On December 21, 1937, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs made its debut before a packed house in Los Angeles — and what a debut it was. Ticket demand had been so overwhelming in advance that purchases were capped at four per person, while an astonishing 30,000 people crowded together outside the theater just to be part of the excitement. The film broke entirely new ground as the first full-length animated movie ever produced. To bring his vision to life, Walt Disney had been forced to secure a substantial loan, and plenty of skeptics were convinced the whole endeavor was doomed to flop. But Disney would have the last laugh! Opening night proved to be a triumph, and the movie ultimately pulled in more than 8 million dollars — a staggering figure for 1937!
Fun Facts
- Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs draws its story from the 1812 German fairy tale penned by the Brothers Grimm. Making its debut on December 21, 1937, it holds the distinction of being the first full-length animated feature film in the Walt Disney Animated Classics Series.
- The production was overseen by supervising director David Hand.
- The film's premiere took place at the Carthay Circle Theatre in Los Angeles, California.
- Bringing the movie to life cost Walt Disney 1.5 million, the majority of which was borrowed money — effectively staking his entire future on the project. Fortunately, the gamble paid off spectacularly!
- Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs earned widespread praise from critics, among them Charlie Chaplin, who declared that the film exceeded all expectations.
- For the beloved ballad Some Day My Prince Will Come featured in Snow White, Disney was honored with an honorary Academy Award.
- In a truly one-of-a-kind gesture, Disney also received a special Oscar for the Snow White film — and it came accompanied by seven mini Oscars, a playful nod to the seven dwarves!