Released in 1967, The Jungle Book is one of Disney’s most enduring and beloved animated classics. Known for its unforgettable characters, infectious songs, and heartwarming story, the film represents a milestone in the studio’s history. However, its creation was far from straightforward. It marked a pivotal moment, as it was the final animated feature personally overseen by Walt Disney before his death in 1966. The film became a testament to Walt’s storytelling instincts, his leadership, and his ability to turn creative challenges into cinematic triumphs. For Disney Studios, The Jungle Book was not just a film—it was the culmination of Walt’s career-long exploration of how to connect with audiences through humor, music, and the magic of animation. The journey of The Jungle Book began in the early 1960s when Walt Disney expressed interest in adapting Rudyard Kipling’s celebrated collection of stories, first published in 1894. Kipling’s tales, set in the lush jungles of India, were steeped in themes of survival, loyalty, and the tension between civilization and the wild. The stories revolved around Mowgli, a young boy raised by wolves, as he navigated a dangerous world populated by both friends and foes. While Kipling’s work offered a treasure trove of vivid characters and moral lessons, it also presented significant challenges for adaptation. The stories were episodic, dark, and morally complex—qualities that did not easily align with the family-friendly tone Walt envisioned for a Disney feature. Walt, always intrigued by the challenge of translating literary works into animation, believed Kipling’s characters and settings had the potential to captivate audiences. He tasked his creative team with developing a screenplay that could bring the stories to life. The project was initially led by veteran screenwriter Bill Peet, who had a history of working on adaptations for Disney, including 101 Dalmatians. Peet’s early drafts of The Jungle Book leaned heavily into the darker aspects of Kipling’s original text. His script emphasized the dangers of the jungle, portraying Mowgli’s journey as a somber, survival-focused tale that highlighted the hostility of the wild and the precariousness of human life within it. Walt Disney, however, was deeply dissatisfied with Peet’s interpretation. Although he admired Kipling’s literary artistry, he felt the tone of the script was too heavy and serious for a Disney animated feature. Walt’s instincts told him that audiences came to Disney films for joy, whimsy, and escapism—not for brooding tales about the perils of the jungle. He was concerned that Peet’s version would alienate viewers, particularly children, who were central to Disney’s audience. The tone clashed with the studio’s brand, which was built on creating emotionally uplifting and universally accessible stories. In 1963, Walt made the bold and controversial decision to scrap Peet’s work entirely and start from scratch. This decision, while risky, reflected Walt’s hands-on approach and his confidence in his storytelling vision. He stepped into the project himself, personally guiding the creative direction and restructuring the narrative to focus on character-driven storytelling, humor, and music. Walt famously instructed his team to “throw the book away,” a phrase that underscored his willingness to depart from Kipling’s text to create something more in line with the Disney ethos. This marked a significant turning point in the project and set the tone for the lighthearted, adventurous film that would eventually become The Jungle Book. Walt’s involvement extended to every aspect of the film’s development, from the storyboards to the character designs and voice casting. He understood that the heart of The Jungle Book would be its characters, and he worked closely with his team to craft personalities that were distinctive, relatable, and entertaining. Among these characters, Baloo the bear emerged as a central figure. Walt envisioned Baloo as a lovable, carefree mentor to Mowgli, providing comic relief while also teaching valuable life lessons. To bring Baloo to life, Walt personally selected Phil Harris, a well-known jazz musician and entertainer, whose warm, laid-back vocal style perfectly matched the bear’s easygoing charm. Shere Khan, the film’s menacing tiger antagonist, was another character Walt shaped with great care. He wanted Shere Khan to exude an air of sophistication and elegance while maintaining an underlying sense of danger. For the voice of Shere Khan, Walt chose George Sanders, a British actor known for his refined yet menacing on-screen personas. Sanders’s rich, velvety voice brought an aristocratic quality to the character, making Shere Khan a villain who was both fearsome and fascinating. Walt’s attention to detail extended to the film’s supporting characters as well. Kaa, the hypnotic snake, was reimagined as a comedic foil with a sly and sinister edge. King Louie, an orangutan invented for the film (and absent from Kipling’s original stories), became a fan-favorite