December 29, 1941 – Time Magazine Features a Review of Dumbo
Image taken from the Walt Disney Family Museum
“Now, more than ever, Americans were thankful for what they were about to receive. They were thankful, too, for Dumbo.”
On December 29, 1941, Time Magazine featured a further review of the animated feature film Dumbo, which was released in October of 1941. Critical and public reaction to the film was overwhelmingly positive, and Time Magazine, which had a review of it in October, decided to dedicate the December issue to Dumbo, calling him “Mammal of the Year.” However, due to the events of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the cover was soon replaced with General Douglas MacArthur, as it was felt that the planned cover might trivialize the struggles of the nation. Thanks to Dumbo’s popularity, the section for the elephant was moved to the cinema section, complete with a behind-the-scenes look at the character and his story that inspired a nation.
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