Miracle on 34th St (1947): Discussion Guide for Parents

20th Century Fox, 1947

All information below is general suggestions and ideas. 

Always adapt to your family’s situation and beliefs and the needs of individual children. 

Content Warnings:

• Alcohol - drunk Santa, a husband tricks his wife by preparing triple martinis without her consent.
• Coffee
• Tobacco, smoking
• Susan’s parents are divorced before the movie begins.
• Santa Claus, fake Santa’s, Santa as fantasy/myth
• Mild violence - Santa knocks a man on the head with his umbrella 
• Santa described as mentally ill, prone to “violent outbursts,” committed to a mental institution, tried for “lunacy”
• Kissing

Discussion Questions

• Kris Kringle complains about the commercialization of Christmas and says no one cares about the real meaning anymore. What do you think is the real meaning of Christmas? How can we remember the real meaning of Christmas amidst all the business of the season?
• Alfred says he enjoys dressing up as Santa and giving presents to children. Why does it feel good to give to others? Who can you help today?
• Mr. Macy says Macy’s will be known as “the friendly store, the helpful store” when they send customers to other stores when they don’t have what the customer is looking for. Why are these important qualities? Gimbel’s store decides to copy this strategy, expanding the “spirit of goodwill.” How do good deeds multiply when one person starts it off? How can you set off a “spirit of goodwill” in your home or community?
• Kris tells Mrs. Walker, "Christmas isn’t just a day; it’s a frame of mind.” What do you think that means? How are our lives different every day because of Christmas? 
• Mrs. Walker is very concerned with truth and reason. Why is it important to examine the evidence and learn what is true? Are there some things that can’t be known by rational inquiry? What are some examples? 
• Examples of things that can’t be proved with reason include matters of faith in God, trusting or forgiving other people, love, and more. 
• At the beginning of the movie, Susan is very serious and doesn’t like “silly,” childish, or imaginative things. Why is it important to keep a childlike spirit? Why are imagination, silliness, and pretending important? 
• Susan tried to make a deal with Kris, saying that if he gets her a house, then he’s the real Santa, but if not, he’s “just a nice old man with whiskers.” Kris tells Susan, “Just because every child doesn’t get his wish doesn’t mean there isn’t a Santa Claus.” Susan tried to prove Santa’s identity by gifts. Sometimes we get this way with God - demanding that God answer our prayers or else he’s not God. What’s the danger in this way of thinking? Why might God not answer prayers as we expect?
• Unlike most of the other characters, Mr. Gailey always believes Kris. He is a friend to Kris stands up for him when others don’t. How can we be like Mr. Gailey?
• Mrs. Walker tells Susan at the end of the movie, “Faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to.” How do you define faith? Why is faith valuable? How do we develop faith? 

Scripture Connections

• Christmas. Matthew 1:18-2:14; Luke 2:1-20; 3 Nephi 1:4-21
• Giving, Generosity. Gen 47:15; Deut 15:11, 16:17; Prov 25:21, 28:27; Matt 5:42, 10:8, 19:21, 25:35; Mark 10:21, 12:44; Luke 6:35-38, 14:12-14, 14:13; Acts 20:35; 2 Cor 9:7; Jacob 2:17; Mosiah 4:16, 18:28; Mormon 8:39; D&C 42:31, 52:40, 56:16
• Friendliness. 1 Sam 18:1; Prov 17:17, 18:24, 27:17; Luke 14:12-14
• Helpfulness. Gen 2:18; Ex 2:17; Deut 22:4; Moses 3:18; Abraham 5:14
• Gen 2:18 - Research the original Hebrew word usually translated as “helpmeet.” Use BibleHub.com to see where else this word is used in the Bible. 
• Truth. Deut 32:4; Ps 51:6; Prov 8:7, 12:19; John 8:32, 8:44; 1 John 4:1; Jacob 4:13; Ether 3:12; Moroni 10:4; D&C 1:39, 50:40, 88:40, 88:66, 93:24, 93:30, 93:36
• Believe, Faith. Gen 15:6; 2 Chron 20:20; Hab 2:4; Matt 8:10-13, 17:20, 9:28; Mark 5:36, 9:23-24; Luke 8:50; John 3:16, 11:27, 12:36, 12:47, 20:25-29; Rom 4:12-18; 1 Cor 13:7; 2 Cor 5:7; Eph 2:8, 6:16; 2 Tim 1:12; 2 Tim 4:7; Heb 11:1-12:2; James 1:5-6; 2 Nephi 31:19; Enos 1:8; Alma 32:21; Hel 8:15; D&C 46:14; Moses 6:23

