Lux Radio Theater (1934-1955) aired “Snow White” on Monday, December 26, 1938 as number 199 of it’s almost 1,000 broadcasts, making it one of the longest running and successful radio shows of all time. This Lux presentation is only the fifth we have showcased since the first two back in 2013 & 2014, with the third and fourth coming in February and September of 2025. From 1934-36 Lux ran hour-long adaptations of popular Broadway musicals, but this changed in 1936 when legendary film producer/director Cecil B. DeMille (1881-1959, photo above) was brought on board and the show switched to reprising Hollywood films, again in the hour-long format. DeMille stayed with Lux for nine years (1936-45) bringing in Hollywood’s most famous actors (when possible) to re-enact their starring film roles, and all with full orchestral accompaniment before a live audience.
Based on the 1812 fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm, a synopsis of this first feature length animated film from 1937 has Princess Snow White living in the castle with her evil stepmother the Queen, after Snow White’s parents have died. Afraid the young Princess’ beauty will outshine her own, the Queen orders her Huntsman to take Snow White into the forest, kill her, and bring her heart back to the Queen. Once in the forest the Huntsman reveals he doesn’t have the heart (pun intended) to kill Snow White and advises her to stay far away from the Queen. Snow White travels deep into the forest where she meets and befriends the Seven Dwarfs. Some time afterwards and through a bit of trickery, the Queen tempts Snow White to eat of an apple, which she does, only to discover that the fruit has been poisoned. The tainted apple puts Snow White into a deep sleep, where only the kiss of Prince Charming (“love’s first kiss”) can awaken her from her enchanted slumber. The Prince finds Snow White and fulfills his end of the deal, whereupon he and Snow White journey to the Prince’s castle to live happily ever after.
Suffering much skepticism about making such a full length animated film along with three years of hard work and procuring financing (Walt Disney [1901-1966] had to mortgage his home to keep the project afloat), Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs debuted at the Carthay Circle Theater in Los Angeles on December 21, 1937 to a standing ovation (members of the audience included Judy Garland, Marlene Dietrich, and Charles Laughton). RKO Pictures decided to release the film three weeks later after it received good box office and high praise in several individual theaters or movie houses, including Radio City Music Hall in New York City. From wikipedia: “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is referred by many critics as one of the greatest animated films in history. Rolling Stone ranked it fourth on its list of the greatest animated films of all time, calling it the one that “changed the future of animation.” Time magazine ranked the film as the 13th best animated film of all time.”
On the Home Media front, “In 2023, in celebration of the 100th anniversary of The Walt Disney Company, a new 4K restoration of the film was produced and released on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray on October 10 as part of the Disney 100 promotion, making it the oldest feature-length animated film ever to be released in the format.” And to put the final word on what many at the time called “Disney’s Folly,” the film was the highest grossing film of 1938. and its “success led to Disney moving ahead with more feature-film productions. Walt Disney used much of the profits from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to finance a new $4.5 million studio in Burbank – the site of Walt Disney Studios to this day. Within two years, the studio completed Pinocchio and Fantasia and had begun production on features such as Dumbo, Bambi, Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan.” And as far as profitability goes: “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs has had a lifetime gross of $418 million across its original release and several reissues. Adjusted for inflation, and incorporating subsequent releases, the film remains one of the top-10 American film moneymakers of all time and is the highest-grossing animated film.”
The following hour-long Lux Radio dramatization of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs takes place on December 26, 1938, just one year and 5 days after its initial premiere on December 21, 1937. At this time the movie was still a smash hit on the silver screen for those who could afford the luxury of a movie ticket (1937-38 being referred to as the second economic depression), so this radio adaptation was a godsend for those who hadn’t seen the film. So make some time, sit or lie back, and enjoy this superior radio treat as many of you will have never had the pleasure of experiencing this excellently written, acted, and produced classic radio version of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” with several appearances by Walt Disney himself as he chats with Cecil B. DeMille during scene breaks.
Play Time: 59:47
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