Disney Shorts: 1930ies
 
COMPLETE
(February 01, 2008)

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Short 113

Minnie’s Yoo Hoo

1930

The Mickey Mouse Club theme song music video.

Prepared for showing at Mickey Mouse Club events, using animation from Mickey’s Follies.

min. Directed by Wilfred Jackson.

Short 114

Summer

January 04, 1930

In this summer fantasy, the woodland animals, bugs, and flowers celebrate the season.

min. Directed by Ub Iwerks. Silly Symphony #06

Short 115

Autumn

February 15, 1930

The animals get ready for winter by foraging and preparing for hibernation.

min. Directed by Ub Iwerks. Silly Symphony #07

Short 116

Just Mickey [a.k.a. Fiddlin’ Around]

March 06, 1930

One of Mickey’s musical adventures, in which he is eager violinist with a full head of unruly hair who stops his playing only to talk to the movie audience.

min. Directed by Walt Disney. Mickey Mouse #16

Short 117

Cannibal Capers

March 15, 1930

A jungle tribe’s riotous musical celebration is brought to an end by the inopportune appearance of a fierce lion.

min. Directed by Burt Gillett. Silly Symphony #08

Short 118

The Barnyard Concert

April 10, 1930

Mickey attempts to conduct a farmyard concert even though the various members of the band tend to drift off

min. Directed by Walt Disney. Mickey Mouse #17

Short 119

Night

April 18, 1930

This early version of The Old Mill depicts the musical nighttime frolics of owls, fireflies, frogs, and other inhabitants of an old mill pond.

min. Directed by Walt Disney. Silly Symphony #09

Short 120

The Cactus Kid

May 15, 1930

After a series of song and dance routines by Mickey, Minnie, and Pedro (Pete), Pedro kidnaps Minnie, with Mickey chasing them on horseback across the desert. Mickey defeats Pedro and rescues Minnie. Pedro tumbles over a cliff and is flattened by a rock, but manages to walk away “accordion” style, while Mickey, Minnie, and their horse jeer at him.

min. Directed by Walt Disney. Mickey Mouse #18

Short 121

Frolicking Fish

May 23, 1930

In an underwater musical, fish ride sea horses, lobsters and starfish play the harp and dance, and a villainous octopus has an anchor dropped on its head for trying to capture a bubble-dancing fish.

min. Directed by Burt Gillett. Silly Symphony #10

Short 122

The Fire Fighter

June 20, 1930

Fire Chief Mickey saves Minnie from her burning house after a series of episodes involving the fire house and answering the alarm.

min. Directed by Burt Gillett. Mickey Mouse #19

Short 123

Arctic Antics

June 26, 1930

Polar bears, seals, and penguins perform on cakes of ice and in the water.

min. Directed by Ub Iwerks. Silly Symphony #11

Short 124

The Shindig

July 11, 1930

At a barn dance, Mickey, Minnie, and the gang perform and dance. Mickey dances with several partners, including a dachshund and a hippo.

min. Directed by Burt Gillett. Mickey Mouse #20

Short 125

Midnite in a Toy Shop [a.k.a. Midnight in a Toy Shop]

July 28, 1930

In its exploration of a toy shop, a spider has unnerving experiences with various activated toys, a lighted candle, and firecrackers.

min. Directed by Wilfred Jackson. Silly Symphony #12

Short 126

The Chain Gang

August 18, 1930

Mickey is a convict who escapes and is tracked by guards using bloodhounds. After a wild horse ride, Mickey hits a post, is thrown off a cliff, crashes through the prison roof, and falls back into his cell.

min. Directed by Burt Gillett. Mickey Mouse #21

Short 127

Monkey Melodies

September 02, 1930

Monkeys and other jungle animals sing and dance. A boy and girl monkey continue their romance despite being threatened by an alligator, hippo, snake, and leopard.

min. Directed by Burt Gillett. Silly Symphony #13

Short 128

The Gorilla Mystery

September 22, 1930

When a gorilla escapes from the zoo and threatens Minnie, Mickey races over to save his sweetheart.

min. Directed by Burt Gillett. Mickey Mouse #22

Short 129

The Picnic

October 09, 1930

Mickey and Minnie are having a troubled picnic with Minnie’s big dog, Rover, the biggest nuisance. But the loyal animal proves its worth in a thunderstorm by providing its tail as a windshield wiper.

min. Directed by Burt Gillett. Mickey Mouse #23

Short 130

Winter

October 22, 1930

Despite the cold wind and snow, woodland animals come out from their shelters to dance and skate until threatening clouds cause them to scamper back to their homes.

min. Directed by Burt Gillett. Silly Symphony #14

Short 131

Pioneer Days

November 20, 1930

As Mickey and Minnie head west in a covered wagon, they are set upon by Indians who capture Minnie. Mickey rescues her and when they return they frighten off the Indians from the pioneer encampment by pretending to be an army of soldiers.

min. Directed by Burt Gillett. Mickey Mouse #24

Short 132

Playful Pan

December 16, 1930

Pan’s musical pipe causes flowers and trees to come to life, and also saves the woodland creatures by extinguishing a fire that threatens to destroy the forest by luring the flames into the water as the animals take refuge on an island.

min. Directed by Burt Gillett. Silly Symphony #15

Short 133

The Birthday Party

January 07, 1931

The early Disney gang gives Mickey a surprise party that includes the gift of a piano. Mickey shows his gratitude by entertaining them with an energetic musical number.

min. Directed by Burt Gillett. Mickey Mouse #25

Short 134

Birds of a Feather

January 23, 1931

The peaceful serenity of birds flying through the sky is broken by a hawk that steals a baby chick. By attacking in airplane formation, the birds rescue the baby and return it to its mother.

min. Directed by Burt Gillett. Silly Symphony #16

Short 135

Traffic Troubles

March 07, 1931

Mickey is a reckless taxi driver who has a series of hilarious adventures involving a flat tire, a medicine man, a cow, and a collision with a barn.

min. Directed by Burt Gillett. Mickey Mouse #26

Short 136

The Castaway

March 27, 1931

Mickey is shipwrecked on an island after being adrift on a raft. Mickey plays a piano that has washed ashore, until a gorilla destroys it. Mickey manages to escape from the gorilla, a lion, and an alligator. He then floats downstream on a turtle, which he stood on thinking it was a rock.

min. Directed by Wilfred Jackson. Mickey Mouse #27

Short 137

Mother Goose Melodies

April 11, 1931

The Mother Goose characters come to life to entertain Old King Cole with their nursery rhymes.

min. Directed by Burt Gillett. Silly Symphony #17

Short 138

The Moose Hunt

April 30, 1931

In their misadventures on a moose hunt, Mickey accidentally shoots Pluto, who only pretends to be harmed, and when the pair are later chased by a moose over s cliff, Pluto saves the day by flying with his ears.

