Mickey Mouse Products - Still in Demand
mickey mouse toys, cartoons and DVDs always appeared to be in demand, so let’s take a brief look back at where Mickey Mouse actually came from. In this article I’m going to take a look back at one of his earliest cartoons, Steamboat Willie.
On his release date in 1928 it was the first Mickey Mouse cartoon produced, and featured synchronized sound for the first time. The premiere full Steamboat Willie took place in New York. The success was immediate.
Walt Disney and other Iwerks responsible for the writing and directing the film, which was a parody of Buster Keaton movie steamboat Bill Junior. A Disney animator, Wilfred Jackson was responsible for putting the music together. Some of the popular songs were Steamboat Bill And Turkey in the Straw.
There has been much controversy surrounding the copyright of the film, but more recent evidence suggests Steamboat Willie may actually be in the public domain. The film has been so well received that the United States film Registry have selected it for preservation. It was also voted at number 13 in the list of the 50 best cartoons of all time.
The film has not missed the eye of the censors in the past, and has been subjected to the scissors. Swinging a cat around Mickey’s head and using a goose as a set of bagpipes filed to impress the censor.
The Steamboat Willie movie was also featured in the Walt Disney treasures DVD. The black-and-white Mickey Mouse cartoon DVD entitled Vintage Mickey also featured the Steamboat Willie film.
It was hardly surprising that Mickey Mouse would soon featured in a video game. Steamboat Willie also provided the basis for the first level of the video game Mickey Mania:The Timeless Adventures of Mickey Mouse. Although originally released for the Super Nintendo, it made its way onto the Sony PlayStation and Sega CD consoles.
Kingdom Hearts I I, a Disney game, uses a Steamboat Willie inspired world with period characters.
It’s strange how all these years on, Mickey Mouse Toys and accessories have become so popular. I quick online search will bring up a plethora of Mickey Mouse related items. Dressing up sets, bedding, curtains, wallpaper and board games are just some of the items you will find. You’ll find a toy for every occasion. The desire for Mickey Mouse products appears to go unabated.
Having lived in the 70s as a child I would never have dreamt that 80 years after the first film, Mickey Mouse would still be going strong. Stunning!.