September 19, 1952 – The Mickey Mouse Short Film Pluto’s Party is Released to Theaters
“Pluto! Come down here! You’re playing too rough!”
On September 19, 1952, the Mickey Mouse short film Pluto’s Party was released to theaters. This is the only short since the 1930s that features Mickey’s nephews. It was directed by Milt Schaffer, with story by Bill Berg and Leo Salkin.
Mickey is coming out of his house with a giant cake, with Pluto trailing not too far behind. It’s revealed to be a birthday cake for Pluto, as it’s the dog’s birthday. As Pluto tries to sneak a bite of the cake, Mickey calls him out, reminding him that he has to take a bath first. Pluto sulks, and tries to sneak away, but is tricked by Mickey into lading into the washbucket. After his bath, he sits at the table again, wearing a fancy collar, and once again tries to steal some cake. Mickey once again calls him out, telling him to wait for his little guests. Pluto pouts, but soon hears the knocking at the garden gate, and rushes over happily.
All of Mickey’s nephews arrive for the party, bringing Pluto a large bone-shaped present
All of Mickey’s nephews rush in excitedly, knocking poor Pluto flat. They bring him what looks like a giant bone for his birthday, and he happily licks them all in turn. When he opens the package, however, it is revealed to be a little red wagon instead. The nephews attach the wagon to Pluto’s collar and try to make him pull them across the yard. They all leave the wagon, distracted by something else, sending Pluto flying towards the cake, which Mickey saves before Pluto can swipe at it, and he ends up crashing into a tree. The nephews start having “fun” with Pluto, torturing the poor dog, alhtough Mickey admonishes the dog for “playing too rough.”
Mickey then has the boys engaged in a game of “Pin the Tail on Pluto.” When it’s Pluto’s turn, one of the boys grabs Pluto by the tail and spins him fast enough that Pluto can’t stand up, let alone walk straight. He ends up wrapped around a tree and, after peeking, thinks he can easily pin the tail on the picture; he doesn’t realize that his own body is perfectly blocking the picture. Pluto then accidentally stabs himself, and flies towards the picture in pain, perfectly placing the tail on the picture, winning the game. Soon after, Mickey calls everyone over for cake, and Pluto is told to make a wish. Pluto then wishes for all the nephews to disappear. After he blows out the candles, the cake suddenly disappears into the mouths of the nephews, leaving Pluto without a slice, and the nephews quickly leave, declaring the party to be over. Poor Pluto is dismayed to find he didn’t get any cake, until Mickey surprises him with the last piece. Pluto gratefully licks Mickey in-between bites of cake.
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