CELEBRATING MICKEY [1928 – 2018] [Walt Disney Studios] [Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Code] [USA Release] Walt Disney Animation Studios Celebrates Mickey Mouse!
When Mickey Mouse burst onto the scene in the classic animation ‘Steamboat Willie,’ Mickey Mouse not only stole our hearts, he went on to bring joy to generations. This collection from Walt Disney Animation Studios celebrates Mickey Mouse's cartoon legacy with favourite cartoons spanning nearly a century including ‘Brave Little Tailor,’ ‘Pluto's Party,’ ‘Get A Horse!’ and much more. No Disney collection would be complete without these time-honoured short cartoon films.
FILM FACT: Mickey Mouse is a cartoon character created in 1928 at Walt Disney Animation Studios who serves as the mascot of Disney. An anthropomorphic mouse who typically wears red shorts, large yellow shoes, and white gloves, and Mickey Mouse is one of the world's most recognizable fictional characters. Ub Iwerks was the main animator for the first short that would star Mickey Mouse and reportedly spent six weeks working on it. In fact, Ub Iwerks was the main animator for every Disney cartoon short released between 1928 and 1929. Hugh Harman and Rudolf Ising also assisted Walt Disney during those years as well. They had already signed their contracts with Charles Mintz, but he was still in the process of forming his new studio and so for the time being they were still employed by Disney. This short would be the last they animated under this somewhat awkward situation. Mickey Mouse was first seen in a test screening of the cartoon short ‘Plane Crazy,’ on the 15th May, 1928, but it failed to impress the audience and Walt Disney could not find a distributor for the cartoon short. Walt Disney went on to produce a second Mickey Mouse cartoon short entitled ‘The Gallopin' Gaucho,’ which was also not released due to the fact there was a lack of a distributor.
Andrew’s Blu-ray Review: ‘CELEBRATING MICKEY’ [2018] includes 13 classic animated short films, and one modern animated short, all featuring Mickey Mouse and was created by Walt Disney. Mickey Mouse is celebrating 90 years of existence in the 21st century, hence the title and this release from the Walt Disney Studios.
Mickey Mouse has turned 90 years of age! Yes, around the world the Walt Disney Studios is celebrating the birth of the icon Mickey Mouse that truly launched the Walt Disney Studios to where it is today. And the Walt Disney Studios is also recognizing the birth of this iconic Mickey Mouse with ‘CELEBRATING MICKEY,’ that includes the collection of 13 classic animated short films from Mickey Mouse’s long career. This also marks the first time that these 13 classic animated short films have been released on Blu-ray.
These shorts represent much of Mouse’s career as a star of the classic short animated films, something that PIXAR is known for and Disney has returned to a little. Back in the early days of cinema, these short features, each running less than 10 minutes, were a staple before every classic animated short film was shown in the cinema. That's how Mickey Mouse, and Walt Disney, got started.
And there are many classic shorts in this collection. It starts with the one that started it all, ‘Steamboat Willie.’ From there, we get such cartoon classics as ‘The Band Concert,’ ‘Thru the Mirror,’ and ‘The Simple Things,’ the final appearance of Mickey Mouse and Pluto in the golden age of the animated cartoon shorts. While Mickey Mouse's longer performances like ‘Sorcerer's Apprentice,’ ‘Mickey and the Beanstalk,’ or ‘Mickey's Christmas Carol’ are not sadly included.
While all the classic cartoon shorts included they have been released on the standard home video format before, but this is the first time they've been released in a very long time, especially with this very special Blu-ray release. This alone will get many newer Walt Disney fans lining up to buy this wonderful Blu-ray release and coupled with the fact that these are true Walt Disney classic cartoon shorts. When you think of Mickey Mouse's best moments, these are the ones that come to mind. I love many of them. Yes, I have certain firm favourites that aren't included on this Blu-ray release, but these are a wonderful representation of Mickey Mouse's 90-year career.
