Was Snow White the first animated movie?

Yes, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was the first full length animated feature film in cinema history. Before Snow White, animation was used only for short cartoons. Walt Disney spent three years and $1.5 million creating the 83 minute film, proving that animation could sustain feature length storytelling.

How much did Snow White cost to make?

Snow White cost $1.5 million to produce in 1937, an enormous sum during the Great Depression. This was roughly 10 times the cost of an average live action film at the time. Walt Disney mortgaged his house to fund the project. Critics called it "Disney's Folly" and predicted financial disaster before it became a massive success.

Who did the voice of Snow White?

Adriana Caselotti voiced Snow White at age 18. Her sweet, youthful soprano became iconic, especially in songs like "Someday My Prince Will Come" and "I'm Wishing." Disney kept her identity secret initially to preserve the character's magic. She was paid $970 for her work, though the film earned millions.

Did Snow White win an Oscar?

Snow White received an Honorary Academy Award in 1939 for creating a significant screen innovation. Walt Disney was presented with one standard sized Oscar plus seven miniature Oscars representing the seven dwarfs. This unique award acknowledged the film's groundbreaking achievement in creating the first animated feature film.

What are the seven dwarfs' names?

The seven dwarfs are named Doc, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, Bashful, Sneezy, and Dopey. Each name reflects the dwarf's distinct personality. Disney's team considered hundreds of potential names before settling on these seven. The characters provide comic relief while helping Snow White escape from the Evil Queen.

How long did it take to make Snow White?

Snow White took three years to produce, from 1934 to 1937. Over 750 artists worked on the film, creating more than 2 million individual drawings. The team invented new animation techniques including the multiplane camera to create depth. Walt Disney demanded perfection, often rejecting entire sequences and requiring artists to start over.

Why is Snow White still popular today?

Snow White endures because of its timeless craftsmanship, memorable characters, and emotional storytelling. The hand drawn animation has warmth that still impresses viewers. The songs remain classics. Parents share it with their children, creating generational traditions. It is available on Disney+ where it continues attracting millions of viewers nearly 90 years later.

December 21, 1937: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Premieres

Disney's first animated feature film debuts in Hollywood

On December 21, 1937, Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs premiered at the Carthay Circle Theatre in Hollywood, becoming the first full length animated feature film in cinema history.

Key Facts

Premiere Date

December 21, 1937

Premiere Location

Carthay Circle Theatre, Hollywood

Runtime

83 minutes

Production Budget

$1.5 million

Box Office

$8 million initial release

Director

David Hand (supervising)

Voice of Snow White

Adriana Caselotti

Production Time

3 years

Animation Cels

Over 2 million drawings

Academy Awards

1 Honorary Oscar

Songs Featured

8 original songs

Cultural Status

National Film Registry (1989)

About December 21, 1937: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Premieres

On December 21, 1937, Walt Disney premiered Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Carthay Circle Theatre in Hollywood, forever changing the course of cinema. The film was the first full length animated feature in movie history, running 83 minutes and featuring groundbreaking animation techniques, memorable characters, and songs that became instant classics.

Walt Disney's Ambitious Gamble

In 1934, Disney announced plans to produce a feature length animated film based on the Brothers Grimm fairy tale Snow White. He assembled a team of over 750 artists and spent three years developing new animation techniques. The production budget ballooned to $1.5 million, an astronomical sum during the Great Depression.

Revolutionary Animation Techniques

To bring Snow White to life, Disney's team invented and refined numerous animation techniques. This gave scenes a three dimensional quality never before achieved in animation. The team created over 2 million individual drawings for the film.

The Story and Characters

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs tells the story of a beautiful princess whose jealous stepmother, the Evil Queen, orders her death. Snow White escapes into the forest where she befriends seven dwarf miners. The Queen discovers Snow White survived and uses magic to poison her with an apple.

Premiere Night Triumph

The December 21, 1937 premiere at the Carthay Circle Theatre was a Hollywood event unlike any before. For 83 minutes, they watched spellbound. When the film opened to the general public in February 1938, theaters were packed.

Critical Acclaim and Awards

At the 1939 Academy Awards, Walt Disney received an honorary Oscar for creating a significant screen innovation. This unique award acknowledged that Snow White did not fit existing categories. The Academy later created the Best Animated Feature category, partly inspired by Snow White's success.

Box Office Success and Cultural Impact

Snow White shattered box office records. Its initial 1938 release earned $8 million, equivalent to over $150 million today. By the 1990s, its cumulative box office exceeded $400 million, not adjusted for inflation.

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Historical Analysis

⚡Historical Significance

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Snow White was the first full length animated feature film in cinema history.
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The film proved that animation could sustain feature length storytelling and serious emotion.
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Disney's technical innovations established standards that guided animation for decades.

📝Critical Reception

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Critics were astonished by the emotional depth achieved through animation.
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The honorary Oscar recognized the film's unprecedented achievement.
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Some questioned whether animation could achieve lasting artistic significance.

🌍Cultural Impact

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Snow White launched the animated feature film industry that now generates billions annually.
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Disney princesses became a cultural phenomenon beginning with Snow White.
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The film's songs established the integrated musical format for animated features.

Before & After

📅Before

Before Snow White, animation meant short cartoons shown before feature films. No one believed audiences would pay to watch a full length cartoon or that animation could convey genuine emotion.

🚀After

After Snow White's success, the animated feature film became a viable art form. Disney built an empire, and animation eventually achieved equal artistic status with live action filmmaking.

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Did You Know?

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Over 750 artists worked three years creating more than 2 million individual drawings for the film

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Walt Disney mortgaged his house to fund the project critics called "Disney's Folly"

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The premiere audience included Charlie Chaplin and Shirley Temple, many cried during the film

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Disney received one regular Oscar plus seven miniature Oscars for the seven dwarfs

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Adriana Caselotti was paid just $970 to voice Snow White in the highest grossing film of its era

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The multiplane camera invented for Snow White created the first three dimensional animation effects

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Why It Still Matters Today

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Snow White remains one of the highest grossing animated films when adjusted for inflation

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The film established Disney as the dominant force in animation for decades

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Disney princess culture traces directly to this first animated heroine

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The film's preservation in the National Film Registry recognizes its cultural significance

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Test Your Knowledge

How much do you know? Take this quick quiz to find out!

1. When did Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs premiere?

2. Why was the film called Disney's Folly?

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Original Insights

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Walt Disney mortgaged his house to complete the film after costs ballooned to $1.5 million

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Over 750 artists created more than 2 million individual drawings for the 83 minute film

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Adriana Caselotti was paid only $970 to voice Snow White in the highest grossing film of its era

Frequently Asked Questions

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs premiered on December 21, 1937, at the Carthay Circle Theatre in Hollywood. The premiere was a major Hollywood event attended by celebrities and industry leaders. The film opened to general audiences on February 4, 1938, and became the highest grossing film of its time.

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Sources & References

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937 film) - Wikipedia

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs - IMDb

This article is reviewed by the Pagefacts team.

Editorial Approach:

This article explores how Disney's Folly became the film that launched an entire industry and proved animation could achieve artistic greatness.