#steamboat willie parrot

[local-meme-lord]

About two years ago, I post my frist meme in kinda the style I do them today.

While this blog is older, the frist post dating back to December 2020, I wanted to do something to celebrate, thus I remembered this meme about the "one thing you can't replace" by john mulaney.

So like, I made a video version. Happy anniversary technically.

[disabled-battlekukku]

One of those birds is not like the others

[thetaterdragon]

[gaillol-13]

Forgot to postthese. Mickeyyy

And a Mickey that’s been Public Domain’d, his name is Mick. I might do more of him, who knows.

He’s a lil goofy asshole

[chronicbeans]

I just got around to actually watching Steamboat Willie (like, after the whistling part), and I gotta say...

THERE'S SO MUCH MORE ANIMAL CRUELTY THAN I EXPECTED FROM MICKEY HOLY SHIZPOPS.

Like, granted, cartoony cruelty... but my boi Mickey "Steamboat Willie" Mouse flung a cat in circles by his tail before strangling a duck to make music.

I know exactly what my first piece of unhinged crossover fanart is gonna be now lol.

[macmanx]

LOL

[manifestations-of-mythology]

I’ve got something cookin’

Actually, it’s mostly done on the text side. I’m working on a few illustrations and a 4 panel comic to include with the final published version. And, I do think I’m going to publish this. It’s kind of central to the point of it…

At any rate, I could use some test readers. You can get the whole final draft of the novella, minus those illustrations and a very explicit sex scene that I may include at a certain point (•••), dependant upon feedback.

I have a lot to say about the design choices I made here but I’d suggest you find me on BlueSky (or check the alt text) if you are interested in those details.

[davidthephoneguy]

why did no one tell me the majority of steamboat willie is just mickey treating animals poorly to make a duet with minnie before gleefully drowning a parrot with a potato?

[dipstar1489]

Steamboat Willie Retake

I found out people are making horror versions of Steamboat Willie and I decided to do my own take. The only warnings I have are non-graphic character deaths, knives, swords, drowning, rope used for strangulation, and injuries involving blades.

The water was unusually calm today. I usually find luxury in this pleasantry, not having to worry about the steamboat hitting rocks, but not even the minnows leaped from the steam to avoid becoming lunch. My beloved Minnie was supposed to share a song with me before I left for work, but old Pete would have scolded me for being late to peeling potatoes instead of steering. A slight chuckle escaped my lips as I recalled how often Pete would be blinded by his own thick spit. The look on his face was priceless.

I glanced at Minnie, peacefully asleep, soon to be disappointed in her husband for not being there to hear her completed song. It was call “Turkey in the Straw,” rooted in the time we were on a farm to have a friendly conversation with our buyer, when a turkey the size of my thumb escaped the coop and scurried straight into a hay barrel. Of course, that was before work took over my energy, when most of my time was spent living life to the fullest. Maybe I’ll listen to her tune again soon, the completed version.

I rushed to the steamboat, expecting the usual scolding from my Captain, but no one was aboard. Eh, Pete usually preferred rough water anyways, and the hypocrite always took “vacation days,” when he couldn’t spare me a second of free time. His lack of respect for me went as far as my name, with him calling me Willie when I told him it was Mickey, but I tolerate it. I strolled along the damp poopdeck, and the wise-cracking parrot was still there. Of course he is, Pete puts more trust in a double-crossing bird than his only employee who stuck around when the checks were cut. I checked the rope meant to tether this old boat to the rotting deck, but someone beat me to it and we were floating.

I head to the steering wheel. Surely he was here, for why else would his parrot be on deck and the rope untied? There was someone else near the cockpit though. It was sitting on the frame, its figure covered by a pitch black robe. I assume it was a passenger who couldn’t wait to get to their destination.

My whistle alerted the hooded passenger, where I assumed the head should be turned to my direction, yet I saw nothing but darkness when I tried to take a peek. I got into the steering position and I whistled a “where are you going,” but the passenger didn’t respond this time. I couldn’t figure out if they didn’t understand my whistling language, can’t do small talk, or too focused on the destination to hear me.