As we celebrate the birth of Mickey Mouse and the release of ‘CELEBRATING MICKEY’ is a great way for all fans of Mickey Mouse to enjoy the best from a 90 year career. The 13 classic animated short films have been restored in high definition and was and unveiled as “Mickey: The True Original Exhibition – Celebrating” as part of the ongoing celebration of Mickey Mouse’s 90 years, at an brand new exhibition at 10th Avenue, New York City 16,000 square-foot Interactive Art Exhibition was held on the 8th November, 2018 and ran through to the 10th February, 2019 and it showcased Mickey Mouse inspired artwork in a variety of mediums, from weaving crafts and drawings, to crushed glass and photographs. It also exhibited the beginnings of Mickey Mouse in black-and-white in ‘Steamboat Willie’ to the Technicolor world of more than 100 cartoon shorts, and exhibition guests got to step into an unforgettable journey of Mickey Mouse moments reimagined. The Interactive Art Exhibition was created by designer Darren Romanelli, and the exhibition also featured exclusive original artwork from many well-known contemporary artists.
The Blu-ray release of ‘CELEBRATING MICKEY’ is nothing short of amazing and it is great to celebrate Mickey Mouse turning 90 years old! Disney decided to celebrate one of the greatest movie stars ever by releasing some of his greatest cartoons ever, and for the first time in high definition. Although we only get a small sample size, 13 out of a possible 130 classic cartoons, it makes me excited for the possibilities that maybe; just maybe Disney will release more of these Blu-ray collections in the near future.
The 13 classic animated short films included on this Blu-ray disc release are as follows:
Steamboat Willie [1928] Mickey Mouse is happily piloting a steamship but is replaced by the real captain, Peg-Leg Pete. As Mickey Mouse performs his more mundane chores like loading a too-skinny cow onto the ship; reeling in Minnie Mouse, who failed to reach the boat before leaving the pier; and dealing with a suddenly musical goat and Mickey Mouse begins to enjoy himself a little too much, which ultimately lands him into hot water with Peg-Leg Pete and Mickey Mouse is forced to peel potatoes as punishment. This was the first sound cartoon for Mickey Mouse, and despite no dialogue, it is shown in glorious black-and-white. This was presented as a Mickey Mouse Sound Cartoon.
Voice Cast: Walt Disney [Mickey Mouse / Minnie Mouse / Peg-Leg Pete / Parrot] (uncredited)
Directors: Walt Disney (uncredited) and Ub Iwerks
Producers: Roy O. Disney (uncredited) and Walt Disney (uncredited)
Screenplay: Walt Disney (uncredited) and Ub Iwerks (uncredited)
Composers: Bert Lewis (uncredited) and Wilfred Jackson (uncredited)
Sound Department: Johnny Cannon [sound effects] (uncredited)
Animation Department: Dick Lundy (uncredited), Johnny Cannon (uncredited), Les Clark (uncredited), Ub Iwerks (uncredited) and Wilfred Jackson (uncredited)
Image Resolution: 1080p [Blu-ray] + 480i [DVD]
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audio: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
Subtitles: English SDH, French and Spanish
Running Time: 7:43
Region: Blu-ray: All Regions + DVD: NTSC
Studio: Walt Disney Studios
* * * * *
The Band Concert [1935] Mickey Mouse is conducting a symphony performing numbers from the “William Tell Overture” by Gioachino Rossini. Unfortunately, Donald Duck, otherwise a mere snack vendor, interferes with the proceedings, gumming up the works by attempting to add his own flavour to the show and disrupting Mickey Mouse's careful orchestration. That only infuriates the Mickey Mouse as his band struggles to maintain discipline and Mickey Mouse struggles to maintain his composure. Ultimately, Mickey Mouse is forced to keep his cool when Mother Nature attempts to put the final nail in the coffin of his conducting day, because the band then reaches the Tornado sequence, and the weather also starts to pick up; but they keep on playing and the result is pure joy along with an unforgettable visual memory. The Technicolor animation is just totally amazing. Despite the cartoon starts out a little slow, but eventually you get to enjoy a wonderful experience that should keep a smile on your face throughout the animated cartoon.
