Looking for the best Dumbo Quotes for inspiration? Then look no further because we went and found some amazing Disney quotes about compassion, friendship, self-belief and more!
After all, Dumbo The flying elephant inspired so many of us as kids growing up, that sometimes all you need in life is friendship, love, compassion, and to believe in yourself!
Seeing Dumbo the elephant, fly at the end, is why so many people today still love this classic Disney film. It showed that what makes us different can sometimes be the most powerful thing of all.
In Dumbo’s case, his large ears were made fun of and he was called a freak, but they also gave him the ability to fly!
It also taught us compassion, one of the most heart wrenching themes in Dumbo is the abundance of bullying and mistreatment. Watching Dumbo go though that, emphasised the impact of compassion.
So without further ado! Let’s get started on this list of the best Dumbo sayings from both the classic 1941 Disney Animation, and the live action 2019 version.
Who is Dumbo?
Dumbo is one of those classic Disney characters that we all know and love. He is such an innocent magical creature though he is often treated poorly just because he’s a little different and has some slightly bigger ears.
Famous Dumbo Quotes From The Original
Dumbo Movie (1941)
*Casting Credits used to verify names for characters*
Head Director:
- Ben Sharpsteen
Sequencing Directors:
- Norman Ferguson
- Wilfred Jackson
- Bill Roberts
- Jack Kinney
- Sam Armstrong
“The very things that held ya down are gonna carry ya up, and up, and up.”
Timothy Q. Mouse talking about Dumbo’s big ears
“You all oughta be ashamed of yourselves. A bunch of big guys like you, pickin’ on a poor little orphan like him.”
Timothy Q. Mouse to the crows
“All we gotta do is build an act. Make ya a star. A headliner! Dumbo the Great!”
Timothy Q. Mouse
“Why he flies just like an eagle.”
Crow with blue hat
“Did you ever see an elephant fly?”
Crow with blue hat in Dumbo (1941)
Well, hush my beak.
Dandy Crow leader
“Aw gee, Dumbo, I think your ears are beautiful!”
Timothy Q. mouse
“What’s the matter with his ears? I don’t see nothin’ wrong with ’em. I think they’re cute.”
Timothy Q. Mouse defending Dumbo’s big ears
“Dumbo! C’mon fly! Open them ears! The magic feather was just a gag! You can fly! Honest, you can! Hey, open ’em up! Hurry!”
Timothy Q. Mouse
“Don’t forget that we elephants have always walked with dignity.”
Matriarch Elephant
“His disgrace is our own shame.”
Matriarch Elephant
“You know, Dumbo, we’d better get an idea. Not just any idea. Something colossal.”
Timothy Q. Mouse
“Just because he’s got those big ears, they call him a freak. The laughing stock of the circus. And when his mother tried to protect him, they threw her into the clink. And on top of that, they made him a clown!”
Timothy Q. Mouse
Poor little guy, I always felt bad for how they treated Dumbo, he was just a baby.
“Pink elephants.”
Timothy Q. Mouse
“Now let’s see, elephants can’t climb trees, can they? Nah, nah, that’s ridiculous. Would they jump up? Mm-mmm. Too high.”
Timothy Q. Mouse
“No warm, soft caressing trunk to snuzzle into. How would you like to be left out alone in a cold, cruel, heartless world?”
Timothy
In all honesty, everyone was so mean to Dumbo from the cold hearted boys at the Circus, to the elephants, to the Circus folk. Everyone thought because he was different that it was justification to be mean to him, but he was still just a baby who needed his mother.
“That’s it! Dumbo! You flew! Boy, am I stupid. Why didn’t I think of this before? Your ears! Just look at ’em, Dumbo! Why, they’re perfect wings!”
Timothy Q. Mouse
“Climax? … Climax! Dumbo, you’re a climax. I’ll be back in a minute, I’m gonna take care of your future.”
Timothy Q. Mouse
“Must have overdid it in there, don’t know my own strength sometimes.”
Timothy Q. Mouse
Why is this me whenever I open a can? This Disney quote is super relatable tbh.
“Givin’ him the cold shoulder. Poor little guy.”
Timothy Mouse
“Hot diggity! You’re flyin’! You’re flyin’!”
Timothy Q. Mouse
“Come on now. Up, down! Up, down! One, two! One, two! One, two! Faster, faster! Build up flying speed! Detract your landing gear! Raise your fuselage! Take off!”
Timothy Q. Mouse
I love how Timothy is so pumped about helping Dumbo learn how to fly, although I’m not sure about the landing gear lol.
