Disney's Propaganda In The Clouded Lens

The Clouded Lens
Disney used the war and its propaganda to enhance its reputation as a trustworthy American brand, by creating films and producing ideas that are extremely patriotic. The messages brought forward in the films gave the Americans something to believe in and a path to follow. They were given and understanding of what was going on in the world around them in a manner that was entertaining but educational. They gained trust because most of what they were putting out to the public had an air of truth and reliability to it and made them even more popular than they already were. Although popular and relatable Disney put out information and portrayals of cultures that were off base and very stereotypical. Through the use of the films
Donald’s character related to the people of post¬¬-depression era where they were tired of being beaten down and wanted to rise up and be prosperous again. Steven Watts infers in his book that Donald related to the American people because “he ultimately seemed a bad tempered, good hearted figure battling life’s injustices and petty annoyances” (p.256). Which were exactly what the American people felt like they were doing. The Disney Corporation branded Donald Duck as a symbol for the American war effort. He was featured in many propaganda shorts that gave reason and understanding for the U.S’s part in the war. Donald Duck was not the only character Disney used to support the war. The military ranging from the Air force, to the Navy, used Disney to create educational films for soldiers. According to Lisa Briner of the Army Heritage and Education Center, the Disney Studios produced over four hundred thousand feet of film which turns out to be over sixty-eight hours of continuous film of either training or propaganda. (www.army.mil) Through creating films, training videos, logos and more, Disney used its brand and abilities to support the war as much as they could. Through the creation of all the propaganda shorts and training films for the military, Disney was able to put out an image of what American life was and what the enemy’s life was. In doing so Disney used ethnic and cultural stereotyping to send the messages they wanted their films to portray. The use of the films was to set boundaries between the nations and their cultures. They used extreme portrayals, patriotism, and nationalism to show an idea of us and them. Through creating the barriers Americans gained a skewed and biased sense of what the war was about, and who they were fighting. In looking through the films one is able to see the stereotyping and biases that were portrayed and sent out to