Voice Cast: Clarence Nash [Donald Duck] (uncredited)
Director: Wilfred Jackson (uncredited)
Producer: Walt Disney (uncredited)
Composer: Leigh Harline (uncredited)
Animation Department: Archie Robin (uncredited), Clyde Geronimi (uncredited), Cy Young (uncredited), Dick Huemer (uncredited), Dick Williams (uncredited), Ferdinand Horvath (uncredited), Frenchy de Tremaudan (uncredited), Hugh Hennesy (uncredited), Jack Hannah (uncredited), Jack Kinney (uncredited), Johnny Cannon (uncredited), Les Clark (uncredited), Louie Schmitt (uncredited), Roy Williams (uncredited), Terrell Stapp (uncredited), Ugo D'Orsi (uncredited) and Wolfgang Reitherman (uncredited)
Image Resolution: 1080p [Blu-ray] + 480i [DVD]
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1
Audio: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
Subtitles: English SDH, French and Spanish
Running Time: 9:18
Region: Blu-ray: All Regions + DVD: NTSC
Studio: Walt Disney Studios
* * * * *
Thru The Mirror [1936] Mickey Mouse has fallen asleep while reading Lewis Carroll's “Alice Through the Looking Glass.” In a dream state, Mickey Mouse finds himself on the other side of the mirror, where the furniture is alive. He eats a walnut, which makes him briefly larger, then small. Mickey Mouse dances around a lot, ultimately doing a major number with a deck of cards. Mickey Mouse then dances with the Queen, making the king jealous. He comes after Mickey Mouse with swords, and Mickey Mouse defends himself with a sewing needle. Mickey Mouse gets the upper hand, and the King calls for reinforcements. Mickey Mouse finds himself chased by several decks, which throw their spots at him. Mickey Mouse then turns on a fan and blows them away, and Mickey Mouse is suddenly back through the mirror, where his alarm is ringing. The pacing of the cartoon is electrifying, the comic timing excellent, and the music combines Big-Band Jazz, musical and adventure/chase music. In a way this is one of the great Lewis Carroll's Alice adaptations, and the musical notes played are brilliant. This is truly a nice bright and excellent early Technicolor cartoon.
Voice Cast: Walt Disney [Mickey Mouse] (uncredited)
Director: David Hand (uncredited)
Producers: Walt Disney (uncredited)
Screenplay: Lewis Carroll (based on the novel), Bob Kuwahara (story) (uncredited), Joe Grant (story) (uncredited) and William Cottrell (story) (uncredited)
Composers: Frank Churchill (uncredited), Leigh Harline (uncredited) and Paul J. Smith (uncredited)
Animation Department: Bob Wickersham (uncredited), Carl Barks (uncredited), Dick Lundy (uncredited), Hardie Gramatky (uncredited), Johnny Cannon (uncredited), Leonard Sebring (uncredited) and Ugo D'Orsi (uncredited)
Image Resolution: 1080p [Blu-ray] + 480i [DVD]
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1
Audio: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
Subtitles: English SDH, French and Spanish
Running Time: 8:49
Region: Blu-ray: All Regions + DVD: NTSC
Studio: Walt Disney Studios
* * * * *
Mickey’s Rival [1936] Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse are set to enjoy a picnic together, alone with their love, but Mortimer Mouse crashes the party of two. Mickey Mouse reluctantly shakes his hand but quickly finds Mortimer Mouse to be a bully. The picnic goes on, with Mickey Mouse more than a little irritated at the uninvited guest's presence. When Mortimer Mouse gets a nearby bull enraged and takes off, and the car comes to the rescue after Mickey Mouse gets tangled up in a red blanket. Once again, this is really an excellent and wonderful Technicolor cartoon.
Voice Cast: Sonny Dawson [Mortimer Mouse] (uncredited), Walt Disney [Mickey Mouse] (uncredited), Marcellite Garner [Minnie Mouse] (uncredited) and Leone Le Doux [voice] (uncredited)
Director: Wilfred Jackson (uncredited)
Producer: Walt Disney (uncredited)
Screenplay: Earl Hurd (story) (uncredited) and Vernon Stallings (uncredited)
Animator Visual Effects: Cy Young (uncredited)
Animation Department: Bob Wickersham (uncredited) Charles Thorson (uncredited), Clyde Geronimi (uncredited), Dick Huemer (uncredited), Frenchy de Tremaudan (uncredited), Johnny Cannon (uncredited), Leonard Sebring (uncredited), Les Clark (uncredited), Ollie Johnston (uncredited) and Paul Allen (uncredited),
Image Resolution: 1080p [Blu-ray] + 480i [DVD]
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1
Audio: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
Subtitles: English SDH, French and Spanish
Running Time: 8:19
Region: Blu-ray: All Regions + DVD: NTSC
Studio: Walt Disney Studios
* * * * *
Boat Builders [1938] Mickey Mouse, Goofy, and Donald Duck are building their own boat from prefabricated components packed in wooden crates. Things go awry right away. Instructions are poorly written and badly illustrative and the trio often winds up hurt or tossed about. Nevertheless, progress is slowly made, even as boards refuse to nail down, paint proves difficult to apply, and Goofy mistakes the Figurehead for a real mermaid. But before long, they're ready to launch the “Queen Minnie,” with appropriate fanfare, at which time, all the collapsible parts collapse. It is a very funny cartoon with lovely animation and jaw-dropping beautiful Technicolor.
