#Mickey Mouse Shorts Theater

[citizenscreen]

Happy birthday, Mickey Mouse!

Mickey first appeared in the animated short STEAMBOAT WILLIE, which premiered on November 18, 1928 at the Colony Theater in New York City. #OnThisDay Created by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks.

[ekkotimesthree]

i really resent the growing idea that media with clear cut queer representation is inherently better than its counterparts with just queer themes and allegory. stop patting corporations on the back for the slop they throw on your tray in the hopes you’ll spare them a single dollar. the guy who wrote all the songs in the little mermaid (1989) was a man named howard ashman, and if you didn’t know, he died of aids shortly after the movie made it to theaters, two years to be exact. many of the people who worked on the film talked about how condition worsened as the production chugged along, and how through all of this, he poured his heart and soul into those goddamn lyrics. working tirelessly to tell the story HE wanted to tell. obviously no one would have allowed a children’s movie with a gay main character during the fucking reagan administration amidst the aids epidemic. so instead of a story about a teenager coming out as gay, she comes out as “loving humans”. the rest of the queer allegory is kinda obvious if i’m being honest. the only part that matters for this discussion is the ending. king triton accepts ariel for who she is, and lets her love who she loves. and now to this day, the little mermaid has stuck with queer people (and more specifically trans women, but i digress) to the point you can regularly see mermaid imagery throughout queer organizations and online groups.

howard ashman’s life was cut short by aids, and a huge part of that is undeniably due to the rampant homophobic discrimination. he’s dead, but now his story lives on as one of the most important films of film history. a story that will be remembered long after his death, and probably ours as well. that’s fucking beautiful! and it’s all possible because of queer allegory and storytelling. to act is if this film would have been better if ariel was actually trans or gay is foolish. we’re never going to live in a utopia where anti-queer bigotry is eradicated, and howard stern certainly never got to either. so to write off stories like these for “not actually having gay characters” is foolish as well. to do so ignores the queer history we should be preserving, and continuing to tell. would faceshopping be better if sophie said “i am a transgender woman”? how about the matrix? the only correct response is a resounding no.

if the revolution comes, i want mickey mouse’s head served on a platter.

[magicaltrash]

It's time for the 5th annual Magical Trash Year-in-Review, where we take a look at trash cans at the Disney theme parks and resorts worldwide. Yes, it's a weird idea, but you are going to keep reading, right? (View previous Year-in-Reviews) Some may note that it's been a somewhat rocky year for the Mouse, but trash can activity has been strong. As we've seen in previous years, this year's additions were primarily driven by attraction openings, including Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway at Disneyland, the opening of the World of Frozen in Hong Kong, and the arrival of the Zootopia in Shanghai. Unfortunately, we also saw the fastest introduction-to-removal can timeline with the closing of Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser - which had opened just a year earlier at Walt Disney World. Over the past year, MagicalTrash.com celebrated the 1,000 trash can photo milestone (only took 14 years!), while adding over 100 new entries. This was complimented by 1,600+ posts across social media networks, including Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Mastodon, Threads, and Bluesky. Posts were also added to Twitter/X, but frankly it's hard to continue supporting that platform due to its overall decline on many fronts (and I say that as someone who works in corporate social media professionally!). For 2023, Magical Trash tracked 16 substantial trash can design changes, a 14% increase vs. 2022's 14 tracked changes:

Added: 14

Historical Cans Added: 4

Updated: 0

Endangered: 0

Removed: 2

The US-based parks saw the most activity, with Disneyland Resort experiencing 6 changes, while Walt Disney World recorded 4 changes. Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and Disneyland Paris Resort both recorded 2 updates, and Shanghai Disney Resort saw 1 new addition. No notable changes were recorded for Tokyo Disney Resort or Disney Cruise Line.

Here's a detailed breakdown of updates:

ADDED New trash can designs that debuted in Disney theme parks over the past year

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway (El CapiTOON Theater) - NEW Disneyland, Mickey’s Toontown With a movie theater setting, iconography is anchored by a popcorn bucket image with large “EC” letters.  

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway (M.A.G.I.C.) - NEW Disneyland, Mickey’s Toontown Outside the attraction are cans associated with M.A.G.I.C. - short for the Municipal Agency of Garbage Identification and Collection. Now that's a group we want to join!  

World of Frozen (Arendelle Crest) - NEW - NEW Hong Kong Disneyland, World of Frozen The official crest of Arendelle features a crocus - a multi-color flowering bulb that typically blooms in the spring - and seen throughout the Frozen franchise.  

