Sunflower the Centaur's Not So Subtle Servant
[ranking: 1]
Only in the magical world of Disney could a young boy who's half horse still manage to depict the embarrassing racial relations of the time. In one of the less flattering parts of Fantasia, the pretty white lady centaurs have a servant who turns out to be everything you're afraid he'll be and more.
Mickey's Not-So Politically Correct Pal
[ranking: 2]
Back in the 1930s, Mickey found himself with a not-so politically correct pal in Mickey's Man Friday. After saving an African native from rival tribesmen, Mickey finds the grateful man bowing at his feet. Logically, he responds by dressing him in an old top hat and appointing him his trusted servant. Yikes.
Disney's Cannibal Caper
[ranking: 3]
Disney continued doling out its cringe-worthy depictions of all things African in the 1930 cartoon "Cannibal Capers." It's about a group of African tribesman who, for whatever reason, always seem to be cannibals who are getting together for a tribal dance.
Donald Duck's Fun with Mass Destruction
[ranking: 4]
Another WWII propaganda cartoon called "Commando Duck" featured our pal Donald relishing in the joys of having just wiped out an entire platoon of Japanese soldiers. The soldiers didn't fare much better before their demise, however, as their offensively stereotypical yellow skin and super slanted eyes would be considered a lawsuit waiting to happen today.
The Most Disturbing Disguise Ever Caught on Film
[ranking: 5]
In 1934, Disney released a cartoon in which the Big Bad Wolf sports one of the most offensive disguises ever. In attempting to get the pigs to open the door, he appears as every bad Jewish stereotype in the book all rolled into one big caricature.
Donald Duck's Adventures in Occupied Germany
[ranking: 6]
First of all, we'd like to take a moment to wish you the best of luck in ever seeing Donald Duck the same way again after what you've witnessed here today. That's right, in the 1943 cartoon "Der Fuehrer's Face," Donald here jumps ship in order to join the National Socialist German Workers' Party.
But don't worry. In the end, it turns out the whole thing is a terrible dream designed to show kids exactly how horrible an idea it was.
The World's Creepiest Chorus Line
[ranking: 7]
Beyond the obvious creepiness of watching a bunch of cartoons in Third Reich regalia parade around with instruments, many of Disney's films were chock full of alarming portrayals.
Mickey's African Adventures
[ranking: 8]
In the 1932 cartoon "Trader Mickey," Mickey and Pluto are featured, for whatever reason, transporting a shipload of instruments down the African coast. Things go awry, however, when they are captured by a band of African tribesmen who attempt to eat them while trying to figure out what these strange objects called "instruments" are.
Although Mickey ends up dancing a happy jig with the African natives in the end, their depiction remains cringe-worthy almost a century later.
50 Shades of Donald
[ranking: 9]
Let's just say that Donald's punishment methods, which he later uses on these African tribesmen in the 1954 film Spare the Rod, might raise a few eyebrows today. Ultimately, the depiction of the cannibalistic African natives was deemed so offensive that the cartoon was censored and cut down to about half its original length.
The Not-So Wonderful World of WW2
[ranking: 10]
In the WW2 film Hitler's Children, we're treated to an inside look at how a sweet, fun-loving little German boy is more or less beaten into a heartless dictator by the National Socialist German Workers' Party. It's just as terrifying as it sounds and more.
The Woman's Guide to Maintaining Patriotic Proportions
[ranking: 11]
Ladies, hang onto your hats because things are about to get a little dicey in the 1943 cartoon "Reason and Emotion." You see, during WWII, Disney not only did its part to recruit men and boys to the armed forces, but it instructed ladies in no uncertain terms on how to help out with the effort as well.
In the above cartoon, women are taught to overcome emotional eating temptations in order to help control rationing - because nothing said patriotism like a slim figure.
Guns and Glory and Graveyards, Oh My
[ranking: 12]
When it came to getting American kids hyped up about WWII, Disney got a little... enthusiastic at times. This image of the fun of populating Third Reich graveyards from the 1943 cartoon "Spirit of '43" goes right for the jugular.