The first cartoon where Pluto is known by that name.

min. Directed by Burt Gillett. Mickey Mouse #28

Short 139

The China Plate

May 16, 1931

A painted Chinese scene on a plate comes to life with a boy fisherman saving a young girl from drowning when she tries to capture a butterfly. A Mandarin chases the boy and girl after the boy accidentally jumps on him trying to capture the butterfly. They escape when the Mandarin runs into a cave, which turns out to be a dragon’s mouth. They escape from the dragon when the boy rolls a huge boulder, which the dragon swallows. The boy and girl return to his fishing boat and kiss, as the China plate once again becomes just a plate.

min. Directed by Wilfred Jackson. Silly Symphony #18

Short 140

The Delivery Boy

June 06, 1931

Mickey is delivering a wagon full of musical instruments when he stops to sing and dance with Minnie. Mickey accidentally hits a hornets’ nest that lands on the mule pulling the wagon, upsetting it and causing the instruments to scatter everywhere. All the barnyard animals join in playing the instruments and Pluto chews on a stick of dynamite he has taken from a local demolition site. After the explosion Mickey and Minnie continue to play on the damaged instruments.

min. Directed by Burt Gillett. Mickey Mouse #29

Short 141

The Busy Beavers

June 30, 1931

As beavers busily attempt to build a dam, a storm breaks. The colony is saved by a clever little beaver who uses his teeth to saw a large tree, which blocks the flood.

min. Directed by Wilfred Jackson. Silly Symphony #19

Short 142

Mickey Steps Out

July 10, 1931

Dressed up and on his way to see Minnie, Mickey falls in some mud, but makes up for his disheveled appearance with some entertaining dance and juggling routines. When Pluto chases a cat into the house, the resulting chaos wrecks the house and covers the inhabitants with soot from the stove.

min. Directed by Burt Gillett. Mickey Mouse #30

Short 143

The Cat’s Out [a.k.a. The Cat’s Nightmare]

July 20, 1931

After a cat is put out of the house, it is knocked out by a falling weather vane. It has a nightmare in which giant birds, bats, scarecrows, huge spiders, and monstrous trees scare it, The cat awakens from the nightmare and goes back into the house, only to be put outside again.

min. Directed by Wilfred Jackson. Silly Symphony #20

Short 144

Blue Rhythm

August 07, 1931

Musical beginning with Mickey playing concert piano. Minnie sings the blues, Mickey joins her for a song, and dance routine, then Mickey plays a clarinet solo imitating Ted Lewis. Finally, Mickey leads an orchestra of his gang, with the music getting so hot they eventually break through the floor.

min. Directed by Burt Gillett. Mickey Mouse #31

Short 145

Egyptian Melodies

August 19, 1931

In a spider’s misadventures with the Sphinx and the pyramids, hieroglyphics entertain until mummies are disturbed and frighten him away.

min. Directed by Wilfred Jackson. Silly Symphony #21

Short 146

Fishin’ Around

September 01, 1931

In one of his most mischievous adventures, Mickey, along with Pluto, fishes in a forbidden area and becomes frustrated with the taunting fish until the sheriff chases them away.

min. Directed by Burt Gillett. Mickey Mouse #32

Short 147

The Clock Store [a.k.a. In a Clock Store]

September 16, 1931

As night descends on a clock store, all the clocks come to life. A wall clock hits two alarm clocks when they are not looking, and referees the resulting fight. Figures from different clocks dance together. A grandfather clock dances with a grandmother clock. Two cuckoo clock birds bump heads as they both announce the time.

min. Directed by Wilfred Jackson. Silly Symphony #22

Short 148

The Barnyard Broadcast

September 30, 1931

In this satire of radio broadcasting, Mickey runs the control room attempting to monitor the show and the audience. All goes well until howling cats spoil the broadcast and a chase ensues. In the pandemonium, the makeshift studio is destroyed, and Mickey signs off amid the debris.

min. Directed by Burt Gillett. Mickey Mouse #33

Short 149

The Spider and the Fly

October 13, 1931

To defend themselves from a hungry spider, flies enlist all of their kin, including horseflies and dragonflies. In the battle, a boy fly manages to save a captured girl fly and the spider is caught on flypaper.

min. Directed by Wilfred Jackson. Silly Symphony #23

Short 150

The Beach Party

October 28, 1931

A beach party with Mickey and the gang is interrupted by a disgruntled octopus accidentally pulled ashore by Pluto. After a free-for-all, Mickey gets rid of the octopus by lassoing it with a rope with an anchor attached.

min. Directed by Burt Gillett. Mickey Mouse #34

Short 151

The Fox Hunt

November 10, 1931

As a gag-filled fox hunt winds down, which includes misadventures with a porcupine, the hunters unfortunately catch a skunk instead of a fox, and flee. The skunk and the for shake hands.

min. Directed by Wilfred Jackson. Silly Symphony #24

Short 152

Mickey Cuts Up

November 25, 1931

Mickey is mowing Minnie’s lawn with Pluto helping to pull the mower. Playing a trick on Minnie, Mickey crawls into her birdhouse, pretending to be a bird, but a cat pounces on him. Pluto causes widespread destruction with the mower attached to him when he chases the cat.

min. Directed by Burt Gillett. Mickey Mouse #35

Short 153

Mickey’s Orphans

December 05, 1931

A basket of kittens is left on Minnie’s doorstep at Christmas, and Mickey and Minnie charitably bring it inside. But they soon regret their action as the cats wreck the house, strip the tree, and take the gifts and candy.

Nominated for an Academy Award.

min. Directed by Burt Gillett. Mickey Mouse #36

Short 154

The Ugly Duckling

December 17, 1931

When a mother hen scorns a little duckling, it runs away in dismay. But when a tornado dumps her chicks into the flooded river, the duckling saves them from going over the waterfall. A hero, he is now one of the family.

Based on a story by Hans Christian Anderson.

min. Directed by Wilfred Jackson. Silly Symphony #25

Short 155

The Bird Store

January 05, 1932

When a crafty cat attempts to catch a baby canary, the other outraged birds force it into a large cage using a blowtorch. A spring in the cage sends the screaming cat through the roof and onto the flagpole of the local dog pound.

min. Directed by Wilfred Jackson. Silly Symphony #26

Short 156

The Duck Hunt

January 21, 1932

Mickey and Pluto find duck hunting not all they expected it to be when they are turned upon by a group of angry ducks and end up being dropped by them into suits of underwear on the line.

min. Directed by Burt Gillett. Mickey Mouse #37

Short 157

The Grocery Boy

February 08, 1932

Mickey is overjoyed to deliver Minnie’s groceries to her and help prepare dinner. But the mood is spoiled when Pluto takes off with the turkey and in the resulting chase Mickey gets covered with chocolate cake.

min. Directed by Wilfred Jackson. Mickey Mouse #38

Short 158

The Mad Dog

February 27, 1932

Pluto learns a lesson in submission when he refuses to be bathed by Mickey. In the resulting tug-of-war, Pluto swallows the soap, is taken by everyone to be a mad dog, and is forced to flee the dogcatcher, Pete. Now humbled, Pluto meekly allows himself to be bathed.

min. Directed by Burt Gillett. Mickey Mouse #39

Short 159

Barnyard Olympics

April 15, 1932

Despite Pete’s continual cheating in a cross country race, especially during the bicycle portion, Mickey ends up winning. A fun takeoff on Olympic events.

Released to coincide with the Olympics in Los Angeles.

min. Directed by Wilfred Jackson. Mickey Mouse #40

Short 160

Mickey’s Revue

May 12, 1932

Mickey’s musical comedy show is brought to an abrupt end when Pluto creates havoc by chasing cats onstage.

First appearance of the character who would become Goofy, here as a member of the audience. 

min. Directed by Wilfred Jackson. Mickey Mouse #41

Short 161

Musical Farmer

June 08, 1932

Mickey and Pluto chase away crows eating their seeds and then wear the scarecrow to tease Minnie. This leads to a musical extravaganza with all the farmyard animals taking part. One of the hens, who has been unable to lay eggs, lays an enormous egg. Mickey takes a picture but uses too much powder, exploding all the feathers off the hens.

min. Directed by Wilfred Jackson. Mickey Mouse #42

Short 162

The Bears and the Bees

July 09, 1932

When little cubs are chased away from a honey-filled beehive by a big bear, who greedily begins to eat the honey, the bees give chase. Meanwhile, the cubs return and happily begin eating again.

min. Directed by Wilfred Jackson. Silly Symphony #27

Short 163

Mickey in Arabia

July 11, 1932

Mickey and Minnie are tourists when an evil sheik, Pete, kidnaps Minnie. Mickey’s attempted rescue of Minnie is complicated by a drunken camel. After a furious battle with Pete and his soldiers, a rooftop chase ensues. Mickey and Minnie fall into an awning, but Pete tumbles onto the sand, running off into the desert, after being speared by his own soldiers.

min. Directed by Wilfred Jackson. Mickey Mouse #43

Short 164

Just Dogs

July 30, 1932

In an effort to befriend a large mongrel, a little puppy releases all the dogs in the pound. When the pup finds a bone to share with his unfriendly companion, a free-for-all ensues in which the pup outwits the entire troupe of hungry dogs and finally earns the large dog’s friendship.

min. Directed by Burt Gillett. Silly Symphony #28

Short 165

Flowers and Trees

July 30, 1932

The story of the cartoon concerns two trees in love who are threatened by a jealous old stump that attempts to burn the forest down in order to destroy them. But he only succeeds in reducing himself to ash. The forest revives and celebrates the wedding.

