The Disney in Spielberg...

[Timon/Pumbaa fan]

Since I made a reference in the Enchanted mentioning Spielberg's numerous references in Disney, and a couple of members were curious of the examples, I decided to post an entire thread of the information not to go off-topic from Enchanted. So here you go.

The following is a list of the tips of the hat and references to the works of Walt Disney in the films directed (and produced) by the most successful filmmaker of modern times, Steven Spielberg; a huge Disney fan who has a trademark of having at least one Disney reference in most of his films. Though the list is long, I wouldn't be surprised if I missed a few...

Jaws: In the finale when the shark leaps onto Quint's boat, "The Orca" was inspired by the squid attack on the Nautilius in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Spielberg said the first word that popped into his head when he read the galleys of Jaws was "Disney", and he even brought 20,000 Leagues Joe Alves out of retirement to design the shark.

It should also be noted that Jaws’ infamous off-screen predator theme(dum-dum, dum-dum, dum-dum) was directly inspired by Bambi(Bambi used three notes...dum-dum-dum, dum-dum-dum, dum-dum-dum). Remove the 1st note, you've got the theme from Jaws.

Close Encounters of the Third Kind: Okay, where do I begin…

Well Pinocchio receives major attention. On the original cut of the film(that can only be found on the old Criterion Collection laserdisc)the film is introduced to Roy playing with a train set (Walt's brother was named Roy, Walt was famous for his love of trains) while a Pinocchio figurine chimed "When You Wish Upon a Star".

The Pinocchio figurine appears again, as Roy takes down his UFO paraphernalia and attempts to remove the miniature clay mountain. It begins to chime "When You Wish Upon a Star" in the process, leading to the reveal of the clay mountain as a thing resembling Devil's Tower in Wyoming.

Prior to this, Roy is excited to see that Pinocchio is playing at a local theater. He tells the family that they should all go see it, the kids want to play golf.

As Roy finally ends his journey and is chosen by the aliens to approach the Mother Ship, John Williams sneaks in "When You Wish Upon a Star" into his soundtrack.

In the Special Edition cut, Roy enters the ship, gazes up, and "fairy dust" rains down upon him. The next thing you see is a humanoid alien exiting the craft to communicate with Francois Truffaut's Lacombe. This is Roy, transformed as Pinocchio was transformed. The end credits features an orchestral performance of "When You Wish Upon a Star".

Sadly, the end credits are not featured on the DVD, just as the original cut's introduction to Roy is not featured.

Just like Jaws’ score being inspired by Bambi, Spielberg wanted the aliens to play the opening seven notes of "When You Wish Upon a Star" for their greeting. John Williams condensed it to five notes, excluding the minor keys, and went through hundreds of permutations to arrive at the final version, which still retained the general idea.

Finally, it should also be noted that the entire visual presentation of music was also inspired by Fantasia, one of Spielberg’s top 10 favorite films of all time.

1941: Spielberg famously pays tribute to Walt Disney's Dumbo, as the hard-nosed General Stillwell is shown forsaking the madness of the outside world to catch a screening of Dumbo in downtown Hollywood.

The SE cut pays tribute to Peter Pan, as the Japanese disguise themselves as trees in the manner of Neverland's Indians.

Raiders of the Lost Ark: Any respectable Disney fan can tell you the infamous scene of Indy getting chased by the boulder was almost completely lifted right out of Carl Barks’ Uncle Scrooge comic “Seven Cities of Cibola”. Both Spielberg and Lucas numerously stated that Carl Barks is one of the biggest influences on their storytelling.

While it often stated how the final shot of Raiders is a homage to the final shot of Citizen Kane, it’s not know that Spielberg and Lucas also both tipped their hat to Fantasia. The overhead shots of the white-clothed, swooping, swirling ghosts and spirits after the ark is opened are direct descendants of the ghostly demons from "A Night on Bald Mountain".

E.T. The Extra Terrestrial: Although not a big hit either back then or today, Spielberg was a huge fan of Pete’s Dragon, and the screenplay is hugely influenced from Pete’s Dragon(that’s why the boy is named Elliot).

Peter Pan is also overtly referenced in the film. While there aren’t a lot of direct nods to Disney (the Peter Pan reference is from the Barrie incarnation, with children beseeched to clap to awaken the sleeping Tinker Bell, a reference which plays into E.T.'s own reincarnation), the imfamous shiloutte shot of E.T. and Elliot flying across the moon can be seen as a homage to a shot in Disney's Peter Pan, in which Peter and the children perform the same trick.

Twilight Zone: The Movie: Spielberg again references Peter Pan, this time for a young man appearing in a window as he regains his youth. The idea of eternal youth and recapturing youth and the pathway to these being found through an upstairs bedroom window are highly reminiscent of Peter Pan.

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom: The mine-cart was seen as a "Disney ride" to the point where they used sounds from all the roller-coasters at Disneyland at the time for the mine-cart chase.

Gremlins: The evil spawn of the gentle creature Mogwai eventually congregate into the local movie theater, in which they thrill to Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Back to the Future: "The Ballad of Davy Crockett" and the trademark Coonskin caps make an appearance in the Spielberg-produced 1985 Zemeckis film.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit: Do I even have to explain this one?