Songs on a Slavery-Riddled Plantation
[ranking: 13]
If you've never heard of the Disney movie Song of the South, we assure you, you're not alone. The 1946 film is kind of like Disney's inappropriate Uncle Dave who no one goes out of their way to invite to family reunions. The film depicts the adventures of a young white boy as he hangs out with an African American gentleman named Uncle Remus, who regales him with stories as the two roam the Southern plantation where Remus was formally enslaved.
Peter Pan's Native American Pals
[ranking: 14]
As it turns out, Disney's Peter Pan is one of those films that may feel different adult than it did when you were a kid. Specifically, check out the song "What makes a Red Man Red," which successfully packs every Native American stereotype in the book into a three-minute tune.
Subtlety - Among the Many Casualties of WW2
[ranking: 15]
It seems that in 1943, Disney had no time for subtlety, not even when it came to the title of the above cartoon, "Education for Death." Among the more or less constant flow of disturbing images that make up this 10-minute cartoon, Disney shows in no uncertain terms what Third Reich members have in store for Christian values.
Fun with Unfortunate Puns
[ranking: 16]
Remember that fun group of crows that Dumbo came across during his adventures? Though you probably didn't catch the significance of their leader being named "Jim Crow" during childhood, the same scene revisited in adulthood may present a strikingly different perspective.
Disney's Awkward Period Piece
[ranking: 17]
Thought learning about female body changes from your parents was awkward? Try learning about it from the maker of Mickey himself. That's right - in 1946, Disney released a fully animated, incredibly detailed cartoon entitled "The Story of Menstruation" that was about exactly what you're afraid it is.
The Original Opening of 'Aladdin'
[ranking: 18]
Though it was later changed for the home release version, Aladdin's opening song originally contained some disturbing imagery. In a line that was later dubbed over by another singer with different lyrics, the narrator described the Middle East by crooning: "Where they cut off your hand if they don't like your face, it's barbaric, but hey, it's home!"
Mickey's Middle Eastern Mishap
[ranking: 19]
In the 1932 cartoon "Mickey in Arabia," Mickey Mouse finds himself in a jam while visiting the Middle East. After Minnie is kidnapped by a suspicious looking Arab, whose intentions for her are looking less than honorable, Mickey is forced to catapult in to save the day.
Upon rescuing his girl, however, he's met with a whole new slew of dangerous murder-y looking Arabs wielding swords.
The Aristoracists?
[ranking: 20]
Though The Aristocats is generally an unassuming tale about a bunch of singing kittens, that doesn't mean there isn't room for stereotyping. Ever notice that Siamese cat with slanty eyes playing piano with chopsticks? That's an intentional depiction.
What the heck?
[ranking: 21]
Disney may push the envelope a bit with cartoon villains. but in 1929, the company learned the hard way that making an entire cartoon about hell is a bad idea. Above, you'll find Satan feeding his three headed dog in the ultra-creepy "Hell's Bells."
The Big Bad Wolf at His Worst
[ranking: 22]
This bad boy, entitled The Thrifty Pig, was made back in 1941 before the US had even entered WWII. Originally aimed at Canadian audiences, the film depicts a pig who is encouraged to fight back against this Third Reich-loving wolf by purchasing bonds.
Black Pete's Knife Play Adventure
[ranking: 23]
In the 1943 cartoon "That Old Army Game," Donald is again featured among the troops battling it out against Hitler. This time, however, his army base antics go a bit too far for his superior officer, Black Pete, who eventually decides that a little knife play is the best way to deal with the wily duck.
Donald's Nervous Breakdown
[ranking: 24]
If you ever want to see what a Disney character looks like on the edge of sanity, check out the cartoon "Mickey and the Beanstalk." During the course of the cartoon, a famine pushes Donald past the brink. He ends up in a field, where he proceeds to stalk a friendly cow with an ax.
The Freakiest Scene in 'Fantasia'
[ranking: 25]
Though it's admittedly kind of a creep-fest all around, the imagery of the devil straight-up raising a bunch of demons from hell pushes the envelope a bit far for a kid's film.
From Grease to Guns
[ranking: 26]
So apparently grease can be used to make bombs? In this short film, the narrator stops Pluto from consuming some leftover grease so that he can instead show him how to use it to light up Third Reich members.
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