Tag Archives: 1930s

June 25, 1930 – The Mickey Mouse Short Film The Fire Fighters is Released to Theaters

“Fire! Fire! Fire!”

On June 25, 1930, the Mickey Mouse short film The Fire Fighters was released to theaters. The short was directed by Burt Gillett.

It’s a quiet night at the firehouse, with all the fireman asleep in their beds, including Fire Chief Mickey. Suddenly, someone comes running down the road, shouting out that there’s a fire, with a building seen burning in the distance. The bell sounds the alarm, and the firemen quickly rouse themselves and head out, except for Horace Horsecollar, who finally wakes up and rushes to follow the rest of the team. Using a cat to sound the fire engine alarm, the firemen speed out into the night, with Mickey leading the charge. Unfortunately, most of the fire engine and team get left behind as they travel over some rocky terrain.

Mickey arrives triumphantly on the scene to put out the fire

The burning building begins to sway side to side, with people jumping out in all directions before scrambling to safety. The citizens of the city cheer as they see the firemen approaching, although when Mickey turns around, he is rather annoyed at finding he is the only one there. He grabs his fire hose and attaches it to the closest hydrant, and sets off to take out fire. The hydrant doesn’t seem to work, so Mickey milks all the water out that he can into a bucket and runs to the building, not realizing that he’s spilled all of the water most of the way there. He tries again, a bit more carefully, although he spills the water before it can hit the flames. Meanwhile, Horace has been taking water from a nearby pond and using it to put out the flames on the first floor.

Up at the top of the building, Minnie Mouse, who seems to have been asleep, opens her eyes and screams for help before she is consumed by smoke. Mickey, alarmed, bravely runs into the building, but is soon chased out by flames. He uses the ladder of the apartment building next door to jump into a pair of pants left on the clothing line, then pulls himself close to the burning building to catch Minnie as she falls out of the window from exhaustion. The flames break the clothing line apart, but the pants act as a parachute to send them safely to the ground. The two kiss and embrace.

May 13, 1933 – The Mickey Mouse Short Film The Mail Pilot is Released to Theaters

“Through clouds and sleet, through rain and winds, a pilot never bends. We carry on, we carry on, for the mail must go through!”

On May 13, 1933, the Mickey Mouse short film The Mail Pilot was released to theaters. The short was directed by Dave Hand.

It’s a busy day at the airport, with all of the mail planes being loaded with sacks of mail. Mickey is seen oiling his plane for his journey, and an important package is delivered by armored truck for him to send. Mickey turns to the wall to see a wanted poster of mail bandit Pete, and vows to put Pete behind bars. He then starts his plane, and after some sputtering, he takes off to the sky. As he takes off, it begins to rain, but Mickey is undeterred, even more so when he is attacked by lighting, and when he comes across snow.

After being forced to the ground by Pete, Mickey uses some ingenuity to get back in the air

Unfortunately, Pete sees Mickey, and begins his attack. Mickey tries to jet away, but Pete uses a machine gun to cut up Mickey’s wings. Falling to the ground, Mickey uses some quick ingenuity to stay airborne, although he is followed closesly by Pete, who uses a harpoon to grab Mickey’s plane. Mickey refuses to be caught, and takes off, dragging Pete behind him. He lands back at the airport, Pete in tow, and Pete is soon arrested. Minnie appears at his side, and gives her brave pilot a kiss.

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.