National Film Vault

FILM NOTES

Released in 1950, Disney's Cinderella arrived at a pivotal moment for the studio, following the lean years of the 1940s when animation output had been reshaped by wartime constraints. Adapted from the classic fairy tale, it reaffirmed Walt Disney's belief in the feature-length animated form and helped restore the studio's fortunes. With its blend of romance, gentle humor, and memorable songs, the film became a touchstone of mid-century animation and remains a beloved entry in the Disney canon.

This cell captures the Conductor, one of the small supporting figures that give the film its lively sense of a fully realized world. Holding an actual frame from a hand-drawn production connects you directly to the painstaking artistry of the era, a tangible piece of a story that has enchanted audiences for generations.