|
World War II changed the possibilities for animation. Prior to the war, animation was seen as a form of childish entertainment. The attack on Pearl Harbor was a turning point in its utility. On December 8, 1941, the U.S. Army began working with Walt Disney at his studio, stationing Army personnel there for the duration of the war.〔Buena Vista Home Entertainment in association with David A. Bossert and Kurtti Pellerin and Leonard Maltin, ''In an Interview with John Hench'', 2004, DVD〕 The Army and Disney set about making various types of films for several different audiences. Most films meant for the public included some type of propaganda, while films for the troops included training and education about a given topic. Films intended for the public were often meant to build morale. They allowed Americans to release their anger and frustration through ridicule and crude humor. Many films simply reflected the war culture and were pure entertainment. Others carried strong messages meant to arouse public involvement or set a public mood. == Animation supporting the war effort == War bonds perhaps received the most advertising and press. Animated cartoons allowed the government to spread their message in a much more entertaining manner. ''Bugs Bunny Bond Rally'' is a classic cartoon depicting Bugs Bunny singing and dancing about war bonds. The film was given to Henry Morgenthau of the U.S. Treasury Department on Monday, December 15, 1941.〔Warner Bros. and U.S. Treasury Dept., Robert Clampett, "Bugs Bunny Bond Rally", 1943, Film〕 It was during such World War II films that Bugs achieved his popularity and made him a national mascot.〔Thomas R. Reich, ''Cartoon Crazys: Goes to War'', Fox Lorber Associates, Inc., 1998, DVD〕 Other films that encouraged buying war bonds included ''Foney Fables'', ''Donald’s Decision'',〔National Film Board of Canada, Walt Disney Productions, ''Donald's Decision'', 1942, Film〕 ''The Thrifty Pig'',〔Walt Disney Productions, ''The Thrifty Pig'', 1941, Film〕 ''7 Wise Dwarfs''〔Walt Disney Productions, ''7 Wise Dwarfs'', 1941, Film〕 and ''All Together''.〔National Film Board of Canada, Walt Disney Productions, ''All Together'', 1942, Film〕 In these short films, either subtly or directly, the characters are portrayed doing their part by spending less and using their savings to buy war savings certificates and investing in victory. Donating scrap metal was another means by which Americans could help support the war effort. ''Scrap Happy Daffy'' was a short film that encouraged such patriotic acts. Daffy defends his scrap yard against a metal-eating Nazi goat sent by an irate Adolf Hitler. The cartoon asks citizens to donate to the war effort by listing items which can be given to scrap yards around the country. The cartoon also educates citizens about Hitler’s spies and spoilers who try to hinder such war efforts.〔Frank Tashlin, Loony Tunes through Warner Bros.,''Scrap Happy Daff'', 1943, Film〕 Other films pleading for scrap metal include ''Ding Dong Daddy''〔I. Freleng, Merrie Melodies through Warner Bros., ''Ding Dong Daddy'', 1943, Film〕 and ''Foney Fables''.〔Merrie Melodies through Warner Bros., I. Freleng, ''Foney Fables'', 1942, Film〕 Pluto and Minnie Mouse contributed to the war effort by encouraging civilians to recycle their cooking grease so it could be used for making explosives in ''Out of the Frying Pan Into the Firing Line''.〔Ben Sharpsteen, Walt Disney Productions, War Production Board, ''Out of the Frying Pan Into the Firing Line'', 1942, Film〕 The government also used animation studios like Walt Disney to encourage people to pay their taxes promptly. In the ''New Spirit'', Donald Duck listens attentively to the radio as it tells him about the importance of paying his income taxes. It details how to fill out a new tax form for households making less than $3,000.00.〔U.S. Department of the Treasury, Walt Disney Production, ''New Spirit'', 1942, Film〕 In ''Spirit of ’43'' Donald is caught in a conundrum to either spend his money in frivolous pursuits, which aids the Axis, or save his money so he can pay his taxes and support the war effort. In both of these films, paying taxes is described as a right and a privilege and should be done gladly and proudly for the war effort. "Taxes run the factories which make the war supplies" according to the narrator in the cartoon. ''Spirit of ’43'' blames Hitler and Hirohito for the high taxes.〔Walt Disney Productions, ''Spirit of '43'', 1943, Film〕 The Disney team was also commissioned by the government’s agricultural division to make a short film about food in America. The film highlighted the importance of the American farmer and to alleviate fears about food supplies by giving detailed numbers on America's considerable agricultural production. The films created to support this effort included ''Food Will Win the War''〔Hamilton Luske, Walt Disney Productions, U.S. Department of Agriculture, ''Food Will Win the War'', 1942, Film〕 and ''The Grain that Built a Hemisphere''.〔Walt Disney Productions, The Office of the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs, 1943, Film〕 Characters in ''Foney Fables''〔 ridiculed characters, even an old lady, who stockpiled food. ''A Tale of Two Kitties'',〔Robert Clampett, Warner Bros. Pictures, Leon Schlesinger Studios, ''A Tale of Two Kitties'', 1942, Film〕 encouraged civilians to grow their own food in victory gardens so there would be food for troops. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「World War II and American animation」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|