Mickey Mouse debuted in the 1928 animated short Steamboat Willie and went on to become the familiar symbol of Walt Disney studios. A cheerful rodent in white gloves and red shorts, Mickey starred in dozens of Disney shorts and the 1940 animated feature Fantasia, becoming one of the world's best-known cartoon characters. After 1950 Mickey appeared only rarely in films and instead settled into a role as Disney's ambassador in its advertisements and theme parks, with Mickey's mouse ears becoming the company symbol. Disney's daily TV show The Mickey Mouse Club was first broadcast in 1955 (the same year that Disneyland opened its doors) and became a long-running hit. Its familiar theme song included the spelled-out lyric, "Who's the leader of the club that's made for you and me? M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E."
The Walt Disney Company gives Mickey's exact birth date as 18 November 1928. That was the release date of Steamboat Willie... According to legend, Disney planned to name the mouse "Mortimer" until his wife suggested the name of Mickey... Mickey's longtime girlfriend is Minnie Mouse and his dog is named Pluto.
'Disney The Ultimate Visual Guide', (2002), DK Publishing Inc, New York (page 10,11).
From the beginning, Walt Disney provided the falsetto vocalisations for his star. He once dismissed this decision as just a cost cutting measure. However, Walt was an instinctive actor who brought a lot of personality and charm to the role. Walt received his first Oscar in 1932 for the creation of Mickey Mouse.
'Steamboat Willie' was released on November 18th 1928 and was the Disney Studios first real hit and used a blend of state-of-the-art technology and creativity to create its success.
Why Willie?
Mickey first appears on the riverboat whistling the bouncy melody of the song "Steamboat Bill". The popular comedian Buster Keaton had had a recent hit with the silent movie 'Steamboat Bill, Jr'. Changing the Bill to Willie was a playful way of using a name audiences of the 1920s would recognise, and hinted at the fun that was to follow.
I have included this clip because it shows the changes in animation and the appearance of Mickey Mouse within such a short time period. Mickey Mouse's design has changed numerous times over the years but the character itself has remained the same because universal appeal is constantly remembered and liked.
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