Academy Award: #01*: Cartoon Short Subject, 1931-31.

Originally begun as a black-and-white cartoon, the work was scrapped at great cost, and the cartoon was made in color at Walt Disney’s insistence.

min. Directed by Burt Gillett. Silly Symphony #29

Short 166

Mickey’s Nightmare

August 13, 1932

Mickey dreams he is married to Minnie, but the dream turns into a nightmare when he is overwhelmed by their children. He happily wakes up to repeated lickings from Pluto.

min. Directed by Burt Gillett. Mickey Mouse #44

Short 167

Trader Mickey

August 20, 1932

In the midst of their African safari, Mickey and Pluto are captured by a native tribe. To save themselves from the cannibals, Mickey and Pluto perform an impromptu jam session with musical instruments in their canoe.

min. Directed by David Hand. Mickey Mouse #45

Short 168

King Neptune

September 10, 1932

When pirates cruelly capture a mermaid, the underwater denizens come to the rescue, alerting King Neptune who stirs up a storm at sea, sinking the  pirates and rescuing the mermaid who has discovered the pirates’ treasure.

min. Directed by Burt Gillett. Silly Symphony #3

Short 169

The Whoopee Party

September 17, 1932

After a buffet supper, Mickey and the gang engage in a red-hot treatment of “Running Wild”. The rhythm is so catchy that the furniture, household items, and even cops sent to quiet the noise get caught up in the revelry.

min. Directed by Wilfred Jackson. Mickey Mouse #46

Short 170

Bugs in Love

October 01, 1932

Nestled in a junk pile, a girl and boy bug are in love in their tiny village. When a crow captures the girl, the bugs sound the alarm and rescue her, imprisoning the crow in an old shoe.

min. Directed by Burt Gillett. Silly Symphony #31

Short 171

Touchdown Mickey

October 15, 1932

In a spirited game of football between Mickey and the gang and local alley cats, both sides share misadventures with the ball, but Mickey is undeniably the hero by single-handedly winning the game.

min. Directed by Wilfred Jackson. Mickey Mouse #47

Short 172

The Wayward Canary

November 12, 1932

Minnie is thrilled with Mickey’s gift of a pet bird. But the mischievous bird escapes, takes a bath in ink, and is only saved from being a cat’s lunch by Pluto’s quick action.

min. Directed by Burt Gillett. Mickey Mouse #48

Short 173

The Klondike Kid

November 12, 1932

Mickey, a piano player in a Klondike saloon, finds Minnie outside cold and starving. Peg Leg Pierre takes off with her and Mickey goes after him, saving her just as Pierre is run over a cliff by his own runaway log cabin.

min. Directed by Wilfred Jackson. Mickey Mouse #49

Short 174

Parade of the Award Nominee

November 18, 1932

Mickey leads a parade of the nominees, including Fredric March turning from Dr. Jekyll to Mr. Hyde.

Academy Award: #02*: Special Award to Walt Disney for the creation of Mickey Mouse.

Produced for the Academy Awards ceremony held at the Ambassador Hotel and is the first animation of Mickey Mouse in color.

min.

Short 175

Babes in the Woods

November 19, 1932

Two children wandering through a forest are lured into the house of a wicked witch, who lives with her collection of creatures. The boy is changed into a spider by a potion, and just as the girl is about to be changed into a rat, she is rescued by woodland dwarfs, and she finds a potion to transform her spider brother and the other creatures back into the children they once were. The children help the dwarfs turn the witch into stone with her own cauldron.

Based on the Hansel and Gretel story.

min. Directed by Burt Gillett. Silly Symphony #32

Short 176

Santa’s Workshop

December 10, 1932

Santa is assisted by his elves in preparing for the famous sleigh ride on Christmas Eve. As the toys are finished, they come to life and march into Santa’s big bag.

min. Directed by Wilfred Jackson. Silly Symphony #33

Short 177

Mickey’s Good Deed

December 17, 1932

Mickey is a street singer who selflessly sells Pluto to a rich family to raise money for a poor family at Christmas. But Pluto is mistreated and flees, returning to his beloved master.

min. Directed by Burt Gillett. Mickey Mouse #50

Short 178

Building a Building

January 07, 1933

Mickey is a steam shovel operator at a construction site where Pete is the foreman and Minnie is selling box lunches. After Pete steals and eats Mickey’s lunch, Minnie gives Mickey a box lunch. Pete attempts to kidnap Minnie, but Mickey and Minnie defeat him in a hot pursuit throughout the building. Mickey joins Minnie as co-operator of her box-lunch wagon, leaving Pete stuck in a cement mixer among fallen girders.

min. Directed by David Hand. Mickey Mouse #51

Short 179

The Mad Doctor

January 21, 1933

Pluto is captured by an evil scientist and taken to an old castle. Mickey attempts to rescue him, in spite of bats, skeletons, and a giant skeletal spider. Just as a buzz saw is about to cut Mickey in two, he awakens to a mosquito biting him; it was all a nightmare and Pluto is safe.

min. Directed by David Hand. Mickey Mouse #52

Short 180

Mickey’s Pal Pluto

February 18, 1933

When Mickey and Minnie find some kittens, Pluto is jealous, torn between his angel good and bad consciences. When the cats fall into a well, Pluto and his angel-self rescue them.

min. Directed by Burt Gillett. Mickey Mouse #53

Short 181

Birds in the Spring

March 11, 1933

A baby bird, Otto, has many adventures when he runs away from home. He meets a hypnotic rattlesnake and runs into trouble with a hornets’ nest. Rescued by his father and taken home, he is given a spanking.

min. Directed by David Hand. Silly Symphony #34

Short 182

Mickey’s Mellerdrammer

March 18, 1933

Mickey and the gang put on a production of “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” with Horace Horsecollar as Simon Legree and Mickey as Uncle Tom. Unfortunately, the bloodhounds in the play become unruly and bring down the curtain early.

min. Directed by Wilfred Jackson. Mickey Mouse #54

Short 183

Ye Olden Days

April 08, 1933

Princess Minnie is locked in a tower when she refuses to marry the prince, Dippy Dog (Goofy), chosen by her father. Mickey, a wandering minstrel, rescues Minnie and wins a joust with the prince in order to marry her.

min. Directed by Burt Gillett. Mickey Mouse #55

Short 184

Father Noah’s Ark

April 08, 1933

The first Disney version of the biblical tale of Noah, his ark, and its inhabitants, along with their efforts to weather the great flood.

min. Directed by Wilfred Jackson. Silly Symphony #35

Short 185

The Mail Pilot

May 13, 1933

In Mickey’s devotion to getting the mail through in his battered little plane, he must fight the elements and Pete, engaging in an aerial battle in which he captures Pete.

min. Directed by David Hand. Mickey Mouse #56

Short 186

Three Little Pigs

May 27, 1933

While two happy-go-lucky pigs frolic and build flimsy houses of straw and sticks, the third pig toils at building a secure brick dwelling. The Big Bad Wolf manages to huff and puff and blow down the first two houses, but he meets his match at the third. When he tries to slide down the chimney, he I scalded by landing in a boiling pot.

