Celebrating the Timeless Legacy of Mickey and Minnie Mouse
The Duo made their debut in the 1928 Walt Disney animated short Steamboat Willie
"Hot Dogs!" Those were the first words Mickey Mouse said. In fact, he was the first cartoon character to speak.
Minnie’s full name is Minerva Mouse.
Mickey's full name is Michael Theodore Mouse.
Hello, and how are you doing today? I actually have a few minutes this week to write a few words. I have noticed a new trend for myself that has begun developing this week, and that is time. I have had time to think about and ponder stuff outside of work requirements and activities. I have been able to think about life as I see it pass before me and how much it has changed. I have been watching my life and how much it has evolved in five months. The fluctuations and the characters in my life have changed so dramatically that it could be shocking, but is it? Change is temporary, with states of discomfort and comfort occupying our time. It is like <insert your town name> weather; wait five minutes, and it will change. Oh, these are glorious times to think.
When Walt Disney created Mickey Mouse in 1928, he likely had no idea that the character would become one of the most iconic figures in American culture. With his cheerful personality and optimistic outlook, Mickey quickly captured the hearts of audiences around the world. His partner, Minnie Mouse, was introduced shortly after and quickly became a beloved character in her own right. When Steamboat Willie premiered on November 18, 1928, in New York's Colony Theatre. It was one of the very first cartoons to utilize synchronized sound successfully and was so popular it was talked about more than the feature film.
Variety's review of "Steamboat Willie" read: "Not the first animated cartoon to be synchronized with sound effects, but the first to attract favorable attention. This one represents a high order of cartoon ingenuity, cleverly combined with sound effects. The union brought laughs galore. Giggles came so fast at the Colony they were stumbling over each other." (Variety, November 21, 1928.)
Walt Disney has said that silent film star Charlie Chaplin was one of the inspirations for the character of Mickey Mouse. "We wanted something appealing, and we thought of a tiny bit of a mouse that would have something of the wistfulness of Chaplin...a little fellow trying to do the best he could.”
This has been my time this week, and I hope you can take a few minutes to think about something or anything. This is an excellent time of the year to not think about yourself (at least for a few minutes) and look at your friends, neighbors, and your community. Look at the people around you regardless if they have worn that same Notre Dame hoody for the last three months. Offer to help someone, donate a meal or two to a pantry to help out a less fortunate family. Offer a helping hand to someone, even if it’s that super weird looking person down the street. I wouldn't offer to go into their home or car, but you could say hi.