When making iconic Disney flick BAMBI, the child actor who was voicing the titular deer was told by the film’s director that his real mother was in danger. The child then freaked out, creating the panic needed for the pivotal death scene.
Former child star Donnie Dunagan who was playing Young Bambi was in the studio recording his voice for the scene in which Bambi’s mother is shot by hunters.
His mother suddenly left the Disney recording session to run an errand – and animators pounced on the opportunity to scare the heck put of the six year old.
Dunagan recalled on The View, "They said, ‘Your mother is in trouble, call for your mother,’ and I said, ‘Wait a minute, I just saw my mom and she looks fine.’
"A very astute man behind me said, ‘Your mother is in trouble here in the studio; we’re gonna put you on the speaker, call for your mother…’
"I believed she was in trouble.
"He probably shouldn’t have done that but it worked fine and he hugged me later."
Dunagan, who also appeared in Son of Frankenstein, quit acting at the age of 12, becoming a legal orphan after falling out with his family.
Donnie later served in the Marines during WW2, becoming a commanding officer.
No word whether Thumper served with him in the Corps.