Academy Award: #03*: Cartoon Short Subject, 1932-33.

min. Directed by Burt Gillett. Silly Symphony #36

Short 187

Mickey’s Mechanical Man

June 17, 1933

Inventor Mickey creates a robot that fights the hairy star of The Gorilla Mystery (1930) and overpowers him with the help of Minnie, who revives the robot at one point with a horn.

min. Directed by Wilfred Jackson. Mickey Mouse #57

Short 188

Mickey’s Gala Premiere

July 01, 1933

Mickey and the gang are treated to a lavish premiere of their new picture at which many screen stars – including Greta Garbo, Clark Gable, Charlie Chaplin, Mae West, Laurel and Hardy, Harold Lloyd, and Marlene Dietrich – praise Mickey. But Mickey awakens to find it is only a dream.

min. Directed by Burt Gillett. Mickey Mouse #58

Short 189

Old King Cole

July 29, 1933

King Cole’s ball at the castle is attended by the many characters of Mother Goose, emerging from the pages of a large book. Later, problems occur in trying to get all the characters back into the book.

 

min. Directed by David Hand. Silly Symphony #37

Short 190

Lullaby Land

August 19, 1933

A little baby and a toy dog have an adventure in a land of patchwork-quilt fields, trees laden with rattles, and magic nursery crockery, safety pins, and bottles of castor oil. Frightened by a Forbidden Garden of penknives, scissors, and sent back to the cradle on a blanket of flowers.

min. Directed by Wilfred Jackson. Silly Symphony #38

Short 191

Puppy Love

September 02, 1933

When Mickey and Pluto mix up their gifts to their sweethearts, Minnie and Fifi, all sort of romantic complications ensue over Fifi receiving a box of candy and Minnie a bone. Minnie is enraged until she sees the mistake, and there is a happy reunion for both couples.

min. Directed by Wilfred Jackson. Mickey Mouse #59

Short 192

The Pied Piper

September 16, 1933

When the Pied Piper lures the rats from Hamelin Town but is not paid in gold by the mayor as promised, he lures all the children of the town to the magical Garden of Happiness on a mountain to punish the parents.

min. Directed by Wilfred Jackson. Silly Symphony #39

Short 193

The Steeple-Chase

September 30, 1933

Mickey is a jockey getting ready for the big race when he finds his horse is drunk. Swiftly he has two stable boys dress up in a horse costume and manages to win the race with the aid of angry hornets.

min. Directed by Burt Gillett. Mickey Mouse #60

Short 194

The Pet Store

October 28, 1933

Working in a pet store, Mickey, with the help of he store animals, saves Minnie from a gorilla that escapes from its cage. In the fight, the store is trashed. Mickey quits and he and Minnie leave just before Tony, the owner, returns.

min. Directed by Wilfred Jackson. Mickey Mouse #61

Short 195

Giant Land

November 25, 1933

Mickey tells his nephews a loose version of “Jack and the Beanstalk” in which he climbs the beanstalk and meets a formidable giant. Mickey only manages to escape with the aid of pepper and burning the beanstalk, which sends the giant hurtling toward the ground and on through to China.

min. Directed by Burt Gillett. Mickey Mouse #62

Short 196

The Night Before Christmas

December 09, 1933

Santa arrives at a house, setting up the tree, its trimmings, and toys. The noise awakens the children, who are in time only to see Santa driving away on his sleigh.

Sequel to Santa’s Workshop (1932).

Re-released in 1974 under the title Santa’s Toys.

min. Directed by Wilfred Jackson. Silly Symphony #40

Short 197

The China Shop

January 13, 1934

As a shopkeeper closes his store for the night, his china pieces come alive; two figures dance until a china satyr runs off with the girl. The boy figure manages to save her and destroy the satyr, but also damages most of the store’s pieces. When the resourceful owner arrives the next morning, he sees all the damaged items and changes his sign to read “Antiques!”

min. Directed by Wilfred Jackson. Silly Symphony #41

Short 198

Shanghaied

January 13, 1934

In this pirate adventure, Mickey saves Minnie from Peg Leg Pete and his crew with the aid of a stuffed swordfish, taking over the ship in the process.

min. Directed by Burt Gillett. Mickey Mouse #63

Short 199

The Grasshopper and the Ants

February 10, 1934

When a lazy grasshopper prefers to sing and dance rather than forage like his friends the ants, he learns to regret it when winter approaches. The ants save his life and in return he entertains them with his music.

min. Directed by Wilfred Jackson. Silly Symphony #42

Short 200

Camping Out

February 17, 1934

When mosquitoes threaten Mickey, Minnie, Horace Horsecollar, and Clarabelle Cow’s lazy summer day, Horace swats at them, which angers them and alerts more to form into an Army formation. Mickey saves the day by catching the swarm in Clarabelle’s bloomers.

min. Directed by David Hand. Mickey Mouse #64

Short 201

Playful Pluto

March 03, 1934

Pluto tries to help Mickey with his spring cleaning but instead becomes a nuisance and ends up caught in flypaper.

The flypaper-gag sequence, animated by Norm Ferguson, has been praised as a masterful piece of animation.

min. Directed by Burt Gillett. Mickey Mouse #65

Short 202

Funny Little Bunnies

March 24, 1934

At rainbow’s end lies the magic land of the Easter bunnies, preparing Easter eggs and candies. Birds and animals help in the creation of painted eggs, using such oddities as plaid and polka-dot paint, and chocolate bunnies.

min. Directed by Wilfred Jackson. Silly Symphony #43

Short 203

The Big Bad Wolf

April 14, 1934

Red Riding Hood is warned by the Three Little Pigs about the wolf, who is waiting for her at Grandmother’s house. She is rescued in the nick of time by the Practical Pig, who gets rid of the wolf with hot coals and popcorn.

Sequel to The Three Little Pigs (1933).

min. Directed by Burt Gillett. Silly Symphony #44

Short 204

Gulliver Mickey

May 19, 1934

In telling the story to his nephews, Mickey is Gulliver, who is bound on shore by the Liliputians. He escapes out to sea only to be attacked by the Liliputians’ small navy. But, when he saves the town from a huge spider, Mickey becomes the hero of the day.

min. Directed by Burt Gillett. Mickey Mouse #66

Short 205

The Hot Choc-late Soldiers

May 24, 1934

Mickey Mouse and Jimmy Durante lead into the color story of “The Hot Choc-late Soldiers” where a group of confectionary soldiers go to war against a neighboring cookie castle.

Color Silly Symphony-type sequence produced for the black-and-white MGM film, The Hollywood Party (1934).

min. Directed by Ben Sharpsteen.

Short 206

The Wise Little Hen

June 09, 1934

Donald Duck made his debut in this fable about a mother hen who needs help planting corn and harvesting it. When Donald and his friend, Peter Pig, sole members of the Idle Hour Club, refuse, she does it herself with the help of her chicks. When all is finished, and various types of corn delicacies are on the table, Donald and Peter, now interested, are not invited.

min. Directed by Wilfred Jackson. Silly Symphony #45

Short 207

Mickey’s Steamroller

June 16, 1934

When Mickey’s nephews crawl into his steamroller while he is romancing Minnie, a chase ensues as the machine goes out of control and causes massive destruction until it stops after smashing a hotel.

min. Directed by David Hand. Mickey Mouse #67

Short 208

The Flying Mouse

July 14, 1934

A mouse is granted his wish to fly by a butterfly fairy he saved from a spider’s web. He soon regrets his decision when everyone takes him for a bat. Luckily, the fairy appears to change him back and he returns happily home.

min. Directed by David Hand. Silly Symphony #46

Short 209

Orphans’ Benefit

August 11, 1934

Donald and Goofy were featured together for the first time as they, Mickey, Horace Horsecollar, and Clarabelle Cow try to put on a show for orphans. But the mischievous children take delight in taunting the performers, including eggs that fall on Donald as he tries to recite “Mary Had a Little Lamb”.

min. Directed by Burt Gillett. Mickey Mouse #68

Short 210

Peculiar Penguins

September 01, 1934

Peter and Polly Penguin are sweethearts. Their wintry antics include catching fish and escaping the jaws of a hungry shark.

min. Directed by Wilfred Jackson. Silly Symphony #47

Short 211

Gaynor’s Nightmare

September 26, 1934

A cartoon insert of a nightmare sequence featuring kitchen utensils.

