Ben Sharpsteen

The Profile

A Disney animation director and supervisor, noted in reviews as an important figure in Disney animation of the 1940s and '50s; credited in the review as directing Dumbo.

Worked at Walt Disney Productions; directed Dumbo; directed Disney short cartoons and is referenced in the review as having directed parts of Snow White and supervised Pinocchio.

The review praises Dumbo as one of Disney's masterpieces and places its production in the difficult 1941 context. It highlights cost-cutting, the animator strike, and Ben Sharpsteen's directorial role. The piece discusses memorable sequences (pink elephants) and notes later controversies over racial stereotyping. Overall the review views Dumbo as an enduring, emotionally powerful short feature.