Voice Cast: Pinto Colvig [Goofy] (uncredited), Walt Disney [Mickey Mouse] (uncredited), Marcellite Garner [Minnie Mouse] (uncredited) and Clarence Nash [Donald Duck] (uncredited)
Director: Ben Sharpsteen (uncredited)
Producer: Walt Disney (uncredited)
Screenplay: Vernon Stallings (story) (uncredited)
Composers: Leigh Harline (uncredited) and Oliver Wallace (uncredited)
Animation Department: Archie Robin (uncredited), Chuck Couch (uncredited), Clyde Geronimi (uncredited), Don Patterson (uncredited), Edward Strickland (uncredited), Frenchy de Tremaudan (uncredited), Louie Schmitt (uncredited) and Paul Satterfield (uncredited)
Image Resolution: 1080p [Blu-ray] + 480i [DVD]
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1
Audio: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
Subtitles: English SDH, French and Spanish
Running Time: 7:18
Region: Blu-ray: All Regions + DVD: NTSC
Studio: Walt Disney Studios
* * * * *
Mickey’s Trailer [1938] Mickey Mouse's house is actually a trailer home that Goofy pulls along with his car. Inside, Mickey Mouse cooks up a tasty meal and Donald Dick fights the alarm clock, signalling his wake-up time. When Goofy comes back to eat breakfast, leaving the car on autopilot, it takes them onto a dangerous closed mountain road. When Goofy realizes this, he has accidentally unhooks the trailer, sending it on a perilous route. They come very close to a disaster several times, while the oblivious Goofy drives on and finally hooks them back up and saves the day. In this short this is a fantastic cartoon in its own right, the visual gags are great, and the timing on everything has to be perfect or it won't work. You can see the seeds of things Walt Disney did later in features like ‘Dumbo’ and ‘Bambi’ in shorts like ‘Mickey's Trailer.’ Some of the best bits ever done were done for these cartoon shorts just to see what worked and what didn't. Magnificently animated and well worth watching. Most highly recommended! Plus, once again it is shown in glorious Technicolor.
Voice Cast: Pinto Colvig [Goofy] (uncredited), Walt Disney [Mickey Mouse] (uncredited) and Clarence Nash [Donald Duck] (uncredited)
Director: Ben Sharpsteen (uncredited)
Producer: Walt Disney (uncredited)
Screenplay: Jack Kinney (story) (uncredited)
Composer: Oliver Wallace (uncredited)
Sound Department: James MacDonald [sound effects] (uncredited)
Animation Department: Bill Herwig (uncredited), Clyde Geronimi (uncredited), Cy Young (uncredited), Don Patterson (uncredited), Ed Love (uncredited), Frenchy de Tremaudan (uncredited), Johnny Cannon (uncredited), Louie Schmitt (uncredited) and Tom Palmer (uncredited)
Image Resolution: 1080p [Blu-ray] + 480i [DVD]
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1
Audio: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
Subtitles: English SDH, French and Spanish
Running Time: 7:43
Region: Blu-ray: All Regions + DVD: NTSC
Studio: Walt Disney Studios
* * * * *
Brave Little Tailor [1938] In Medieval times, Mickey Mouse is a simple tailor whose tale of prodigious fly swatting is confused in thinking is a real giant-slaying great champion. Mickey Mouse is chosen to take on a fearsome opponent terrorizing the land. The King presses Mickey Mouse into service, offering him large sums of money, and the hand of the princesses, Minnie Mouse, to take on the giant. Encouraged by the opportunity to be with the beautiful lady, Mickey Mouse ventures off to slay the giant but quickly realizes he is out of his league. This is a truly classic and glorious Technicolor Mickey Mouse animated cartoon, featuring excellent animation, sly humour and some genuine thrills. This vivid, fast-moving reinterpretation of the Brothers Grimm tale gave Mickey Mouse one of his grandest adventures and he obviously relishes his return and without Donald, Goofy or Pluto to steal the limelight, and Mickey Mouse proves to be a most dashing hero. Miss Minnie Mouse's involvement in the cartoon is mainly to add encouragement to Mickey Mouse's resolve and provide a reward for his heroic deeds. Once again, this Disney cartoon is brought to you in a spectacular and glorious Technicolor.