A Disney cartoon sequence produced for the 20th Century Fox film, Servants’ Entrance (1934).

min.

Short 212

Mickey Plays Papa

September 29, 1934

Mickey discovers a baby on his doorstep and with Pluto’s help tries to find different ways to stop its crying by imitating screen greats Charlie Chaplin and Jimmy Durante.

An edited version, without Mickey, entitled Pluto and the Baby, aired on the 1950s Mickey Mouse Club.

min. Directed by Burt Gillett. Mickey Mouse #69

Short 213

The Goddess of Spring

November 03, 1934

The goddess Persephone is captured by Hades as his bride and sent to the underworld, with the agreement to return to earth six months each year.

One of Disney’s early attempts of human animation.

min. Directed by Wilfred Jackson. Silly Symphony #48

Short 214

The Dognapper

November 17, 1934

Minnie’s Pekinese is captured by Pete, and Mickey and Donald come to the rescue, discovering Pete’s lair in a deserted sawmill.

min. Directed by David Hand. Mickey Mouse #70

Short 215

Two-Gun Mickey

December 15, 1934

In this Western adventure, Pete and his bandits rob and fire on Minnie before she is rescued by Mickey, who disposes of the gang.

The first cartoon directed by Ben Sharpsteen.

min. Directed by Ben Sharpsteen. Mickey Mouse #71

Short 216

The Tortoise and the Hare

January 05, 1935

Overconfident Max Hare races against Toby Tortoise. In his belief that he can win the race no matter what, Max spends his time entertaining the female rabbits while persistent Toby comes from behind and wins the race.

Academy Award: #04*: Cartoon Production, 1934.

min. Directed by Wilfred Jackson. Silly Symphony #49

Short 217

Mickey’s Man Friday

January 19, 1935

Mickey, shipwrecked, lands on an island inhabited by cannibals. He befriends a native who helps him escape in a trick boat.

Loosely based on the story of Robinson Crusoe.

min. Directed by David Hand. Mickey Mouse #72

Short 218

The Band Concert

February 23, 1935

Mickey is a frustrated bandleader who must deal with obnoxious peanut vendor and flute player Donald Duck, who tries to persuade the band to play “Turkey in the Straw”, and a cyclone before his concert of the “William Tell Overture” is completed.

The first Mickey Mouse cartoon in color. From then on, with the exception of the Mickey’s Service Station and Mickey’s Kangaroo, all the Disney cartoons would be in color.

min. Directed by Wilfred Jackson. Mickey Mouse #73

Short 219

Mickey’s Service Station

March 16, 1935

Mickey, Donald, and Goofy are service-station attendants who attempt to fix Pete’s car but eventually find the problem is the squeak of a cricket. They do such a poor job putting the car back together again that the furious Pete ends up being chased by the motor.

min. Directed by Ben Sharpsteen. Mickey Mouse #74

Short 220

The Golden Touch

March 22, 1935

Greedy King Midas wants to amass more treasure, so a magical dwarf grants him the power to turn anything he touches into gold. To his horror, he can no longer eat, for even his food turns to gold. Finally, in exchange for a hamburger, the king gives up the golden touch and all his worldly possessions.

min. Directed by Walt Disney. Silly Symphony #50

Short 221

Mickey’s Kangaroo

April 13, 1935

Mickey receives a kangaroo from Australia that delights in boxing with him. They make Pluto’s life miserable with their antics, but by the end all are good friends.

The last black-and-white Disney cartoon.

min. Directed by David Hand. Mickey Mouse #75

Short 222

The Robber Kitten

April 20, 1935

An adventurous young male kitten runs away from home to become a robber and joins up with a notorious badman. When he is robbed and nearly frightened out of his wits, he returns home and even submits to a bath.

min. Directed by David Hand. Silly Symphony #51

Short 223

Water Babies

May 11, 1935

In this musical water fantasy, myriad tiny fairy folk find fun in riding rodeo style on frogs, flying with birds, and sailing in lily pad boats.

Based on Charles Kingsley’s story.

min. Directed by Wilfred Jackson. Silly Symphony #52

Short 224

The Cookie Carnival

May 25, 1935

As a beauty contest progresses, a poor girl cookie cannot attend because of her rags. But, with the help of an ingenious boy cookie and the careful placement of candies and whipped cream, she wins the title of Cookie Queen and selects the boy as the king of the carnival.

min. Directed by Ben Sharpsteen. Silly Symphony #53

Short 225

Who Killed Cock Robin?

June 29, 1935

Cock Robin was shot while singing to Jenny Wren (a clever caricature of Mae West), and the court is convened to try the suspect. But is found that it was only Cupid’s arrow that pierced Robin and he is revived by Jenny’s kiss.

min. Directed by David Hand. Silly Symphony #54

Short 226

Mickey’s Garden

July 13, 1935

Mickey and Pluto as pest exterminators sniffing around when Mickey gets a whiff of his own potent insecticide, and dreams of battles with gigantic insects.

min. Directed by Wilfred Jackson. Mickey Mouse #76

Short 227

Mickey’s Fire Brigade

August 03, 1935

Mickey, Donald, and Goofy come to put out a fire in Clarabelle Cow’s house. Unaware, she is taking a bath when the trio comes crashing in to the rescue and into her bathtub.

min. Directed by Ben Sharpsteen. Mickey Mouse #77

Short 228

Pluto’s Judgment Day

August 31, 1935

Mickey chastises Pluto for chasing a kitten, which causes Pluto to have a nightmare in which cats try him in court for his crimes against the feline world. As he is sentenced to a grisly end, he awakens to make amends with the kitten.

min. Directed by David Hand. Mickey Mouse #78

Short 229

On Ice

September 28, 1935

Mickey and friends have various levels of enjoyment skating on a frozen river. As Mickey and Minnie glide romantically, Donald plays tricks on Pluto and ends up in trouble himself with a kite, from which Mickey must save him.

min. Directed by Ben Sharpsteen. Mickey Mouse #79

Short 230

Music Land

October 05, 1935

In this innovative cartoon, a war between the Land of Symphony and the Isle of Jazz is the background for this musical tale in which Romeo and Juliet-type characters finally help bring about peace and the Bridge of Harmony is established. All the characters are musical instruments, with the ”dialogue” furnished in musical sounds.

min. Directed by Wilfred Jackson. Silly Symphony #55

Short 231

Three Orphan Kittens

October 26, 1935

The film tells the story of three castaway kittens who find refuge in a warm house and get into trouble with the occupant in antics with the furniture and a grand piano.