Ideas for Further Study

• Learn about the history of Santa Claus and St. Nicholas.
• In this movie, Santa is known as Santa Claus, Kris Kringle, and Sinterklaas. Learn about different names for Santa in other countries. 
• The movie begins with Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Research the history of this annual tradition. 
• The movie includes a court trial. Learn about court and the judicial process. 

Dumbo: Discussion Guide for Parents

Walt Disney Pictures, 1940

All information below is general suggestions and ideas. 

Always adapt to your family’s situation and beliefs and the needs of individual children. 

Content Warnings:

• Animal violence
• Alcohol, drunkenness, tobacco (cigars)
• Some scenes may frighten or trouble more sensitive viewers. 
• Dumbo and Timothy Mouse get drunk (a clown pours alcohol into the animals’ water, the two drink it unknowingly) and hallucinate “Pink Elephants on Parade.” 

Discussion Questions

1. How do the animal parents feel when the stork drops off their babies? 

• Talk about how children are a blessing and gift. The Bible says, “Children are an heritage of the Lord.”

2. How did Dumbo’s Mother feel when the stork brought babies to the other animals but not to her? How did she feel when the stork finally came with the baby elephant? What was a time you had to wait for something you wanted? How did it feel to wait and to receive what you had waited for? 
3. It doesn’t take long at all for people to start making fun of Dumbo for the way he looks. How do you feel when people tease you? Why is it important to think about the way we treat others? 
4. How does Dumbo’s Mother react when others tease Dumbo? We might feel angry when we witness unkindness or injustice. When we feel angry, we must be careful to avoid hurting others. How can we use our anger to help others? 
5. One theme of Dumbo is equality/inequality and justice/injustice. Talk about examples of this theme in the film and in your own life. Ideas from the film include:

• The opening song, “Look of for Mr. Stork” includes these lyrics: “He'll come along and drop a bundle in your lap. You may be poor or rich; it doesn't matter which -millionaires, they get theirs like the butcher and the baker.” What things are similar among all people, despite differences in social class? 
• The stork drops off babies to all the different animals. Later, when they board the train, each animal has a different car, designed just for them. With younger children, discuss how each animal’s car is different. With older children, discuss equity versus equality (equality aims to provide equal treatment to all, while equity provides different accommodations so all have equal opportunities for success).
• The circus master profits by depending on laborers who work long hours for little pay and animals, both of which are treated poorly. What examples do you see of this in the film and in real life? 
• The adult elephants often tease Dumbo and exclude him from their groups. How do you see this happening in real life? Think about small-scale examples (like the group of elephants excluding one person) and large-scale systemic examples (like segregation). 
• The adult elephants decide Dumbo is “no longer an elephant.” What happens when we decide humans are “no longer humans”? What examples can you think of of dehumanizing others, individuals or groups? 

6. Timothy Mouse is a friend to Dumbo when no one else is. How does it feel when someone is a friend to you? Who do you know that might need a friend? How can you be a friend to them? 
7. Consider the crows. What is the controversy about the crows? The crows are stereotyped blacks (dialect and accent, plus the leader’s script name is Jim Crow). How have depictions of ethnicities and races changed since this movie was made? Can people still enjoy movies that contain dated stereotypes? What stereotypes and prejudices do you see in our world today? How can we confront stereotypes and prejudices?
8. How do the characters in Dumbo demonstrate courage and empathy? Why are these important character strengths?

