Dumbo

[nono]

Does anyone else find it interesting and well, weird, that in the movie Dumbo, Casey Jr's RR is snaking through FL, specifically right around the Orlando area, while the Stork is trying to find Mrs. Jumbo?

I mean, the movie was done in 1941, and out of all the States, and all the portions of States, Central FL is featured? Seems like a really cool coincidence!

[jdvm]

never noticed that. Does anyone know that Ask Dave guy? Or perhaps our very own expert, Convert, will know the story behind that one.
J

[ghost1000]

Maybe at the time it was a winter home (http://history.amusement-parks.com/CircusWorldFL.html) for various circuses. I just found this information on a website:

Florida has long been a home to traveling show people. The warm winters make it an ideal place for circus and carnival winter quarters. In addition, the long history of the state in the outdoor entertainment industry combined with the weather no doubt made the Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Circus feel that the area was a great spot for a new entertainment complex.

[idratherbeinwdw]

Wow that's really cool! I can't believe I never noticed that, I must have watched Dumbo a hundred times when my daughter Becky was a toddler, she loved it. She and I have fond memories of Baby Mine, I used to sing it to her as a lullaby back then. Recently I got a fridge magnet with the stork bringing Dumbo to his Mom. It has the words "Straight from heaven up above, here is a baby for you to love". (I think that's from the movie?--been a while, Becky is now 21). The magnet has a spot for a photo, I put in a picture of me holding Becky when she was a baby. I know, corny!

Well back to the topic--I have to go look at the movie now, I haven't seen it in many years. Gotta check out the Orlando connection! You've got sharp eyes nono, thanks for sharing! :sherlock: :bowdown:

[ErinC]

I never noticed it in the movie, but here's a little blurb I found online to support Ghost's comments.

http://fcit.coedu.usf.edu/florida/lessons/ringling/ringling.htm
Sarasota is only at most 2 hours from Orlando. I've been to his home and museum many times as I grew up about 15 minutes from it. The property is beautiful. Not sure if any of this is the reason central Florida is in Dumbo, but I thought you might enjoy reading it anyway. I do remember seeing Ringling Bros. train cars as a child. I'll have to ask my Dad about it.

[dvcconvert]

Does anyone else find it interesting and well, weird, that in the movie Dumbo, Casey Jr's RR is snaking through FL, specifically right around the Orlando area, while the Stork is trying to find Mrs. Jumbo?

I mean, the movie was done in 1941, and out of all the States, and all the portions of States, Central FL is featured? Seems like a really cool coincidence!


Coincidence. Rita basically nailed it. In the context of the movie casey's chugging the circus out of winter hibernation in Florida. Mind you, considering all the 'coincidences' surrounding this production -- I'd say only due to Walt's oversight and insight in storytelling made this one work. Some of the darkest days for the Disney Studios were Dumbo ... 1/2 the staff left following a bitter strike....as if that weren't bad enough....that 6 weeks after it's release, Pearl Harbor occurred. Dave Smith would know for certain, but I'm guessing Otto Englander hatched the Florida component to the storyboard.

[nono]

Convert,

Yeah -- aren't some of the strikers in characature in part of the film? That's what I read somewhere -- that those who weren't striking sketched in those who were...since I don't know any of them, can't look for them!

I am amazed at how delighted my daughter is with the film. She has always liked the ride, and sometimes a really decent board book that summarizes the story. But since our Oct. trip to The World, she's been watching Dumbo a couple times a week. She LOVES it and giggles and delights in it in a way that is unique to watching this film.

I wasn't suggesting anything more than a coincidence, but it is amazing how the train literally snakes right through what was then no-mans land...but it is funny how life can be like that -- precursors to future events.

Thanks for the info about circuses wintering...I never considered what they did when the weather turned cold up north. :idea:

[TW1]

We watched this about two weeks ago and while the central FL image didn't trigger with me, it was more the roustabouts that gave me pause.

I mean, they won't re-release Song of the South (which I haven't seen in 30+ years at least) but celebrate this one with lyrics like:

"We don’t know when we get our pay
And when we do, we throw our pay away"

and

"We work all day, we work all night
We never learned to read or write"

Hmmm.

[lllovell]

That movie makes me sad to be honest. I have watched it a couple of times with my kids again and I still think it is simply too dark and sad. So, I have not noticed the specifics you all mention. (but it is cool you notice such stuff!)

A classic - yes...but so is Old Yeller and I pass on that one as well.

Laura

[idratherbeinwdw]

That movie makes me sad to be honest. I have watched it a couple of times with my kids again and I still think it is simply too dark and sad. So, I have not noticed the specifics you all mention. (but it is cool you notice such stuff!)