World of Frozen (Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs) - NEW Hong Kong Disneyland, World of Frozen Furthering the rugged forest theme of the family coaster, decorative Scandinavian folk art patterns are found throughout queue, with geometric shapes highlighted in red, green, and orange hues.  

Zootopia - NEW Shanghai Disneyland, Zootopia A surprising entry to Shanghai's bland trash can scene, green trash cans with zebra-like stripes on the lower portion combine with a city emblem.  

San Fransokyo Square - NEW Disney California Adventure, San Fransokyo Square The shoehorned Big Hero 6 retheme of DCA's Pacific Wharf gave us new cans that looked a lot like the old cans - but with bonus "SFS" branding. Ho hum.  

Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana - NEW Walt Disney World, Epcot, World Nature You can tell this is a modern Disney attraction because the name is an IP-laden paragraph. Lots of storytelling to explain "scenery."  

Parkside Market - NEW Disneyland Resort, Downtown Disney Probably one of the more visually-stunning additions in 2023, Mickey Mouse + mid-century design. Simple concept, well-executed.  

The Villas at Disneyland Hotel - NEW Disneyland Resort, The Villas at Disneyland Hotel New DVC borrows much of its design from Aulani. Not ugly, but also not magical. Were these picked out of a catalog?  

Pixar Place Hotel - NEW Disneyland Resort, Pixar Place Hotel The retime of Disneyland's Paradise Pier Hotel features trash cans very similar in design to those implemented at The Villas at Disneyland Hotel. Maybe they got a 2-for-1 deal?  

Disneyland Paris Reusable Tableware Cans - NEW Disneyland Paris, Adventureland France's Anti-Waste and Circular Economy Law is focused on phasing out improper disposal of waste. Food service at the French parks has implemented reusable table settings, which has impacted trash can design.  

"Fantasyland 2" Backstage - NEW Disneyland Paris, Fantasyland A backstage can makes an appearance onstage as a support trash can from the “Fantasyland 2” zone, parked where everyone can see.  

Pym Test Kitchen Food Waste - NEW Disney California Adventure, Avengers Campus After debuting combination food waste trash cans in Tomorrowland around 2021, Disneyland expanded the practice to the Avengers Campus at DCA.  

Jollywood Nights Temporary Media Can - NEW Disney's Hollywood Studios, Grand Avenue Throw a sticker on an existing trash can and it's something new! Temporarily rethemed can at Disney's Hollywood Studios during a media event for Jollywood Nights holiday entertainment.  

HISTORICAL CANS ADDED Retro trash can designs that were unearthed by new research this year, but are no longer in use

MK Main Street (1974) - HISTORICAL ADDITION Magic Kingdom, Main Street U.S.A. Early years of the Magic Kingdom featured very detailed trash cans on Main Street U.S.A, often in multiple colors. Quite a contrast from the undecorated brown cans used in the 2000s.  

Farmer's Market (Late-1980s/Early-1990s) - HISTORICAL ADDITION Epcot, Future World, The Land The famed umbrella tables at The Land found their shapes emulated via the trash cans, which were primarily brown with light tan arches represented on all sides.  

River Country (2010) - HISTORICAL ADDITION Walt Disney World, Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground 9 years after the water park closed, remnants of the ‘Ol’ Swimmin’ Hole’ could still be spotted at Fort Wilderness.  

Mulholland Madness (2007) - HISTORICAL ADDITION Disney's California Adventure, Paradise Pier Tacky theme was on-point for DCA 1.0. This green can with road sign decal found a home in Paradise Pier.  

UPDATED Existing trash can designs that have been modified or revised in the past year

None for 2023  

ENDANGERED Trash can designs that still exist, but will most likely disappear in the future

None for 2023  

REMOVED Trash can designs that have been eliminated from use at Disney theme parks

Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser (Interior) - REMOVED Walt Disney World, Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser The in-wall trash cans for the 100-cabin Corellian MPO-1400 model Galactic Starcruiser were in use for just 579 days.  

Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser (Terminal) - REMOVED Walt Disney World, Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser You won't be needing to dispose of your garbage before boarding the MPO-1400 Star Cruiser Halcyon, as these cans will probably have a longer life than the hotel ever had.  

One massive disappointment in 2023 was Walt Disney World's opening of TRON Lightcycle / Run in the Magic Kingdom's Tomorrowland. Generic silver cans, thus reinforcing WDW's continual cheapening out on themed trash can design. Paul Pressler called and even he thinks you can do better.

