August 1, 1936 – The Mickey Mouse Short Film Mickey’s Circus is Released to Theaters
“Introducing Captain Donald Duck and his performing sea lions!”
On August 1, 1936, the Mickey Mouse short film Mickey’s Circus was released to theaters. Although a Mickey Mouse short, it mostly features Donald Duck as the star. The short was directed by Ben Sharpsteen.
It’s chaos at Mickey’s Circus, as the orphans are allowed to attend for free, with a large gathering of them running around wildly. The circus finally begins, with Donald as the first act, with three sea lions and one pup performing tricks for fish. One sea lion walks around like Charlie Chaplin, much to the amusement of the orphans. Donald begins his act with juggling, and ends with the sea lions throwing their beach balls at his head. The pup continues to steal the fish from Donald’s basket. At one point, the sea lions grapple over the fish, knocking Donald into the sand of the ring. He then leads one sea lion into playing a song using horns, although the performance doesn’t go well until the pup steps in and starts playing a one man band version of the song. The orphans start mocking Donald, and his temper nearly gets the best of him. The sea lions refuse to continue until they get fish, and end up breaking the instruments in their fight for the fish.
Mickey finds himself in a precarious situation after being shot out of a cannon
Donald chases after the seals, and ends up in the cannon. Mickey warns him to get out, and the orphans push Mickey inside. The orphans fire the cannon, sending Mickey and Donald up on the high wire. Mickey struggles to maintain his balance on the wire, while Donald is sent out on a bike. The orphans pour oil over the wire, and send Donald flying back and forth. The wire is then electrocuted, and Mickey and Donald are sent flying to the ground into the seal tank. The pup throws a fish into the tub, and the other sea lions fight over it, fighting Donald in the process.
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