Academy Award: #05*: Cartoon Production, 1935.

min. Directed by David Hand. Silly Symphony #56

Short 232

Cock o’ the Walk

November 30, 1935

A farmyard battle ensues between a hick rooster and a city slicker over the love of a beautiful lady pullet, who discovers the city rooster is married. The hick avenges her, becomes the champ, and resumes his romance with her.

min. Directed by Ben Sharpsteen. Silly Symphony #57

Short 233

Broken Toys

December 14, 1935

Discarded toys at the city dump decide to repair themselves, including a sailor doll who restores the sight of a girl doll. The toys then march off to their new home, the local orphanage.

min. Directed by Ben Sharpsteen. Silly Symphony #58

Short 234

Mickey’s Polo Team

January 04, 1936

Walt’s interest in this sport found its way into a cartoon that features many Hollywood celebrities versus Disney characters such as the Big Bad Wolf and Mickey. The horses all seem to resemble their riders. By the time the dust settles, the horses are riding the players.

min. Directed by David Hand. Mickey Mouse #80

Short 235

Orphans’ Picnic

February 15, 1936

Donald has problems with rambunctious orphans, as in Orphan’s Benefit, who tease and torment the poor duck into getting in trouble with a beehive and swallowing a bee.

min. Directed by Ben Sharpsteen. Mickey Mouse #81

Short 236

Mickey’s Grand Opera

March 07, 1936

Mickey conducts the orchestra as Donald Duck and Clara Cluck sing a duet, which I marred by Pluto’s antics with a magician’s hat and its magical inhabitants.

min. Directed by Wilfred Jackson. Mickey Mouse #82

Short 237

Elmer Elephant

March 28, 1936

Poor Elmer is teased for having a trunk until a fire threatens Tillie Tiger and only he can rescue her.

min. Directed by Wilfred Jackson. Silly Symphony #59

Short 238

Three Little Wolves

April 18, 1936

The frivolous pigs blow the Practical Pig’s wolf horn one too many times, and he refuses to come when they are actually captured by the Big Bad Wolf and Three Little Wolves. Practical Pig manages to save them in the nick of time with a “Wolf Pacifier”.

Second sequel to The Three Little Pigs (1933).

min. Directed by David Hand. Silly Symphony #60

Short 239

Thru the Mirror

May 30, 1936

Mickey dreams he steps through his bedroom mirror into a land where all the furnishings and objects are animated and he can interact with them. But they are not all friendly, and after Mickey dances with the queen in a deck of playing cards, making the king jealous, they attack him and send him back through the mirror as the alarm clock wakes him up.

Based on the “Alice Through the Looking Glass” story by Lewis Carroll.

min. Directed by David Hand. Mickey Mouse #83

Short 240

Mickey’s Rival

June 20, 1936

Mickey’s rival, Mortimer, strives for Minnie’s affections on an afternoon outing. As he woos Minnie, he plays practical jokes on Mickey and even his car threatens Mickey’s car. But, when Mortimer is responsible for a bull attacking, it is Mickey who finally rescues Minnie, while Mortimer runs away.

min. Directed by Wilfred Jackson. Mickey Mouse #84

Short 241

Moving Day

June 20, 1936

When the sheriff, Pete, evicts them from their home due to overdue rent, Mickey and Donald, get Goofy, an ice man, to help them move out. Soon all is pandemonium with Goofy’s struggles with a piano that will not stay in the moving truck and Donald wrestling with various household items. The house is utterly destroyed when Pete strikes a match near a gas leak, resulting in all the belongings being blown into the truck as they drive away.

min. Directed by Ben Sharpsteen. Mickey Mouse #85

Short 242

Alpine Climbers

July 25, 1936

In the mountains, Pluto and a friendly St. Bernard get drunk from the big dog’s keg of brandy after Pluto is rescued, and Mickey runs afoul of a mother eagle, necessitating rescue by Donald Duck.

min. Directed by David Hand. Mickey Mouse #86

Short 243

Mickey’s Circus

August 01, 1936

At a circus benefit, orphans continually give Mickey and Donald trouble. When Donald chases seals who steal fish, orphans shoot him from a cannon onto Mickey’s high-wire act. The orphans try to get Mickey and Donald to fall, and when they do, into the pool below, all the seals jump in to get a fish that a young seal throws into Donald’s mouth.

min. Directed by Ben Sharpsteen. Mickey Mouse #87

Short 244

Toby Tortoise Returns

August 22, 1936

Max Hare and Toby Tortoise are opponents in a boxing match. Max becomes frustrated when Toby retreats into his shell during punches. Max cheats by dumping fireworks into Toby’s shell, but the plan backfires when it helps Toby win.

A Sequel to The Tortoise and the Hare (1935).

min. Directed by Wilfred Jackson. Silly Symphony #61

Short 245

Donald and Pluto

September 12, 1936

Donald attempts to do his own home plumbing until Pluto swallows a magnet and threatens to destroy all of his work.

Originally released as Mickey Mouse cartoon but Mickey does not appear. Donald Duck is actually the star.

min. Directed by Ben Sharpsteen. Donald #01

Short 246

Three Blind Mouseketeers

September 26, 1936

In their quest for survival, three mice continually outwit Captain Katt. While he is in pursuit of them, the mice get mixed up in a collection of bottles that serve to increase their number, confusing Captain Katt and causing him to be caught in his own traps.

min. Directed by David Hand. Silly Symphony #62

Short 247

Mickey’s Elephant

October 10, 1936

Happy with his gift, Mickey makes a home for Bobo, his new elephant, incurring Pluto’s jealousy. Putting pepper in Bobo’s trunk, Pluto succeeds in not only getting Bobo’s new home blown to bits, but his own doghouse as well.

min. Directed by Hamilton Luske. Mickey Mouse #88

Short 248

The Country Cousin

October 31, 1936

Abner, a mouse from the rural town of Podunk goes to visit his glamorous big-city cousin, Monty. But when he accidentally gets drunk, is chased by a cat, and meets other terrors of big city life, he quickly heads for home.

Academy Award: #06*: Cartoon Short Subject, 1936.

min. Directed by David Hand. Silly Symphony #63

Short 249

Mother Pluto

November 14, 1936

When a family of baby chicks hatch in his doghouse, Pluto feels duty-bound to protect them, despite the many hazards that continue to appear.

min. Directed by David Hand. Silly Symphony #64

Short 250

More Kittens

December 19, 1936

The turned-out kittens seek shelter with St. Bernard and have more misadventures with a turtle, a bird, and some milk.

Sequel to Three Orphan Kittens (1935).

min. Directed by Wilfred Jackson. Silly Symphony #65

Short 251

The Worm Turns

January 02, 1937

Mickey mixes together a magic potion that gives both strength and courage. The potion allows a series of “underdogs” – a fly, a mouse, and a cat – to get their revenge on their enemies, and finally it enables Pluto to get the best of dogcatcher Pete.

min. Directed by Ben Sharpsteen. Mickey Mouse #89

Short 252

Don Donald

January 09, 1937

In this south-of-the-border adventure, Donald, the troubadour, will go to any lengths, including trading his burro for a car, to please the tempestuous Donna, who later became known as Daisy.

Originally released as Mickey Mouse cartoon but Mickey does not appear. Donald Duck is the star.

min. Directed by Ben Sharpsteen. Donald #02

Short 253

Magician Mickey

February 06, 1937

Donald continually heckles Mickey’s magic act, but Mickey bests him at every turn. Donald shoots off a magic pistol that causes all the stage props to fall down on them at the finish of the act.

min. Directed by David Hand. Mickey Mouse #90

Short 254

Moose Hunters

February 20, 1937

In their search for a moose, Goofy and Donald dress up as a female moose to lure a potential victim. But their plans go too far and they soon are running for their lives with Mickey not far behind.

min. Directed by Ben Sharpsteen. Mickey Mouse #91

Short 255

Woodland Café

March 13, 1937

At a popular bug nightclub, various caterpillars, fireflies, spiders, and other insects dance the evening away. Some even look like famous Hollywood celebrities, including Lionel Barrymore.

min. Directed by Wilfred Jackson. Silly Symphony #66

Short 256

Mickey’s Amateurs

April 17, 1937

When Donald’s recitation is booed off Mickey’s radio broadcast, Clara Cluck sings, Clarabelle plays the piano, and Goofy performs as a one-man band. But despite these diversions, Donald is back at the end with his recitation.