Here at Magical Trash we celebrated our 14-year anniversary covering the world of Disney trash cans, which included keeping up with various salt shaker merchandise releases that showcase the iconic can shape. 6 new designs were released during festivals: The Dude with the Food (DCA Food & Wine 2023), Amazingly Sweet (DCA Food & Wine 2023), Groovy Garden Orange Bird (Epcot Flower & Garden 2023), Stuck on Imagination Figment (Epcot Flower & Garden 2023), Chef Mickey (Epcot Food & Wine 2023), and Spaceship Earth (Epcot Food & Wine 2023).

If you happened to be at Tokyo Disneyland, you could have picked up a mini figure version of a Tomorrowland trash can or a TDS trash can toy. In the U.S. you could pick up a shirt or water bottle with a recycling can image proclaiming that you "Love Our Disney Parks" -- Disneyland or WDW-specific versions. There was plenty of trash can auction action as well.

Thanks to everyone who contributed photos, visited MagicalTrash.com, and interacted with this weird hobby over the past year. You've put a smile on my face as we all follow this goofy passion. As it's impossible to be omnipresent at 12 theme parks and numerous resorts around the world, let us know what we've missed! Thanks for an interesting year, CanFans! - Steve Tanner, your Magical Trash host

[All photos used by permission.]

[bruinhilda]

So, with all the talk about Steamboat Willie becoming public domain, I realized a couple of things.

First, that I'd never actually seen Steamboat Willie. Never saw it as a kid, never got around to looking it up even after all the copyright talk started again. (I have recently watched it. Didn't think it was bad or meh or anything, but I just don't seem to "connect" with it.)

And after some thought...I don't think I've seen ANY Mickey Mouse short in my life. Ever. I can't recall ever seeing them on TV. I remember seeing some Donald Duck, and maybe one or two Goofy shorts...but not Mickey Mouse. In fact, I don't think I actually saw Mickey in anything other than clips or bumpers until Fantasia was re-released in theaters in the 1980s.

Loony Tunes and Tom & Jerry? I would be shocked to find one I haven't seen many many times. That was a good portion of my childhood. But the Disney stuff? It's more that I was aware of it existing, without having seen a lot of it.

That might be because Loony Tunes was everywhere, on multiple channels all the time...and Disney had a single one-hour program once a week where they mostly showed boring live-action programs I'd turn off five minutes in. Later on they were on cable. Premium cable that of course my family was not going to pay for, we're broke as shit, count yourself lucky you got to see basic cable for 5 months before we cancelled it and got the giant antenna you have to stand outside and turn around every time you change the channel.

The movies were also rarely shown on TV. Certainly not the "good" movies...those were kept in the Vault and would only be re-released to theaters for a couple of weeks every 12 years. Your elders will talk about how amazing they are, so prepare to be underwhelmed by most of them when you finally have a chance to see it for yourself.

I don't think I was impressed by a Disney movie until I saw Fantasia, and I wasn't absolutely wowed by one until Lion King. Everything else was just...kinda there. Snow White is back in theaters, it's an event, we're gonna go see it. And I'm going to forget half of it 5 minutes after leaving the theater, because it's just not speaking to me.

I don't know why most of the Disney stuff just doesn't connect with me the way a lot of other animation does. I don't see them as bad or anything. They just...don't move me, for the most part. There's a handful I love. There's a bunch that I find just...okay. Not going to complain that it's playing in the background, might watch some of it...might just wander off.

And the rest, like Mickey Mouse...I've never actually seen. I have no real plans to see. Sometimes I think about looking up this or that...but have no real motivation. I'm sure a lot of it is good. I'm probably missing a few gems that WOULD connect with me the way I'd want.

It's kind of making me once again feel out of step with the rest of the world. People gushing about this or that pop culture thing...and when I admit lack of exposure to it, they're not just surprised, they're AGHAST. Sorry. I'm sure Mickey Mouse is fine and funny. I just haven't seen that for myself yet, and these days I don't have the spoons necessary to correct that situation.

[crtter]

You know, I described watching the decapitation scene from Antz when I was seven to my sister and she was pretty horrified by it and it got me thinking… I can never really relate to those “What thing did you watch as a kid that gave you nightmares” kind of questions I was a pretty fearless kid! I only remember being scared by two cartoons in my whole life and that’s because I was VERY young when I watched them, like three or four years old. One was the Ferngully opening scene with the pollution guy and the other one was this Disney short that played before a Disney movie at the theater I saw once where Mickey Mouse gets his brain put into some Frankenstein creature.

Like, asides from that? No show or video game ever really scared me as a kid, even pieces of media that are considered pretty universally scary by kids that watched it at a young age like Courage the Cowardly Dog and the undead Rasputin scenes from Anastasia.

