Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: The Creation of a Classic

November 15, 2012–April 14, 2013

The Walt Disney Family Museum is pleased to present the special exhibition Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: The Creation of a Classic, celebrating the 75th anniversary of Walt Disney’s first feature-length animated film.

 

On view from November 15, 2012 to April 14, 2013, the exhibition celebrates Walt Disney’s vision and the artistry of his dedicated staff, illustrating how they shaped and defined an entirely new American art form through the creation of this groundbreaking film. Guided by the vision of a master storyteller, 32 animators, 1032 assistants, 107 inbetweeners, 10 layout artists, 25 background artists, 65 special effects animators and 158 inkers and painters and countless production staff came together to create the masterpiece. The exhibition is organized by The Walt Disney Family Museum and guest curated by Lella Smith, Creative Director of The Walt Disney Company's Animation Research Library.

 

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: The Creation of a Classic features more than 200 works of art including conceptual drawings, early character studies, detailed story sketches, and animation drawings. Also featured are delicate thumbnail layout watercolors, meticulously rendered pencil layouts, rare watercolor backgrounds, colorful cels, and vintage posters all illustrating how Walt Disney advanced the creation of an entirely new art form. 

 

The Walt Disney Studios released Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at Hollywood’s Carthay Circle Theater on December 21, 1937. As the first full-length, animated feature film, Walt Disney’s groundbreaking masterpiece drew worldwide acclaim, winning the Grand Biennale Art Trophy from the Venice Film Festival and special awards from the New York Film Critics Circle and The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences. The film also received an honorary custom-made Oscar® which consisted of one standard Oscar® statuette alongside seven miniature statuettes (representing each of the Dwarfs).

 

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs continues to garner accolades and awards. In 1989, it was among the first 25 featured films to be preserved in the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry, and in 2008, it was named the Greatest Animated Film of All Time by the American Film Institute. The film also marked a pivotal milestone in animation. Calling upon the experience they gained from creating the early Disney animated shorts and the award-winning Silly Symphonies, Walt Disney and his artists defined the artistic foundation that would shape all their other animated feature films to follow.

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The Walt Disney Family Museum will be hosting a series of public programs, events, and activities related to this special exhibition. Please check our calendar page for details and tickets.

 

Film of the Month
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Screens daily through April
Check the calendar for film times and tickets.

 

From Page to Screen: The Evolution of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Saturday, November 17 | 3pm
Join Lella Smith, creative director of the Walt Disney Animation Research Library and exhibition curator, with JB Kaufman, Disney author and historian, as they retrace the remarkable chain of adaptations that led to the classic Disney animated feature. After the presentation, Kaufman will sign copies of his latest book.

 

Look Closer: Snow White

November 23–25 | 11am, 1pm & 3pm | Gallery 4
In conjunction with our first major special exhibition, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: The Creation of a Classic, join us for a short gallery talk on the art and production of the film. 

 

Animate Your Night: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Opening Party Celebration 
Friday, November 30 | 7–10pm
Come celebrate the opening weeks of the museum’s major exhibition Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: The Creation of a Classic during our monthly after-hours party! We’ll be serving Poison Apple Cider, have music, bites from SF Presidio restaurant Dixie, as well as many other fun activities throughout the night!

Animate Your Night: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Old Hollywood Red Carpet Premiere
Friday, December 21 | 7–10pm
Animate You Night in old Hollywood style with a special 1930s-themed 75th anniversary premiere party for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Join us for a soiree of glitz and glamour.

Look Closer: Snow White Academy Award™
December 21–23 | 11am, 1pm & 3pm | Special Exhibition Hall
In conjunction with our first major special exhibition, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: The Creation of a Classic, join us for a short gallery talk on the art and production of the film.