Most people know the author Theodor Seuss Geisel by his pen name, Dr. Seuss. And most folks who know Dr. Seuss are well acquainted with his children’s books — 46 time-honored classics, which, despite their fantastical illustrations and imaginative situations, often carried poignant social messages.But while Dr. Seuss may be best known for works like The Cat in the Hat and Green Eggs and Ham, he was also a prolific political cartoonist during World War II. Penning editorial cartoons for the left-leaning New York newspaper PM from 1941 to 1943, Dr. Seuss covered the war from a unique angle that presented progressive opinions ornamented with entertaining flights of fancy. .” While he supported the war effort through his work, he also used his cartoons to convey social messages, fighting against racism and anti-semitism.
Seuss was a self-described Democrat, and during the first several years of WWII, he worked with a far left publication in New York City named PM, where he began drawing cartoons in favor of the war against Hitler and Japan
Seuss was a self-described Democrat, and during the first several years of WWII, he worked with a far left publication in New York City named PM, where he began drawing cartoons in favor of the war against Hitler and Japan
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (or simply MGM), is an American media company, involved primarily in the production and distribution of films and television programs. Once the largest and most glamorous of film studios, MGM was founded in 1924.
The Warner Brothers cartoon studio was in its Golden Age with Chuck Jones, and the military needed an engaging character to teach GIs how to use a gas mask, handle their equipment properly, and remember not to tell German and Japanese spies about troop movement.
During World War II, Disney made films for every branch of the US military and government. The government looked to Walt Disney more than any other studio chief as a builder of public morale providing instruction and training the sailors and soldiers.” This was accomplished through the use of animated graphics by means of expediting the intelligent mobilization of servicemen and civilians for the cause of the war. Over 90% of Disney employees were devoted to the production of training and propaganda films for the government.Throughout the duration of the war, Disney produced over 400,000 feet of educational war films, most at cost, which is equal to 68 hours of continuous film.In 1942, Disney was approached with requests from the US services. The Navy was the first, and other branches of the government, including, the Army, the Army Air Force, the Department of Agriculture, and the Treasury Department, rapidly caught on to Disney’s creative approach to generating educational films, propaganda and insignias.As well as producing films for different government divisions, from 1942 to 1943 Disney was asked to create animation for a series of pictures produced by Colonel Frank Capra for the US Army. This series included films such as “Prelude to War” and “America goes to War”. Although these films were originally intended for servicemen, they were released to theaters because of their popularity.