Cartoons on the Home Front
World War II Propaganda
“Influence the Public”
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Walt Disney
Warner Brothers
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
Private “S.N.A.F.U.”(Warner Brothers)
Major Production Studios in the United States
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Walt DisneyTraining Films / Cartoons
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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
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Walt Disney Insignia
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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
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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
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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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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