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: When Indy tries to fake his way into a German stronghold, he does so in a silly disguise worthy of the Big Bad Wolf. Just when you think he has fooled him, the German butler tells him, "If you are a Scottish Lord, then I am Mickey Mouse!”

Always: Dorinda (Holly Hunter), in a dress white as snow, refuses to dance with muddy firemen until they go outside to wash their hands. An obvious reference to the fairest one of all. John Goodman’s character has also been described by critics as a "Baloo" esque character. Fate would have John Goodman voice Baloo in The Jungle Book 2.

The Mission: In this Spielberg-directed episode of the short-lived Amazing Stores(a series that featured an episode directed by Brad Bird), a cartoonist who hopes to work for the Disney studios is trapped in a gunnery well. Won't spoil the ending, but cartoons come directly into play.

Hook: I know what you’re thinking, Peter Pan, but there actually aren’t too many references to the Disney film(although the same shot mentioned on E.T. is replaced by the sun) his actual influence here is Mary Poppins, and the final shots of the film are direct tips of the hat to the final shots of Mary Poppins (united family gaxing skywards, single character flying over the skies of London).

Jurassic Park: One of the more direct Disney references in a Spielberg film, with this piece of dialogue spoken:

HAMMOND
When they opened Disneyland in 1956, nothing worked.

MALCOLM
Yes, John, but when the Pirates of the Caribbean breaks down, the pirates don't eat the tourists.

The obvious boo-boo made here of course is that Disneyland opened in 1955, not 1956. But we still love Jurassic Park despite it’s sloppy theme park history as poor continuity.

There’s also sequence with baby triceratops in the vein of Fantasia’s "Rite of Spring” but was later cut out of the film

Saving Private Ryan: Hard to believe and R-rated war film would reference a Disney film, I know, but it does. German prisoner of war tries to appeal to Captain Miller's rangers by quoting American icons: including "Steamboat Willie". On websites discussing SPR, this German is often referred to as "Steamboat Willie".

A.I. Artificial Intelligence: This is Spielberg’s adaptation of Pinocchio, at least the 2nd half of the entire film, as David quests to become a "real boy", along with Teddy(Jiminy Cricket), but both are captured by a figure that resembles Stromboli, escapes to a "Pleasure Island" location called Rogue City...and like Pinocchio, David is trapped by a whale underneath the sea, and only after surfacing does he...well, you just have to see the movie.

Minority Report: As in Disney's "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln" attraction, you'll hear the Gettysburg address in the film, albeit off in the background, in the opening scenes with Howard Marks. This is a precursor Spielberg’s longtime project in development-hell, an Abraham Lincoln biopic (Liam Neeson is signed to play Abraham Lincoln).

Like Walt Disney, Spielberg considers Abraham Lincoln a personal hero of his. The irony though is that unlike both Abraham Lincoln and Walt Disney, Spielberg is a liberal Democrat. Oh well, nobody is perfect, and his brilliance in film more than makes up his poor politics.

Catch Me If You Can: Okay, tons of James Bond references, but not really any Disney references here. The opening credits are very reminiscent of UPA animation, which was also an influence on Ward Kimball.

The Terminal:A group of illegal immigrants are identified by one marker, they disguise themselves by dressing in Mickey Mouse T-Shirts.

War of the Worlds: "Hush a Bye Mountain" a lullaby written by the Disney duo The Sherman Brothers from MGM's Chitty Chitty Bang Bang( which also stars Disney legend Dick Van Dyke) is sung to Dakota Fanning by Tom Cruise. If I’m not mistaken, they originally wanted to use a song from Mary Poppins, but due to a combination of copyright laws, and Spielberg’s ongoing war with Eisner, he went with the next best thing.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull: When asked by the communist if Indy has any last words after finding out Mac is a capitalist, Dr. Jones states, “I Like Ike!” An obvious reference to the Disney produced campaign commercial, “I Like Ike”, which makes another appearance, written on the nuclear bomb just before it goes off. (“I Like Ike” commercial can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=va5Btg4kkUE )

Although, like Lincoln and Disney, Eisenhower holds different political views than Spielberg. Signs that point to conservatism through this film(and many other of his movies) lead me to believe Spielberg is a conservative in disguise.

So there you go. The Disney in Spielberg.

There are many things I admire about Spielberg's work, aside from his mastery, skill, and craftsmanship such as his work is ultimately a force for good in the world. I like to think he inherited that mantle from Uncle Walt. He's certainly the greatest filmmaker since the days of Capra, Hitchcock, and Disney himself. George Lucas is also a huge Disney fan, and even called the original Star Wars "a Disney film”.

[Sotiris]

Wow, you seem to have done a lot of research..or watched many Spielberg movies! I only had noticed some references in few movies but i didn't think it was a continuous thing. Thanks for the info.

[PatrickvD]

ET is often refered to as the best Disney film not made by Disney.

I would love to see Spielberg direct something for Disney someday. I think he would be a perfect director for a live action Disney film.

