By the 1950s, Disney films had a strong following in not only the U.S. but also Europe, Mexico, Canada, Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, and New Zealand (Johnson, Ehrbar, and Ghez 146). For example, the Aristocats was an international success and people in a multitude of countries adopted the cats as part of their own culture even though the story was specifically set in France (Johnson, Ehrbar, and Ghez 146). Domestically, Disney had an obvious impact as even now, more than 40 years after his death, both his original movies and the newer Disney movies continue to be synonymous with family entertainment.
Disney’s influence has gone much further than mainstream, family entertainment, as some people credit Disney with having at least some influence on the counterculture of the 1960s. Disney is known for his animation, but the music in his movies is what is focused on most by those who believe in Disney’s influence on the counterculture. Starting with his Mickey Mouse cartoons, just about all of Disney’s characters dance at some point during their movies (Brode 37). However, especially when the early cartoons were released, dancing was commonly thought of as sinful or at least frowned upon (Brode 40). In Robin Hood, Disney glorifies the rebels while Fantasia, Dumbo, and Alice in Wonderland all have rather psychedelic sequences (Brode 55-56). Though to most people these movies do appear to fit nicely into Disney’s traditional, family-oriented brand, they did expose people to music, dancing, and ideas that were not necessarily commonly accepted.
Even to this day, Disney’s studio is known for this unique approach to business. Though the personal relationship between the executive management and lower levels of employees has faded over the years, the current CEO of Walt Disney Studios credits their success to cross-silo communication and collaboration (Crain).
Disney’s influence has gone much further than mainstream, family entertainment, as some people credit Disney with having at least some influence on the counterculture of the 1960s. Disney is known for his animation, but the music in his movies is what is focused on most by those who believe in Disney’s influence on the counterculture. Starting with his Mickey Mouse cartoons, just about all of Disney’s characters dance at some point during their movies (Brode 37). However, especially when the early cartoons were released, dancing was commonly thought of as sinful or at least frowned upon (Brode 40). In Robin Hood, Disney glorifies the rebels while Fantasia, Dumbo, and Alice in Wonderland all have rather psychedelic sequences (Brode 55-56). Though to most people these movies do appear to fit nicely into Disney’s traditional, family-oriented brand, they did expose people to music, dancing, and ideas that were not necessarily commonly accepted.
Even to this day, Disney’s studio is known for this unique approach to business. Though the personal relationship between the executive management and lower levels of employees has faded over the years, the current CEO of Walt Disney Studios credits their success to cross-silo communication and collaboration (Crain).