Voice Cast: Walt Disney [Mickey Mouse] (uncredited), Marcellite Garner [Minnie Mouse] (uncredited) and Eddie Holden [Giant] (uncredited)
Directors: Burt Gillett (uncredited) and Bill Roberts (uncredited)
Producer: Walt Disney (uncredited)
Screenplay: Frank Tashlin (uncredited) and Jack Kinney (story) (uncredited)
Composer: Albert Hay Malotte (uncredited)
Animation Visual Effects: Andy Engman (uncredited), Archie Robin (uncredited), Art Palmer (uncredited), Cornett Wood (uncredited), Frank Follmer (uncredited), George Rowley (uncredited), John McDermott (uncredited) and Noel Tucker (uncredited)
Animation Department: Bill Tytla (uncredited), Don Patterson (uncredited), Don Williams (uncredited), Frank Thomas (uncredited), Fred Moore (uncredited), Jack Campbell (uncredited), Les Clark (uncredited), Milt Schaffer (uncredited), Ollie Johnston (uncredited) and Riley Thomson (uncredited)
Image Resolution: 1080p [Blu-ray] + 480i [DVD]
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1
Audio: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
Subtitles: English SDH, French and Spanish
Running Time: 8:57
Region: Blu-ray: All Regions + DVD: NTSC
Studio: Walt Disney Studios
* * * * *
Tugboat Mickey [1940] Mickey Mouse, who captains a tugboat, receives an S.O.S. that a ship has run aground on a rocky reef and is in need of immediate assistance. Of course it's an adventure just getting Mickey Mouse’s ship to sail with characters like Goofy and Donald Duck working below decks, and with their skills or a lack of any in the tugboat's operations, it might be they are needing rescuing themselves because Goofy has to fight a boiler's door to get it stoked with coal and when he succeeds, he overfills it and Donald Duck gets tangled up in the machinery. Not to mention that anybody has cast off, so they drag half the dock along with them and the overworked boiler soon explodes. Here is another Disney classic glorious Technicolor cartoon film, with excellent animation and lots of good laughs. Many younger viewers may not understand the final gag, what with all the changes in American popular entertainment around the 1940’s period.
Voice Cast: Walt Disney [Mickey Mouse] (uncredited), Clarence Nash [Donald Duck] (uncredited) and Danny Webb [Goofy] (uncredited)
Director: Clyde Geronimi (uncredited)
Producer: Walt Disney (uncredited)
Animation Department: Andy Engman (uncredited), Arnold Gillespie (uncredited), Cornett Wood (uncredited), Ed Love (uncredited), Edwin Aardal (uncredited), Grant Simmons (uncredited), Hal King (uncredited), Jack King (uncredited), Jim Armstrong (uncredited), Johnny Cannon (uncredited), Ken Peterson (uncredited), Kenneth Muse (uncredited), Larry Clemmons (uncredited), Larry Silverman (uncredited), Lloyd Harting (uncredited), Rex Cox (uncredited), and Volus Jones (uncredited)
Image Resolution: 1080p [Blu-ray] + 480i [DVD]
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1
Audio: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
Subtitles: English SDH, French and Spanish
Running Time: 7:18
Region: Blu-ray: All Regions + DVD: NTSC
Studio: Walt Disney Studios
* * * * *
The Little Whirlwind [1941] Mickey Mouse is drawn to Minnie Mouse's freshly baked cake, which is giving off a spectacular aroma. But he cannot have any, at least not without working for it. But Mickey Mouse agrees to do Minnie Mouse's yard work but is quickly bothered by a small twister that refuses to allow him to finish the job. This very humorous and glorious Technicolor cartoon features some really good animation and has a very lively plot and I think you will find the big “Mama Whirlwind” sequence seems to bear more than just a passing resemblance to the storm which shakes things up in Disney's 1935 cartoon classic ‘The Band Concert,’ and especially including the use of some of the same music from composer Gioachino Rossini. Most of the cartoon, except for the opening and closing scenes, has no dialogue.
