Peter Pan (1953)

About Peter Pan

Peter Pan is a fantasy animated movie released by Walt Disney Productions in February 1953. The plot revolves around Peter Pan, a magical boy who never grows up. He takes the Darling children - Wendy, John, and Michael from their London home to the mystical Neverland. While there, they interact with Peter Pan's loyal fairy friend Tinker Bell, a crocodile, pirates, and Captain Hook, Peter's sworn enemy.

Making / Production

The movie, directed by Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson, and Hamilton Luske, was adapted from J.M. Barrie's play "Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up". This film is the 14th entrant in Walt Disney's animated features canon. Walt Disney himself had long been passionate about the story and decided to bring the tale to life after a card featuring Peter Pan sparked his interest in childhood.

Actors

• Bobby Driscoll voiced Peter Pan. He brought life to the carefree and adventurous character who never wanted to grow up.
• Kathryn Beaumont voiced Wendy Darling. Beaumont effectively demonstrated Wendy's motherly instincts and her whimsical fascination with Peter Pan.
• Hans Conried portrayed Captain Hook. He gave the character a demeanor which was both comedic and villainous.
• Bill Thompson provided the voice for the timid Mr. Smee. He successfully captured the character's harmless and often clueless personality.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Peter Pan is Disney’s first animated film to feature a villain that dies.
• Kathryn Beaumont, who voiced Wendy Darling, also voiced Alice in Disney’s ‘Alice in Wonderland’.
• The movie was supposed to be Disney's second film but was delayed due to WWII.

Awards

Peter Pan did not win any awards, but it was met with positive reviews and was a box office success.

Quotes

• "All you need is faith, trust, and a little bit of pixie dust." - Peter Pan
• "Oh, Peter, you saved my life!" - Wendy Darling
• "A jealous female can be tricked into anything." - Captain Hook

Music, Soundtrack

• "You Can Fly! You Can Fly! You Can Fly!" - Kathryn Beaumont, Paul Collins, Tommy Luske, and The Jud Conlon Chorus
• "The Second Star to the Right" - The Jud Conlon Chorus
• "What Made the Red Man Red?" - Bill Thompson and The Jud Conlon Chorus