I turn my head slightly to get a better look at the passenger, and whoever, or whatever, this thing was, turned my blood cold. The pitch black cloak cracked to reveal an outfit similar to my own, with the only difference was the passenger’s containing bright colors I never existed in this world of black and white. The thing that freaked me out though, was that it was mirroring my actions, not like a young child copying their parents, but as someone replacing their identity with another half-heartedly.

I whistled a “what are you doing,” hiding my fear with curiosity, and strangely enough, it responded with a noise I didn’t think was possible. This, THING, seemed to have echoed my question with the same hollowness present with his actions. “Who are you,” I whistled, and it went quiet once again. Whatever this thing is, I need to get it off the boat. Now.

I start whistling for the parrot to come help, but he didn’t come. Come to think of it, that bird would have flown to the cockpit with a sarcastic remark by now. I glance at the passenger, determining if I should leave it alone with the ship, and not taking any chances, I grabbed it’s limp arm and rushed to check the poopdeck to see what happened to that annoying bird. It wasn’t on its usual perch and the only place I could check was the potato room. I turn the door handle, and the bird was curled up next to the pile. And so was Pete.

Pete was a big guy, but he was buried underneath thousands of lumpy potatoes that would have tripled his weight, his chest struggling to rise. I released the passenger’s arm and ran to remove the potatoes off of Pete as the passenger stared. I lost count of how many potatoes I had removed before Pete was able lean forward, when he spotted the passenger, eyes growing wide with fear. I turn around, and this thing had its hood off.

It looked like me, but it was wrong. It’s eyes were wide but vacant, it’s nose as shiny as metal, and the ears were perfectly round, as if they were saucer plates. This imposter had a sword in its hand and was slowly moving towards us. I spot the knife used to cut the potatoes, and grabbed it. I steady my hands, focusing on the imposter, when it ran towards me. At this point, Pete had managed to get his footing and he and the bird managed to scurry away. Traitors.

The battle was rough, its skill mirroring my own, its eyes never leaving my own. I step back, tripping on the potatoes, and falling straight onto the box that contain the damn vegetable. I wince in pain as the imposter was standing over me, sword ready to be plunged into my chest, when I heard animalistic clicking. I open my eyes and the parrot was circling the imposter, and Pete had a barrel in his arms. He rolled it with great speed towards the imposter and I had to scurry to get out of the way. The barrel splintered on impact and the imposter was limp. I ran towards Pete and we locked the creature in with the potatoes.

We head up to the cockpit, and we realize we are in the middle of nowhere. “Nice going Wills,” the sarcastic parrot cawed. “Zip it ya pillow fluffer,” Pete spat, but there was a sense of desperation in his tone, wishing he was home. This is something we can both agree on.

I had found a map and compass, but there was nothing to see. All of us on ship knew how much danger we were in, with the only food on this ship being in the same room as that imposter. Me and Pete look at each other, and then at the parrot. We both knew he could betray us at any time, but he was our only hope of safety. Pete checked his pockets and pulled out a scrap of paper. He plucked a feather from the parrot, spat into his hand, and used it as ink to write a letter of help. He then cut a piece of extra rope with the potato knife and tied the note around the bird’s leg. “You better come back or I’ll turn you into a thanksgiving dinner, got it?” Pete spat, and the bird nodded, and away it went.

A few days passed, and no safety came. Pete was focusing on the boat, trying to ignore the hunger nibbling on our minds. I knew my mind should be focusing on survival, but it was concentrating on seeing Minnie and hearing her song. “Oi, Willie! You gonna continue thinking about that lady, or are you going to face reality and help me get out of this place?” Pete spat with bitterness. “Yeah, well it’s not like I was, oh I don’t know, saving your life.” “I thought I paid you back by knocking out that imposter.” “Yeah, yeah, yeah, you got that map working?” “Nope.”

