7 truths about Disney’s ‘Pinocchio’ you didn’t know about the film
There were high hopes for Disney’s “Pinocchio” when it was released Feb. 7, 1940. And while it received good reviews when it was initially released and today is considered a classic, it was a box office flop, largely due to the outbreak of World War II.
Walt Disney Pictures actually charged a $1 million loss for the film and it wasn’t until after it was reissued several times after the war that it gained some financial momentum and audience adoration.
Here’s a closer look at the film:
1. A major redo
About halfway through the production of the film, Walt Disney wasn’t happy with the progress and decided to do a major rethink. He reportedly tossed 2,300 feet of footage, representing five months work. Disney was so particular that it took 12 artists about 18 months to nail the look of Pinocchio.
2. Figaro is the favorite
Figaro the cat was Walt Disney’s favorite character. After the film, Disney kicked Minnie Mouse’s pet cocker spaniel to the curb and made Figaro Minnie Mouse’s pet.
3. Jiminy Cricket lives
In the original book by Carlo Collodi, Pinocchio kills the cricket with a hammer and the cricket returns as a ghost. Walt Disney decided to turn the cricket into a very wise sidekick. His name comes from a phrase that was used in the 1930s as an oath in the place of “Jesus Christ,” expressing surprise or astonishment.
4. Blue Fairy looks familiar
The voice and physical model of the Blue Fairy – Evelyn Venable – was also the model used to create the original Columbia Studios logo of the woman holding the torch.
5. Dreams do come true
The song “When You Wish Upon a Star” became the first Disney song to win an Oscar for Best Original Song (in 1940). It is listed as No. 7 on the American Film Institute’s list of top 100 film songs and is the theme song for the Walt Disney Co.
6. Famous voices
Going to an animated film and hearing the voices of famous actors is now a given, but it was “Pinocchio” that started the trend of having famous people voice characters. Dickie Jones (Pinocchio), Cliff Edwards (Jiminy Cricket), Christian Rub (Geppetto), and Charles Judels (Stromboli, carriage driver) were all well-known names at the time.
7. How many fingers do you see?
At the end of the movie, when Pinocchio is changed into a real boy, take a close look at his fingers. As a puppet, he has three fingers and a thumb covered by a white glove – similar to Mickey Mouse. When he is turned into a boy his hands are transformed into four fingers plus a thumb.
