Talk:Mickey Mouse

PARODY PICTURES

Aren't parody pictures allowed even if its copyrighted, so couldnt we post a parody of mick mouse from some source?

First appearence or first with sound?

Was 'Steamboat Willie' the first appearance of Mickey, or the first with sound?

The first with sound. Now was Steamboat Willie the first Mickey cartoon with sound or the first cartoon of any sort with sound? --rmhermen

Here's some evidence that "Steamboat Willie" was not the first sound cartoon (as is claimed in the Steamboat Willie and Walt Disney articles). First, in the book Hollywood Cartoons by Michael Barrier, it is mentioned that at least two sound cartoons were released earlier in 1928 than "Willie": the Aesop's Fable cartoon "Dinner Time" and the Fleischer Brothers cartoon "The Sidewalks of New York". Barrier quotes some letters by Disney, written before the release of "Steamboat Willie", in which those cartoons are mentioned. Second, this website claims that "Dinner Time" was the first sound cartoon.

-Joel Schlosberg

Mickey inspired by blackface?

I remember hearing something way back in the day about Mickey Mouse have been originally based on blackface performers. I don't remember any of the old cartoons well enough to know, but if someone can add some encyclopedic information on this to the article, it would be nice. Tokerboy

That's what Wikipedia says at Bosko. -- Error 02:15, 29 Nov 2004 (UTC)

How about Mickey in "blackface" in "Uncle Tom's Cabin" -- or, "The Meller Drammer" (1933)?

Important because it's a good example of the racism of Disney Studios. deeceevoice 01:59, 28 Nov 2004 (UTC)

What? Still no taste for this subject among diehard Mickey Mouse fans?

The United Artists 1933 release "The Meller Drammer" -- the name a corruption of "melodrama" thought to harken back to the earliest minstrel shows -- was a film short based on Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin. Mickey, of course, was already black; but for this role he was depicted with exaggerated, orange lips; bushy, white sidewhiskers; and, of course, his now trademark white gloves. Animation utilizing darky iconography aired on U.S. television as late as the mid 1990s, but rarely has appeared since. From blackface deeceevoice 10:27, 7 Dec 2004 (UTC)

Mickey's behavior

Mickey Mouse started his career as what has been described as "at best a fresh and bratty kid, at worst a dimunitive and sadistic monster". In Steamboat Willie, he honks ducks with tight hugs, uses the teeth of a cow as a xylophone, and winds the tail of a goat like a music box. Mickey wasn't truly depraved; he just engaged in "pure, amoral, very boyish mischief". Because Mickey was somewhat fashioned after Charlie Chaplin, there were many similarities between these two characters.

Parents were alarmed with Mickey's obnoxious and crass behavior; a deluge of letters flooded Walt Disney's office, demanding a "kinder, gentler" mouse. Accompanying Mickey's physical makeover came a definite shift in behavior. Mickey was no longer loud and brash, but more quiet and charming. Mickey, then and now, is not particularly funny; he is attractive in a pleasant and appealing fashion. This is a trait that was inherited from Disney himself, who was not known to be truly humorous. Mickey abandoned slapsick comedy; he would forever be destined to be a "nice guy" with this major alteration.

Mickey's persona continued to soften as his physical traits smoothed out. One can say that he became a "goody-two shoes"; Mickey would never do anything questionable. He also gained more human traits: Mickey is probably the first mouse to wash a car or to conduct a symphony orchestra. Unlike the average mouse, he would never carry parasitic mites or nibble on electrical wiring. In essence, Mickey became a perfect gentleman-- but in the body of a mouse.

As Mickey grew in popularity around the world (although his heyday was quite brief; after World War II, Mickey ranked third in a poll regarding favorite cartoon characters-- Donald Duck took first while Bugs Bunny landed second), Mickey's abilities increased. He could do anything and everything well; he would never be doing anything remotely immoral. Should something terrible befall Mickey, there is always an innocent reason behind the trouble. Because of this angelic construction, there are definite parameters as to what Mickey can and cannot do. Mickey is expected to be a lovable and sweet mouse. Thus, his wild days must stay in the past... but everybody loves Mickey nonetheless.