“Dumbo look! Have I got it! The magic feather. Now you can fly!”
Timothy Q Mouse
“Use the magic feather! Catch on?”
Lead Crow known as Dandy Crow (voiced by Cliff Edwards)
“Brother rat! Now listen! I ain’t your brother and I ain’t no rat! See?”
Timothy Q. Mouse
“Jumbo? You mean Dumbo!”
Elephant Catty
“And I suppose you and no elephant ain’t up in no tree either!”
Dandy (Jim) Crow
“You’re no cream puff yourself, Dearie.”
Elephant Catty
“Well frankly, I wouldn’t eat at the same bale of hay with him.”
Elephant Catty
“There he goes, without a friend in the world.”
Timothy Mouse
“When I seen an elephant fly, when I see an elephant fly!”
Dandy (Jim) Crow, Glasses Crow, Straw Hat Crow, Fat Crow, and Blue hat crow singing.
Cliff Edwards did an amazing job when he sang this catchy song!
“Don’t look now but I think we’re up in a tree!”
Timothy Q. Mouse
“Dumbo the ninth wonder of the Universe! The world’s only flying elephant!”
Timothy Mouse
“Ah don’t pay attention to them scarecrows.”
Timothy Q. Mouse
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Best Dumbo Quotes From The Live-Action Film (2019)
Head Producers:
- Tim Burton – Director
- Nigel Gostelow
“I wanna make scientific discoveries. I wanna be noticed for my mind.”
Milly Farrier
One of my favorite Dumbo quotes, Milly (Nico Parker) was ahead of her time and I’m so happy that the directors went with her being an intelligent girl who wants to change the world.
“So you sold my horses and kept your elephant’s. Your scrawny, mangy, cut rate elephants.”
Holt Farrier
“Don’t be scared now, your mama is right outside.”
Holt Farrier
Seeing this gentle side of Holt (Colin Farrell) come out more was a heartwarming moment in the movie.
“Someone needs to keep him company when he’s not with his mama.”
Milly Farrier
“A face only a mother could love.”
Max Medici
Y’all at first I was not a fan of Max Medici ( Danny Devito) especially when he said this about poor Dumbo. But as you watch the movie you’ll see his character does have a redeeming arc.
“Holt, get those ears off the stage.”
Max Medici
“Hear em’ making fun of your ugly boy. Who’s gonna save him now.”
Rufus
“You’re a miracle elephant Dumbo and we’re gonna bring your mama home.”
Milly Farrier
“Dumbo! You gotta do this in the show!… cause if the circus sells more tickets and Medici makes more money then we can get him to use some to buy Mrs. Jumbo back.”
Milly Farrier
“It’s not the peanuts that made him do it. It’s the feathers!”
Milly Farrier
“If we call him Jumbo Jr. it might make him miss his mom.”
Joe Farrier
“No booze near the baby!”
Max Medici
“Some men cheat the rules, others change them.”
V.A. Vandevere
Spoken like a true villain! Vandevere was a selfish as they came and Michael Keaton did a good job portraying his greedy values.
“The secret to show biz is to always keep a rabbit in your hat or a monkey in your desk.”
V.A. Vandevere
“Was the kids that taught ’em.”
Max Medici
“We make the impossible, possible.”
Colette Marchant
This is a good quote to stand by and one of my favorite Dumbo quotes, realising that the sky’s the limit but even then, sometimes you can make the impossible, possible. Also, Colette (Eva Green) was a refreshing character to have in the movie, but I did see her good arc coming.
“Dumbo works alone.”
Holt Farrier
“He won’t fly without a feather.”
Joe Farrier
“Welcome to dreamland.”
V.A. Vandevere
“A millionaire’s girlfriend. That’s a tough break.”
Holt Farrier
“I think you are the lucky one.”
V.A. Vandevere wife
“We’ve already sold the tickets. Maybe our little scientists here can show us that it’s going to work.”
V.A. Vandevere
“Prepare for takeoff. Right wing? Check. Left wing? Check. Take off Dumbo.”
Milly and Joe
“You beautiful one armed cowboy You made me a child again.”
V.A. Vandevere
“We made a deal with Dumbo that we can buy his mom back, that’s why he flies.”
Joe
I love that Joe (Finley Hobbins) was sticking to their deal no matter what they were going to do their best to get Dumbo’s mother back.
“You’ve see a horse fly. You’ve seen a dragon fly. You’ve even seen a house fly.”
Baritone Bates
“Dumbo prince of the elephants. I command you to fly with me.”