Directed by Pinto Volvig, Walt Pfeiffer, Ed Penner.

min. Mickey Mouse #92

Short 257

Little Hiawatha

May 15, 1937

A little Indian boy desires to be a mighty hunter and goes out in the forest to prove it. But he cannot kill a bunny that crosses his path, an act that endears him to the woodland creatures who later rescue him from a grizzly bear.

min. Directed by David Hand. Silly Symphony #67

Short 258

Academy Award Review of Walt Disney Cartoons

May 19, 1937

Compilation of five Oscar-winning cartoons, Flowers and Trees, Three Little Pigs, The Tortoise and the Hare, Three Orphan Kittens, and The Country Cousin.

Released to herald the forthcoming release of Walt’s first feature-length animated film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

min.

Short 259

Modern Inventions

May 29, 1937

A robotic butler continually takes Donald’s hat when he doesn’t want the butler to have it; Donald keeps pulling new hats out of thin air.

Originally released as Mickey Mouse cartoon but Mickey does not appear. Donald Duck is the star.

min. Directed by Jack King. Donald #03

Short 260

Hawaiian Holiday

September 24, 1937

On a sunny beach, Minnie does the hula, accompanied by Mickey, Donald, and Goofy. Pluto makes an enemy out of a starfish while Goofy attempts to surf despite some troubles with the waves.

min. Directed by Ben Sharpsteen. Mickey Mouse #93

Short 261

Clock Cleaners

October 15, 1937

Mickey, Donald, and Goofy attempts to clean a huge clock on a high tower. Goofy is mystified by whoever is striking the bell, and when he is accidentally struck on the head by the bell-ringing figure, he begins to stagger dazedly about, performing daring acrobatics while Mickey tries to rescue him. Meanwhile, Donald fights a losing battle against a cantankerous mainspring he is trying to clean, with Mickey and Goofy being flung by a flexible flagpole outside into the mainspring with Donald. All three end up bounced into one of the gears of the clock and onto the floor, where parts of their bodies continue to move in unison like a pendulum.

min. Directed by Ben Sharpsteen. Mickey Mouse #94

Short 262

The Old Mill

November 05, 1937

Night in an old mill is dramatically depicted as the frightened occupants, including birds, timid mice, owls, and other creatures try to stay safe and dry as a storm approaches. As the thunderstorm worsens, the mill wheel begins to turn and the whole mill is threatens to blow apart until at last the storm subsides.

The first film to use multiplane camera.

Academy Award: #07*: Cartoon Short Subject, 1937.

Academy Award: #08*: Top Technical Award to Walt Disney Productions for the design and application to production of the Multi-Plane Camera, 1937.

min. Directed by Wilfred Jackson. Silly Symphony #68

Short 263

Pluto’s Quin-Puplets

November 26, 1937

Left in charge of five pups when Fifi goes out, Pluto has his own paws full when he gets drunk, and the puppies get mixed up in paint spray. Disgusted, Fifi shoves them all out of the doghouse to sleep in a barrel.

min Ben Sharpsteen. Directed by. Pluto #01

Short 264

Donald’s Ostrich

December 10, 1937

When an ostrich named Hortense gets free of her shipping crate and swallows everything in sight, including a radio, train station agent Donald is in for a hilarious day.

min. Directed by Jack King. Donald Duck #04

Short 265

Lonesome Ghosts

December 24, 1937

Some overconfident spirits hire professional, but inept, ghost-exterminators Mickey, Donald, and Goofy to try to get rid of them, hoping to have some fun in the process. The exterminators succeed in ridding the house of the ghosts accidentally, after many misadventures in which they crash into molasses and flour and appear more hideous than the ghosts, which scares the ethereal inhabitants into racing out of the house.

min. Directed by Burt Gillett. Mickey Mouse #95

Short 266

A Trip Through the Walt Disney Studios

1938

The film opens with the Walt Disney Studios sign with Mickey Mouse on it. The camera then pans over to the studio building and parking lot. Before the tour, Walt Disney is at his desk, with a baby photo of him on the left, and models of the dwarfs on the right and right next to him is life-long secretary, Dolores Vought. When you see the legendary animator Fred Moore draw Mickey Mouse, he is using a grease pencil instead of a normal lead pencil, because drawings with thin pencil lines wouldn't photograph well. Some of the other Disney Studio stalwarts seen in the film include, but are not limited to, Norm Ferguson, Webb Smith, Jack Kinney, Hamilton Luske, James Macdonald, Les Clark, Frank Churchill and Oliver Wallace.

A documentary made in response to requests from members of RKO Radio Pictures for a behind the scenes look at Walt Disney Studios. The film was never intended for public showing.

However, the film was released in public in the same year shortly edited and with narration as How Disney Cartoons Are Made.

min.

Short 267

Self Control

February 11, 1938

Though he tries to take radio philosopher Uncle Smiley’s advice about controlling his temper, Donald soon flies into a rage when his rest is upset by various pests including a woodpecker and an in cooperative hammock.

min. Directed by Jack King. Donald Duck #05

Short 268

Boat Builders

February 25, 1938

Mickey, Donald, and Goofy purchase a folding boat kit, but the boat is not as easy to put together as they hoped. After much trouble, Minnie christens the boat; it is launched and promptly collapses, throwing them all into the water.

min. Directed by Ben Sharpsteen. Mickey Mouse #96

Short 269

Donald’s Better Self

March 11, 1938

Donald is reluctant to go to school, but is persuaded to do so by his angelic Better Self, who has to defeat his devilish Evil Self, who is continually leading Donald astray.

min. Directed by Jack King. Donald Duck #06

Short 270

The Moth and the Flame

April 01, 1938

A boy and girl moth run away to live in an old costume shop, were the girl is caught by a cruel flame. Only by calling on the aid of his friends can the boy moth save her.

min. Directed by Burt Gillett. Silly Symphony #69

Short 271

Donald’s Nephews

April 15, 1938

Donald’s nephews are sent to visit him by his sister, Dumbella. Donald attempts to practice child psychology, but it is all for naught as the nephews ruin his house and play all manner of tricks on him.

First film appearance of Huey, Dewey, and Louie.

min. Directed by Jack King. Donald Duck #07

Short 272

Mickey’s Trailer

May 06, 1938

On their trip out of the city for a vacation, Mickey, Donald, and Goofy plan on having lots of fun and relaxation with their trailer, but all does not go as they plan and they soon have their hands full when the trailer gets away from them. Despite a steep mountain road and a speedy express train, the car and trailer eventually meet once again.

min. Directed by Ben Sharpsteen. Mickey Mouse #97

Short 273

Wynken, Blynken and Nod

May 27, 1938

In this fanciful dream fantasy, three babies float among the clouds in the night sky in a wooden ship, fishing for stars and even a comet, which speeds them on. When a storm breaks, they slide down to earth on moonbeams and into the cradle of one sleepyhead.

min. Directed by Graham Heid. Silly Symphony #70

Short 274

Polar Trappers

June 17, 1938

Goofy tries to trap a walrus but echoes and icicles in a cave are his downfall. Donald uses Pied Piper tactics to try to trap a colony of penguins, but ends up destroying the trappers’ camp.

min. Directed by Ben Sharpsteen. Donald Duck #08

Short 275

Good Scouts

July 08, 1938

Donald takes his nephews on a scouting expedition filled with many outdoor adventures including a disagreeable bear and the geyser, Old Faithful.

min. Directed by Jack King. Donald Duck #09

Short 276

The Fox Hunt

July 29, 1938

Donald, as Master of the Hounds, and Goofy, as one of the riders, are on a fox hunt. Just when it looks as if Donald will capture the fox, a skunk turns up to chase them all away.

Remake of The Fox Hunt (1931) in color.

min. Directed by Ben Sharpsteen. Donald Duck #10

Short 277

The Whalers

August 19, 1938

Mickey, Donald, and Goofy are on a tramp steamer when a whale is sighted. Mickey must come to the rescue when Goofy is swallowed by the whale and the boat is destroyed.

