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Made to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, illustrator and animator Gerald Scarfe tells the story of Disney’s fascinating on and off-screen contribution to the war effort.

Discover how the iconic Studio in California became a war plant in the 1940s, churning out groundbreaking military training films and propaganda shorts, educational posters and leaflets, along with insignias for troops to help boost morale on the frontline.

Gerald, who worked as production designer on Disney’s 1997’s big screen animation Hercules, examines what motivated Walt to offer his artists’ inkwells as weapons of war.

He uncovers why Donald Duck rather than Mickey Mouse became the Studio’s wartime mascot and reveals which film reportedly put Walt on Hitler’s own personal hit list. He also examines Walt Disney’s personal role as a Goodwill Ambassador in South America, intended to help stem potential Nazi influence.

Producer: Kellie Redmond

A Somethin’ Else production for Â鶹Éç Radio 4, first broadcast in September 2015.