I don’t know why that response was what got to me, but at that moment I felt my legs go weak and I felt the post of the cockpit scratched my back. Pete looked at me with shock at my state, and he went to put the anchor down. He came back and sat in front of me. I could feel the awkwardness in his face, lacking the experience of comforting others. “You okay?” he spat, and I could only shake my head yes tiredly. He could sense this, and asked me something I never heard him utter.

“So, what do you plan to do once we get to land,” Pete spat. I thought for a moment, and I whistled, “I wish to hold Minnie in my arms and hear her song, dance with my beloved in my arms, to assure her that I am safe and will always love her.” I start wiping small tears from my eyes as Pete looked at me.

“What about you?” I whistled. Pete looked down, and with regret, he spat “I considered going back to work, but I’m no longer certain.” I looked at him with curiosity. “Really? You don’t have a lover to go to?” I whistled. “I’m not interested.” “Family?” “I’m the last of my family and I can’t have kids.” “Surely you have a friend, right?” Pete simply shook his head and spat dryly “besides the parrot, I’m not close to people.” I whistled desperately “why?” “I was busy with work and I couldn’t find the time. You’re lucky to have found and kept love. Some people, just don’t know what they are doing when it comes to people.”

“You know we don’t have to be enemies, right?” “You thought we were enemies?” I looked at him with disbelief. “Yeah, you don’t use my name, you never let me work the ship, and that two-faced parrot gets better treatment than me.” He paused. “Oh,” Pete spat dejectedly. He stayed quiet and we were both speechless. We fell asleep in silence.

The next morning, I heard noise from potato room and I shook Pete awake. “What…?” Pete spat, but the tiredness in his eyes vanished when he too heard the noise. “Oh, no, no, no. Mick, get the knife ready. NOW!” I grabbed it and some rope, and handed the knife to Pete, but he grabbed the rope instead. We slowly head to the potato room, and the door was wide open, the door latch splintered. We start walking away, putting our backs together to avoid an ambush, when a hooded figure ran into me, blade in hand.

I whistled a yell and Pete turned around, rope wide open and managed to strangle the imposter, but before it closed its eyes one last time, it plunged its sword into Pete’s stomach. He let go and wobbled, falling to his knees and holding his stomach tightly.

The imposter turned its attention back to me and moves closer. In his final moments, Pete spat at the monster’s feet, keeping it in place. Seeing my opportunity, I move forward, ready to end this nightmare. I slide down to slit this monster’s ankles, with its blade cutting into my shoulder. I ignore the pain and kept fighting, with both me and the monster gathering scars. The monster managed to get free and its attacks managed to get me near the edge of the boat. I look at it, trying to understand what it is, when it kicked me off the boat as I drowned and heard it whistle my tune.

[coupleofdays]

Another thing I'm hoping for now that Steamboat Willie is public domain is that Mickey and Minnie will have a cameo in Helluva Boss. Or even better, that there's a whole Helluva Boss remake of Steamboat Willie.

Blitzo as Pete!

Moxxie as Mickey!

Millie as Minnie!

Loona as the goat who eats the sheet music!

Fizzarolli as the laughing parrot!

Fake edit: Huh, so I found that someone else has had a similar idea.

[happy-quack]

Y’know with all that Steamboat Willie entering the public domain stuff, I’m surprised I haven’t seen any musical remixes of it. Like do you know how much bass drop potential the parrot’s laugh has? The remixes, even ytps, could be extraordinary

[bowlingforgerbils]

It's great that Steamboat Willie is now public domain, but have y'all actually watched it? Mickey is indolent and hits a parrot. He and Minnie play a goat like a gramophone. Mickey squeezes multiple animals to make musical noises from them, most of the time to their great displeasure. It's wild.

[disabled-battlekukku]

(il)legally weasely

[dannyreviews]

Steamboat Willie (1928)

2024 had opened with the greatest rejoicing among fans of Disney and old school animation. After 95 years, the earliest version of Mickey Mouse is now in the public domain and is owned by the public. Immediately after midnight, YouTube account "Corridor" uploaded the iconic Disney short "Steamboat Willie" and as of this writing, the video has 376,000 views and is sure to go up. I thought I would celebrate by reviewing this 7 minute masterpiece which shows the inception of an American icon.

