The first feature-length animated film in history, "Snow White" is a testimony to Walt's deep commitment to taking whatever existed and making it better. When he first proposed creating a cartoon that would run for more than just a few minutes, critics and nay-sayers abounded. "It'll blind the audience," said some. "Nobody will watch a cartoon that's so long," said others. They dubbed it Disney's Folly. But Walt persisted, risking the financial future of his studio on the project. And of course the success was complete. "Snow White" premiered on December 21, 1937, and provided a financial bonanza for the Disney organization. It was originally budgeted for $250,000, wound up costing $1.75 million, and brought in about $4.2 million in its first release. Perhaps more important, it proved that animation could be used not just to amuse but to provoke a far wider range of emotions. Viewers witnessing the "death" scene of Snow White -- shown above -- were moved to tears.

Snow White was a nice girl who had some bad things happen to her at the hands of the witch.

Bashful, voiced by Scotty Mattraw. Bashful is the shyest of the dwarfs, and is therefore often embarrassed by the presence of any attention directed at him. He frequently annoys Grumpy, though not as much as Doc. In Walt Disney's own words, according to one of the film's original theatrical trailers, Bashful is "secretly in love with Snow White".

Doc, voiced by Roy Atwell. Doc is considered the leader of the seven dwarfs, and is presumably the oldest. He wears glasses and often mixes up his words. His job in the dwarfs' mine is to check the authenticity of the many gems.

Dopey, with vocal effects supplied by Eddie Collins. Dopey is the only dwarf to have no beard at all; he is presumably the youngest of the seven. As his name suggests, Dopey is clumsy. His clumsiness provides comic relief to some of the plot. He is a mute, or at any rate never speaks and does not know whether he can. His job at the mine is to clean up all the unusable jewels and lock up the vault. He is always seen last in line whenever the dwarfs walk to and from work. Although he is scared at times, he can also be very brave, especially when Snow White is in danger.

Grumpy, voiced by Pinto Colvig. Grumpy is as his name suggests him to be. He has the biggest nose of the seven and he automatically disapproves of Snow White for the mere fact that she is a woman. However, though initially too proud to show it, deep down he cares perhaps the most for her safety. He repeatedly warns her of the threat posed by the Queen and rushes to Snow White's aid upon realizing that she is in danger, leading the charge himself.

Happy, voiced by Otis Harlan. Happy is the joyous dwarf. He is the fattest of the seven and is always laughing.  Although his name is Happy, is creeps me out.

Sleepy, voiced by Pinto Colvig. Sleepy is always tired, as attested by his heavy eyelids, and therefore usually appears laconic even in the direst situations. His job at the mine is to haul all the diamonds and rubies by cart to Doc for inspection. He has the longest beard of the seven. Usually he is pestered by a fly, who appears as a background character.

Sneezy, voiced by Billy Gilbert. Sneezy's name is earned by his extraordinarily powerful sneezes, which are seen blowing objects (including his brothers) across a room. He has the shortest beard of the seven (besides the beardless Dopey). The alleged cause of his sneezes is hay fever.