Patriotism in America
Walt Disney Productions made many cartoons featuring iconic characters such as Donald Duck, Pluto, and Mickey Mouse that featured propaganda. In the poster on the left, Donald Duck is seen throwing a tomato at what is supposed to be Hitler's face. The poster also has an associated cartoon with it as seen below.
Hollywood was pressured by the United States government and the OWI to have these direct messages in its content. Using a popular character in this manner provides a form of comedic relief to its viewers (Doherty). This can inherently encourage its audience to think this is humorous. In a way, this cartoon de-villainizes the character it represents which could potentially aid the minds and fear of Americans.
Overall, the OWI had a major influence on the themes of these works so they raised feelings of unity, patriotism, and feelings of success among American citizens. Films like these can shape societal opinion especially when they integrate their messages very well within the themes that are being conveyed (Koppes).
Hollywood and the OWI not only made animated cartoons, but non-animated short films too. The media also showed more direct messages of patriotism as seen in Get Cracking! This clip features a food object thrown at a painting of Hitler. This clip encourages viewers to buy war stamps and uses the image of Hitler to aid the message. The second short film in the gallery below Two Down and One to Go demonstrates how America stopped two of the three enemy forces, which generates patriotism within the American people while also showing how important these other sources were stopped before they took America on both sides of the coasts.