The cartoon opens with the famous shot of Mickey commanding a steamboat down the river, although without the permission of his boss, the giant Peg-Leg Pete (although without the Peg-Leg). Mickey is forced to do his chores while Pete's parrot taunts him. The steamboat picks up a bunch of animals including a cow and a goat. Minnie is also picked up and the two have fun playing music when the goat eats sheet music of "Turkey In The Straw" that Minnie brought aboard. The fun continues as Mickey and Minnie play the animals like musical instruments, using a duck quack, the cow's teats and a bull's set of teeth. Pete discovers the jam and orders Mickey to peel potatoes, again with the parrot taunting over him, but Mickey throws one of the potatoes to shut the parrot up, ending the cartoon.

"Steamboat Willie" is every bit the piece of film that is found in every montage celebrating the cinema of the 20th century. Mickey at the helm of the Steamboat is as iconic as Charles Foster Kane whispering "Rosebud" or Rick Blaine saying "Here's looking at you kid". And yet, the animation is primitive, the music by future Looney Tunes/Merrie Melodies composer Carl W. Stalling is generic and the dialogue is unintelligible. All of that can be excused due to the art of animation being in the developmental stages and that it was the first animated sound film. Taken for what it is, "Steamboat Willie" resonates with people of all ages just for the very idea that it was Mickey Mouse's debut to the world and that's what really matters. It's the same thing with "The Jazz Singer", despite being the first full length talkie, it is really a mediocre film, and had it not been for the history, no one would care for it. If anything, the flaws are actually the most fascinating part.

Back in 1928, "Steamboat Willie" was the warmup feature for a now lost film called "Gang War" starring Jack Pickford (brother of Mary) and Olive Borden. The audience were blown away by Mickey Mouse, for the sheer brilliance of the cartoon as if it was other worldly. Also, the fact that "Gang War" was another early talkie that most likely was devoid of a musical score and the dialogue tended to be bland and inaudible. The film was panned by critics calling it another cliche flick. The critics had all the kind words for the cartoon preceding the feature which was more revolutionary. The audience demanded "Steamboat Willie" be repeated and the rest is history. I wonder if a copy of "Gang War" will surface and if it will find a new audience who might be receptive due to its association with "Steamboat Willie". Maybe, maybe not.

What will come from this new public domain status for early Mickey Mouse? Much like the plays of Shakespeare or the art of Leonardo Da Vinci, there is an audience willing to put their interpretation of the classic character in their own art, literature or parody. 2024 and beyond should and will be filled with endless possibilities.

9/10

[ponds-of-ink]

I can’t sleep with all these Steamboat Willie ideas running wild in my brain.

What if he got the boat to himself and sailed to different ports in this strange new world?

What happened to his Stowaway Sweetheart? Did The Boat Captain kick her off or did she manage to stay onboard? Does she, in this canon at least, have a different name??

Does The Parrot belong to The Captain? If so, how do they interact?

These are the questions I am now left with after watching that short for potential world-building research.

[describe-things]

[ID: Art showing Mickey, Minnie, Pete, and the parrot from Steamboat Willie, with Minnie, Mickey, and Pete drawn with more realistic human proportions, but keeping their black fur. Minnie is wearing an art deco, yellow-green flapper dress, holding a guitar. Mickey has white shorts and is holding a pitchfork. Pete has blue jeans and a single overall strap, with a blue and black hat. One of his eyes is yellow and red with a pink scar. The parrot sits on his shoulder, with a green body, a red head and tail, and a yellow beak. End ID.]

Getting on the Steamboat Willie is public domain bandwagon. I decided to work on an original take on the story.

William "Willie" McMouser is a Trouble making farm boy who dreams of adventure and has recently been hired as a crewman on the steamboat S.S Alice.

Minerva "Minny" Hilmouse is a young dancer/musician traveling the world looking for stardom

Captain Pete Bear is a veteran of the Great War who uses his boat as a transportation vessel across the Mississippi River as well as running an illegal moonshine operation on board