Voice Cast: Thelma Boardman [Minnie Mouse] (uncredited) and Walt Disney [Mickey Mouse] (uncredited)
Directors: James Algar (earlier cartoon clips) (uncredited), Riley Thomson (uncredited) and Wilfred Jackson (earlier cartoon clips) (uncredited)
Producer: Walt Disney (uncredited)
Composer: Oliver Wallace (uncredited)
Animation Visual Effects: Andy Engman (uncredited), Art Fitzpatrick (uncredited), Bard Wiggenhorn (uncredited), Cornett Wood (uncredited), Dick Brown (uncredited), Ed Parks (uncredited), Edwin Aardal (uncredited), Frank Follmer (uncredited), George De Beeson (uncredited), George Rowley (uncredited), Jack Boyd (uncredited), Jack Huber uncredited), Jim Will (uncredited), Joe Harbaugh (uncredited), Noel Tucker (uncredited), Paul B. Kossoff (uncredited) and Reuben Timmins (uncredited)
Animation Department: Charles Conner (uncredited), Charles Philippi (uncredited), Fred Jones (uncredited), Fred Moore (uncredited), Gene Hazelton (uncredited), Jim Armstrong (uncredited), John Elliotte (uncredited), Kenneth Muse (uncredited), Les Clark (uncredited), Marvin Woodward (uncredited), Phil Duncan (uncredited), Volus Jones (uncredited), Walt Kelly (uncredited) and Ward Kimball (uncredited)
Image Resolution: 1080p [Blu-ray] + 480i [DVD]
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1
Audio: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
Subtitles: English SDH, French and Spanish
Running Time: 8:31
Region: Blu-ray: All Regions + DVD: NTSC
Studio: Walt Disney Studios
* * * * *
Mickey’s Birthday Party [1942] It's Mickey Mouse's birthday. Minnie Mouse has invited several friends for a surprise party. Mickey Mouse is given an organ and he is not a very good player, but he proves to be an accomplished dancer when Minnie Mouse sits in front of the keys to play a few tunes. Meanwhile, Goofy has been left in charge of baking the birthday cake. A Big mistake! But the added bonus is that you get to view this cartoon in glorious and spectacular Technicolor.
Voice Cast: Thelma Boardman [Minnie Mouse] (uncredited), Pinto Colvig [Goofy] (uncredited), Walt Disney [Mickey Mouse] (uncredited), Florence Gill [Clara Cluck] (uncredited) and Clarence Nash [Donald Duck] (uncredited)
Directors: Hamilton Luske (earlier cartoon clips) (uncredited) and Riley Thomson (uncredited)
Producer: Walt Disney (uncredited)
Composer: Charles Wolcott (uncredited)
Animation Visual Effects: Frank Onaitis [effects animator] (uncredited)
Animation Department: Armin Shaffer (uncredited), Arnold Gillespie (uncredited), Bernard Wolf (uncredited), Hal King (uncredited), Harold Miles (uncredited), James Moore (uncredited), Kenneth Muse (uncredited), Larry Silverman (uncredited), Les Clark (uncredited), Marvin Woodward (uncredited), Riley Thomson (uncredited) and Ward Kimball (uncredited)
Image Resolution: 1080p [Blu-ray] + 480i [DVD]
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1
Audio: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
Subtitles: English SDH, French and Spanish
Running Time: 7:50
Region: Blu-ray: All Regions + DVD: NTSC
Studio: Walt Disney Studios
* * * * *
Pluto’s Party [1952] It's Pluto's birthday, and he desperately wants to eat his cake. But Mickey Mouse's dozen or so nephews seem to be having all the fun instead. Their present is a wagon so Pluto can pull them; and there is the "Pin the Tail on Pluto" game that doesn't go quite right, and everything seems to prevent Pluto from having his birthday cake. On top of all that, there is one delay after another. But can Pluto eventually get to enjoy his special day? ‘Pluto’s Party’ has beautiful animation and vivacious music, and again we get to view this cartoon in really glorious Technicolor.
