April 21, 1930 – The Mickey Mouse Short Film Fiddling Around is Released to Theaters
“As an encore, I will play the finale from the overture ‘William Tell.’”
On April 21, 1930, the Mickey Mouse short film Fiddling Around was released to theaters. This short is also known as Just Mickey, which was the short’s original working title. This is also one of the rare instances that Mickey is seen with hair. The pieces performed in the short are Schumann’s “Traumerei” and one of Listz’s “Hungarian Rhapsodies,” as well as the called out finale of the “William Tell Overture.”
Several pairs of curtains part on a large stage, revealing Mickey walking ceremoniously with a fiddle, but he trips at the front of the stage. As the audience laughs, Mickey blushes, but gets on with his performance, except that one of his violin strings breaks. He then musses his hair in an artistic manner before playing highly regarded pieces of classical music. He then breaks into a rather tragic piece, wailing and crying the entire length. He finishes that tune by crying and carrying his violin behind him as he walks offstage. He then comes back to wild applause from the audience. He then comes back on stage to announce his encore from the “William Tell Overture.” His spirited playing has him crawling across the stage, throwing his violin in the air, and breaking it in half. The concert is a rousing success.
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