Scripture Connections

• Children & Family. Gen 1:28; Ps 127:3-5; Mt 18:10, 19:14; 3 Ne 17:11-24, 18:21
• Equity. 2 Sam 8:15; 1 Chron 18:14; Ps 9:8, 33:5, 98:9, 99:4; Prov 1:3, 2:9; Eccl 2:21; Isa 11:4
• Patience. Rom 2:7, 8:25; Gal 5:22; 2 Thes 1:3; Alma 7:23, 26:27, 34:40; D&C 24:8, 67:13
• Kindness & Friendship. 1 Sam 18:1; Prov 17:17, 18:24; Matt 7:12; Luke 10:25-37; 1 Cor 13:4; Eph 4:32; 1 Pet 1:7; D&C 4:6

Ideas for Further Study

• Choose an animal from the movie to learn more about. What does this animal need to have a happy and healthy life? Compare to how you see the animals in the movie. Do you think the circus is doing a good job of caring for the animals? 
• The Casey, Jr. men sing while they set up the circus tent: "We work all day, we work all night . . . When other folks have gone to bed, we slave until we're almost dead . . . We don't know when we get our pay . . . Muscles achin’ back near breaking . . . Boss man houndin’ Keep on poundin’ . . . There ain't no let up, must get set up. Pull that canvas! Drive that stake! Want to doze off, Get them clothes off but must keep awake.” Research Labor Day and unions that fight for fair working conditions, in the past and today. Teens might read Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle. 
• Dumbo’s mother was put into solitary confinement as a “mad elephant” after she tried to protect Dumbo. Sometimes people today are put in jail for standing up for others (examples include members of civil rights movements, Martin Luther King, Jr., Joseph Smith, Dakota Access Pipeline protesters, DACA and immigration reform protesters, and more). Find an example that interests you and learn more about them.  Research justice issues in your area and see how you can get involved in standing up for what’s right. 
• Research the Jim Crow laws and era. Find primary source documents from African-Americans living in Jim Crow South. Visit a museum or find someone who lived under those laws to learn more about what it was like. 
• There are many examples of harmful stereotypes and prejudices in our world today. Research a group to dispel stereotypes about them. Visit a cultural or religious event different from your own.

References

Brett Willis, “Movie Review: Dumbo,” Christian Spotlight on Entertainment. <https://christiananswers.net/spotlight/movies/pre2000/dumbo.html>.

Nell Minow, “Dumbo,” Common Sense Media, <https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/dumbo>.

Bambi: Discussion Guide for Parents

Walt Disney Pictures, 1942

All information below is general suggestions and ideas. 

Always adapt to your family’s situation and beliefs and the needs of individual children. 

Content Warnings:

• Some scenes may be frightening to sensitive viewers - thunderstorm in the woods, Bambi and his Mother get separated in a dangerous situation, animals run and hide while gunshots are fired, forest fire.
• Violence - Gunshots (sound only), deer fighting. 
• Bambi’s Mother dies (offscreen), birds are shot and drop to the ground.
• Romantic attraction, kissing (pecks). 

Discussion Questions

• Thumper’s father teaches, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothing at all.” What do you think about this suggestion?
• When Bambi is learning to walk, he falls down a lot. As he learns to talk, he makes many mistakes. How do the other animals react when Bambi falls or makes a mistake? We will fall and make mistakes when we are learning new things, too. How do you think God reacts when we fall or make a mistake? Why is it important to try again? 
• In the movie we see many animal families. How do the grown up animals help the baby animals? How do grown-ups in your family help you (children)? How do you (children) help the grown-ups in your family? Why are families important? 
• Bambi’s Mother waited to bring Bambi to the meadow until he was old enough. What’s something you are too little to do? What’s something you couldn’t do before, but can do now? 
• In the meadow, deer have to be very careful and watch their surroundings for danger. We, too, need to watch out for danger. What kinds of danger do we watch out for (physical, spiritual, etc)? How can we protect ourselves from danger? 
• Role play different dangerous situations your children might experience - talking to strangers, inappropriate sexual contact (abusive or consensual), exposure to alcohol or drugs, fire, etc. 
• Going out into the meadow was a risk. Bambi and his Mother would be safer in the trees, but they would miss out on the fun in the meadow. What was a time you took a risk, like jumping off the diving board or trying out for a sports team? What did that feel like? How did it turn out? What did you learn from that experience? 
• The Great Prince of the Forest is known for being brave and wise. What does bravery mean to you? What about wisdom? How can you grow in bravery and wisdom? 
• When men are near, all the animals retreat into the forest and hide. Discuss guns, your family’s morals around hunting, and gun safety. How can we care for animals and each other? 
• By the second spring of the movie, Bambi, Thumper, and Flower are all experiencing some changes in their bodies (most obviously, voice drops!). Talk with children and tweens about how their bodies will change as they mature from children to adults. 
• Owl tells Bambi and his friends about being “twitterpatted,” and we see some of the animals experience romantic attraction. Feelings of attraction and romance are a normal and wonderful part of life. When we experience these feelings, how can we be sure to always respect ourselves and the other person? Discuss your family’s standards and values when it comes to romance and dating. If you (parent) are married or in a serious, long-term relationship, share with children how you and your partner nurture feelings of love for one another. 
• Bambi provides an opportunity to talk with children about death. What is death? What happens after we die? It’s okay to have lots of feelings when someone we love dies - sad, angry, lonely, etc. Invite children to share about someone they know who has died and share memories about that person. 
• In one scene, we see a forest fire. How do humans contribute to the start and increase of forest fires? Why is it important to take care of our planet?
• The movie ends like it begins - with a mother deer and her new baby. Talk about how grown-ups in your family used to be kids, and how kids will be grown-ups one day. Discuss this quote from President Lorenzo Snow: “As man is, God once was; as God is, man may become.” How can we live our lives to become more like God? 