Collette Marchant
“You wanna know the important thing about growing up. You got to learn to go it alone.”
V.A. Vandevere
“Mrs. Jumbo will be gone by tomorrow night. And she’s not meant to survive.”
Sotheby speaking about Dumbo’s mother.
“This Dreamland doesn’t deserve him.”
Holt Farrier
“Well who’s going to be willing to help me? Set Dumbo and his mama free.”
Holt Farrier
“I fly elephants all the time? Are you sure you can do this?”
Colette Marchant
“They’re my troupe. They’re counting on me.”
Max Medici
“We wanted to see him one last time.”
Rongo
“One last time to see him fly..”
Miss Atlantis
“He cannot lose Mrs. Jumbo again.”
Catherine the Greater
“Dumbo you don’t need the feather to fly!”
Holt Farrier
“Dumbo remember this from my mama. I can unlock any door and you can too. But I don’t need this key to do it. And you don’t need the feather.”
Milly Farrier
“I’m no expert but I think you got bigger problems here.”
Max Medici
“Welcome to the Medici family circus where we believe no animals should be held in captivity.”
Max Medici
I love that one of the revolving themes in the live action Dumbo, was centered on awareness of animals in captivity and specifically show animals like the circus animals in the movie.
It’s good to bring awareness about these issues in all forms of media so different audiences can be reached.
What Are The Difference & Similarities Between The Original Dumbo Film vs. The Live Action Dumbo?
In the 1941 film, Dumbo a baby elephant, has his best friend Timothy Q. Mouse who might be small but has the biggest voice and heart. The friendship they share and their belief, trust and compassion for one another sends such an important message to the world.
Meanwhile, in the 2019 live action film, Dumbo now has two children- Milly and Joe- to protect and care for him the same way Timothy Mouse did in the original film.
They also emphasize the importance of a mother’s love and how Dumbo needs it, and other similar values as in the original animation.
One thing both movies have in common, is that both feature an elephant fly by the power of self-belief and some mighty big ears!
As well, as Dumbo still coming from the Circus, being separated from his mother, and needing a feather to fly at first.
Where Is The Dumbo Gold Anniversary Statue?
The Dumbo gold 50th anniversary statue is located at Magic Kingdom Park. You’ll want to head pass main street and walk towards the Walt Disney and Mickey statue.
When you reach the statue, head to the right and you’ll see two pathways; one that goes to Tomorrowland and the other one that goes to Fantasyland. Walk towards the Fantasyland one and you’ll see Dumbo and Timothy the Mouse!
Can You Meet Dumbo At The Disney Parks?
While there isn’t a way to meet Dumbo at both Disney Parks, you can still see more of him by enjoying his rides like Dumbo the flying elephant at Disney World and Disneyland!
Dumbo Trivia and Facts
- Where there have been plenty of silent Disney characters, Dumbo is in fact the only main protagonist who does not speak.
- Dumbo is based on the book “Dumbo the flying elephant” by Helen Aberson and Harold Pearl, which was originally published in 1938.
- The original Dumbo movie released in 1941 was the fourth animated feature film made by Disney.
- Dumbo’s real name is Jumbo Jr.
- Originally Timothy Q. Mouse is based off a bird in the book by Helen Aberson and Harold Pearl.
- Dumbo was supposed to take over the cover of Time Magazine in December of 1941, but the attack on Pearl Harbor essentially knocked Dumbo out of the cover spot.
- The 2019 Dumbo live action film was directed by Tim Burton who has directed several famous movies including the Nightmare Before Christmas, Frankenweenie, Corpse Bride, Beetlejuice and more!
Dumbo FAQs
While a lot of characters do have dialogue, Dumbo does not speak at all in the original 1941 Dumbo film.
In the 2019 Dumbo live action film, none of the animals have any speaking dialogue which was done in order to steer more towards realism.
There are several messages in both the original and new Dumbo films. Some major themes are compassion, friendship, self belief, and the harmful effects of bullying. While the new film also honors all of those themes but also touches on captivity and treatment of circus animals.
Dumbo does not speak at all in neither the original Dumbo film nor the live action film.
The original Dumbo film depicts Dumbo finally discover his magical flying capabilities when he finally believes in himself and so he soars off into the sky with his best friend, Timothy Mouse which is far from sad in my own personal opinion.
The 2019 Dumbo live action film depicts Dumbo and his mother arrive at an African watering hole where they have been freed to live our their lives alongside their own kind in their own natural home. This gave them the ending they so needed and deserved after their captive circus lives and sent such an important message out into the world.
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