Disney and the Dictator Focus of Discussion by ChaSS Professor

Thinking about Allied fighters who led the charge against Adolf Hitler during World War II, doesn’t generally bring to mind Mickey Mouse or Donald Duck.

But in fact, many Disney characters including Mickey, Donald, Pinocchio and even the Seven Dwarfs played an important roll in buoying spirits and rallying the nation around the overall war effort.

Utah State University College of Humanities and Social Sciences Professor of History David Rich Lewis will lead a discussion about WWII propaganda cartoons beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Brigham City Museum of Art and History. The discussion will follow Lewis’ introduction of a special screening of era-specific propaganda cartoons including Ducktators and Private Snafu.

“First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt was fascinated by political cartoons during the war, notably those drawn by Arthur Szyk,” said Kaia Landon, director of the museum. “Hitler also was aware of Szyk’s cartoons and put a price on his head.”

Theodor Geisel, known for his children’s books written under the name Dr. Seuss worked in an animation department of the U.S. Army during the war, where he created more than 400 political cartoons, Landon said.

Bugs Bunny and Popeye were among other cartoon characters called upon to help on the WWII home front. Lewis’ discussion will address the hows and whys of animated WWII propaganda during this free event.

The Brigham City Museum of Art and History is located at 24 North 300 W. in Brigham City. Regular business hours are 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., Tuesday–Friday, and 1–5 p.m., Saturday.

For more information about the event featuring Lewis and the propaganda cartoon screening call 435-226-1439 or visit brighamcitymuseum.org.

The Dec. 6 program is held in conjunction with the museum’s current exhibit, “Our lives, Our Stories: American’s Greatest Generation.” The exhibit continues through Jan. 7, 2015.  

Writer: Kristin Middaugh , CHaSS Communications Director, kristin.middaugh@usu.edu