Voice Cast: James MacDonald [Mickey Mouse] and Pinto Colvig [Pluto] (uncredited)
Director: Milt Schaffer
Producer: Walt Disney (uncredited)
Screenplay: Bill Berg (story) and Leo Salkin (story)
Composer: Oliver Wallace
Animation Visual Effects: Blaine Gibson [effects animator]
Animation Department: Arnold Gillespie (uncredited), Charles A. Nicholsm, Fred Moore, Hal King (uncredited), Lance Nolley, Larry Silverman (uncredited), Marvin Woodward, Norman Ferguson and Thelma Witmer
Image Resolution: 1080p [Blu-ray] + 480i [DVD]
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1
Audio: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
Subtitles: English SDH, French and Spanish
Running Time: 6:27
Region: Blu-ray: All Regions + DVD: NTSC
Studio: Walt Disney Studios
* * * * *
The Simple Things [1953] Mickey Mouse and Pluto go fishing. Pluto has a run-in with a clam, who eventually lodges in Pluto's mouth; Mickey Mouse thinks the clam is Pluto's tongue and cannot understand why Pluto keeps begging for more food. After they get rid of the clam, Mickey Mouse's attempts to use his minnows as bait are thwarted by a hungry seagull; and brings his other seagull friends, and eventually they chase our heroes away. Once again we get to view this Disney cartoon in glorious and vibrant Technicolor.
Voice Cast: Pinto Colvig [Pluto] (uncredited) and James MacDonald [Mickey Mouse] (uncredited)
Director: Charles A. Nichols
Producer: Walt Disney (uncredited)
Screenplay: Bill Berg (story)
Composer: Paul J. Smith
Animation Visual Effects: Dan MacManus [effects animator]
Animation Department: Arnold Gillespie (uncredited), Charles A. Nichols (uncredited), Ed Starr, Fred Moore, George Kreisl (uncredited), George Nicholas (uncredited), Hal King (uncredited), Lance Nolley, Larry Silverman (uncredited), Marvin Woodward and Norman Ferguson
Image Resolution: 1080p [Blu-ray] + 480i [DVD]
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1
Audio: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
Subtitles: English SDH, French and Spanish
Running Time: 7:01
Region: Blu-ray: All Regions + DVD: NTSC
Studio: Walt Disney Studios
* * * * *
Get A Horse! [2013] Mickey Mouse is thrown out of an old black-and-white cartoon into the modern Technicolor, digital, widescreen world and uses today's tools to rescue Minnie Mouse from peril in the black-and-white film. The animation mixes black and white classic animation and Technicolor CGI, that gives you totally crisp and fluid black and white and the colourful and vibrant CGI that really moves very naturally and not only looks great but it is very cleverly used as well. The soundtrack which is also very lively and especially with the beautiful orchestration and themes that you will recognise immediately. The sound effects are well-incorporated, some from the very early cartoon that are preserved quite well, and are not misplaced or bizarre-sounding. This animated cartoon is available in the 3D format on the region free UK ‘Frozen’ 3D Blu-ray release and is totally brilliant.
Voice Cast: Walt Disney [Mickey Mouse] (archive sound), Marcellite Garner [Minnie Mouse] (archive sound), Russi Taylor [Minnie Mouse], Billy Bletcher [Peg-Leg Pete] (archive sound), Will Ryan [Peg-Leg Pete], Bob Bergen [Additional Voices], Paul Briggs [Additional Voices], Terri Douglas [Additional Voices], Jess Harnell [Additional Voices], Danya Joseph [Additional Voices], Mona Marshall [Additional Voices], Nicole Mitchell [Additional Voices] and Raymond S. Persi [Pete's Car Horn]
Director: Lauren MacMullan
Producers: Dorothy McKim, John Lasseter and Michele Mazzano
Screenplay: Lauren MacMullan (story), Nancy Kruse (story), Paul Briggs (story) and Raymond S. Persi (story)
Composer: Mark Watters
Image Resolution: 1080p [Blu-ray] + 480i [DVD]
Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1
Audio: English: 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio
French: 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio
Spanish: 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio
Subtitles: English SDH, French and Spanish
Running Time: 5:59
Region: Blu-ray: All Regions + DVD: NTSC
Studio: Walt Disney Studios
* * * * *
Blu-ray Image Quality – Walt Disney Studios presents ‘CELEBRATING MICKEY’ with a totally awesome 1080p reference image for this amazing Blu-ray release and the majority of the cartoons are shown in the 1.37:1 aspect ratio with black pillar bars on the sides of the screen, but with cartoon ‘Steamboat Willie’ it is shown in the 1.33:1 aspect ratio, which was dubbed the “Academy aperture” in 1932 by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and soon became the first standard aspect ratio which was the de facto aspect ratio when the professional films were released in the 1930’s era. The last cartoon short is presented in the 2.39:1 aspect ratio, with black bars at the top and bottom. Disney seems to have really gone to a great deal of effort in restoring these classics cartoon shorts that date from 1928 to 1953. All the colour cartoons are bright, full of Technicolor clarity and in the case of some of the older cartoons it actually works incredibly well. In fairness, there is a decent amount of film grain on some of the colour classic shorts. So all in all these cartoons have never looked better for modern audiences.
