Great Movie Elephants and Donkeys
Posted on September 27, 2008 at 10:00 am
In honor of the upcoming election, a bi-partisan listing of classic movies featuring those two symbols of the political parties, the elephant and the donkey, with a tip of the hat to cartoonist Thomas Nast, who first assigned those animals to the Republicans and the Democrats.
1. Dumbo You’ll believe an elephant can fly in this charming animated Disney classic about the little elephant with big ears (NOTE: some ethnic humor that is insensitive by today’s standards)
2. The Adventures of Francis the Talking Mule
3. Billy Rose’s Jumbo
4. Shrek Eddie Murphy provides the voice for the talkative but loyal sidekick to the lovable ogre.
5. Fantasia
6. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
7. Horton Hears a Who Tender-hearted Horton the Elephant (voice of Jim Carrey) saves the tiny speck of dust that is the home of the adorable residents of Whoville.
8. Au Hasard Balthazar
9. Hatari!
10. Pinocchio 
I have one other to add to the list, “Small One” a Disney short film for Christmas. This film was in many ways a test for the group that was to produce the feature “The Black Cauldron”. What they learned was that Don Bluth was not suited to the Disney constraints. Much of the “B.C.” work went to Ireland and Bluth created his own studio. For a very brief moment I was considering joining the animation team that would work on “Small One”. Life did not turn out to favor that choice, so other paths were followed and career choices made. Nonetheless, I do like “Small One”, and show it to children around Christmas. And I also think about roads not taken.
I’m so glad you mentioned that very sweet film. And I am very glad to hear of your connection to the world of animation as those films are very dear to me.
You missed Babar the Elephant, a very popular French children’s fictional character who first appeared in 1931. It told of a young elephant who leaves the jungle, visits a big city, and returns to bring the benefits of civilization to his fellow elephants.
An animated TV series was produced by Nelvana Limited 1989-1991, translated into English. I can remember watching many episodes of this series.
Thank you, Shelley! I love Barbar and very much enjoyed reading an essay about the Barbar books by Adam Gopnik in a recent issue of the New Yorker. Thanks for this addition!