[kylesvariouslistsandstuff]

I saw this little NEON-released horror movie last night called CUCKOO. Starring Hunter Schafer and Dan Stevens.

Spoilers ahead.

The weirdest thing is, if I didn't know a thing or two about actual cuckoo birds, I wouldn't have been prepared for what was going down in that movie.

I was... Not because I have any knowledge of various avian.

But because I'm familiar with an obscure cartoon from 1948, called THE CUCKOO. Directed by David Hand for Gaumont-British Picture Corporation.

Background. David Hand was an animator and director at the Disney studio in the 1930s, who headed up some memorable Mickey Mouse shorts such as PLUTO'S JUDGMENT DAY and THRU THE MIRROR. He would become supervising director on SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS, and then later BAMBI, the latter of which was originally supposed to follow SNOW WHITE and be the studio's second-ever animated feature.

Hand left Disney in 1944 and went across the Atlantic, helping establish the animation side of Gaumont-British, which itself was the British offshoot of Gaumont, the French film company. After doing some commercial work, Hand launched two series of theatrical cartoons there: Musical Paintbox, and Animaland. They ran, to my knowledge, only in British and Canadian theaters. The latter series was initially meant to be comedic looks at various species, with a slight educational bent to them. THE CUCKOO, for me, is probably the most memorable for its feverish dream sequence and the ending encounter with a slimy weasel.

But prior to seeing that cartoon, I didn't know that cuckoo birds actually laid eggs in other bird species' nests. That plays into the creature-feature plot of Tilman Singer's CUCKOO. And halfway through, after not knowing what this movie was specifically going to be about, it clicked. I remembered THE CUCKOO, and internally I was like "Ohhhhhhh..." Then the movie started getting pretty cool from there!

I would recommend the movie if you're into horror/weird sci-fi stuff.

Again, it was cool that I got my small knowledge of what cuckoo birds do through a cartoon that few have probably seen. The Animalands were eventually released on VHS and DVD in the 1990s, probably their first-ever appearance in the U.S. I have the old DVD from the late '90s, fascinating trinkets of animation history, especially that of British animation not made by, say, Halas & Batchelor or Aardman. Worth checking out for Hand's direction and the Disney-esque animation quality alone.

[urlocalnonbinarybastardwrites]

Heyy I love your writing and your blog!! If you're, could you give me an Outsiders ship?

I go by Stevie or Sadie.I have short, masculine, side parted, chocolate brown hair, pale green eyes, and light skin. I rim my eyes with black eye shadow. I'm around 5"1' (😟). I dress sort of grunge/teenage dirtbag if that makes sense? I absolutely adore listening to music. I have two signature jackets that I wear; a black denim one and a hugely oversized camouflage one. Recently I've been wearing the black one a lot. I listen to folk, emo-punk, pop-punk, Midwest emo, Eminem, and Broadway. I also play the Viola in my school's orchestra. I love reading and writing as well. I also love history, Greek Mythology, nature, and WCs.

My friends say that I'm super nice and caring, almost so much so that I'm kind of a pushover (😕) and that I look all scary on the outside but I'm actually just a big softie. I get easily stressed out by school work even though I'm an honors student- At school I'm quiet unless I really like the teacher and I only get in trouble if I'm with someone who causes trouble. When I'm with my friends I'm loud and I like to think I make people laugh. I'm more extroverted than I'm introverted and I love to perform on stage. I want to be an actor someday. I'm also an ESFP-T if it helps.

I'm so sorry if this is too much! Again, I love your writing !!

Why thank you I appreciate the compliments about my writing and my blog!!

Your outsiders ship: Two Bit Mathews!

