Tommy Tucker's Tooth

File:Tommy Tucker's Tooth (1922).webm Tommy Tucker's Tooth is a silent animated short film directed and produced by Walt Disney in 1922. The film was created for the Kansas City based dentistry firm of Thomas B. McCrum. It is notable for being one of Disney's earliest attempts at combining animation with educational content, a theme that would recur throughout his career.

Plot

The plot of "Tommy Tucker's Tooth" centers around two boys, Tommy Tucker and Jimmie Jones, who have contrasting attitudes towards dental hygiene. Tommy takes good care of his teeth by brushing regularly and visiting the dentist, while Jimmie neglects his dental health. The film showcases the consequences of Jimmie's negligence, such as tooth decay and pain, and contrasts these with Tommy's healthy teeth and pleasant visits to the dentist. The narrative aims to teach children the importance of taking care of their teeth and the benefits of maintaining good dental hygiene.

Production

The film was produced in the early days of Walt Disney's career, before the establishment of the Walt Disney Company. At the time, Disney was working out of a small studio in Kansas City and was experimenting with different styles of animation and storytelling. "Tommy Tucker's Tooth" was commissioned by Dr. Thomas B. McCrum, a dentist who wanted to use the film as an educational tool to promote dental health among children. The project provided Disney with an opportunity to explore the educational potential of animation, a concept he would continue to develop in later projects.

Legacy

While "Tommy Tucker's Tooth" is not as well-known as Disney's later works, it represents an important early example of educational animation. The film demonstrates Disney's interest in using animation to convey educational messages, a theme that would become more prominent in his later works, such as the True-Life Adventures series and educational shorts produced during World War II. Additionally, the film is an early example of Disney's work as a commercial animator, highlighting the potential for animation to be used in advertising and promotional campaigns.

See Also

• Walt Disney
• History of animation
• Educational film