When it comes to classic films, few studios have created their own quintessential genre in the same way as theWalt Disney Company. For more than 100 years,the Mouse House has enchanted audienceswith animated classics, live action spectacles, and immersive theme park experiences (some of which have gone on to createanothersubgenre of their own). However, out of all the media Disney has produced, it’s hard to find any entry that captures the zeitgeist of the organization likeCinderella.As the film prepares to celebrate its 75th anniversary, it continues to influence the company and is largely responsible forDisney’s long-lasting legacy.
‘Cinderella’ Forever Changed Disney’s Princess Canon
At first glance,Cinderellamay seem like another entry intoDisney’s long rolodex of princess films, but the film is largely responsible for what Disney princesses have become.Snow Whitemay have started the trend, butCinderellaperfected it. Sure, the film has all the magic of other Disney pictures, andits score ranks among the most memorable, but it’s the characters that make this entry so special. WhileSnow White (Adriana Caselotti) herselfis a beloved player, and the Evil Queen (Lucille La Verne) is one of Disney’s most unforgettable villains,the characters inCinderellaare so beautifully fleshed out and well written, starting with the titular character herself.
Cinderella (Ilene Woods) is far from a damsel in distress. While certainly the victim of her stepfamily’s abuse, she is Disney’s first princess to not be passive about her situation. From the time she appears on screen, she makes it clear that she intends to rise above the terrible treatment of the Tremaine family, even if it means escaping into her dreams. And when the opportunity to do something about it comes along in the form of the ball, she finds a way to go. As if that wasn’t inspiring enough, Cinderella started a really important trend for the Disney princess. For Snow White, her greatest dream is to be carried away by her prince, butfor Cinderella, the prince is never the goal; her own joy is. The prince is just an added bonus. It’s a stark contrast to her sisters who are out solely for the prince, and adds a beautiful depth toCinderellathat had yet to be seen in Disney films.
This trend became common during theDisney Renaissanceperiod, where characters like Ariel (Jodi Benson), Belle (Paige O’Hara), and Jasmine (Linda Larkin/Lea Salonga) find love along the way to their own personal fulfillment. Additionally, it’s Cinderella who saves the day for herself, after her stepfamily tries to keep her from trying on the glass slipper by locking her away and then smashing it. Cinderella bravely faces them and reveals the spare shoe, which ultimately sets her free from her imprisonment, not unlike the heroic actions audiences would eventually see from characters like Merida (Kelly Macdonald) and Moana (Auliʻi Cravalho).Cinderella’s tend setting wasn’t limited to just the film either.
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‘Cinderella’ Has Become a Symbol for the Walt Disney Company
Not only didCinderellabecome a franchise with two sequels, it kickstartedDisney’s live-action remake serieswith 2015’sCinderella, an entry that is often still consideredthe best of its genre. Interestingly, despiteadding more backstoryand giving the character’s arc more time to flourish, the picture is completely faithful to the character audiences have known and loved for 75 years. Her modern ideals and beautifully independent actions feel as though they very well could have been executed by her animated counterpart.
Beyond the screen,Cinderellahas even become a beacon for the Walt Disney Company itself.Walt Disney World’s iconic symbol is, of course, Cinderella’s castle, a structure that was replicated in Tokyo Disneyland. In the years since, her castle has become the famous logo of the company, something that makes complete sense! The film has been so much a part of what makes Disney the beloved organization that it is, it’s clear that it is the perfect film to represent the company. Seeing the iconic castle logo at the start of each Disney film lets audiences know they’re in for something enchanting, something that only Disney can deliver. What film can better represent the magic of Disney than its most magical entry? 75 years later,Cinderella’s legacycontinues to be one of the most influential for Disney. Its characters really evolved the company’s form of storytelling, which has reinvented the way we experience entertainment. All these decades later, it’s clear that its magic will continue long after the stroke of midnight.
Cinderella
When Cinderella’s cruel stepmother prevents her from attending the Royal Ball, she gets some unexpected help from the lovable mice Gus and Jaq and from her Fairy Godmother.