Explanation: I think physically he would be extremely attracted to you. I feel like he would absolutely be obsessed with the color of your eyes and compare them to really silly things like frogs but just absolutely adore them. I think he might tease you about your gender a bit in the sense that you know he would literally can’t tell what you are and I feel like he would tease you a bit to try and find out, but it wouldn’t be out of hatred. It would be out of genuine curiosity, and if you were ever uncomfortable with it, he would stop. One thing he wouldn’t stop teasing you about is how freaking short you are. He would never let you hear the end of that. He would literally pick you up spin you around do anything he would make so many jokes about how short you are. I think he enjoys your sense of fashion and really likes the grungy aspects of it and I don’t know it just screams angst and I think he’s in love with that. It’s very contrasting to his goofy ass, Mickey Mouse shirt. As for your hobbies, I don’t think he knows a lot about Greek mythology and things like that and he would be absolutely fascinated if you told him and you know told him the interesting stories of Greek mythology. I think he’d find some of those super funny and then start using them as like inside jokes and references that only you him and pony boy would understand. I think he’d be willing to let you introduce him to some of your music and he actually ends up liking some of it a lot and then frequently listens to what you listen to. I don’t think you’re intimidating exterior would phase him too much because I think he would just make jokes about that until you finally cracked and we’re able to show a bit of your more comfortable self to him and then he would start getting more comfortable with in return. you guys would also contrast because he definitely is a troublemaker in class and loves messing with the teacher and I feel like you would actually help him to kind of be like dude shut up and make the teachers actually tolerate him. I just think that would be so funny you both in class. He also comes to all your shows as an actor and always claps like obnoxiously loud and maybe even gets kicked out of the theater, but he would absolutely support your careers and actor and always like he he I think he has great comedic timing so if you ever chosen more comedic role, I think he would actually do a lot to help you out with that and I think you guys are overall just a really cute and kick ass couple !!!

[mikunology]

Any specific character inspiration for how you characterize the CV gang?? :0 like, from animes or other media, is that how you picked out their personalities because their really great 🙏🏾

OvO!! excellent question!! ooh boy...where do I start with that...

admittedly, some of my inspirations are a bit difficult for me to remember since I've had my characterizations for the CVs for a really long time, almost if not as long as I've been a fan (so...over a decade lmao). let's see, though... (this became an essay accidentally so putting it under a cut lmao)

My Miku's personality comes from a mix of things: the basics of it I think I can trace back to her portrayals in unofficial comics like Hatsune Mix and Chibi Miku-san, and of course, portrayals of her from various early songs and videos (mainly cosMo's works). Outside of Vocaloid-based works, though, I don't think it'd surprise anyone to know that yes, I did base my portrayal of Miku on Jenny from My Life as a Teenage Robot (just a little XD) but it would probably surprise people to know that I got a surprising amount of inspiration for how I write Miku from Mickey Mouse of all characters, mostly the version of him from the modern Paul Rudish shorts. I feel like the wackier and more short-sighted aspects of her definitely came from him, lolol - it ended up making her feel more like a Western cartoon protag than say, a stock shoujo anime heroine. Oh, and I can't forget - a good chunk of Miku's personality also is a reflection of myself in a few ways, such as her anxious streak.

For Rin...Rin is actually kinda easy in this regard, a majority of Rin (and also Len's) characterizations were definitely based off the aforementioned early Vocacomics/mangas and early songs, mostly Wonderful Opportunity's discography, but for Rin I also got a lot of my idea for her from OSTER Project's early songs (like Princess Cowgirl Show). Rin tended to get portrayed a lot with a very energetic, in-your-face and slightly bratty attitude and I always loved it. XD Both my Rin and Len were inspired by a few of the Kagamine ask blogs floating around Tumblr in the early 2010s too. Also, while this was more of like...a subconscious inspiration? I recently had rewatched a bit of the Powerpuff Girls and I was kinda struck by how much Buttercup had snuck into how I write Rin XD It was really funny.

Now Len...I'm gonna come out and say that yeah, I owe a lot of my inspiration for how I write Len to hikusa and their Len askblog - I think my Len ended up deviating quite a bit from theirs? But I think the influence is there. XD Let's see...I also got my Len's personality from a lot of earlier Vocaloid content? Although admittedly moreso from other media like the comics and Project DIVA games than music in his regard other than WanOpo. Like Rin and Buttercup, I also noticed he takes quite a bit after Blossom, which I thought was entertaining. Len is also another character besides Miku that I think takes after myself a lot, I'd say he's probably the closest in personality to me in the cast. XD

And Luka is also pretty easy! A majority of my idea for Luka is pulled straight from one of her centric chapters in Hatsune Mix (couldn't tell you the chapter name/number off the top of my head) that discusses her having trouble putting "feeling" into her singing. I thought that chapter was really interesting in giving Luka that conflict so I ended up giving her a sort of robotic personality to delve further into that concept a bit. I think I also got some of my Luka's characterization from some of Owata-P's old Talkloids (Vocaloid Petit Theater, I think?) where while she was more tsundere than kuudere her kinda deadpan attitude felt fitting to the character.

But yeah! I know, kinda weird places to find characterization inspiration...but yknow lmao.