These days, Mickey is still widely known for his charm, manners, and shy kindness. "Mickey" is synonymous with all that is good and benign; he is the ultimate symbol of happiness and delight. Mickey has survived through the ravages of World War II (where his name was the code word for the entire Allied mission) as well as the different trends that the world has followed. Whether he is donning an immaculate tuxedo or clad only in swimming trunks, Mickey will forever be hailed as the greatest mouse to grace the earth.

from User:213.146.192.200

First appearance?

When did Mickey Mouse actually make his first appearance? The current page states that it was on November 18 1928; the September 18 page states that Steamboat Willie was first released in 1928 on that day; and the entry on Steamboat Willie says the movie was released on July 29 1928. I'm a bit lost... -- Schnee 03:17, 18 Sep 2003 (UTC)

ImdB says November 18. I'll make the correction. RickK 03:29, 18 Sep 2003 (UTC)

Silly and Irrelevant image

Removed this from the page, as it is silly and irrelevant:

On November 14, 2002, the following image was discovered during restoration of a church's outside wall in the town of Malta in Austria. It is part of a 14th century fresco depicting Saint Christopher of the Catholic Church, who is often shown accompanied by fabulous creatures:

Mickey Mouse bears a striking resemblance to this image.

I thought it was kinda funny, trivial as it might be...

"Silly" perhaps (though any more so than Mickey himself?), but I thought it was useful having a clearly public domain image that gives a pretty good idea of what Mickey looks like. I'd like this to go back in the article. -- Infrogmation 00:26, 31 Dec 2004 (UTC)

Sections

Does anyone want to tackle the task of adding sections to this article? It'd make it much more accessible. If not, I may tackle it someday. —Frecklefoot 19:11, 18 Nov 2003 (UTC)

MM's height and weight?

Where is MM's height and weight documented? This article currently says:

  Standing 2'3" and weighing 23 pounds, the mouse rapidly rose to the
  pinnacle of American culture, being more widely recognized overseas
  than any other American icon but the US flag.

Bevo 04:11, 11 Dec 2003 (UTC)

Mickey Mouse as private eye?

Almost all recent (ie. 1980 and onwards) Mickey Mouse comics depict him as a private detective, who cooperates with Chief O'Hara to stop Black Pete or the Phantom Blot. Is this well known outside of Europe? Was it invented by American or Italian artist? When did it start? arj 18:29, 26 Jan 2004 (UTC)

I know about it, but I'm a fairly big Disney nut. Most Canadians, and even more Americans, have no clue there is even Disney comics, let alone ones where Mickey is a private eye. I'm guessing an American writer created it, and the plots took flight when the Italians got a hold of it, seeing how much they helped shape the Disney comic universe. -- user:zanimum

Doesn't this originally stem from Paul Murry's 60's-70's Mickey comics, or am I off-track here?

WDP's creation?

The term Walt Disney Pictures is used since 1980s. Even after 1980s, WDP can't stand for the whole Sections about animation in The Walt Disney Company. So I think this term should be changed.Mickeymousechen 16:18, 23 Aug 2004 (UTC)mickeymousechen

Mickey on parade

Just heard on the news that Mickey Mouse is going to be Grand Marshall of the 2005 Rose Bowl parade. Even though this is just a guy in a suit, maybe this could somehow be added to the article as reference to his appearances in and links to modern culture beyond cartoons?

I saw the thing too, and it's been added. Mickey is a character, and as long as it fits within his copyrightable tome, it fits. Also, who's to say it's a guy in there? -- user:zanimum

Images

Are we able to get one of Mickey Mouse? - Ta bu shi da yu 05:19, 14 Dec 2004 (UTC)

Trumpeter costumed as Mickey Mouse, New Orleans Mardi Gras, 2003.

Disney is NOTORIOUS about not allowing and "Fairuse" of images of Mickey. I rather like the one above (removed by someone who didn't sign themselves), and would like it back in the article. Who objects? ... At the right is my own contribution of a Mickey image... Hm.... -- Infrogmation 00:29, 31 Dec 2004 (UTC)

I should be able to get a photo from public property of one of the displays at the entrance to Disney World, like the one at [1] but better quality. Or, if that's not OK (since the display is on private property), how about the one at right? This sign is on public property owned by the Reedy Creek Improvement District. --SPUI 07:30, 19 Jan 2005 (UTC)

I added the road sign to the 'The icon' section, since it does a decent job of showing a use of the Mickey ears without any copyright problems. --SPUI 02:03, 21 Jan 2005 (UTC)