1940s cartoons were a lot different than animation today. This is true for several reasons. For one thing, long before the era of Saturday morning cartoons enthralled children, animated shorts were a staple of the movie theatre.
Cartoon shorts filled the space between double features at the drive-in and gave audiences a little extra entertainment. Additionally, feature-length animated films became a box office force during this decade. There was more to animation than simple entertainment though.
1940s cartoons and animated films played dual roles by providing an escape for audiences fearing what would come of the Second World War as well as offering commentary on world events. Below are some animation highlights from the 1940s. These exist almost in a time capsule of sorts capturing a bygone era, and yet they influenced so much that came after.
Bambi (1942)
Of course, Disney’s Bambi is a classic and it is beloved by many. It is notable, however, for a couple of other reasons. First, the timing of its release offered both an escape from the reality of a world at war and a unique perspective on tragedy. In terms of animation, this film is also notable. Walt Disney wanted extremely realistic movements for the animals and had animators study wildlife to capture authenticity. This changed the way future movies were made.
Looney Tunes/ Merrie Melodies
Looney Tunes are certified American classics at this point. Characters like Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck are permanently engrained as part of our culture. These cartoons where remarkable at the time because of their unique approach. The team behind these shorts intended them to be an anti-Disney of sorts. These cartoons were much more adult-oriented and even a bit controversial. It was not just the more mature humor, but the willingness to address current issues. During a time of war, these cartoons offered an escape while not completely avoiding the subject.
Fantasia(1940)
Fantasia is an iconic piece of Disney magic. More than any other animated film, it perfectly paired vibrant imagery with music. The classical music score was recorded with cutting-edge technology and brought stories to life on screen. The result was incredible, however, the film failed to earn a profit during its original release. Today, it is listed as the 24th highest-grossing film adjusted for inflation.
Superman Animated Shorts (1941/1942)
The Man of Steel has appeared in every form imaginable from comic books to video games. His first animated appearance came in 1941 with a series of shorts. These early 1940s cartoons have influenced many future Superman artists. Furthermore, the backdrop of WW2 framed the character as just the hero America needed helping to cement him in our culture for years to come.
What do you think about these 1940s classics? Share your favorites in the comments. If you like content like this and want more, follow The Greatest Generation on Facebook and Twitter and make sure you check out our blog.
