A classic among classics, Disney’s second full-length animated film (1940) was based on Italian author Carlo Collodi’s story of a young marionette who wishes to be a real boy. Written in serial form in the 1880s, the story was translated into English in 1892. The marionette’s adventures are amazing. Pinocchio is kidnapped by the puppeteer Stromboli; gets in trouble with bad boy Lampwick, and then rescues father Geppetto from the belly of Monstro the Whale. Thanks to Pinocchio's good deeds, the Blue Fairy grants his wish to become human.
Disney altered some elements of the original story. In Collodi’s original version, Pinocchio ignores the cricket who attempts to lecture him, finally squashing him like the bug he is. The Disney feature lets the cricket live to become a real hero. For all his hard work as Pinocchio’s conscience, Jiminy Cricket was awarded an Official Conscience Medal by the Blue Fairy. Jiminy would go on to an illustrious career in other Disney films.
An early problem with Pinocchio’s production was that the puppet couldn't seem to carry the film on his own. This was solved by creating the strongest supporting cast ever seen in a Disney picture. Characters from this film include Figaro the kitten, Cleo the goldfish, the Coachman, the Blue Fairy and the famous Fox and Cat, “Honest” John Worthington Foulfellow and Gideon.
The film was directed by Hamilton Luske and Ben Sharpsteen. The look of the film was based on the art of children's illustrator Gustav Tenggren. Noted animator Ward Kimball developed the look and feel of Jiminy Cricket. The music was composed by Leigh Harline, Ned Washington and Paul Smith. The picture won two Academy Awards, both for music: When You Wish Upon a Star won for Best Song, while the film as a whole won for Best Scoring of an Original Picture. Vocal talent included Dickie Jones, Christian Rub, Cliff Edwards and Mel Blanc. The film is tied with Snow White (1937) as the motion picture to have been re-released the greatest number of times.
Pinocchio’s adorable face (and those of his cohorts) have appeared on many collectibles over the years, including high-end jewelry. In the 1930s and ‘40s, Disney collaborated with French jewelry maker Cartier to put beloved Disney characters on fine pieces of jewelry, thereby offering higher quality merchandise to their fans.
One of those pieces is the circa 1940 Cartier Pinocchio gold and enamel charm bracelet, now open for bids at Hake’s Auctions. The 7-1/2” long 14k gold link bracelet has six 14k charms depicting Jiminy Cricket, Geppetto, the Blue Fairy, Figaro, Pinocchio, and Cleo. The charms measure approximately 3/4” and faithfully replicate the characters from the film. The high quality bracelet is offered at Hake’s for the first time in their 55 years of business. It is open for bids until November 16, 2022.
