Media Matters: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs


Today starts a new little feature on the Kiddosphere: Media Matters. Every week, I'll try to highlight a DVD or audiobook (mostly from the children's/YA collection, but I'll include material from the adult collection as well).


Let's begin with the one that started it all for Disney and animation movies in general. Called "Walt's Folly" when it was announced that Disney was planning the first animated feature, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was an instant smash hit when it debuted. This tale of a princess, dwarfs, and a poison apple has remained a classic.

Point #1: Wow. The evil queen is really, really creepy. Not as frightening, in my opinion, as Maleficent in Sleeping Beauty, but this is a character that plans to have her stepdaughter's heart cut out and cackles about Snow White being buried alive after eating the poison apple (as well as cackling "Thirsty?" when she passes a skeleton reaching out for a jug).

Point #2: Out of all the dull as dishwater princes in Disney films, the Prince in Snow White takes the cake. Prince Philip in Sleeping Beauty has more presence and personality (and has a really cool battle scene with a dragon), the Prince in Cinderella has a mission that makes him a bit more interesting, but this dude sings a little song at the beginning and rides up on his horse at the end, kisses Snow White, and takes her away. Big ol' snooze. It's been a long, long time since I've seen Snow White (and I don't remember it being a childhood favorite like Sleeping Beauty), but I was expecting him to have to battle the witch or go through a test before finding Snow White. But, no. This guy hears rumors about a sleeping girl in a glass coffin and decides to take a little trip into the woods. Big deal, Prince Charming.


Point #3: Someday My Prince Will Come. Yes, yes, roll your eyes. But, let's consider. This is a girl who grew up with a stepmother who wanted her heart cut out, is forced to flee into the woods, and in exchange for room and board, has to keep house for a bunch of weird little men with filthy living habits. Wouldn't you want someone, anyone, to rescue you? Give the girl a break. And secondly, this film was released in
1937. Wasn't everyone wishing that someone would just sweep in and make all the misery go away? It makes sense, people! Don't hate, relate.

Point #4: Heigh-ho! Heigh-ho! It's off to work we go! Isn't that the best? I was singing it on my way to work this morning.


If you have time, watch the "making of" documentary.

Tomorrow-look for a post on new books for October.