January 13, 2001 – The Animated Series Disney’s House of Mouse Premieres on Toon Disney
“Who’s that knockin’ at the House of Mouse? We’re all knockin’ at the House of Mouse!”
On January 13, 2001, the animated series Disney’s House of Mouse premiered on Toon Disney, with its first episode, “The Stolen Cartoons.” The show is set in a dinner theater club on Toontown’s Main Street, co-owned by Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, who are assisted by Minnie Mouse, Daisy Duck, Goofy, and Horace Horsecollar. Many of the characters in the show are from the classic Disney shorts of the ’30s and ’40s, including Clarabelle Cow and Gus Goose. Many of the characters from the animated films also make an appearance from time to time, from the well-known princesses and villains, to the lesser-known characters (ranging from the Disney comics and the package films of the ’40s and ’50s). The show was popular among Disney fans for its use of obscure characters from the Disney catalogue. The show ran for 52 episodes, ending its run on October 24, 2003. The show was created by Tony Craig, Rob Gannaway, and Walt Disney Television, and starred Wayne Allwine as Mickey Mouse, Tony Anselmo as Donald Duck, Russi Taylor as Minnie Mouse, Bill Farmer as Goofy, and Tress MacNeille as Daisy.
The first episode, “The Stolen Cartoons,” begins with Mickey introducing the show and the rules of the House of Mouse – “No smoking, no villainous schemes, and no guests eating other guests.” Outside, Goofy’s son, Max, is startled by a mysterious light, and turns to see Jafar arriving from the Cave of Wonders. Daisy informs Jafar that he doesn’t have a reservation, but he hypnotises her into thinking he does. Donald, who has been greeting everyone at the door with “Welcome to my club!” is jealous that Mickey is the host of the club.
Pete threatens Mickey and the gang, telling them that since he owns the club, he wants them to vacate
Meanwhile Mickey is suffering from a bout of nervousness, which isn’t eased by the arrival of Pete, who is threatening to shut down the club. Pete tells them all that he’s bought the building, and is ordering them to vacate the premises. However, Goofy discovers a clause in the contract that states that Mickey and the gang can’t be kicked out as long as they’re putting on a show. Pete leaves angrily, but he is determined to make sure the show doesn’t go on. Mickey begins to show a few short cartoons, beginning with Pluto Gets the Paper and Donald’s Dynamite. When Horace doesn’t respond to the request to show the next cartoon, Mickey and Minnie discover that he’s been tied up in the control booth and all the cartoons have been stolen. Pete appears and says that since there are no cartoons, there’s no show, and they must vacate.
Minnie, Mickey, and Goofy run off to create a new cartoon, leaving Donald in charge. Thrilled that he’s finally able to take control of things, he changes the entire club to be Donald Duck themed, renaming it House of Duck. But the audience clamors for Mickey, booing when Donald takes the stage. The audience then flees the club, and Pete demands the keys from Donald. Fortunately, Mickey returns just in time with a new cartoon, bringing all the guests back with him. The new cartoon plays, and Pete’s plan of stealing the cartoons is exposed. Mickey chases Pete around the club, and throws him out of the building, leaving the club back in the hands of Mickey and the gang.
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