Disney's VD Attack Plan!...

[Thinktinknpixiedust]

I like to Google search Disney Video. I have found complete video of Fantasmic, EE, teacups, Cinderellabration, and so much more. Yesterday I cam across 2 that kinda had me stumped. One of them was a "banned" cartoon featuring Donald Duck. It was about collecting taxes to defeat the axis (ie Hitler). It was a really aggressive cartoon. And yes I came across the infodocumentary called the VD attack plan . and yes it was really about VD. Both of these things were bona fide Disney peices of history... has anyone else come across these? have you come across different ones? What do you think?

 

[thecotos]

I saw the Hitler cartoon discussed in a video I shared with my fifth grade students when I taught World War II. The video was called "Cartoons go to War" and in it Disney and Chuck Jones (waner bros. or hanna barbara or something) had been commisioned to create these informational cartoons for, among others, the soldiers fighting in the war. Apparently a lot of the soldiers were young and just out of high school. It was my understanding that the government found these cartoons were sometimes the best way to get their messages (about the things going on in Europe, and the importance of secrecy) across rather than a boring how to film strip or something. Some were even used as propeganda in the States, shown before the saturday picture show.

Its a pretty interesting video documentary but does not include the actual cartoons just clips of 'em.

 

[Thinktinknpixiedust]

I was aware that there were alot of infomentarys during war time. Things like saving foil etc, however I still had to scratch my head at this one... It was a whole new disney (Donald looking like Hitler...)

 

[thecotos]

found this on the cartoon:


From Jerry Edwards : My favorite of the WWII subject cartoons. Although this cartoon was very funny, it was also one of the most effective propaganda films of its time. Everything in the cartoon (houses, trees, clouds, etc.) is shaped like a swastika. The hellish conditions of living in a totalitarian state are vividly portrayed. The "Der Fuehrer's Face" song which begins and ends the short is quite hilarious just by itself. This is the only Donald Duck short to win an Academy Award. My "Cartoons Go To War" video tape does not contain the short, just some clips and info on it. It is possible that Disney objected to the short and my video is a later censored version. An incomplete black and white version was shown on the 11/13/60 Disney anthology TV show "Donald's Silver Anniversary." One of the great Disney shorts, propaganda or otherwise.


I don't find it all that crazy (donald as hitler), especially considering the state of the world during that time, maybe the kid in us all trying to sort out what is going on!

 

[thecotos]

jim hill has an article on it as well. interseting.

 

[Thinktinknpixiedust]

Do you have a link to Mr. Hills article?? I find all of this very fasinating. You see I know that Disney is such a huge part of our collective conscience and it is interesting to finally see some of the "thread" that was used to make this interesting collage. I would also love to see the video that you have... could I find it at my library?

 

[Thinktinknpixiedust]

I just went "Googling" again and found some other information about Disney Propaganda. There is a few different shorts that aid in war time training and social objectives. There is a Donald short titled Der Fuehrer's Face that has him falling asleep and having a nightmare about being lost in Nazi Land... when he wakes up he hugs his statue of Liberty and proclaims his happiness at American citizenry.

I realize that I should of posted this on the community board... but this has certainly opened up a new perspective, one that intriques the daylights out of me....