10 Disturbing Stories Behind Kids Movies

Ready to ruin your childhood movies? Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're looking at the most troubling anecdotes concerning behind-the-scenes events or behavior during the production of children's films. Our countdown includes stories involving movies “The Santa Clause”, “The Wizard of Oz”, “Pocahontas” and more! Welcome to Viralworld Magazine, and today we’re looking at the most troubling anecdotes concerning behind-the-scenes events or behavior during the production of children’s films. Did any of these stories shock you? Let us know in the comments! Anti-Union Retaliation “Dumbo” (1941) The Disney Animator’s Strike of 1941 was a complex situation with a lot of moving parts. Over 200 staff members walked out on May 29th of that year, but many also remained on the job, working on the animated feature “Dumbo.” The tensions of this time can be seen within the finished product, too, since a number of the circus clowns were allegedly animated with appearances that mocked the striking workers. It may seem petty, but that’s nothing compared to the virulent back-and-forth between Disney loyalists and those out on the picket line. A Very Hot Line “The Santa Clause” (1994) The folks behind the scenes of Disney’s “The Santa Clause” must wish they’d made sure that the phone number mentioned by Tim Allen during a scene wasn’t actually real. Unfortunately, 1-800-SPANK-ME was indeed a verified adult-oriented phone line, resulting in a number of curious calls from those who had heard the number during the theatrical and early home video runs of “The Santa Clause.” The phone number would soon be edited out of subsequent DVD, Blu-Ray and streaming versions of the film. Another interesting fact about “The Santa Clause” was how Santa’s original demise was written as being mistakenly shot by Allen, after the latter mistakes St. Nick for a burglar! Bobby Driscoll’s Death “Peter Pan” (1953) For a time, it seemed as if child star Bobby Driscoll had it made in the business. Early success led to Driscoll earning a contract with Walt Disney. The young actor appeared in several movies and even served as the voice for “Peter Pan” in 1953. However, Driscoll’s physical changes due to puberty led to him being let go by Disney after this film, and this rejection eventually led to the young man struggling with drugs. Driscoll worked occasionally afterward, but suffered multiple arrests and looked back upon his career with disillusion. In 1968, his body was found in a New York tenement, but was unidentified for over a year, during which time Bobby Driscoll’s remains were interred on Long Island’s Potter’s Field. advertisement Flushed Away “Finding Nemo” (2003) Parents of small children are often tasked with recovering things that were mistakenly flushed down a toilet. However, an LA Times article from 2003 detailed a strange phenomenon that began occurring shortly after the premiere of “Finding Nemo.” The article goes on to describe situations where RotoRooter had been fielding calls by frustrated parents whose children were flushing fish down the toilet. These actions were done in order to imitate “Nemo’s” plot of a Clownfish seeking adventure. Unfortunately, these “freed” fish were tragically killed by their journeys into the sewer system. Another disturbing fact about “Finding Nemo” was how the film’s head shader was sent out by Pixar to take photos of dead beached whales for what we can only assume is “gross accuracy.” Troubling Allegations “The Wizard of Oz” (1939) Many fans are aware by now of the dark side of old school Hollywood. A number of troubling allegations surround “The Wizard of Oz,” including revelations about how asbestos was used in shooting the snow sequences. Additionally, Judy Garland’s time on set was reportedly made hellish by touchy munchkins, abusive directors and a studio that was constantly critical of her appearance. Garland was allegedly put on a strict diet by MGM execs, had her bust taped down so she could appear younger, and made to work long, arduous hours. The reports of Garland being medicated with uppers and downers during this time have also led to “The Wizard of Oz” becoming almost as infamous as it is famous. Apocalyptic Inspiration “WALL-E” (2008) There’s no denying that Disney/Pixar’s “WALL-E” is an adorable film, with a ton of emotion and heart. Researching this beautifully animated feature actually led the Pixar team to some pretty dark places, however, specifically the aftermath of Chernobyl. The film’s post-apocalyptic landscapes were inspired not only by the appearance of a post-Chernobyl Disaster Ukraine, but also the city of Sofia, Bulgaria. This area imports a lot of waste from within the European Union, and has historically struggled with how this waste is stored. It makes the viewing of “WALL-E” strike an even stronger chord, knowing the real-life visualization cues incorporated by the filmmakers. Gone Too Soon: Judith Barsi “All Dogs Go to Heaven” (1989) Judith Barsi had a promising career ahead of her, but this early success cast a large shadow over her young life. After being cast in a 1984 miniseries called “Fatal Vision,”she was consistently landing quality roles. Barsi even voiced the memorable character Ducky in “The Land Before Time.” Unfortunately, her life outside of Hollywood was turbulent due to her father’s unforgivable behavior. He regularly tormented both Barsi and her mother, and soon the young actress started developing physical compulsions, thanks to the trauma of this home environment. Then, in 1988, Barsi’s father tragically ended the lives of Judith and her mother before taking his own. “All Dogs Go to Heaven” was dedicated to Judith Barsi’s memory. “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory” (1971) We don’t normally research much into the trains, planes, and automobiles that make up the background shots of our favorite movies. However, a plane that was utilized in 1971’s “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory” possesses a truly chilling history. The Boeing 707-321B made a brief appearance in the film as a cargo plane that’s carrying Wonka Bars. However, that same Boeing would later become involved with what’s known today as the deadliest aviation accident to ever take place in Indonesia. Pan Am Flight 812 was attempting to land on a runway in Denpasar when it crashed en route to its final destination in Bali. All 107 on board the plane lost their lives. Historical Inaccuracies “Pocahontas” (1995) Disney movies such as “Hercules” and “Pocahontas” have been largely criticized for their historical and mythological inaccuracies. The specific reality of “Pocahontas” is one of colonial violence, tragedy and injustice. The real-life Pocahontas was known as both Amonute and Matoaka in her tribe, and she may have been as young as nine when a 27-year-old John Smith aggressively entered her village. A few years later, her husband was murdered and her freedom traded for a copper pot. The young woman was essentially kidnapped, Anglicized and utilized as a political tool. There is evidence that Pocahontas (now named Rebecca) eventually came to love her English husband, John Rolfe, but the love story between her and Smith is unequivocally false. Nazi Sympathy? “Pinocchio” (1940) World War II was still on the horizon when production on Walt Disney’s “Pinocchio” began in late 1938. The United States had not yet become involved with what was going on with Adolf Hitler in Europe, and opinions still differed as to the severity of The Führer’s actions in Germany. Christian Rub was the actor who voiced Geppetto in the film, and it’s been reported in books such as Robin R. Allan’s “Walt Disney and Europe” that Rub would allegedly annoy production staff with his vocal admiration of Hitler. This anecdote has led some to retroactively label Rub as a Nazi sympathizer, tarnishing “Pinocchio’s” legacy.