This is a technical achievement in being the real first realistic and fully fleshed out feature length animation film that isn't just two dimensional cut outs bouncing back and forth across the screen. The animation style here is extremely impressive while the story is totally within the confines of mainstream 1930’s america. The woman is this young, helpless pretty thing who keeps seemingly forgetting the danger she’s in and needs to be saved by the big strong man. It’s never too dramatic even considering the fact that she was almost murdered by her mother’s attendant and always promoting the attitude of chivalry and romantic escapades in how her true love will come and rescue her. This film is absolutely part of the culture of the day to have a damsel in distress.
On a historical technical level this movie is a remarkable innovation. The animation was unparalleled for the time and Disney would remain unparalleled animation capabilities arguably until Pixar comes on the scene maybe 50 years later. This is the beginning of a Monopoly in a way.