1959.
1968: Richard Schickel's critique of racial stereotypes in Dumbo
Film scholar Richard Schickel, in his 1968 book "The Disney Version," argued that the crows in Dumbo perpetuated harmful African American stereotypes. Schickel pointed out the use of caricatured dialect and the problematic naming of the lead crow "Jim Crow," a term associated with racial segregation laws.
1972: Dumbo Re-release
Dumbo was re-released in theaters in 1972.
1976: Dumbo Re-release
Dumbo was re-released in theaters in 1976.
September 17, 1978: Dumbo Unabridged Television Broadcast
On September 17, 1978, Dumbo was broadcasted on television in its entirety as part of a two-night celebration of Disneyland's 25th anniversary.
1980: Contrasting views on the crows in Dumbo
In 1980, film critic Michael Wilmington acknowledged the crows in Dumbo as potentially problematic representations of Black stereotypes, referring to them as "obvious parodies of proletarian blacks." However, he also recognized their positive attributes, describing them as "the snappiest, liveliest, most together characters in the film." Wilmington highlighted their toughness, generosity, and refusal to bow down to anyone, noting their role in teaching Dumbo to fly.
June 26, 1981: Dumbo Home Video Release
Dumbo, along with Alice in Wonderland, marked Disney's first foray into home video with its initial release on VHS, Laserdisc, and Betamax on June 26, 1981, available exclusively for rental.
October 1982: Dumbo CED Release
Dumbo became available on CED in October 1982.
November 6, 1985: Dumbo Home Video Re-release
Dumbo was re-released on VHS and Betamax as part of the Walt Disney Classics series on November 6, 1985.
July 12, 1991: Dumbo Home Video Re-release
Dumbo saw a re-release on VHS and Laserdisc on July 12, 1991.
October 28, 1994: Dumbo Home Video Re-release
Dumbo was re-released on VHS and Laserdisc on October 28, 1994, as a part of the Walt Disney Masterpiece Collection.
1999: Dumbo's Ringmaster as a villain in Disney's Villains' Revenge
The Ringmaster from Dumbo took on the role of the antagonist in the 1999 PC game "Disney's Villains' Revenge." In the game, he forces Dumbo into endless, humiliating circus acts, showcasing a darker side to the character and highlighting the potential for abuse of power.
October 23, 2001: Dumbo 60th Anniversary Edition Release
On October 23, 2001, a 60th Anniversary Edition of Dumbo was released in VHS and DVD formats.
2001: Sneak Peek of Dumbo II
The "60th Anniversary Edition" DVD of Dumbo, released in 2001, treated fans to a behind-the-scenes look at the proposed sequel, "Dumbo II." The sneak peek included concept art, character designs, and storyboards, giving audiences a glimpse into the planned continuation of Dumbo's adventures.
2002: Dumbo as a summon in Kingdom Hearts
Dumbo made a special appearance as a summonable character in the 2002 PlayStation 2 game "Kingdom Hearts." Players could call upon Dumbo's assistance in battle, using his unique abilities to overcome challenges and defeat enemies.
2002: Lilo & Stitch Release
Disney's Lilo & Stitch, released in 2002, drew inspiration from Dumbo, particularly in its use of watercolor backgrounds.
2004: Dumbo's return in Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories
Dumbo returned as a summon in the Game Boy Advance sequel, "Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories," released in 2004. His continued presence in the game series solidified his status as a beloved character and a valuable ally to players.
2006: Dumbo "Big Top Edition" DVD Release
A "Big Top Edition" of Dumbo was released on DVD in 2006.
2006: Cancellation of Dumbo II
Despite the initial excitement surrounding "Dumbo II," the project was ultimately canceled in 2006 by John Lasseter, the then newly appointed Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios. Lasseter's decision reflected a shift in creative direction for the studio and brought an end to the hopes of seeing Dumbo's story continued on the big screen.
June 2009: Flying Dumbo in Disneyland's fireworks show
In June 2009, Disneyland incorporated a flying Dumbo into its nighttime fireworks spectacular. The beloved elephant soared around Sleeping Beauty Castle while fireworks illuminated the sky, creating a mesmerizing and magical experience for park visitors.
September 20, 2011: Dumbo 70th Anniversary Edition Release
The United States celebrated the 70th anniversary of Dumbo with the release of a special edition on September 20, 2011. The edition came in two formats: a two-disc Blu-ray/DVD combo pack and a single-disc DVD.