Scripture Connections

• Kindness. Matt 7:12; Luke 10: 25-37; 1 Cor 13:4; Eph 4:32; Col 3:12; D&C 4:6
• Failure, Mistakes, and Repentance. 2 Nephi 2:11; Matt 3:2; Luke 15:7; Acts 26:20; D&C 122:7
• Family. Deut 4:9, 6:7 11:19; Prov 22:6; Eph 6:4; 2 Nephi 25:26; 3 Nephi 18:21; D&C 93:40; Moses 5:12, 6:58
• Friendship. 1 Sam 18:1; Ruth 1:16; Prov 17:17; Luke 10: 25-37;
• Danger. Neh 4:9, 7:3; Matt 24:42; Matt 10:16, 26:41; 1 Pet 5:8; 2 Tim 3:1; Alma 13:28, 15:17, 34:39; D&C 29:3, 50:46, 82:5
• Bravery. Deut 20:1, 31:6; Josh 1:6-9; 2 Sam 2:7; Acts 5:29; 2 Tim 1:7; 1 Nephi 3:7, 4:1; Alma 51:21, 56:45-48; D&C 38:15; 128:22
• Wisdom. 1 Kings 3:4-12, 4:29-30; Prov 1:2, 2:6; Luke 2:40, 2:52; 1 Cor 12:8; James 1:5; Jacob 6:12; Alma 37:35; D&C 6:7, 136:32
• Hunting. D&C 49:18-21, 89:4-15. “Fundamental Principles” (Spencer W. Kimbal, Oct 1978)
• Romantic Love & Marriage. Gen 2:24; Prov 5:18; 1 Cor 11:11; Eph 5:25, 5:31; Jacob 3:7; D&C 49:15, 132; Bible Dictionary, “Marriage”
• Death. Gen 2:17, 3:19; Josh 23:14; Eccl 12:7; Rom 8:28; Mosiah 15:8; Alma 11:45, 12:24, 34:32; D&C 101:36, 138; Moses 3:17, 4:25
• Becoming Like God. Gen 3:22; Lev 19:2; Ps 82:6; Matt 5:48; Acts 17:29; Rom 8:17; Gal 4:7; Eph 4:13; i John 3:2; 3 Nephi 28:10; D&C 88:107, 130:22, 132:20; Moses 1:39, 4:28; Abraham 3:25

Ideas for Further Study

• Read Felix Salten's Bambi, a Life in the Woods.
• Choose an animal from the film to learn more about. Take a walk to see what kinds of plants and animals grow where you live.
• In the movie we see many different seasons and types of weather. Learn about weather and the water cycle. How is rain made? Why is rain important? What causes thunderstorms? What is lightning? Why do leaves turn different colors and fall off of trees in autumn? How does snow form?
• The deer run from the meadow when a man approaches. Research how hunting affects life for animals in the woods. What are the laws in your area about hunting? Research other gun safety laws. Consider getting involved in efforts in your community to promote gun safety. 
• Some animals hibernate in winter. How can animals do this? Research hibernation, how it works, and how animals prepare to hibernate. 
• The film includes a scene of a forest fire. Research and learn more about forest fires. What causes them? What makes them difficult to stop? Research the circumstances of recent forest fires around the world and climate change. Learn about people who work to prevent and put out forest fires.