5 propoganda films Disney created for the WWII effort

During World War II Walt Disney produced over 68 hours of propaganda films for the U.S. government.

Between 1942 and 1945, Disney used Donald Duck, Pluto and even the Seven Dwarfs for various pro-American war films to increase the support for the war. The various departments Disney made films for were The Treasury Department, to help finance the war, the U.S. Navy and The Army Air Forces.

Beware that under today’s social standards, many of these films, particularly “Education For Death” my be considered a bit disturbing. (In addition her are some Disney photos from that era.)

Here are five of these films:

1. Out of the Frying Pan into the The Firing Line (1942): Made for the U.S. War Production Board, this film shows the importance of saving waste fats to make into explosives.

2. Der Fuehrer’s Face (1943): This movie starring Donald Duck was released as an anti-propaganda film from Walt Disney Studios. The film won the 1943 Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film. It is the only Donald Duck cartoon to win an Oscar.

3. Education For Death (1943): Is a grim story based on the anti-Nazi war propaganda book writen by Gregor Ziemer. The story follows the birth of young Hans and how he and other children in Nazi Germany are educated from a a young age to become merciless soldiers.

4. All Together (1941):  Not only did the Walt Disney Studios do work for the U.S. government, it also produced this short for the Canadian government in an effort for people to purchase Canadian War Bonds. Here a parade of Disney characters, from Mickey Mouse to Donald Duck to the Seven Dwarfs are used in this short.

5. Commando Duck (1944): Donald Duck is ordered to wipe out a Japanese airfield. But as soon as Donald parachutes from the plane, the normal Donald mayhem ensues.