August 20, 1932 – The Mickey Mouse Short Film Trader Mickey is Released to Theaters
“Whoopee!”
On August 20, 1932, the Mickey Mouse short film Trader Mickey was released to theaters. It was the first short film directed by Dave Hand.
Mickey and Pluto are on a paddleboat, traveling down a river filled with hippos, with Mickey playing a merry tune on his banjo. They arrive at a riverbank, and Mickey pulls out a gun to go hunting. When Pluto goes to explore, he comes across a native, who scare the dog. As Pluto howls and runs back, he knocks into Mickey, who accidentally discharges the gun. Mickey and Pluto immediately find themselves surrounded and captured by the natives.
Mickey is brought in front of the chief and the chef, both of which think he’ll make a fantastic entree
Mickey and Pluto are taken directly to the king at his camp, and the chef hurries over, thinking that Mickey would make an excellent meal. He is placed in a pot of hot water, and Pluto is placed on a platter, made up like a suckling pig, complete with apple. The natives begin to go through Mickey’s supplies, not knowing how to use any of the instruments. When the chef attempts to use a saxophone as a spoon, Mickey grabs it from him and begins to play a merry tune. The chef begins to dance, and soon all the natives join in with the music.
Mickey, now out of the pot, entertains the chief with a harmonica. The chief takes it from him and begins to play it, accidentally swallowing it. As the music continues, the native continue to dance, with Mickey and Pluto free to join them. In the end the chief falls into the pot, but laughs and gives out a “Whoopee!”
disneydetail 