Happy 84th Birthday, Mickey Mouse!

This Day in History: November 18, 1928



M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E!

 

news.nationalgeographic.com

Who would have ever thought the  animation of a 'mouse' would bring so much joy and laughter to both young and old for decades to come?!. First pegged as Mortimer Mouse, Walt Disney rechristened the character Mickey Mouse at the urging of his wife, Lillian.

The first successful sound-synchronized animated cartoon, Walt Disney's "Steamboat Willie" starring Mickey Mouse, premiered at Universal's Colony Theater in New York City, November 18, 1928. It was a smash hit! Not until 50 years later, in 1978, did Mickey Mouse have an official birthday when Disney Archivist Dave Smith declared November 18, 1928 as the first general public appearance of Mickey Mouse. 

Cartoon Synopsis: Steamboat Willie
 

Title card of Steamboat Willie
en.wikipedia.org

A loose parody of Buster Keaton's Steamboat Bill, Mickey is a roustabout on Pegleg Pete's river steamer. After a goat eats the sheet music, Mickey and Minnie use various objects at hand (including a cat on unedited versions!) to create music.

Pete confronts Mickey at the helm of the steamboat
en.wikipedia.org

The tale of a then black-and-white Mickey's adventures at sea served as a springboard for the legendary Disney empire. The antics and adventures of Mickey provided some much needed comfort during the Great Depression years.
 

 

 



 Walt Disney Animations Steamboat Willie (1928)

The Classic Mickey Mouse Cartoon

 



 

 Mickey's Rival - Mickey Mouse in Living Color (1936)

 

 

Mickey!