character thanks to the exuberant performance of jazz singer Louis Prima. Prima’s lively rendition of “I Wanna Be Like You” brought a playful energy to the film, showcasing Walt’s ability to incorporate music seamlessly into character development. One of Walt’s key creative decisions was to surround himself with a team of seasoned animators and artists who could bring his vision to life. Story artist Larry Clemmons was brought on to refine the script, ensuring it aligned with Walt’s new vision. Clemmons and his team focused on creating a cohesive narrative that emphasized relationships and humor rather than the episodic structure of Kipling’s original stories. Meanwhile, the animators, led by legendary figures like Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston, worked tirelessly to design characters whose movements and expressions reflected their unique personalities. Walt encouraged his team to study real animals to capture authentic behaviors, but he also allowed room for exaggeration and creativity, resulting in characters that felt grounded yet delightfully animated. Music played a pivotal role in shaping The Jungle Book’s tone, and Walt was deeply involved in selecting the film’s songs and score. He collaborated closely with the Sherman Brothers, Richard and Robert, who had previously written music for Mary Poppins. The Shermans crafted songs that were lighthearted, catchy, and character-driven, perfectly complementing Walt’s vision for the film. One notable exception was “The Bare Necessities,” written by Terry Gilkyson, which was retained from the earlier, darker version of the script. Walt recognized its potential and made it a cornerstone of the film’s musical identity. By reshaping The Jungle Book into a film that prioritized charm, humor, and music, Walt Disney created a unique balance between adventure and lightheartedness. His ability to guide the project with a clear vision and his personal involvement in nearly every creative decision underscored his role as the driving force behind the film. The Jungle Book would ultimately become not only a triumph of animation but also a deeply personal legacy for Walt Disney. It was the final animated feature he would oversee, leaving a lasting imprint on the studio and the countless fans who continue to celebrate its magic today. As The Jungle Book moved into production, the Disney team faced an array of creative challenges, particularly in balancing the lighthearted tone Walt Disney envisioned with the natural tension and adventure inherent in Mowgli’s journey through the jungle. This balance was crucial to ensuring the film resonated with audiences of all ages. Walt believed that music could play a pivotal role in achieving this harmony, serving not only as an emotional anchor but also as a means to make the narrative more accessible, engaging, and entertaining. The integration of music became one of the defining elements of The Jungle Book, transforming the film into a vibrant and joyful celebration of storytelling. The musical score, composed by George Bruns, and the songs, written by the legendary Sherman Brothers, were integral to the film’s charm and emotional resonance. Walt worked closely with the Shermans, Richard and Robert, to craft songs that would define the characters and advance the story. From the outset, Walt was clear about his expectations: the music needed to reflect the personalities of the characters while capturing the adventurous and whimsical tone of the film. The Shermans delivered on this vision, creating iconic numbers like “I Wanna Be Like You” and “That’s What Friends Are For.” These songs infused humor and energy into the narrative, providing moments of levity that contrasted with the more dramatic scenes. One of the standout songs in the film, “The Bare Necessities,” had a unique origin. It was written by Terry Gilkyson, a songwriter originally brought on to compose music for the earlier, darker iteration of the script. While most of Gilkyson’s work was discarded during the creative overhaul, Walt was so impressed by “The Bare Necessities” that he insisted it remain in the film. The song’s carefree melody and uplifting lyrics perfectly encapsulated Baloo’s philosophy of life, making it a cornerstone of the film’s musical identity. Its inclusion demonstrated Walt’s ability to recognize and preserve creative elements that aligned with his vision, even as the overall direction of the project evolved. Casting was another critical area where Walt’s personal touch made a significant impact on the film’s success. Walt had an exceptional ability to pair voice actors with characters in ways that elevated the performances and enriched the storytelling. For The Jungle Book, this skill was on full display. Walt’s decision to cast Phil Harris as Baloo proved to be a stroke of genius. Harris, a jazz musician and entertainer, brought a relaxed, improvisational style to the role, perf
Ep. 3 The Jungle Book | Disney Film Origin Stories podcast - Listen or read transcript on Metacast