A classic - yes...but so is Old Yeller and I pass on that one as well.

Laura

Ahhh but Old Yeller has the saddest ending ever (and I can't watch it either) but Dumbo has a nice happy ending. I agree there are some sad scenes--my daughter would get upset when they took Mrs. Jumbo away from Dumbo--but at least they reunited and Becky would be happy then. Contrast this to Bambi, Land Before Time, Lion King, and more, where the parent DIES! :crymeariv

[lllovell]

Good point Mar. The ending does improve things dramatically!

Many Disney movies seem to have such a tough plot line and it is hard to make the decision as a parent about what is ok at what time. Some movies which take on really tough messages (Brother Bear for example) can have a very positive impact on children though. The boys received that movie right before Mom died (the week she passed away actually) and the messages there really helped me to be able to discuss things with Charlie about it. Never know what you will find to take away from the Disney movies.

[jiggerj]

Awww.. laura :hug:- I STILL cannot watch Lion King without having water works- My Dad passed during the release.

Which brings me to the question of...where are all the Moms in Disney movies? Cinderellas, Snow Whites, Belles, Ariels???? to name a few-

[ErinC]

Which brings me to the question of...where are all the Moms in Disney movies? Cinderellas, Snow Whites, Belles, Ariels???? to name a few-


Yeah, my kids wanted to know where Max came from. "Is goofy married Mom?":headscrat Never thought about all the missing mothers until you brought it up. I don't like the sad stuff either. Bambi was a tough one for me as a child. Even now, I'm a happy movie girl. DH gets so mad at me when it comes to picking out movies. I don't do horror, sci-fi, don't like anything where people die. Too much sadness in life to waste my time with unhappy movies.

[KNWVIKING]

I'm familiar with Dumbo the spinner ride at WDW.

There's a movie about it also ?

[jiggerj]

Yeah, my kids wanted to know where Max came from. "Is goofy married Mom?":headscrat

My ds too- Wasnt quite sure where to go with that either.. Interesting that Disney is about "family" but in the films the parents are not portrayed as a "unit" family.... Even back from the beginning-

Parent trap...comes to mind as well-

I am trying to think of the 'perfect family unit" (ya-know the mother/father plus 2. kids) and the only one I can think of is Swiss Family Robinson - And "The Incredibles" (that counts right???) then where is Andys Dad in Toy Story???

(Sorry about OT nono- :) )

edited to add its nonos thread! :)

[TW1]

(Sorry about OT Rita- :) )
Yeah right.

As my mom always said, if those ding dang dern disney girls had a decent mother around they wouldn't get into so much trouble!

[jiggerj]

Yeah right.

As my mom always said, if those ding dang dern disney girls had a decent mother around they wouldn't get into so much trouble!

Mama taught me well- :D :goodnevil (Yay! finally was able to use that smilie! :) )

[nono]

We watched this about two weeks ago and while the central FL image didn't trigger with me, it was more the roustabouts that gave me pause.

I mean, they won't re-release Song of the South (which I haven't seen in 30+ years at least) but celebrate this one with lyrics like:

"We don’t know when we get our pay
And when we do, we throw our pay away"

and

"We work all day, we work all night
We never learned to read or write"

Hmmm.

TW1,

I'm totally with you on that. I have to talk through that section each time with my daughter. I'll PM you what I tell her if you are interested. :) As she's (and my husband's) Asian, there's a whole lot of talking I get to do in many Disney movies. Several instances of "orientalism" slurs, for instance in the Aristocats, and a lot of the cartoons. You just never know when it is going to pop out at ya. In some ways, it's kind of like real life training. :scratchch

[TW1]

TW1,

I'm totally with you on that. I have to talk through that section each time with my daughter. I'll PM you what I tell her if you are interested. :) As she's (and my husband's) Asian, there's a whole lot of talking I get to do in many Disney movies. Several instances of "orientalism" slurs, for instance in the Aristocats, and a lot of the cartoons. You just never know when it is going to pop out at ya. In some ways, it's kind of like real life training. :scratchch
Yeah, we tended to start talking during those parts when DS and DD were smaller, at 12 and 9 it's not so easy, but then again, they unfortunately hear worse. Oh, and stay clear of any old Mr. Magoo cartoons! Grandma thought she was doing something nice when she dropped off a dvd of old cartoons she recalls us watching as kids. Well, we just innocently popped it in and started watching with DS and HOLY MOLY - Mr. Magoo has got to be one of the most un-PC cartoons. I totally forgot he had a Chinese butler. You can only imagine...