Show Notes on Dream a Little Deeper: Peter Pan
Peter Pan marks the 14th feature-length animated film from the Walt Disney Studios, but plans to adapt the play were in the works as early as 1935. However, other projects, the critical and financial failure of Pinocchio and Fantasia, World War II, and the overall financial state of the company until Cinderella kept on the backburner. Disney employees struggled to turn a rather dark, scary and bleak story into a movie suitable for children. The film hit theaters in 1953 and got decent reviews. Critics liked it, but said it was no masterpiece like Cinderella. Walt was ultimately displeased with the film product, thinking it was too cold, but it eventually became a beloved classic.
Primary Source
Peter Pan, dir by Hamilton Luske, Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson, 1953.
Books
The Animated Man: A Life of Walt Disney by Michael Barrier (2007)
Hollywood Cartoons: American Animation and its Golden Age by Michael Barrier (1999)
Mouse Under Glass: Secrets of Disney Animation & Theme Parks by David Koenig (1997)
Articles
“Introduction” by Mary Alice Monroe in the book Second Star to the Right
“The Last Night in the Nursery: Walt Disney’s Peter Pan” by Donald Crafton, The Velvet Light Trap Vol 24, 1989
“Mapping the Imagery: The Neverland of Disney Indians” by Prajna Prarasher
“Mean Ladies: Transgendered Villians in Disney Films” by Amanda Putman in the book Diversity in Disney Films: Critical Essays on Race, Ethnicity, Gender Sexuality and Disability
“‘Peter Pan’: THR’s 1953 Review” by The Hollywood Reporter
Documentaries
Walt Disney, directed by Sarah Colt (2015)
You Can Fly - The Making of Peter Pan, written by Jeff Kurtti (1998)
Videos
Cultural Appropriation vs Appreciation by CBC
Disney live action references by Jack Elias Disney
The History of Walt Disney Animation Studios + (Part 3) - Animation Lookback by ElectricDragon505
Websites
Polygon - Disney Plus quietly pulls Peter Pan, Dumbo from Kids profiles over racist stereotypes
Smithsonian Magazine - The Racist History of Peter Pan’s Indian Tribe
Time - The Difference Between Racism and Colorism
Wikipedia - Cultural Appropriation
Wikipedia - Peter and Alice
Wikipedia - Peter Pan (1953 Film)
Screen Shots (all time codes from Disney+)
John identifies Native American tribe.
TC: 33:44
The procession of Native Americans that look mostly the same
TC: 34:44-34:55
Nana being adorable
TC: 18:19
Interviews
Tazmyn-May Gebbett
Tazmyn is an actress, writer , poet, and book blogger based in London, England. They are a proud Disney fanatic.
You can follow Tazmyn’s Book Blog on YouTube and on Instagram @teabooksandtazmyn, and you can find their poetry account on Instagram @tazmynmaypoetry
Lexie Tafoya
Lexie is an undergrad studying Creative Writing and Communication Studies at the University of Tulsa. She focuses her writing on representation and inclusion of Indigenous and Latinx perspectives. She is also researching the Presbyterian School for Creek GIrls in Oklahoma.
You can find Lexie’s beadwork @_blue_bonneet_beads_ on Instagram.
