March 13, 1928 – Walt Disney Telegrams Roy Disney After Losing Oswald the Lucky Rabbit
“Don’t worry everything ok will give details when arrive”
On March 13, 1928, Walt Disney traveled back to California from New York with his wife Lillian, after negotiations with Charles Mintz about the character Oswald the Lucky Rabbit had failed. Before leaving, Walt sent a telegram to his brother Roy reading: “LEAVING TONITE STOPPING OVER KC ARRIVE HOME SUNDAY MORNING SEVEN THIRTY DON’T WORRY EVERYTHING OK WILL GIVE DETAILS WHEN ARRIVE. WALT.” This telegram is usually associated with the myth of the creation of Mickey Mouse, as Disney announced when he got back to California that he lost Oswald but they would start a new series. Walt, Roy, and friend Ub Iwerks quickly set to work on the first Mickey Mouse cartoon Plane Crazy, which was shown in a nearby movie house on May 15, 1928, though they would not have their first real hit on their hands until Steamboat Willie on November 18, 1928.
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