Tag Archives: 1950s

January 4, 1952 – The Goofy Short Film Father’s Lion is Released to Theaters

“Here is the home of Mr. G. G. Geef, daring adventurer, famous explorer, great athlete, pioneer woodsman, Indian fighter, trapper, and soldier of fortune!…in the eyes of his son, that is.”

On January 4, 1952, the Goofy short film Father’s Lion was released to theaters. This is one of Goofy’s “everyday man” shorts, where he is playing character George Geef. It was directed by Jack Kinney, with story by Dick Kinney and Milt Schaffer.

The sun rises over the quiet suburban house of George Geef and his family, with George taking his kid on a camping trip. Junior is really excited to hear the tall tales George tells, believing them to be reality. When their back tire goes flat, George decides to park the car and climb the trail to the campsite. A mountain lion is trying to rest in the woods, but is disturbed by the gunshots from George’s shotgun as George is shooting at some empty cans. Junior notices a mountain lion in the nearby tree, and George grabs the lion by the tail and beats him up, unaware that he has actually attacked a real mountain lion. The lion is angered by George’s attack and tries to bite George, although Junior saves his father with his pop gun. The lion continues to try and attack George, but is unwittingly beaten by smoke and flapjacks. As they go to sleep, the lion sees this as his chance, but is interrupted by Junior’s requests. Having had enough, the lion attacks the group, and narrowly misses getting shot by George’s shotgun. The lion chases George around the campsite, but once again is thwarted by Junior’s popgun. George decides to get out of dodge, although he starts telling another tall tale as they head back to suburbia.

December 25, 1953 – The Goofy Short Film How to Sleep is Released to Theaters

“Since the beginning of time, man has always had the problem of sleeping.”

On December 25, 1953, the Goofy short film How to Sleep was released to theaters. It was directed by Jack Kinney, with story by Milt Schaffer and Nick George.

The short begins with the history of sleep – or, rather, the lack of it. For present day, they observe various ways people try to go to sleep, from being walked to being rocked. More and more people seem to have difficulty trying to sleep due to the demands of their day. The short then goes into various methods to help people sleep, including hot milk and opening a window. As Goofy tries to count sheep, this only makes his situation much worse. He then has to go see a scientist to help him find the best way to sleep using a variety of electronic devices all at the same time. Unfortunately, his dreams continue to keep him awake. In conclusion, the only way science has determined to put Goofy to sleep is to use a giant mallet over the head, effectively knocking him out.

October 21, 1951 – The Goofy Short Film Fathers Are People is Released to Theaters

“The new father should start immediately sharing the responsibility for the child’s upbringing.”

On October 21, 1951, the Goofy short film Fathers Are People was released to theaters. This was one of several shorts where Goofy is portrayed as everyman George Geef. There is also a Hidden Mickey in this short, found on Junior’s bed. The short was directed by Jack Kinney, with story by Dick Kinney and Milt Schaffer.

The short begins with George entering the waiting room in the hospital with a box of cigars, proudly announcing that he is a father. Soon after, he is seen performing chores around his house, hanging up diapers, collecting milk bottles, preparing bottles for his son, and trying his best to help his wife. In the middle of the night, George goes to feed Junior, and ends up making himself a cocktail before turning off the light. The next morning, it’s time to take the family to Grandmother’s, forgetting one important thing: the baby. A picture diary shows the milestones in Junior’s life, including his first tooth, first step, and first word. One Sunday morning, Junior is seen getting in a fight with a neighborhood kid, with George and the other father fighting over which kid is in the wrong, although the kids just begin to play again. George tries to play with his father, but this “play” wears George out, as Junior is rather rough. George tries to sit and read the paper, although Junior pesters his father, wanting him to play. Junior also disobeys his father, and George tries to use reverse psychology, but to no avail. In the end, George falls on a roller skate, and decides that he’s had enough, and is going to give Junior a paddling. However, Junior is able to weasel out of it by acting cute. George decides that kids aren’t that bad, and wishes he had a million of them. When his wife asks how a tiny sweater she knitted looks, George panics, but relaxes when he realizes that he and his wife may only have the one child after all.