Analysis: The original 'Dumbo' contained more than a few racist tropes. Here’s how Tim Burton’s version addresses that.
Colin Farrell, Nico Parker and Finley Hobbins in"Dumbo." By Travis M. Andrews Travis M. Andrews Pop culture reporter covering music, movies, TV, comedy and celebrity culture Email Bio Follow March 29 at 8:00 AM If one were to rank the Disney animated classics that haven’t aged well, “Dumbo” would probably take home the gold. The 1941 cartoon, about a deformed baby elephant who learns that he can fly, sends an inspirational message, but it contains more than a few questionable moments.
That’s not to say the new “Dumbo” is perfect. The circus audience lacked diversity, as did the main cast, which has only two people of color.Perhaps the most famously decried scene from the original arrives when Dumbo meets a group of crows. The black birds are depicted using African American stereotypes of the time, with jive-like speech patterns and jazzy-gospely songs sung in harmony.
Burton’s version handles the conundrum by having a ringleader introduce the little elephant with a rousing speech , nodding at the original words but avoiding the obvious pitfalls.
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