The image of the war in American cartoons, 1941–1945
https://doi.org/10.22394/2412-9410-2024-10-1-324-340
Abstract
Studies of propaganda in Allied countries during World War II for the most part concern either printed matter or cinema, while animated films (cartoons) have been much less investigated in this regard. The present article is devoted to the representation and reflection of World War II in American cartoons in 1941– 1945 — an unusual and little-studied issue in Russian historiography. Specific examples and artistic features, as well as approaches to the use of cartoons as a means of propaganda, are considered. Within the framework of the article, samples of propaganda cartoons were analyzed, a certain typology of setting images and placing accents was derived, and conclusions were drawn about the importance of animation in the development of propaganda. Specific examples show the transformation of animation to suit military interests and the connection of the largest (and not only) film industry representatives with the state. Also, within the framework of the article, it was analyzed how the state interacted with animators and studios, along with how it itself was involved in the creation of propaganda and animation films. In particular, the history and activities of the “First Motion Picture Unit” and the first results of its work at the beginning of the war were considered. The case studies showed how American animation was modified in response to new needs and characteristics of the market, how existing characters were used for propaganda purposes and new works were created, as well as what stereotypes about America’s opponents were formed in cartoons. The article is based on literature and sources on the topic.
Supporting agencies: The study was carried with support from a grant from the Russian Science Foundation No. 22-28-00099, https://rscf.ru/project/22-28-00099, “Screen war: Hollywood and the mythologization of World War II in 1941–1945”.
About the Authors
Y. A. Levin
Samara State Technical University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Yaroslav A. Levin, Cand. Sci. (History) Associate Professor, Department of Philosophy, Social Sciences and Humanities
443099, Samara, Molodogvardeyskaya Str, 244
S. O. Buranok
Samara State University of Social Sciences and Education
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Sergey O. Buranok, Dr. Sci. (History) Professor, Chair of Modern History, Department of History, Law and Teaching Methods
443099, Samara, M. Gorky Str., 66/67
References
1. Barrier, M. (2003). Hollywood cartoons: American animation in its golden age. Oxford Univ. Press.
2. Bendazzi, G. (2012). Animation: A world history, Vol. 1: Foundations — the golden age. Routledge.
3. Canemaker, J. (2001). Walt Disney’s Nine Old Men and the art of animation. Disney Editions.
4. Carsten, L. (1992). Wie Mickey unter die Nazis fiel: Mickey Mouse, Disney and Germany. Rowohlt Taschenbuch Verlag.
5. Fyne, R. (1997). The Hollywood propaganda of World War II. Scarecrow Press.
6. Gabler, N. (2006). Walt Disney: The triumph of the American imagination. Random House.
7. Grant, J. (1998). The encyclopedia of Walt Disney’s animated characters. Hyperion.
8. Jittler, N. (2007). Donald Duck in Nutsi Land. Feindbilder im Zeichentrickfilm während des Zweiten Weltkriegs. [Course paper for Prof. Dr. Peter Tepe]. Heinrich Heine Univ.
9. Koppes, C., & Black, D. (1990). Hollywood goes to war: How politics, profits and propaganda shaped World War II movies. Univ. of California Press.
10. Krivulia, N. G. (2012). Istoriia animatsii: Uchebno-metodicheskoe posobie dlia studentov stsenarno-kinovedcheskogo fakul’teta kafedry kinovedeniia, zaochnogo otdeleniia [History of animation: A methodic manual for students of Faculty for Scenario and Cinema Studies, Department of Cinema Studies, correspondence course]. VGIK. (In Russian).
11. Lan, V. I. (1947). SShA ot Pervoi do Vtoroi mirovoi voiny [USA from First to Second World War]. Gospolitizdat. (In Russian).
12. Maltin, L. (1980). Of mice and magic: A history of American animated cartoons. McGraw-Hill.
13. Peary, D., & Peary, G. (Eds.). The American animated cartoon. AFI.
14. Raffot, S. (2005). Animation et propagande: Les dessins animés pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale. L’Harmatan.
15. Rzheshevskii, O. A. (Ed.) (2008). Voina i obshchestvo v XX veke [War and society in the 20th century], Vol. 2: Voina i obshchestvo nakanune i v period Vtoroi mirovoi [War and society on the eve and in the period of World War II]. Nauka. (In Russian).
16. Sampson, H. T. (1998). That’s enough folks! Black images in animated cartoons, 1900–1960. Scarecrow Press.
17. Schneider, S. (1988). That’s all folks!: The art of Warner Bros. animation. Henry Holt.
18. Shale, R. (1982). Donald Duck joins up: The Walt Disney studio during World War II. UMI Research Press.
19. Sherrod, R. (1952). History of Marine Corps Aviation in World War II. Government Printing Office.
20. Shull M., & Wilt D. (1987). Doing their bit: Wartime American animated short films, 1939– 1945. McFarland.
21. Solomon, C. (1994). The history of animation: Enchanted drawings. Random House Value Publishing.
22. Surzhik, D. V. (2017). Razvitie tsentral’nykh gosudarstvennykh informatsionno-agitatsionnykh vedomstv SShA v pervoi polovine XX veka [The development of the central state information and campaign departments of the United States in the first half of the 20th century]. IVI RAN. (In Russian).
23. Thomas, F., & Johnston, O. (1995). The illusion of life: Disney animation. Disney Editions.
Review
For citations:
Levin Y.A., Buranok S.O. The image of the war in American cartoons, 1941–1945. Shagi / Steps. 2024;10(1):324-340. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.22394/2412-9410-2024-10-1-324-340
Views:
170
Email this article 