[the-visual-journey-blogg]

'Fast and Furry-ous' (1949): The Short Film Debut of Wile E. Coyote and Roadrunner in the Looney Tunes Cartoons

By Sofi Ojeda

(7 min reading)

In 1940s decade, the world of animation had advanced to the point where people could enjoy cartoon films in theaters with sound and color, at least in the United States. Looney Tunes comprised a series of animated short films created by Warner Brothers Inc, founded in 1923. They began producing animation in 1930, initially influenced by the success of Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse.

Images from the short Fast and Furry-ous" (1949) Directed by Chuck Jones

Over the subsequent decade, a host of beloved characters were introduced to audiences, such as Porky Pig, Daffy Duck, and Bugs Bunny, the latter of whose authentic persona shone in "A Wild Hare" (1940). A few years later, in 1949, "Fast and Furry-ous," directed by Chuck Jones, emerged, signifying the inaugural appearance of the iconic Coyote and Road Runner duo, which is the focus of our discussion today.

Images from the short Fast and Furry-ous" (1949) Directed by Chuck Jones

"Fast and Furry-ous" humorously portrays the Coyote's futile attempts to catch the Road Runner in a desert canyon crisscrossed by freeways, often relying on products provided by the well-known but notoriously unreliable Acme Company. As an interesting aside, in the early stages of his design, Wile E. Coyote's name was Don Coyote, possibly a nod to Don Quixote, the delusional but noble-hearted gentleman who envisions himself as a chivalrous knight in the classic novel "Don Quixote" by Miguel de Cervantes. Analogously, Wile E. comically persists with constant schemes to catch the Road Runner but often finds himself in absurd and humorous predicaments, creating an almost delusional sense of knightly adventure.

This GIF is not the short Fast and Furry-ous" (1949)

There was a three-year gap between this and the second Road Runner cartoon, "Beep, beep" (1952). Chuck Jones initially intended it as a one-shot cartoon but changed his mind due to positive public reception, notably a letter from a Naval Air Force captain who mentioned pilots mimicking the Road Runner's call during maneuvers.

This cartoon came to life during an era when people were looking for an escape from the challenges of the Great Depression and the post-World War II economic strains. Astonishingly, the ingenious and imaginative humor in the film retains its relevance in 2023, firmly establishing it as a timeless classic. I believe it consistently offers solace to viewers by presenting characters in more trying predicaments than those found in their ordinary lives.

Images from the short Fast and Furry-ous" (1949) Directed by Chuck Jones

In terms of technical aspects, the animation adhered to tradition, and character model sheets from that era still exist. Narratively, it adhered to a common formula of a protagonist's repeated failures leading to a series of mishaps. Although this wasn't the Coyote's initial character design, as he had appeared in a Looney Tunes comic a few months earlier, some argue that it still counts as his first appearance since he had a different name in the comics. Lastly, The Road Runner's famous "Beep, Beep!" was inspired by the background artist Paul Julian, who made the sound while dashing through the animator's offices.

"Fast and Furry-ous" remains a historical gem that viewers can watch on Vimeo. It serves as a testament to the enduring appeal of Looney Tunes and the remarkable legacy of Chuck Jones's contributions to animation.

Full short film Fast and Furry-ous" (1949) Directed by Chuck Jones

Biography

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0041349/trivia/?ref_=tt_trv_trv

Youtube Channel: The Looney Tunes Critic Video: Fast and Furry-ous | Looney Tunes Critic Commentary

https://drgrobsanimationreview.com/2012/12/24/fast-and-furry-ous/

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Friz-Freleng

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0041349/

[dorothydalmati1]

Obscure Animation Subject #97: Mickey Mouse Works/House of Mouse

Okay so I know they are different shows but they literally feel like the same show so I included both.

A precursor of 2020’s Looney Tunes Cartoons, it features largely the same format but with Disney characters. Mickey Mouse Works was created to recapture the days of Disney’s golden age cartoons with using old sound effects and simple colors. The execution is stunning to say the least. Your enjoyment of this show would mostly likely be based on what you thought of the characters already, like Mickey Mouse is still a pretty bland main character but his shorts are funny enough with enough slapstick to still be good and funny. But my favorites are from Donald Duck and Goofy, I especially adore those “How To” shorts. The animation quality is great and its fun all around, not much else to say.

