DVDizzy Forum

For all those that don't yet know, Moth and the Flame is a Silly Symphony, which appeared on the Silly Symphonies disc in the last wave of the Walt Disney Treasures. When I first heard the title, I thought that this short might have been based on an Aesop's fable. However, I've taken a look around the net, and it appears not to be. Does anyone know whether this short was based on a story of sorts or whether it was an original idea?

Thanks if you can help me.

According to Merritt & Kaufman's Silly Symphonies book, the story was first developed in 1935, but shelved. It was revived in 1937, whereupon the story was significantly reworked (including eliminating several characters) and green-lit for production.

There's no reference to the story (in any incarnation) being based on a particular source.