I just had the opportunity to view a 8 and a half minute movie called "How Walt Disney Cartoons are Made" over on YouTube.com. This was a short documentary about how the Disney Studios operated in the mid to late 1930's. The main story is of the work and technology that went into the making of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Although in the cartoon making process they use Mickey, Donald, Pluto, and Goofy. The numbers in the process to make Snow White are kind of staggering. A staff of 750 worked around the clock to make this full length Cartoon. Over 225,000 hand painted cells. Nice to read, but in this clip I was able to see them at work. From the story people through the Sweat Box sessions with Walt and the Gag Men to the rough sketches to the ink and paint and then the filming. I actually saw what a Movieola looks like. I have read differnt accounts of this machine being used, but never saw one.
This documentary showed me a little of how big an opening Snow White was. Also, the fame level of Walt Disney in the late 1930's. The clip ends up with Walt Describing the personalities, which based on all accounts I've read, was crucial to him in making this movie work.