Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that Disney's short-and-sweet tale of a shy little circus elephant with supersized ears is considered controversial, because of its depiction of the black crows. On the one hand, critics claim the crows (who were in fact all voiced by African-American actors) are animated minstrels, whereas Disney apologists say the crows are the only likeable characters besides Dumbo, his mom, and Timothy the mouse. If you're okay with the representation of the crows, there are still a couple of disturbing scenes, particularly when Mrs. Jumbo is captured after defending Dumbo. Plus, Dumbo and Timothy accidentally get drunk and hallucinate the "Pink Elephants on Parade" segment, that's alternately trippy, creepy, and cute. Overall, the message is that we should celebrate and not mock each other's differences.
Sexual
Content
None, but Dumbo is delivered via stork instead of through a live birth, so some young children may wonder about that.
Violence
Mean kids at the circus pull on Dumbo's ears, so his mother spanks the boy's bottom with her trunk. As punishment, she's tied and chained and understandably tries to free herself -¿ throwing various circus workers around as a consequence. She's kept imprisoned in solitary confinement and branded a "mad elephant," leaving poor Dumbo friendless and alone. Dumbo's catastrophic circus act leads to the entire circus top coming down.
Language
The gossipy elephant cows make fun of baby Jumbo and call him "Dumbo," later they also take pleasure in Mrs. Jumbo's solitary confinement. The kids at the circus also poke fun of Dumbo's ears.
Social
Behavior
Includes important messages for kids, particularly about how it's wrong to make fun of someone because of the way they look. Our differences are what make us special, the mouse teaches Dumbo. Mrs. Jumbo's actions prove a mother's love is unconditional, and she will defend you no matter what.
Consumerism
Not applicable
Drugs / Tobacco /
Alcohol
The clowns, who are shown in silhouette, are obviously drinking. Dumbo and his mouse friend Timothy accidentally get drunk after drinking what they think is water. While drunk, Dumbo has an elaborate (and creepy to some kids) hallucination with the infamously trippy "Pink Elephants on Parade" sequence.