House of Mouse is good too, it’s a spinoff from Mickey Mouse Works and reuses most of the shorts from that show, but the major difference is the format. House of Mouse takes place in a dinner theater club and acts as wraparounds between shorts. During the House of Mouse there will be something wrong going on during the club and Mickey and the gang have to fix it, these bits feature a ton of characters from disney animated movies that came before the series. It’s like a precursor to Once Upon a Studio. I do like the house of mouse stuff, however the actual segments themselves could have been better. I’m not including the shorts that were in the show before this, if I did then this show would have a much higher rating but the original shorts made for this series aren’t as good as the ones in Mickey Mouse Works. Feels like it is lacking a bit of energy and timing in comparison, even if they are still good. They got really lazy by the end of the series when they straight up started using shorts from the 1930s-50s, yeah. But overall, I will say the shows both pretty good. Surprised their not on Disney+ yet, because Mickey is literally Disney’s mascot. Wait, characters from Disney’s racist movie appeared in House of Mouse! Gosh!

[lucianadjanic]

Film Journal #1: Steamboat Willie

Steamboat Willie (1928)

The 1920's truly was the golden age of animation, the birth of Mickey Mouse and his monumental first ever film debut began in Steamboat Willie (1928) directed by Walt Disney and Ub Werks. It was the first feature to be released with synchronized sound, it put the previous soundless animations all into dust when comparing. It started a new era of animated film - breaking Walt off from his rival studios and putting a big spotlight on his own name.

The film doesn't really have too linear of a plot, it essentially is Mickey going on a ship and playing animals as his instruments - creating a festival of sound and definitely...some interesting visuals! (choked geese included). Mickey's girlfriend Minnie is also included in this film, aiding him in creating the symphony of music on board the boat.

Audiences truly were stunned by the film when watching it for the first time in theaters. Sound revolutionized the game, and it had folks going haywire wanting more. It was so successful that it even had a rerun in one of the largest theaters The Roxy, which resides in the big apple, New York.

It was hand drawn on with paper, celluloids (transpararent sheets), and ink. "Characters were drawn on cels and superimposed on a fixed background image to reduce the number of reproductions necessary to produce an animation."

I genuinely really enjoyed the animation, I thought it was really fun and extremely well made! Even for its time, this was fantastical to see, the elements of sound and visuals blended perfectly. Also, seeing Mickey in his first film was super entertaining and interesting, seeing the subtle changes to his new evolved form. As well as finally seeing the intro to all the Disney movie's where they use the little whistling tune as an homage. Even for its time, I can't even imagine how they could fathom to create such a flowy, smooth film! I also just really enjoy the 1920's animation style in general. I think it mainly came from the aesthetic style I loved from the game Bendy and the Ink Machine, obviously it being heavily inspired from Disney's.

betty boop bonus!

[7-crows-in-a-trench-coat]

it has come to my attention that there are FAR too many people unaware of one of my favorite fun facts, so i’m here to share:

disney was founded in 1923 and mickey mouse made his debut in steamboat willie in 1928. so 1928 was a big deal for animation as an art form.

and, like most art forms, we (as humans) immediately used it to make porn. the first animated porno came out shortly after in either 1928 or 1929 (sources vary). it was a 7 minute short film called “Eveready Harton in Buried Treasure” (also called by its alternate title “Pecker Island”).

it features the titular eveready harton searching for anything and everything he can penetrate. features a STAGGERING amount of bestiality.

and, yes, it was shown in a few theaters.

happy historying, everyone

[magicaltrash]

The opening of Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway in Mickey's Toontown at Disneyland introduced new trash and recycling can designs to the area. This can joins another addition found outside the attraction. Inside the attraction you'll find new teal colored trash cans with light brown trip. The feature the logo for the El CapiTOON Theater, anchored by a popcorn bucket image with large "EC" letters. While in the queue of the place of "Hysterical Significance," you can explore many historical Mickey Mouse exhibits before watching the premiere of a new cartoon short, Perfect Picnic. // Disneyland Resort, Disneyland, Mickey's Toontown, El CapiTOON Theater, Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway, Interior, 2023 [Source: tmrwlandrew. Used by Permission.]

[usahanna]

i was planning on doing a rant on twitter but it's easier to write here so uh. lol

i absolutely love hating disney (the company) but i just don't like how the general public portrays mickey mouse as the greedy evil ceo who runs the company and makes all the horrible decisions.

i know since there's no public figure to shit on, ppl just resort to the main mascot and yeah it was funny at first! but this has slowly become what the public sees him as instead of his own character, and dude, it makes me sad!! i'm gonna be real at this point i think disney is doing it on purpose, when was the last time we've seen a largely advertised piece of media featuring mickey? sure, the shorts are there but that's it! they're just shorts! and they're not even shown in theaters!!

the company has sucked all of his personality and intends to keep him as a stale marketable mascot and it makes me so fucking mad by just thinking about it lmao

mickey sweetie i'm so sorry you have to be the public image of such a shitty company oh my god

ok rant over 👍

[consistantly-changing]

[Image descriptions in order: a tweet by @/ABC7 "ABC7 Eyewitness..." (Golden verification) which says "Strike by Hollywood actors, writers causing collateral damage to small businesses in SoCal". Attached is a link to an article titled "Strikes by Hollywood writers, actors causing collateral damage to SoCal small businesses". The photo attached to the article shows a small group of writers and actors standing on a sidewalk holding strike signs. Beneath the tweet, there is a "Readers added context" section, which says "This article and headline misleads people to only blame SAG and WAG members for the downturn in business due to the strikes.

