10 Photos Of Walt Disney In The 1940s

Every Disney fan knew that "Alice in Wonderland," "Peter Pan," and "Cinderella" were all produced in the 1940s and helped to build the famed Disney company. Few people learn, however, that the 1940s were a difficult decade for Walt Disney and his company.
The outbreak of World War II put an end to the production of Disney's feature animated films. Instead, Disney produced military training films, educational shorts, and military insignia for approximately 1,000 different units in the US armed services during the early 1940s. At that time, Disney's whole cast of characters was utilized in the spirit of patriotism. And by 1943, newspapers were saying that up to 90% of the Disney studio's work was for government organizations.
Now, to celebrate this difficult but glorious period, we've put together a snapshot of Walt Disney in the 1940s. Let's take a look at the list below.

#1 In 1942, Walt held animation cels from “Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs.”

Source: Hulton Archive

Walt Disney is seen sitting on the edge of a desk in an office, clutching artwork from his animated flicks "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" and "Bambi." Both films were directed by animator David Hand.

#2 Walt chatting with a group of people on the Disney Studio lot circa 1945.

Source: Earl Theisen

Walt Disney (center) chats with a group of people on the Disney Studio backlot circa 1945 in Los Angeles, California.

#3 Walt Disney poses for a portrait next to a Donald Duck storyboard circa 1945

Source: Earl Theisen

In 1945, Walt was in front of a storyboard for a Donald Duck cartoon in Los Angeles, California.

#4 In 1945, Walt talked with paint and ink painters in his California studio.

Source: Earl Theisen

Walt Disney (left) chats with a paint and ink artist circa 1945 in Los Angeles, California.

#5 Walt umpires at a company softball game in 1945

Source: Earl Theisen

Walt Disney left) umpires a company softball game circa 1945 in Los Angeles, California.

#6 Walt holds a meeting in his office in 1945.

Source: Earl Theisen

In 1945, Walt Disney (right) attends a meeting in his office circa in Los Angeles, California.

#7 In 1945, Walt Disney gestured for the "Hookworm" commissioner animated short.

Source: Earl Theisen

In Los Angeles, California, about 1945, Walt Disney (left) points to a storyboard for the commissioned animated short 'Hookworm.'

#8 In 1945, Walt Disney is giving voice to Mickey Mouse next to Clarence Nash, who is the voice of Donald Duck.

Source: PhotoQuest

In 1945, Walt Disney the voice of Mickey Mouse next to Clarence Nash who voiced Donald Duck, in a sound recording room.

#9 On Oct. 24, 1947, Walt Disney testifies in Washington, D.C.

Source: Bettmann

Walt Disney testified before the House Unamerican Activities Committee in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 24, 1947, that communists "once, took over my studio." Disney, on the other hand, declared that his studio is currently 100 percent American.

#10 Walt in a birthday party for Mickey Mouse at the Disney Studio

Source: Keystone

Celebrities gathered at a birthday party for Mickey Mouse at the Disney Studio. Edgar Bergen, Candice Bergen, Walt Disney, Stephanie Wagner, Joan Bennett Wagner, and Cheryl Crane.