ironhorse_iv Review of Steamboat Willie

Steamboat Willie (1928)

This is film that makes Disney, 'Disney'. This short film is very influential to all of modern animation

[8/10 · 19 March 2016]

In 1928, Walt Disney was in a bind, after losing the rights to his character, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit to film producer, Charles Mintz & Universal Studios. Added to this problem, was the fact, that he was getting sued by animators, Otto Messmer & Pat Sullivan, because of his other creation, Julius the Cat of 'Alice Comedies' fame, having similarity with Messmer's 'Felix The Cat' character. It was here, that animator, Walt Disney was looking for a new character to get him, out of this mess. One of his new ideas was Mickey Mouse, original named Mortimer Mouse, a character based off the old drawing sketches of "Ike the Mouse" from the 'Alice Comedies', which in return is based on a mouse that Disney had adopted as a pet, while working in his Laugh-O-Gram studio in Kansas City. With help of animator/co-business partner, Ub Iwerks who designed most of Mickey's physical appearance, Walt Disney was able to evolve the character what we know as today as the universal symbol of his company. This move to Mickey Mouse pretty much help save Walt Disney's career, as the character became beloved by many of his fans. Being one of the most significant and important films in American Cinema; 1928's 'Steamboat Willie' is best known film of the character of Mickey Mouse. Nevertheless, many people believe, even today, that this 8 minute animation short, was Mickey Mouse's first appearance, in truth, it wasn't. Mickey was first feature in 1929's 'Plane Crazy'. 'Steamboat Willie' wasn't even the second film to feature Mickey Mouse, as 1929's 'The Gallopin' Gaucho" was made before that. However, since both of those short film wasn't released to the public, until after 'Steamboat Willie' was released. 'Steamboat Willie' was technically, Mickey Mouse & Minnie Mouse's debate to the audience. Another reason for 'Steamboat Willie' success, was the fact, that it was the first cartoon that had post-produced synchronized soundtrack (of music, dialogue, and sound effects). Yet, it wasn't the first cartoon to have sound. Dave and Max Fleischer's Inkwell Studios produced 19 sound cartoons, as part of the Song Car-Tunes series (1924-1927), with 1926's 'My Old Kentucky Home' being the first, however, their cartoon wasn't synchronized like 'Steamboat Willie'. Also, 'Steamboat Willie' wasn't the first movie to have synchronized dialogue, as some people think it was. That credit goes to the live action, musical 1927's 'The Jazz Singer' for doing that. Also, this isn't the first cartoon, in which, Mickey Mouse first speaks words. That honor goes to 1929's 'The Karnival Kid' when his first spoken words were "Hot dogs, Hot dogs!". It's also surprising to hear that his first words wasn't, the voice of Walt Disney, but composer, Carl Stalling who did most of the music in the early Mickey Mouse shorts. Despite all that, 'Steamboat Willie' was one of the few films to be released twice in one year (July 29, 1928, in limited release and then re-released on November 18, 1928 with sound). It was one of the most popular films at the time. The title of the film is a parody of the Buster Keaton film, 1929's Steamboat Bill Jr. which itself is a reference to the song by Arthur Collins; which this short is famous for using. I love the tunes of "Steamboat Bill" & "turkey in the straw". I just wish, Mickey Mouse wasn't so mean-spirited on using the animal on the steamboat as musical instrument. That's a lot of animal abuse. For a short animation film, the movie doesn't really have, much of a plot, besides Mickey Mouse gathering up farm animals to put on the boat; but for an early film, it's alright. It was entertaining enough for 8 minutes. It's funny to hear that when this short film was release, this cartoon was paired with the 1928's crime drama movie 'Gang War'. Wow! What an odd pair! You'll never see that, a family friendly cartoon being paired with a gangster film, in these days. It's also hilarious to see that most movie patrons at the time walked away talking about this cartoon, more than the movie. It really shows, how influence, it was, to people. For the Walt Disney Company, the film was so important for their company, that the company lobbied the US Congress successfully for an extension of copyright protection by twenty years, when the copyright for "Steamboat Willie" was to expire in 2003. Because of this law, "Steamboat Willie" will not enter the public domain until 2023. Who knows, it might never enter the public domain? Seeing how much, power, the Walt Disney Company got since then. In the end, I kinda don't want it to be, public domain, but don't mind, if it is. After all, The Walt Disney Company has really done a good job on film restoration. It looks as good as it first came out in 1928. Very sharp. Barely any scratches or film dust on the original black and white film. I just don't want to see a crappy version of this film out there, trying to sell a buck. Even if that happens. It's nice to see the film was selected for preservation in the United States' National Film Registry for being deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant'. That's pretty cool to hear that it will last for at least, a couple of generations. Overall: It's is an excellent cartoon which still holds up well. I highly recommended watching if you're a huge fan of the Magic Kingdom. You will love it!