It fails to mention that the guilds are striking against the AMPTP, which ABC7's parent company, Disney, is part of."]

[@/jongraywb "✪ Jonathan H. Gray is: "Thinki..." replies to the tweet "More and more you're going to see US media outlets paint the strikes as something absolutely horrible to everyone else

But what you have to remember is that outlets such as ABC are directly owned by Disney. They aren't reporting news. They're protecting their masters' interests".]

[Jonathan tweets again, saying "He who controls the money and the power controls the narrative. Strike more, strike harder." Attached are two old strike posters for Disney. The first shows a black and white Mickey Mouse, looking furious, and holding a sign which says "Disney UNFAIR". The second shows Donald Duck lineart, angrily pointing up to text which says "Do not Patronize Disney pictures". Beside Donald and below the large text, it says "WALT DISNEY IS UNFAIR Write or telephone your protest to Walt Disney Productions, Burbank, California and R.K.O. Studie, distributors, Hollywood, Calif.

DO NOT PATRONIZE THEATERS SHOWING THESE RECENT RELEASES OR ANY WALT DISNEY SHORT SUBJECT 1: PHANTASIA, THE RELUCTANT DRAGON".

@/Adama... "Adamas Nemesis" (verified) replies "When capitalists refuse to invest their money it's thought of as totally normal and acceptable, yet when laborers refuse to sell their labor it's some kind of breach of the natural order?"]

[luzarvizublog]

Film Journal #2 1930 (Feel'n that Depression)

Porky's Spring Planting (1938)

Directed by Frank Tashlin

1) Technique section:

How was it made? 

Tashlin's directorial style in this short is truly unique, blending slapstick humor with cinematic techniques borrowed from live-action films. His fast-paced, dynamic storytelling and inventive use of editing made "Porky's Spring Planting" a standout in early Warner Bros animation. Tashlin's creative use of dynamic camera angles, quick cuts, and visual storytelling really shows his expertise in both animation and live-action.

What materials were used?

Back in the day, cel animation was the go-to technique for studios like Warner Bros. They used this method to create all of their Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies cartoons, including (of course) "Porky's Spring Planting".

How was it captured?

It's possible that they used an advanced multiplane camera. In early 1937, William Garity developed one for Disney Studios and used it for the production of Snow White. They also tested it with "Silly Symphonies".

2) Representation section:

What is the short about?

Porky and his dog are planting seeds in Porky's garden, hoping to grow some delicious new vegetables. However, they have to watch out for some hungry chickens who are eager to feast in the garden.

Who does it depict?

This short features Porky Pig, the beloved Warner Bros character, as its central figure. Porky Pig's gentle and determined personality really shines through as he tries to complete his task despite all the chaos around him.

3) Reception section:

How was it shown?

This short was first shown in movie theaters as part of the "Looney Tunes" series.

How did you see it?

In my research, I found this short on YouTube above another one called "The Golden Touch" (1935). I enjoyed the experience, I read some other reviews online and most people talk about the director, but I realized that having some context from that time would have made me appreciate these kinds of shorts even more.

What was the response at the time? Now?

Back then, "Looney Tunes" was a huge hit with audiences, especially the younger crowd, thanks to their funny and lively animation style. "Porky's Spring Planting" provided entertainment while also offering a comforting and hopeful reflection on the feelings of hopelessness and panic experienced throughout the nation during the Great Depression.

Although there isn't much specific documentation of critical response to this short, Porky Pig was already a beloved character, so it probably got a thumbs-up from the audience. There's also a PDF that tells the story of some short films from the Great Depression era. I believe this one, along with other shorts, was really enjoyed and entertained many people at that time because the Great Depression was an era of hopelessness and panic.

On the other hand, nowadays people have a lot to say about this short film, probably because of the director. Some might argue that this isn't Tashlin's best work, but there are always two sides to every story.

Sources used:

28738-mickey-mouse-and-merry-melodies-how-disney-and-warner-bros-animation-entertained-and-inspired-americans-during-the-great-depression