Pinocchio (1940) and Lampwick turning into donkeys is one of the most terrifying Disney scenes of all time

There's a moment when, as Lampwick is tragically morphing into the hairy beast he's allowed himself to become by forsaking his childhood innocence, he screams, overcome with panic and fear, a single word that hammers home he's still only just a vulnerable boy at heart:

"MAMAAAAAAA!"

Disney, at its best, and despite the fact that those at the height of its corporate pyramid are ironically no better than the twisted magic of Pleasure Island, has always managed to be an entertaining mirror, reflecting the darkest sides of the human spirit in its timeless films.

That scene still disturbs me, and it's a refreshing reminder that horror doesn't have to be instilled into an audience by using sickening creatures, gore, and death.