Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Mighty “Mouse:”. Mickey’s 90th Birthday!



By Michael Lyons

He’s become most famous for being one of the world’s most iconic images, especially in corporate circles, so it’s easy to forget that Mickey Mouse is an animated character.

Not just any animated character, but one of the world’s most famous animated characters who started one of Hollywood’s most famous and now one of the largest entertainment Companies.

Most amazing is the fact that this month, on November 18th, Mickey Mouse will turn 90 years young!  It was on that date in 1928 that Mickey made his debut in “Steamboat Willie.”  With this amazing milestone marking a popularity that has endured for almost a century, it’s the perfect time to look back at some highlights from the career of this most mighty Mouse! 

In honor of Mickey and to wish him a Happy Birthday, here are “9 from 90,” nine highlights from ninety years of entertaining the world!



“Steamboat Willie” (1928), Mickey’s debut (along with Minnie and Pete) is a marvel from the early days of animation, as well as the first film to feature synchronized sound.

“The Band Concert” (1935) Mickey conducts a band in the midst of a tornado in a dizzying combination of animation and music.

“Lonesome Ghosts” (1937). Mickey, Donald and Goofy teamed up for a number of classic short subjects, but this one where they “bust some ghosts” is one of the best.

“Brave Little Tailor” (1938) A compact little fantasy adventure with Mickey, Princess Minnie and an amazingly animated giant.



“Fantasia” (1940), Mickey’s “Sorcerer’s Apprentice” with its multiplying brooms, flooding rooms and nightmarish images is a standout in a feature film filled with standout scenes.

“The Nifty Nineties” (1941) A simple short subject that’s like spending 10 minutes on Main Street, USA with Mickey and Minnie.

“Mickey’s Christmas Carol’ (1983) This featurette marked Mickey’s first film in thirty years and with its all-star Disney cast emerges as one of the most entertaining adaptions of Dickens’ Christmas mainstay.



“Runaway Brain” (1995) A very different, Looney Tunes-esque outing for Mickey is a hysterical send up of classic monster movies.

“Get A Horse” (2013) This brilliant combination of 2D and 3D animation is a celebration of Disney movie magic and one of the most original shorts to emerge from the Studio.

And so, Happy Birthday Mickey!  Thank you for childhood memories that transcend generations and make the world just a little more magical.  We are all thrilled that, as Walt Disney himself said,  “It Was All Started By A Mouse!”

Mickey’s Official 90th Portrait
By Animator Mark Henn 


Sources:
Disney.com
Wikipedia  


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