It’s Mickey Mouses 96th birthday! How was this iconic star created?
Today we celebrate the birthday of the most iconic Disney character, Mickey Mouse. On November 18thof this year, it’s Micky’s 96th birthday. The figurehead of Disney was created in 1928 after Walt Disney lost the creative control over Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. What’s the history behind this animation figure? How has the mouse that we all know evolved over the years?
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The origins of the iconic mouse go a long way back, but before him, Walt Disney had another character who was his pride and joy. During the 20’s, Disney worked together with cartoon distributor Charles Mintz. Mintz came with the name Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, and it was Disney’s task to draw this character. Oswald became a huge success, but soon a fight followed between Mintz and Disney. The illustrator lost the copyrights of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit and went home disappointed.
1928, the start of Mickey Mouse
Little did Walt Disney know he would create an icon on his way home. On the train ride home, he created a new character. It was a black and white mouse with giant round ears. His name? Mortimer Mouse. Disney’s wife advised a better name. That’s how Mickey was born. This time, the illustrator had learned his lesson. He immediately made sure he had the copyrights for the mouse who would become a huge star. These copyrights expired in January of this year.
That same year, Mickey Mouse was introduced to the public in two silent cartoons: Plane Crazy and Gallopin’ Gaucho. Later that year, on November 18th (Mickey’s birthday) we get the first Mickey cartoon with sound. This production was named Steamboat Willie, an immediate sensation that led to Disney’s dominance in the animated market for years. You may know Steamboat Willie as it was used for years in modern Disney movies before the actual movies started.
In 1929, Mickey says his first words in The Karnival Kid. ‘Hot dogs!’ Until the year 1947, Walt Disney himself provided the voice of Mickey Mouse.
Looks, looks, looks!
Mickey’s look had changed over the years. In the beginning, the iconic white gloves were nowhere in sight. Nor his oversized shoes. In the first cartoon Plane Crazy, Mickey didn’t even have a consistent number of fingers. Sometimes it was four, sometimes five. Eventually, they settled on four fingers and a thumb.
His iconic shoes were introduced in The Gallopin’ Gaucho, and they were there to stay.
When did Mickey get his white gloves? The white gloves made a first appearance in The Opry House (1929). In this cartoon his gloves were part of his stage costume. They added a better effect to Mickey’s hands and therefore became a permanent part of his design.
This time in color
The success of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse kept growing. To keep up with the animation industry, Disney released their first Mickey Mouse cartoon in color named Parade of the Award Nominees in 1932. However, this cartoon was never released to the public. The first movie in color that was released to the public is The Band Concert. This movie was released in 1935. Here was decided that Mickey’s shorts would be red.
Mickey and his friends
Mickey Mouse is not alone. As any Disney character, he has his friends and sidekicks. The stories of Micky Mouse involve other cartoon characters such as Mickey’s girlfriend Minnie Mouse, Donald and Daisy Duck, Pluto and Goofy. Over the years Mickey and his friends have had numerous movies and tv-shows.
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Ninety-six years after his debut, Mickey Mouse remains one of the most famous and enduring characters ever created. Through Mickey, Walt Disney’s spirit of imagination and innovation continues to inspire generations.
Text: Nohr Pardon
Image: © Amanda Brady