Did You Ever See an Elephant Fly?

The little film that could, Dumbo was released in 1941 as a means to recoup the losses accrued by Fantasia. Clocking in at only 64 minutes Dumbo provides enough emotional punch for film twice it’s length. It’s no wonder it became the most successful film for the studio in the 40’s.

Nostalgically, this movie is really dear to me as I remember many a Sunday evening at home when they would broadcast it on our local TV station. I was captivated by the story of the little elephant from the circus that was made fun of just because of his enormous ears. One of my first Disneyland souvenirs was a Timothy Q. Mouse plush. Maybe it was the bright colors, the simple story, or even the plain fact that it took place at the circus, something about Dumbo just did it for me. Still does to this day.

Everything about Dumbo’s mother is so incredibly heart breaking. The film opens up storks delivering newborn baby animals to the entire circus as Mrs. Jumbo looks on hoping one will be hers, and is crushed when he child is not delivered. Lucky for her one of the storks, played hilariously by Sterling Halloway in his first of MANY great Disney characters, was just running a little behind. She only enjoys a few moments of bliss before the troupe, led by a matriarch voice by another Disney Voice All Star Verna Felton, begin to poke fun at Dumbo’s big ears. Then she gets put in the clink after she’s protecting her poor baby from some cruel kids visiting the circus. No wonder Baby Mine is universally known as a “If-This-Song-Doesn’t-Affect-You-You-Have-No-Soul” moment. This poor character goes through so much it makes her happy ending all that more satisfying.

I always knew that Pink Elephants on Parade scene was trippy and weird, but it’s really great watching it as a learned adult and see how it’s a surrealist dream/nightmare. There is such trippy and frightening imagery in the sequence. I think has a child I ignored the fact that Dumbo and Timothy are completely drunk.

Now for the elephant in the room: The Crows. Say what you will about this controversial aspect of the movie, but I never saw the crows as racist or offensive (Song of the South is a different story, that can be offensive). These crows were the cool kids in the movie; they seemed to me like they were part of a really cool jazz ensemble. They are one of the few characters that are sympathetic to Dumbo and give him the confidence to fly. The worst thing about them is that the lead crow is unfortunately named Jim Crow.

At the end of the film Dumbo triumphs and becomes a star, and quite possibly a war hero? Dumbo is one of the most inspiring and magical films in the Disney cannon that will have you cheering louder than the crowd under the big top. I’d believe and soar with this pachyderm any day.