[Escapay]

Excellent post, Justin.



However, you unfortunately skipped out on my favorite Spielberg-directed film: Empire of the Sun. Know of any Disney references in there?

Albert

[Touchstone84]

Steven Spielberg was actually signed on to direct one live action Disney film in the early 90's (Gone Fishin'), but his involvement with Tri Star's ‘Hook’ led to that the film was postponed and was later made by other people.

[2099net]

However, you unfortunately skipped out on my favorite Spielberg-directed film: Empire of the Sun. Know of any Disney references in there?

Victory Through Airpower?

[Escapay]

However, you unfortunately skipped out on my favorite Spielberg-directed film: Empire of the Sun. Know of any Disney references in there?

Victory Through Airpower?

Dammit, I can't believe that even didn't come across in my mind!

Albert

[Disney Duster]

Timon/Pumbaa fan, did you actually write all that, because there's strong indications that you didn't, like:

Always: Dorinda (Holly Hunter), in a dress white as snow, refuses to dance with muddy firemen until they go outside to wash their hands. An obvious reference to the fairest one of all. John Goodman’s

John Goodman's what? Please edit your post.

Also, I have some extra info to add.

"The Fox and the Hound" opened with shots of woodland that seems to have influenced the prologue of "E.T." which came just a year after!

"The Fox and the Hound" also contained a scene where Widow Tweede drops Tod off for good at a game preserve that looks almost shot-for-shot like the scene where Monica leaves David in the woods in "A.I."

[Timon/Pumbaa fan]

I edited my original post to finish my Always entree, and to add one to Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom(one that completely slipped my mind.).

Thanks for the comments to those interested.

However, you unfortunately skipped out on my favorite Spielberg-directed film: Empire of the Sun. Know of any Disney references in there?

Albert

Well, as I said, I could be missing a few as I'm sure there could be other tributes to Disney by Spielberg that are just not very direct.

Sorry to say I'm completely unaware of one from Empire of the Sun. The main theme of the story is the loss of innocence, which in a way is Disney message(well more regaining innocence), but any possible tie-in to Disney is as big of a stretch as some of the "references" mentioned in the Enchanted thread.*

Also keep in mind, Spielberg is a fan of film in general, so all his films at least reference film from all the great filmmakers of the past such Orson Welles, John Ford or David Lean(who was originally going to direct Empire of the Sun) in some way.

The other Spielberg-directed films unaware of Disney references are:
Duel
The Sugarland Express
The Color Purple
The Visionary
Schindler's List
The Lost World: Jurassic Park
Amistad
Catch Me If You Can(as I said in that entree, no real specific reference)
Munich(although I believe there's one in here, I don't know what it is though)

Timon/Pumbaa fan, did you actually write all that, because there's stromg indications that you didn't

Some of the more direct ones were by me, but I actually did copy-and-pasted and paraphrased some the less obvious ones from an animation historian, thus the error you pointed out.

*I realize Minority Report is a HUGE stretch, but I stated it anyway to point out both Walt and Steven both greatly admire Abraham Lincoln

[merlinjones]

In "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom," there are many references to baby boomer era (Speilberg's era) Walt Disney live-action films, including the kid's line "No time make love. Time run away." interrupting the kiss - - directly lifted from "The Moon-Spinners" - - and the raft sled scene which is a near dulpicate of the ice-sledding sequence from "In Search of the Castaways". There are also shots of Indy being persued by natives which look just the ones from "20,000 Leagues". I'm sure there are more, but I haven't watched that movie since it first came out (and likely never will again). "Willow" is another (non-Speilberg) film of that era full of steals from Disney movies (starring the Wicked Queen from Snow White).

Don't forget that Speilberg produced the Antonio Banderas "Zorro" movies as well.

As a producer, he has remade or reworked many themes from the baby boomer era - - "The Ten Commandments" as "Prince of Egypt" - - "Sinbad" - -"The Flintstones" - - "Zorro" - - "Pirates of the Caribbean" as "The Goonies" - - many pop artifacts from the late-50s/early 60's.

[Artlad]

Also in Indiana jones and the Temple of Doom that scene where Indy, Willy and Short Round run out of the cave as that wall of water comes gushing out is directly lifted from the Carl Barks Uncle Scrooge comic "Prize of Pizarro"

[merlinjones]

Oh yeah - - also in "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" I seem to remember that one of the Nazis tosses a hammer or some heavy object back over his shoulder only to konk one of his own guys in the head - - a gag ripped directly from "Swiss Family Robinson" and the coconut bomb dismissed by the Pirate Kuala and tossed back over his shoulder only to explode on his own guy.

[thatartguy]

The biggest Disney reference of all was in his Amazing Stories TV series. The episode where the gunner on plane is sealed in his bubble and the landing gear won't function. The gunner is an artist and wants to work for Disney. He draws landing gear in his sketch pad, praying for something to save him. When the plane goes for an emergency landing, animated tires miraculously pop out of the plane. This allows the plane to land without crushing the bubble and gives welders time to get him out. When he leaves the plane, the animated tires disappear crushing the glass bubble where would have normally died.