For many years, Major Donnie Dunagan of the U.S. Marine Corps concealed the fact that he voiced the role of Young Bambi in the classic Disney film of the same name.
To mark Bambi's Blu-Ray debut, the former voice actor has broken his silence. In Part #1 of this interview, Dunagan discussed how he got the role and his memories of working with Walt Disney.
Suite 101: What was it like working at Disney in the late 1930's?
Donnie Dunagan: "It was the thrill of my young life. Of the six films I was in, none were as exciting as Bambi, at least for a kid who wanted to play baseball. When we got the call, I was re-excited about being in film again...forget baseball!"
"Other directors would tell me how to say certain things, but no one involved with Bambi tried to change my age or my natural voice. Mr. Disney wanted real kids to be the kids in the forest. "
S101: Did you shoot any live-action reference footage for the film? Did you model for any of the animators?
Dunagan: "No live-action camera involved. Initially, as the facial model, what I called 'drawing men' (animators) sat around and asked me to look happy, look up, look sad, etc. Then voice work was offered."
S101: What was the toughest scene for you to work on?
Dunagan: "You'd think that someone would have asked me that by now. None have. Thanks. First off, when working as the facial model, being asked to look like something grim has happened to me. Second, when they asked me to shout for my mother when she was in danger."
S101: How did Disney inspire you to give life to your character?
Dunagan: "They told me to just be myself. A fun example is when the female deer kisses Bambi, and Bambi is sitting in a thicket feeling sorry for himself. The animators asked me to look like something real bad had just happened to me that made me mad. I was having the time of my life, so I had a hard time putting on an unhappy face.
"Then one man asked me about any bad experiences I had recently, such as a spanking, bad food, etc. I told them that my Mom had given me some Castor Oil last week....it was grim - grim.
"'Donnie, pretend that you just had a double-dose of Castor oil,' he said. And my face crunched up and my eyes grew mad. So when you see that cute scene, you can call that the Castor Oil kiss. (laughs)"
S101: Do you have a favourite quote from the film?
Dunagan: "Little Flower saying, 'That’s okay, he can call me Flower if he wants to.' I have seen children understand that real well. It says a lot if we pause and reflect on it."
S101: Were you able to attend the premiere?
Dunagan: "Yes. In 1942, my mother took me to what I thought was some desert town and we saw it. I was overpowered. I was so bright as a child that I thought I had it all figured out. I was wrong. Nothing could have prepped me or anyone for the story of Bambi. My Mother cried.
"The first time I could not believe anyone could make animations and backgrounds like that. As I have grown older, I realized that Mr. Disney had let me become part of a never ending love story in this world. My debt to him is great."
S101: You said that if your fellow Marines ever discovered you were the voice of Bambi, your career would have been finished. Why do you regret not telling your friends about your past?
Dunagan: "I'd been promoted quickly and was always in a leadership position. I was an 18-year-old Drill Instructor at Boot Camp, and Senior Sergeant at age 21. The Corps was my life and it was good. The idea of some young strong corporal finding out that I was the voice of Bambi – even though he was a character of courage . . . I did not think it would add to our combat readiness!
"I never talked about it. My wife of near 19 years did not know until our 3rd year together. I ate some peanut butter dinners for a couple of days for that! I took some personal time off and did three live-stage theater roles, mostly for non-profit. I loved it."
S101: Not counting Bambi, what's your favorite Disney movie?
Dunagan: “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. I wanted to be one of the rogue dwarfs. They were having a great time."
S101: Now that Bambi is released on Blu-Ray, do you think it still has a message for younger generations?
Dunagan: "Yes. If Bambi did not have the magic and story line character all these 70 years, we would not be having these interviews, and people would not be eager to see it again and again. The Blu-ray release will take that great story and art to such a level that, if I lived until 106, we will be loving Bambi.
"Bambi embraced something different in human values, laughter and feelings about life like nobody else on Earth. It is really a pleasure to view the movie in Blu-ray. My children, grandchildren and my 88-year-old neighbor have all seen and savored the story.
The caliber of animation is absolutely stunning. Mr. Disney insisted on all the backgrounds in the forest being done in actual oil-paints, and it is that original visuals of Bambi that puts you in a different atmosphere when you watch it.
"Look at the emotions in the final scene. He stands on the rock platform next to his dad, who hands him the responsibility of the forest. And, after lots of comedy, laughter, love, adventure, courage, life goes on. We see some of ourselves in Bambi’s story."
Dominic von Riedemann - Dominic is the Animated Film Feature Writer, and winner of 11 Suite 101 Editors' Choice Awards.
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