Its view of self-seeking self-fulfillment is undiluted by sentiment, strengthened by satire. Normally these are counter¬balanced by an overdose of moralizing, by dreary stretches of sweetness and light. No wonder Bosley Crowther went overboard in praise (all of it justly deserved)! No wonder Dumbo made the New York Times Ten Best Films of 1941.Īdmittedly, there are many grotesque elements in Disney's other feature cartoons which would repulse, terrify or antagonize children. If ever Disney made a cartoon that will appeal mostly to adults, Dumbo is it. Most of all, I gambol deliriously along with the songs, so consistently clever in lyrics ("I've seen a peanut stand, I've heard a diamond ring, but I've never seen an elephant fly!") and so catchily scored, who could resist? I revel in the inventiveness and wit of the drawing, I applaud the innovations of a more abstract, less formal Disney, I enjoy the polish and sophistication, the sly humor and satiric edge of the dialogue. As an adult, I enjoy these characters enormously.
I enjoyed the gossipy elephants ("Listen, girls, have I got a trunk-full of dirt?"), but I found many aspects of the film too grotesque for enjoyment - Dumbo himself the clowns particularly the "Pink Elephants" even the circus train. Oddly, my enthusiasm for Dumbo is a new-born thing. And (aside from wishing it were just that mite longer), I do too. Most people love the film exactly the way it is.
However, that's purely a personal opinion. The shortest all-animated feature Disney ever made and my only regret is that it's not just a few minutes longer and that Dumbo's new-found success is illustrated only by three newspaper headlines when a few shots of Dumbo being chased by adoring fans or handing out autographs would have been most welcome. Reviewed by JohnHowardReid 10 / 10 Dumbo is Disney's masterpiece.
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