Cartoons on the Home Front

World War II Propaganda

“Influence the Public”

1

Walt Disney

Warner Brothers

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Private “S.N.A.F.U.”(Warner Brothers)

Major Production Studios in the United States

2

Walt DisneyTraining Films / Cartoons

3

Walt Disney (1901 – 1966)

Very patriotic Civilian Red Cross Ambulance

Driver in WWI Founded Disney Studios with

brother Roy in 1920

America enters the War Disney Studios contracted to make

both propaganda films as well as training films 1942 - 1945

Worked with Frank Capra Produced or co-produced 173 films

for the Armed Forces

4

Walt Disney Insignia

5

Warner BrothersFilms / Cartoons

Studio founded in 1918 Four Warner Brothers “Rin-Tin-Tin”

Dog from WWI – France 1930 – Cartoons Begin Bugs Bunny / Daffy Duck / Porky Pig

(“Looney Tunes”)

Warner Brothers were Jewish Strong dislike of Nazi Germany Produced many feature films directed

against the Axis Cartoons with strong patriotic feel

6

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Founded 1924 “Golden Age”

Clark Gable, Spencer Tracey

Technicolor Laurel & Hardy 1930’s cartoon characters

Tom & Jerry / Hanna & Barbera

Only two World War II cartoon efforts

Clark Gable made training films

7

Private SNAFU(Situation Normal, All Fouled Up)

Created to help soldiers learn a variety of

military topics

Produced by Warner Brothers Studio

Written between 1943 and 1945

Written by Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel

Very popular with the troops

Some comic books produced

Intended to teach lessons

Total of 34 produced

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9

World War II Cartoons Did Impact the Public

Movie Theaters

Everyone understood why

America was in the war

Youth were presented with a

view of the War that was

“sanitized”

Morale boost for soldier and

sailors away from home