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May 9, 1953 – The Goofy Short Film For Whom the Bulls Toil is Released to Theaters

“The bull fight, with its excitement, its pageantry, its color, its enthusiastic fans!”

On May 9, 1953, the Goofy short film For Whom the Bulls Toil was released to theaters. The soundtrack for the short was provided by popular Mexican virtuoso trumpeter, Rafael Méndez. The short is also known for its design by Eyvind Earle, who would go on to great renown in the Disney world as the designer for the film Sleeping Beauty, in addition to being a world renowned artist. The short was directed by Jack Kinney, with story by Brice Mack and Dick Kinney.

The short opens at a Mexican bull fight, with the crowd already cheering joyfully. Meanwhile, Goofy is traveling through Mexico in his jalopy, when he has to stop due to a bull sitting in the middle of the road. Goofy tries to drive the bull off the road, much to the amusement of the Mexican villagers. When Goofy pulls out a red handkerchief to wipe his brow, the bull starts to charge, but Goofy is able to avoid the bull without realizing. The bull continues to charge, but Goofy is oblivious to the near misses he encounters. The crowd cheers Goofy for his matador-like prowess, but Goofy once again doesn’t acknowledge the situation as he drives away. The news of Goofy’s triumph is sent through the country, and Goofy is met with cheering crowds, who quickly grab him and dress him up like a matador.

Thanks to an errant newspaper, Goofy finally understands why he’s in the arena in a matador costume

Goofy is taken to the arena, where the crowds are waiting with great excitement. A newspaper falls in front of Goofy’s face, and he finally realizes that he’s not in a Halloween costume, but has to actually fight the bulls. He panics, and as he tries to flee, he ends up in the bull’s pen. He runs out with the bull chasing him, and hides behind a wooden board. He holds on for dear life to the board, now affixed to the bull’s head thanks to its horns getting caught, as the bull rushes around the arena. The bull gets caught on Goofy’s suspenders, and sends Goofy flying around the arena. Goofy tries to get in his car and drive away, but the caught suspenders pull him back, sending him flying into the arena with such force that it physically moves it. When the dust settles, the bull has been knocked out, and Goofy is proclaimed a heroic matador. When Goofy heads home, he tries to sneak past what he thinks is a bull on the road, as he now is terrified of them.