The first Cartoon directed by Dick Huemer.

min. Directed by Dick Huemer. Mickey Mouse #98

Short 278

Mickey’s Parrot

September 09, 1938

Overhearing a radio broadcast about an escaped killer, Mickey and Pluto hear a voice and assume to be the felon. After a scary few minutes, they discover it is only Mickey’s pet parrot and all are relieved,  including the parrot.

min. Directed by Bill Roberts. Mickey Mouse #99

Short 279

The Brave Little Tailor

September 23, 1938

In a medieval setting, when tailor, Mickey, gleefully exclaims that he killed “seven with one blow”, meaning flies that had been bothering him, the people in the medieval town, who had been talking about giants, assume him to be a gallant giant-killer and take him to the king. The king appoints Mickey to destroy a nearby giant, with the prize being a treasure of golden pazoozas and the hand of the fair Princess Minnie. Using his brain to outwit the giant’s brawn, Mickey defeats the hulking figure and becomes a hero.

One of the most elaborate, and expensive, Mickey Mouse cartoons ever made.

Nominated for an Academy Award.

min. Directed by Burt Gillett. Mickey Mouse #100

Short 280

Farmyard Symphony

October 14, 1938

A farmyard musical set to familiar classical themes, including Franz Liszt’s “Hungarian Rhapsody”, is led by a rooster and pullet with all the other animals participating.

min. Directed by Jack Cutting. Silly Symphony #71

Short 281

Donald’s Golf Game

November 04, 1938

Donald’s exhibition of his golfing ability to his nephews is defeated by their constant tricks, including sneezes, trick clubs, and a grasshopper trapped inside a golf ball.

min. Directed by Jack King. Donald Duck #11

Short 282

Ferdinand the Bull

November 25, 1938

It’s the story about a ferocious-looking but quiet bull who wants only to sit and smell the flowers. He is mistaken for a feisty animal by a matador when he snorts and charges after being stung by a bee. The matador takes him to the arena in the city, only to see him revert to his peaceful demeanor and refuse to fight. Ferdinand is happily sent back to his flowers.

Academy Award: #09*: Cartoon Short Subject, 1938.

First Cartoon directed by Dick Rickard, and based on the story by Munro Leaf and the illustrations by Robert Lawson.

The caricature of the matador is Walt Disney himself, who also provided the few words of Ferdinand.

min. Directed by Dick Rickard. 

Short 283

Merbabies

December 09, 1938

The ocean waves change to form merbabies who are summoned to a playground on the floor of the ocean for an underwater circus. When a whale blows them all to the surface, and they disappear into the waves from which they came.

A sequel to Water Babies (1935).

min. Directed by Rudolf Ising, Ben Sharpsteen. Silly Symphony #72

Short 284

Mother Goose Goes Hollywood

December 23, 1938

Pages from “Mother Goose” come alive with famous motion picture stars, including W.C. Fields, Katharine Hepburn, Spencer Tracy, and Eddie Cantor, caricatured as nursery rhyme characters.

min. Directed by Wilfred Jackson. Silly Symphony #73

Short 285

The Standard Parade

1939

Mickey leads the way in a short promotional film for the 1939 Standard Oil "Travel Tykes Weekly" comic book tie-in.

A commercial short made for the Standard Oil Company.

 min. Directed by

Short 286

Donald’s Lucky Day

January 13, 1939

Bicycle messenger boy Donald has a series of mishaps on Friday the 13th. He continually tries to avoid an “unlucky” black cat. The cat turns lucky when it knocks a bomb, which Donald is unknowingly delivering, off a pier and into the water as it explodes, showering Donald and the cat with fish.

min. Directed by Jack King. Donald Duck #12

Short 287

Society Dog Show

February 03, 1939

Mickey enters Pluto in a dog show, but they are thrown out when Pluto bites the judge. When a fire starts, Pluto saves a female dog, Fifi, and receives a medal for his heroism.

min. Directed by Bill Roberts. Mickey Mouse #101

Short 288

Mickey’s Surprise Party

February 18, 1939

Fifi interferes with Minnie’s cooking, but Mickey saves the day by his purchase of Nabisco cookies. He uses the opportunity to show Minnie the company’s various products.

A commercial short made for the National Biscuit Co. for showing at the 1939 New York World’s Fair.

min.

Short 289

The Practical Pig

February 24, 1939

The two foolish pigs are captured by the Big Bad Wolf and almost made into pork pies by the three little wolves when Practical Pig comes to save them with the use of an inventive lie detector machine.

Third sequel to The Three Little Pigs (1933).

min. Directed by Dick Richard. Silly Symphony #74

Short 290

Goofy and Wilbur

March 17, 1939

Goofy and his pet grasshopper, Wilbur, are fishing partners with Wilbur attracting fish for Goofy to catch. In trying to avoid being eaten by a fish, Wilbur is swallowed by a frog. Goofy gives chase, but the frog is swallowed by a stork. Goofy is sad when the stork gets away from him at the nest, but he finds Wilbur in the stork’s egg.

min. Directed by Dick Huemer. Goofy #01

Short 291

The Ugly Duckling (Remake)

April 07, 1939

The remake changed the story to have a baby “Duckling” shunned by his family because of his ugliness until a mother swan recognizes him as a swan and adopts him as one of her brood.

Academy Award: #11*: Cartoon Short Subject, 1939.

Remake from The Ugly Duckling (1931) in color as the last Silly Symphony.

An educational version was entitled Hans Christian Andersen’s The Ugly Duckling.

min. Directed by Jack Cutting. Silly Symphony #75

Short 292

The Hockey Champ

April 28, 1939

Donald attempts to show off his professional hockey ability to his nephews, but their skill finally gets the best of him.

min. Directed by Jack King. Donald Duck #13

Short 293

Donald’s Cousin Gus

May 19, 1939

Donald’s goose cousin, Gus, comes to visit and practically eats him out of house and home. When Donald’s attempts to get rid of Gus are unsuccessful, he gives up in disgust.

min. Directed by Jack King. Donald Duck #14

Short 294

Beach Picnic

June 09, 1939

Donald, at the beach, teases Pluto with an inflatable rubber horse toy, but he gets a taste of his own medicine when an ant colony carries away his picnic food. Donald gets even angrier when he gets wrapped up in the flypaper he puts out to trap the ants.

min. Directed by Clyde Geronimi. Donald Duck #15

Short 295

Sea Scouts

June 30, 1939

Donald is an admiral on a seagoing voyage with his nephews in which they encounter a ravenous shark.

The first cartoon directed by Dick Lundy.

min. Directed by Dick Lundy. Donald Duck #16

Short 296

The Pointer

July 21, 1939

Mickey tries to teach Pluto to be a pointer in their hunt for quail. But they have a harrowing encounter with a huge bear, and Pluto points instead to a can of beans – their dinner.

Nominated for an Academy Award and Mickey was redesigned for the first time.

min. Directed by Clyde Geronimi. Mickey Mouse #102

Short 297

Donald’s Penguin

August 11, 1939

Donald gets a baby penguin as a gift, and it causes so much trouble he nearly shoots it, causing it to disappear. Remorseful, Donald is overjoyed to see the penguin return and they hug affectionately.

min. Directed by Jack King. Donald Duck #17

Short 298

The Autograph Hound

September 01, 1939

Despite a watchful security guard, Donald manages to sneak into a movie studio in his attempt to get autographs. But when the guard catches him and he gives his name, the stars, including Greta Garbo, Bette Davis, and Mickey Rooney, come to get his autograph.

Includes caricatures of many movie stars.

min. Directed by Jack King. Donald Duck #18

Short 299

Officer Duck

October 10, 1939

Donald is a cop who has to serve eviction papers on Pete. He finally manages to arrest him by posing as a doorstep baby to get access to the house.

min. Directed by Clyde Geronimi. Donald Duck #19

 

 
 
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