LANSING, MI (WNEM) -
A special exhibit featuring rarely seen animated short films from the World War II era will be on display at the state museum in Lansing this month.
World War II influenced almost every facet of American life, even Disney animation. On Saturday, Feb. 11, visitors to the Michigan Historical Museum are invited to watch a selection of those short films produced in the 1940s to encourage Americans to support the war effort.
Dr. Jason Sperb of the Michigan State University Film Studies Program will screen and discuss the history behind the selection beginning at 1 p.m. in the museum's first floor Forum Auditorium.
As the war escalated in Europe and in the Pacific, many American industries stopped producing consumer goods and began manufacturing war material.
As Detroit automakers stopped making cars and started making bombers and tanks, Hollywood film companies, and The Walt Disney Company in particular, pitched in on the war effort the only way they knew how - they made movies.
One short film portrays the seven dwarfs touting the benefits of buying war bonds. Another features Donald Duck encouraging Americans to pay their income taxes. Donald won an Academy Award in 1942 for a short in which he vilifies Adolph Hitler and the Third Reich.
Disney also produced animated instructional films that taught soldiers how to fire weapons, such as anti-tank guns.
The event is free with regular museum admission.
Visit www.michigan.gov/museum and see "Coming Events" for more detailed information.
Michigan Historical Museum admission is $6 for adults 18 to 64. Children through age 5 get free admission, youths age 6 to 17 pay an optional $2 and seniors 65 and up pay $4. Annual passes are available, and Sundays are free for everyone. Visit www.michigan.gov/museum for details.
The museum is open seven days a week. It is located inside the Michigan Library and Historical Center, 702 West Kalamazoo St., Lansing. The museum and visitor parking are on the north side of Kalamazoo Street, two blocks east of M. L. King Jr. Boulevard. Weekend parking is free. For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/museum or call 517-373-3559.
The Michigan Historical Center is part of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Its museum and archival programs help people discover, enjoy and find inspiration in their heritage. It includes the Michigan Historical Museum, 11 regional museums, and the Archives of Michigan. Learn more at www.michigan.gov/michiganhistory.
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