Directed by Dave Fleischer and produced by Max Fleischer, Gulliver’s Travels (1939) is a landmark in animation history—the first American animated feature film not made by Disney, and only the second ever after Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937). Released by Paramount Pictures, it adapts the Lilliputian section of Jonathan Swift’s satirical novel, transforming it into a colorful musical fantasy aimed at family audiences.
Plot Summary
After a shipwreck, Lemuel Gulliver washes ashore in the tiny kingdom of Lilliput, where he’s discovered by the excitable town crier Gabby. The kingdoms of Lilliput and neighboring Blefuscu are preparing a royal wedding between Princess Glory and Prince David, but a petty dispute over which national anthem to play leads to war. Gulliver becomes a mediator, helping the two sides reconcile while fending off spies and sabotage.
Voice Cast Highlights
- Sam Parker as Gulliver (rotoscoped for realism)
- Jessica Dragonette as Princess Glory
- Lanny Ross as Prince David
- Jack Mercer (voice of Popeye) as King Little
- Pinto Colvig (voice of Goofy) as Gabby
Behind-the-Scenes Trivia
- The character of Gulliver was rotoscoped, meaning animators traced over live-action footage to achieve realistic movement
- This was the first animated film to credit voice actors, unlike Disney’s early features
- Fleischer Studios expanded from 200 to nearly 700 artists, building a massive facility in Miami, Florida, to produce the film
- The film’s copyright was not renewed, placing it in the public domain, which led to widespread distribution in often poor-quality prints
- It received two Academy Award nominations: Best Original Score and Best Original Song (“Faithful Forever”), losing both to The Wizard of Oz
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