Blu-ray Audio Quality – Walt Disney Studios brings us ‘CELEBRATING MICKEY’ with two audio experiences, that includes 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio for most of the cartoon shorts and one cartoon is in 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio for the last cartoon short. Again these are old cartoon shorts so what I am listening for is clarity. The cartoons sound really good with only ‘Steamboat Willie’ suffering from some muted and scratchy music, but again a lot of that has to do with the age and the fact that it is one of the earliest films to ever have synchronized sound. So again they have managed to present a solid audio presentation in terms of the audio experiences for those classic cartoon shorts that came from an original mono source that ranged from Cinephone to RCA sound technologies over the years.
* * * * *
Blu-ray Special Features and Extras:
Trailers: Here we are presented with five trailers and they are shown in English: 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio and the running time is 4:50 and they are as follows:
Mary Poppins Returns [2018] [1080p] [2.39:1]; PIXAR Short Film Collection 3 [2018] [1080p] [1.78:1]; Disney’s Anti-Smoking Campaign [2018] [1080p] [1.37:1]; Disney Movie Rewards [2018] [1080p] [1.78:1] and Disney Now App [2018] [1080p] [1.78:1].
There is a Digital Copy available for the Disney cartoons which are included via “Movies Anywhere,” which is compatible with iTunes and other formats such as Vudu, Google Play, Prime Video and Fandango Now. You get a paper insert included in the packaging with a URL and code to redeem.
The DVD includes ‘CELEBRATING MICKEY’ with the same cartoon collection of the Walt Disney Studios animated shorts in the standard definition. It is worth noting that the DVD disc is NTSC locked.
Finally, when Mickey Mouse burst onto the scene in the classic ‘Steamboat Willie,’ Mickey Mouse not only stole our hearts, but went on to bring joy to generations. This collection from Walt Disney Animation Studios celebrates Mickey Mouse’s cartoon legacy with favourites spanning nearly a century including ‘Brave Little Tailor,’ ‘Pluto’s Party,’ ‘Get A Horse!’ and much more and no Walt Disney collector would be complete without these time-honoured classic cartoon short films. ‘CELEBRATING MICKEY’ proves to satisfy my inner child and bring back lots of wonderful childhood memories in watching these amazing classic cartoon shorts. The Walt Disney Studios has done these classic cartoon shorts visual justice here with this brilliant Blu-ray disc release, and it leaves me yearning for more old original Walt Disney Studios animated shorts to be restored and released in high definition. These Walt Disney Studios classic animated shorts look absolutely great, and are sure to leave consumers very happy with the HD 1080p visual presentation. Their decision to not go with any bonus materials, but still happy that you have a digital copy of the cartoon shorts and the DVD bonus is nice touch also, especially for those parents with children. Let us just hope that the Walt Disney Studios has plans to release more older Mickey Mouse animated shorts soon, along with other favourites like Donald Duck, Goofy, Pluto and other Walt Disney Studios classic animated shorts releases that have not been released before, but that is what Disney fans really are wanting after getting a taste with this brilliant Blu-ray disc release. Very Highly Recommended!
Andrew C. Miller – Your Ultimate No.1 Film Aficionado
Le Cinema Paradiso
United Kingdom
