The Story of Ferdinand (1936) is the best-known work written by American author Munro Leaf and illustrated by Robert Lawson. The children's book tells the story of a bull who would rather smell flowers than fight in bullfights. He sits in the middle of the bull ring failing to take heed of any of the provocations of the matador and others to fight.
The story was adapted by Walt Disney as a short animated film entitled Ferdinand the Bull in 1938, in a style similar to his Silly Symphonies series. Ferdinand the Bull won the 1938 Academy Award for Best Short Subject (Cartoons).
A 3D feature-length computer-animated film adaptation, titled "Ferdinand", was released on December 15th, 2017. Produced by 20th Century Fox Animation and Blue Sky Studios, it was directed by Carlos Saldanha. Ferdinand was nominated for Best Animated Film (losing to Coco) in the 90th Academy Awards.
History with the Macy's Parade[]
To promote Walt Disney's animated short which was based on the book of the same name, Walt Disney Productions and Munro Leaf sponsored a giant balloon based on the character in 1938, making it the last Disney balloon to be made before World War II. Designed by Tony Sarg, it would depict the character holding a small flower, while chewing grass as he makes his way down the Parade route. Interestingly enough, the Ferdinand balloon's skin was orange, which is inconsistent with his animated appearance; his skin is actually dark grey. After the balloon's one-time Parade appearance, it would fly to Boston to appear in the Santason Parade, where during this appearance, the balloon's horns and body were deflated.
Trivia[]
- This was the only Disney balloon made before World War II to not be designed by Walt Disney himself.