The Wonderful Elephant ...

... Who Could Really Fly.



The 64-minute Disney feature, the shortest and least expensive Walt Disney Productions had produced, was released on this date 73 years ago. Rough animation was complete when Disney staff walked out on strike, and remaining artists ... and crew returning after the strike .. completed the picture. It was out in time for Halloween and other late-in-year holidays.

LIFE Magazine profiled Dumbo and the feature received favorable reviews from most newspapers and magazines. Of the Disney pre-war features, only Dumbo and Snow White turned profits on their initial release.