One cannot review Pinocchio without mentioning the de facto Disney theme song, "When You Wish Upon a Star." As the film transitions from the opening credits, we are pleasantly greeted by the legendary Jiminy Cricket (voiced superbly by the incomparable Cliff Edwards) serenading us with this classic anthem. Walt and his grew must have known that they had something special on their hands with this song because the way in which they set it all up, with a slow zoom in to Jiminy looking up at the stars, is one of the most magical sequences in the history of the studio. The lyrics are perfectly written and the music is composed with complimentary expertise as this moment becomes one of Walt's finest achievements.
Speaking of Jiminy Cricket, this is just as much his film as it is Pinocchio's. There is a reason Jiminy remains to this day one of Disney's most beloved characters, and that reason is because it is quite impossible to dislike him. He is witty, daring, and selfless, always looking out for Pinocchio, but what makes his characterization so incredible is that we see that Jiminy is by no means a perfect "conscience." He oversleeps on his first day with Pinocchio; he cannot unlock Stromboli's cage so Pinocchio can escape; he storms off after a standoff with Pinocchio at Pleasure Island. Jiminy may be a cricket, but in a real sense, he is just like me and you, a flawed soul helplessly devoted to his best friend. That, in and of itself, is a message worth proclaiming, but then Disney cautions against temptation and touches on the struggle to achieve manhood and you have one of the studio's deepest and most enthralling films in its history.
Rating: 10/10
Historical Significance: Following Snow White was no small task, but Walt Disney proved that he was here to stay with Pinocchio. He even received some recognition from the Academy Awards. Although Snow White garnered honorary Oscars, Pinocchio was nominated for and won two competitive Oscars (Best Original Song and Best Original Score), becoming the first animated film to win a competitive Oscar. On the financial side of things, however, Pinocchio was not as successful as Snow White. With a budget that inflated from $500,000 to over $2.5 million, Pinocchio became one of the most expensive films produced during this time period. Fortunately, Disney established himself as a such force to be reckoned with for years to come on the critical side of things that the studio just kept pressing on.
Behind the Scenes: Mel Blanc, the legendary voice actor of such iconic characters as Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, was brought in by Walt Disney to voice Gideon, Honest John's partner in crime. However, Walt decided, for reasons we still are uncertain about, that Gideon should be mute. ordering the crew to cut all of Blanc's dialogue. Blanc can still be heard, however, when Gideon hiccups in the tavern. Another hidden gem occurs in the aforementioned opening shot with Jiminy Cricket singing "When You Wish Upon a Star." If you look to the left of Jiminy, you will see two books entitled Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland. Obviously, these two books would later be adapted to the screen by Disney in the fifties, but this Easter egg shows that work had already begun on these two projects even in the late thirties.
Favorite Character: It has to be Jiminy Cricket, one of the best characters ever created by Disney, and the amazing part is that when production on this film began, Jiminy Cricket was not even in the original story as he was not introduced until nine months into production! That was one awesome audible called by the crew. There is no need to repeat my praise of Jiminy here. Instead, just read what I said above to see why Jiminy is my favorite!
Favorite Scene: As a defining moment not only for Pinocchio, but for Disney in general, the scene where the Blue Fairy arrives to grant Geppetto's wish of turning Pinocchio into a real boy is pure magic. Disney's cinematic identity is forged with this one scene. From the beautiful music being played in the background to the genuine reactions from Jiminy to the magical transformation of Pinocchio, this scene will undoubtedly stand the test of time as one of the greatest moments in the history of animation.
Favorite Song: As you could probably infer, I am going with "When You Wish Upon a Star," for this one. How could I not go with the anthem of Disney? Ever since its debut in Pinocchio, this simple yet profound song has continually encouraged dreamers of all ages to never stop wishing, and that is a message that Disney can truly be proud of (Watch the opening credits transition to the classic song here!).
Miscues: If I had to select a miscue for Pinocchio, I could possibly argue that when the setting shifts to Pleasure Island, the film becomes too intense for young children, but that is a minor qualm at best. Pinocchio is practically a flawless film.
Updated Ranking: Both Snow White and Pinocchio have received a perfect rating from me, but I give the slight edge to Snow White today. The dwarfs and the overall song selection eventually leads the former to victory.
- Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
- Pinocchio
Disney hit two grand slams to begin its illustrious reign at the top of the animation food chain, but later on in 1940, Walt decided to experiment with something else that had never been done before. Tomorrow, we'll look at the innovative and remarkable Fantasia!
-Cody Fleenor
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