2011: Critical Acclaim for Dumbo
In 2011, Time magazine film critic, Richard Corliss, recognized Dumbo as one of the 25 best animated films of all time. The film also received critical acclaim on review aggregator websites like Rotten Tomatoes, where it holds a 98% approval rating, and Metacritic, with a score of 96 out of 100, indicating universal acclaim.
July 8, 2014: Live-Action "Dumbo" Adaptation Announced
On July 8, 2014, Walt Disney Pictures revealed their plans to develop a live-action adaptation of their classic animated film, "Dumbo." Ehren Kruger was also announced as the screenwriter and co-producer alongside Justin Springer.
March 10, 2015: Tim Burton to Direct "Dumbo"
On March 10, 2015, renowned filmmaker Tim Burton was confirmed as the director for the live-action "Dumbo" remake.
April 26, 2016: Dumbo 75th Anniversary Edition Release
Dumbo was re-released on Blu-ray and DVD on April 26, 2016, marking its 75th anniversary.
January 11, 2017: Casting Rumors for "Dumbo"
On January 11, 2017, reports emerged of Will Smith being in talks to play the father of children who befriend Dumbo. Additionally, Tom Hanks was reportedly offered the role of the film's antagonist. However, Will Smith later declined due to scheduling conflicts and salary disagreements.
March 2017: Eva Green and Danny DeVito Join "Dumbo"
In March 2017, Eva Green entered discussions for the role of a trapeze artist, and Danny DeVito joined the cast as a ringleader named Medici.
April 4, 2017: Michael Keaton in Talks for Villain Role
Michael Keaton, a frequent collaborator with Tim Burton, entered negotiations on April 4, 2017, to portray the film's villain.
June 26, 2017: Michael Keaton Confirms Involvement
On June 26, 2017, Michael Keaton officially confirmed his participation in the live-action "Dumbo" film.
July 15, 2017: Principal Cast Announced, Release Date Set
Disney revealed the primary cast for the live-action "Dumbo" on July 15, 2017, including the additions of DeObia Oparei, Joseph Gatt, and Alan Arkin in newly created roles. The studio also announced a release date of March 29, 2019.
2017: Whoopi Goldberg's support for the crows' merchandise
In 2017, Whoopi Goldberg expressed her support for increased merchandising of the crows from Dumbo. She highlighted their memorable song and suggested that they deserved greater recognition.
2017: Dumbo Added to National Film Registry
In 2017, Dumbo was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for its cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance.
2018: Criticism of racial stereotypes in Dumbo
The Encyclopedia of Racism in American Films, published in 2018, criticized Dumbo for its stereotypical depiction of Black people, particularly the crows. The film has been scrutinized for its use of African American stereotypes, particularly in the depiction of the crows.
March 29, 2019: Live-Action "Dumbo" Released
The live-action adaptation of "Dumbo," directed by Tim Burton and featuring a star-studded cast, premiered in theaters on March 29, 2019.
2019: Floyd Norman's defense of the crows in Dumbo
Floyd Norman, the first African American animator at Walt Disney Productions, defended the crows in Dumbo from accusations of racism in a 2019 article titled "Black Crows and Other PC Nonsense." Norman's perspective as a Black animator during that era offered valuable insight into the film's production and challenged contemporary interpretations.
2019: Exclusion of crows in the Dumbo remake and Disney+ advisory
The 2019 live-action remake of Dumbo omitted the crows entirely, reflecting the evolving cultural sensitivities surrounding the characters. Additionally, Disney+ included an advisory in the synopsis of the original animated film, warning viewers of potentially outdated cultural depictions, further acknowledging the controversy surrounding the crows.
2021: Disney+ age restriction for Dumbo
In 2021, Disney+ restricted access to Dumbo for viewers under seven years old, citing concerns about the crows' resemblance to racist minstrel show stereotypes. This decision highlighted Disney's ongoing efforts to address and contextualize potentially offensive content in its classic films.
2023: Dumbo's financial success
Despite the challenges of World War II, Dumbo emerged as the most financially successful Disney film of the 1940s following its October 23 release. The film, produced on a relatively modest budget, became a financial miracle for Disney, grossing significantly more than its production cost and solidifying its legacy as a beloved classic.