Hey everyone and welcome back to my blog! Time sure flies by, can you believe that there’s only one month between now and the new year? Since it’s November, we can officially celebrate the birth of an American power couple. They’re older than most of us, extremely iconic in every way shape and form, and maintain popularity among people of every age. That’s right, November 18th is Mickey & Minnie Mouse’s birthday! First appearing in 1928, this beloved couple turns 95 years old this year. They look great for their age, don’t they?
The first showing of Mickey and Minnie in a short called Plane Crazy which failed to gain attention or distributors. They failed again in another short called The Gallopin’ Gaucho. It wasn’t until Steamboat Willy, a parody of Buster Keaton’s Steamboat Bill, Jr., that Mickey and Minnie Mouse officially debuted and found fame.
But can you believe they almost never came to be? Back in the day, Disney and Universal had a contract for the popular Oswald the Rabbit through a man named Charles Mintz. Walt Disney did not take too kindly to renegotiations however, and refused to sign a new contract, which left him with only two loyal animators: Ub Iwerks and Les Clark. The inspiration for Mickey came from a tamed mouse that Disney had at Laugh-O-Gram Studio and was originally called Mortimer Mouse until his wife convinced him otherwise.
Minerva “Minnie” Mouse was originally styled after flapper girls of the 1920’s and was often depicted in oversized heels that would lead to comedic happenings. As Mickey’s popularity grew, she adopted a damsel in distress type character and as conservative styles became popular Minnie went from a 1920’s flapper to 1950’s housewife. Although not explicitly depicted in media, Walt Disney did admit that Mickey and Minnie Mouse were married in 1933 – so perhaps we should consider 2033 their 100 year wedding anniversary!?
Undoubtedly, Mickey and Minnie Mouse are one of America’s most iconic couples. To this day, we see collectibles featuring their likeness fetch high prices at auction, as their relatability and position in pop culture hasn’t faded in all these years; their appeal is multigenerational. So, in honor of Mickey and Minnie, maybe watch some old cartoons and movies this month to wish those ancient mice some happy birthdays!
