Sunday, January 26, 2014

So, You Want to be Snow White

Well, isn't that precious, you want to be Snow White.

There are some things about Snow White you should probably know if you're really going to get into this.  Adriana Caselotti was the speaking and singing voice for Snow White and that's pretty cool as hers became one of the most recognizable voices ever ... but ... she never worked again.

Walt Disney did not want Ms Caselotti appearing anywhere in more movies or any other type of appearances as they would have reflected against Snow White and possibly damaged her reputation.  There's some validity to his position as, in an extreme situation, maybe she decides to do porno movies later and then you've got Snow White doing Dallas.  How does Walt Disney explain that to all the kids.

The reason for the article is to pose whether you would take the deal.  I'm not clear whether Ms Caselotti knew she would never work again after Snow White as her original deal was for about $15,000 (today's dollars) for playing the part.  What's not clear is whether there was any additional stipulation at the time regarding future work.  I suspect there was not as this was 1937 and it was Disney's first feature film.  He couldn't possibly have known how big it would get or even that it would get anywhere at all.

"Snow White" was shot when Ms Caselotti was about eighteen years of age.  So, here's the deal:  you can be the star of one of the sweetest movies of all time ... but ... you can never be in anything else ever again.

Note:  Disney didn't abandon her in the desert as there was some kind of arrangement with her, presumably with a contract, and she stayed in Hollywood for many years.

So, would you take the deal?  I'll make you famous one time ... but ... you will spend the rest of your life after that driving a Volvo and doing nothing more than going to Jazzercise classes in it.

Assume this is not just fifteen minutes of tabloid fame after you do something inane like going over Niagara Falls in a barrel.  You have a real talent, as with Ms Caselotti, but you can ONLY use it this one time.

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