"Frozen" still warming the hearts of millions

"Frozen" comes in hot.

The end of a frigid winter? The climax of snow, snow, and snow?

Absolutely not.

"Frozen" is the movie of the year that according to Entertainment Magazine, has piled up $393 million in domestic gross, the largest grossing animated film of all time.

"Frozen," of course, is another Walt Disney blockbuster.

Hollywood moguls, are you shaking your heads and wondering?

Is the great movie-going public with cash in its pockets a little weary of problem movies with dysfunctional families, unhappy, troubled persons and general mayhem?

"Frozen" and its result at box offices across the fruited plain gives a convincing answer.

The 13th in Disney's hit films, "Frozen" tells the story of two sisters, Anna and Elsa, one of whom has unusual magical powers.

Besides the warm and touching story, the film has an additional advantage of a hit song, "Let It Go."

Performed for the movie by Idena Menzel (the green-faced one in the mega-hit "Wicked") the song now is included on mainstream radio and TV.

So taken with "Frozen" are my granddaughter and her 5th grade friends that they perform their own version of it in my living room.

To better understand the puzzle that is "Frozen's" success, I must take a look back through history.

A success from the start, "Snow White and Seven Dwarfs" in 1937 was the first Walt Disney full-length film.

Before long, Sleepy, Grumpy, Dopey and the other dwarfs became household names.

Disney adaptations of well- loved stories followed with "Cinderella," "Beauty and the Beast" and "Pocohantas" becoming box office favorites.

What made these movies such hits? What inspired their creators to come up with such genius combinations of ideas?

I guess we can never really know for certain. I was surprised to learn, however, that Walt Disney, founder of the vast Disney empire, and Ray Kroc, founder of McDonald's were happenstance bunk mates during World War II.

I have to wonder if during those days spent at war, ideas for their future successes were already bubbling in their brains.