Hans Christian Anderson's "The Ugly Duckling" is the classic tale of a young outsider finding his place in the world, despite the persecution of those who consider him to be different. The "ugly duckling" ultimately has the last laugh when discovers that he is, in fact, a cygnet, destined to develop into the most beautiful bird on the pond. As part of their "Silly Symphony" series, Disney made two attempts at adapting this story to the screen, once in 1931 and again in 1939. The contrast between the two films is striking: whereas one features rather primitive black-and-white animation, the other is captured in bright and vivid colours, with a degree of artistic detail for which only Disney was known at that time. However, more telling is the manner in which Wildred Jackson's original version alters Andersen's story, turning it into quite a touching plea for racial tolerance. A duckling, rather grotesquely drawn with a dark body, black face and a grating honk, is born into a family of chickens, and is immediately ostracised from the community.
The Mother Hen shepherds her "normal" children away from the duckling in a manner that suggests her saying "don't play with the dark boy down the road." He is constantly bullied by his so-called siblings, ignored by his mother and generally relegated to the status of a second-class citizen. When a whirling tornado threatens the life of his family, the duckling courageously risks his life to rescue those who had previously treated him like dirt, persevering even after his mother unapologetically locks him out of the chicken coop. Eventually, the duck's unique ability to navigate the fast-moving river saves the lives of the chickens, and he is soon accepted as a valuable member of society, and, indeed, as a friend. Though this ending differs drastically from Anderson's original story, I liked its message. Rather than suggesting that "different" characters are happiest with their own kind, Jackson's 'The Ugly Duckling' recognises that everybody whatever race, creed or colour should be accepted into the wider community, their differences valued rather than persecuted.
The Mother Hen shepherds her "normal" children away from the duckling in a manner that suggests her saying "don't play with the dark boy down the road." He is constantly bullied by his so-called siblings, ignored by his mother and generally relegated to the status of a second-class citizen. When a whirling tornado threatens the life of his family, the duckling courageously risks his life to rescue those who had previously treated him like dirt, persevering even after his mother unapologetically locks him out of the chicken coop. Eventually, the duck's unique ability to navigate the fast-moving river saves the lives of the chickens, and he is soon accepted as a valuable member of society, and, indeed, as a friend. Though this ending differs drastically from Anderson's original story, I liked its message. Rather than suggesting that "different" characters are happiest with their own kind, Jackson's 'The Ugly Duckling' recognises that everybody whatever race, creed or colour should be accepted into the wider community, their differences valued rather than persecuted.