Understanding Disney: The Manufacture of Fantasy

Since the 1930s the Walt Disney Company has produced characters,images, and stories which have captivated audiences around theworld. How can we understand the appeal of Disney products? What isit about the Disney phenomenon that attracts so many children aswell as adults?


In this major new book, Janet Wasko examines the processes by whichthe Disney company - one of the largest media and entertainmentcorporations in the world - manufactures the fantasies whichenthrall millions. She analyses the historical expansion of theDisney empire, examines the content of Disney's classic films,cartoons and TV programs and shows how they are produced,considering how some of the same techniques have been applied tothe Disney theme parks. She also discusses the reception of Disneyproducts by different kinds of audiences. By looking at the Disneyphenomenon from a variety of perspectives, she provides a fresh andcomprehensive account of one of the most significant media andcultural institutions of our time.


This important book by a leading scholar of the entertainmentindustries will be of great interest to students in media andcultural studies and will appeal to a wide readership.