Walt Disney
The Magic of Walt Disney
Jenna Weinstein
February 18, 2011
US History 10H
Mr. Diamond
Period 3
Jenna Weinstein
2/18/11
U.S. History 10H
Mr. Diamond
Period 3
The Magic of Walt Disney
Walt Disney is considered an icon of American pop culture and has made many contributions to the American entertainment industry. A self-made-man from the Midwest, he became an inspiration to all American children and adults. Hailing from the heart of America, he was very patriotic and contributed a great deal to our country in times of need. What was most likeable about Walt Disney was that he was relatable; he came to embody the American values of courage, determination, wholesomeness, innocence, imagination, and self-confidence. Although Walt Disney was influenced by the setting in which he grew up, he shaped the American pop culture and everyday life of virtually the entire twentieth century, and he supported our country in times of need; his legacy continues today. Walt Disney was born on December 5, 1901 in Chicago, Illinois, but his family moved soon after his birth. Although Walt Disney shaped most of twentieth century pop culture, he himself was influenced by his small midwestern hometown: Marceline, Missouri. Walt Disney only lived there for a few years as a child, but it still had a major impact on his life and career. It was a traditional, Midwestern town which made Disney just an average guy, relatable to any other typical American. This ordinary town lacked magical and fantastical features, which could have contributed to his craving for magic and fantasy later in life. He grew up around animals on a farm; so many of his early animations consisted of animals and rural themes. He used a lot of “outhouse” and farm humor in his cartoons such as outhouse gags, goosing gags, bedpans, Johnny-pots, thinly disguised farts, and cow udders. Even though Disney grew up in a traditional American small-town, his childhood occurred during the
Jenna Weinstein
February 18, 2011
US History 10H
Mr. Diamond
Period 3
Jenna Weinstein
2/18/11
U.S. History 10H
Mr. Diamond
Period 3
The Magic of Walt Disney
Walt Disney is considered an icon of American pop culture and has made many contributions to the American entertainment industry. A self-made-man from the Midwest, he became an inspiration to all American children and adults. Hailing from the heart of America, he was very patriotic and contributed a great deal to our country in times of need. What was most likeable about Walt Disney was that he was relatable; he came to embody the American values of courage, determination, wholesomeness, innocence, imagination, and self-confidence. Although Walt Disney was influenced by the setting in which he grew up, he shaped the American pop culture and everyday life of virtually the entire twentieth century, and he supported our country in times of need; his legacy continues today. Walt Disney was born on December 5, 1901 in Chicago, Illinois, but his family moved soon after his birth. Although Walt Disney shaped most of twentieth century pop culture, he himself was influenced by his small midwestern hometown: Marceline, Missouri. Walt Disney only lived there for a few years as a child, but it still had a major impact on his life and career. It was a traditional, Midwestern town which made Disney just an average guy, relatable to any other typical American. This ordinary town lacked magical and fantastical features, which could have contributed to his craving for magic and fantasy later in life. He grew up around animals on a farm; so many of his early animations consisted of animals and rural themes. He used a lot of “outhouse” and farm humor in his cartoons such as outhouse gags, goosing gags, bedpans, Johnny-pots, thinly disguised farts, and cow udders. Even though Disney grew up in a traditional American small-town, his childhood occurred during the
Cited: "Art: Profound Mouse." Time, 15 May 1933 http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,745525-2,00.html (2 November 2010). Gabler, Neal. Walt Disney The Triumph of the American Imagination. New York: Random House, Inc., 2006. Heide, Robert, and John Gilman. Mickey Mouse The Evolution, The Legend, The Phenomenon!. New York: Disney Enterprises, Inc., 2001. Press, Petra. A Cultural History of the United States Through the Decades The 1930s. San Diego: Lucent Books, Inc., 1999. Schickel, Richard. The Disney Version The Life, Times, Art, and Commerce of Walt Disney. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1968. Watts, Steven. The Magic Kingdom Walt Disney and the American Way of Life. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1997. [ 2 ]. Robert Heide and John Gilman. Mickey Mouse The Evolution, The Legend, The Phenomenon. (New York: Disney Enterprises Inc., 2001). 6. [ 4 ]. “Art: Profound Mouse,” Time (1933). http://www.time/magazine/article/0,9171,745525-2,000.html (accessed November 2, 2010). [ 6 ]. Petra Press. A Cultural History of the United States Through the Decades The 1930’s. (San Diego: Lucent Books, 1999). 94. [ 24 ]. Neal Gabler. Walt Disney The Triumph of the American Imagination. (New York: Random House Inc., 2006). 632. [ 36 ]. Richard Shickel. The Disney Version The Life, Times, Art, and Commerce of alt Disney. (New York: Simon and Schuster, 1968). 72.