90 Years Of Mickey

In celebration of Mickey's 90th today, November 18, 2018, here's a little known bit of Disney: On February 7, 1957 Walt Disney's TV series, Mickey Mouse Club presented Steamboat Willie as its Mousekartoon of the day. Head Mouseketeer, Disney Legend Jimmie Dodd gave the screening of this very special animated short a special introduction. Strumming the Mickey Mouse March (which Jimmie composed) on his Mousegetar, Jimmie then said: “Hi Mouseketeers. I’d like to talk to you today about the Mousekartoon you’re going to see. It stars our club leader , Mickey Mouse. Now what makes this Mousekartoon interesting is that it was the first one in which Mickey appeared. Not only that, it was the first Disney cartoon with sound. It’s called Steamboat Willie. It’s the story of Mickey’s adventures on a riverboat. Steamboat Willie was made in 1928. it was first shown in the Colony Theatre in New York in October [actually November], 1928. Since then it’s played all over the world—and Mickey has become pretty famous. Many of his pictures have been shown at court before kings and high rulers by royal command. A lot of countries have adopted their own names for Mickey.… Of course, to us he’ll always be Mickey Mouse. So today, Mouseketeers, when you see Steamboat Willie, remember this is the picture that gave this wonderful little guy his start. I just thought you’d like to know.“ Happy birthday to timeless, ageless, immortal Mickey.