Getting Ready for Mickey's Birthday! ...Or Not?

Tokyo Disney Resort and Hong Kong Disneyland toted 2008 as the year of the mouse, rather than the rat, in honor of Mickey Mouse, of course.

This seems fitting because this is the year Mickey (and Minnie) turn 80! However, I'm not sure if Disney's doing anything special for the occasion. So, I wrote to Jeff Pepper, moderator of 2719 HYPERION, asking if Disney even cares about the characters' birthdays nowadays. Here's the response. (Yes, my real name is Marci Cameron, so, don't go accusing me of lying just because I'm called Acme Girl on the blog.) According to the response, Disney might not be doing anything special for Mickey's 80th. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel for it seems Disney is allowing merchandise to celebrate the event.

The first to appear is from PEZ Candy which commemorates the occasion with a three-PEZ set in a collectible tin. (Link from Cartoon Brew.) Strangely enough, PEZ is celebrating its 80th anniversary, too, which makes the set even more special for PEZ lovers.

Next came the Disney Dollars. Disney Dollars, in case you didn't know, are special currency used at the Disney theme parks here in the U.S. This year, the Disney Dollars showcase Mickey for his 80th. (Link courtesy of DisneyDollars.net.) Wow! Looks like Disney is doing something for Mickey's 80th after all. Although, it is a minor detail, but hey, I'm not complaining.

And Disney's not done contributing the merchandise themselves, even their online store has items celebrating the mouse's big moment. Among them, the creme del la creme of Mickey's 80th anniversary themed merchandise, this appealing snowglobe which features Mickey in his most famous roles: "Steamboat Willie", "The Brave Little Tailor", "The Sorcerer's Apprentice", "Mickey's Christmas Carol", "The Prince and the Pauper", and "Runaway Brain". What a lineup!

So, with all this merchandise around, what about the Disney theme parks? Will they hold a big celebration for Mickey and Minnie's birthday this year? I'm not sure, but I'll be at Walt Disney World during that moment, namely, November 18th, the day "Steamboat Willie" premiered, so, I will celebrate the occasion nonetheless.Be patient, Mickey. Just a whole month more.

UPDATE 12/2/08: I was in WDW for Mickey's (and Minnie's) big day and I had noticed at their pin stations that they had pins marking the occasion. I got a pin with Mickey from his first appearance standing in front of the number 80 since that's how old he is. There are others, but I don't know how to describe them all. And although it seemed very low key, at least Disney did do something for the birthday of the mouse that started it all.

Forget the Pageant, We Want the Mouse!

The Laughing Place just posted a video of the 2009 Miss America Contestants visiting Mickey Mouse at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. See it here. (I recommend watching it all the way towards the end for an extra bonus guaranteed to give you a giggle.)

A "Treasure" to Treasure

Jeff Pepper recently posted on his blog, 2719 Hyperion, about what he wants a future wave of "Walt Disney Treasures" to be. I posted a comment of said post my idea, but here it is in full detail. You see, what I want in the "Walt Disney Treasures" line is... The Complete Goofy Volume Two!

The reason is because I feel there is more "Goofy" cartoons out there than what we have in the first volume. Here's the list of cartoons as follows in chronological order:

"How to Ride a Horse" (released June 20, 1941)
Originally a segment from "The Reluctant Dragon", it was rereleased as a stand-alone short February 24, 1950. It's on DVD right now on "Extreme Adventure Fun", but having it as a part of "Treasures" line would truly be memorable.

"El Gaucho Goofy" (released August 24, 1942 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; February 6, 1943 in the U.S.)
This segment from "Saludos Amigos" is more of a bonus feature than an actual cartoon just as "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" from 1940's "Fantasia" and "Mickey and the Beanstalk" from 1942's "Fun and Fancy Free" were on "Mickey Mouse in Living Color Volume 2". That fact aside, this segment's inclusion in the "Treasures" line would mean they wouldn't have to edit out Goofy smoking on a cigarette in the beginning of the segment like they did in the "Classic Caballeros" collection.

"The Goofy Success Story" (aired December 7, 1955)
An episode from "Walt Disney Presents Disneyland", but reaired in color. My preference is the color version, but they should keep Walt Disney's original intro to this episode. Although it's already on DVD as a bonus feature to "A Goofy Movie", having it as a main program on a "Treasures" set would make it even more collectible. In case you can't tell by the title, this episode "chronicles" Goofy's climb up the ladder of success with new animation wrap-around complimenting the cartoons reused here: "Moving Day" with Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, "How to Ride a Horse" (already mentioned above), and "Motor Mania" (from the first volume of "The Compete Goofy").

"Goofy's Cavalcade of Sports" (aired October 17, 1956)
Again, this episode from "Disneyland", reaired in color, would have Walt Disney's original intro (if any) and the rest of the episode in color. In case you don't remember this episode or never seen it, this Olympic-themed episode, hosted by a bald, but jolly greek man (dressed in a toga with a wreath on his head), showcases Goofy's athletic skills through his classic sports cartoons. Another episode with new animation as a wrap-around for the cartoons.

"The Goofy Adventure Story" (aired March 20, 1957)
This episode, too, would have Walt Disney's original intro (if it exsists) and the rest of the episode in color. The title is deceiving because Goofy explains to his then-red-haired son about the Goofy Family Tree with the help of his classic cartoons wrapped-around by (you guessed it) new animation.

Another bonus feature on disc one, other than the aforementioned "El Gaucho Goofy", is the music video to "You Can Always Be Number One" from the 1983 album "Mickey Mouse Splashdance". This song is considered to be the anthem for "Sport Goofy" as the Goof is called whenever he plays a major sport. So, fittingly enough, the music video has clips from Goofy's sports cartoons. The album is available on Amazon in CD form and on iTunes where you can download the whole album or the individual songs.

It's here that disc one would be all filled up and it's time to pop in disc two. To continue, keeping in chronological order:

"Freewayphobia or the Art of Driving the Super Highway" (released February 13, 1965)
This cartoon was excluded from the first volume of "The Complete Goofy", but Leonard Maltin, who hosts the "Treasures" line, makes mention of this cartoon. However, I would like to own it on DVD and the "Treasures" line seems like the perfect home for it. It's an educational cartoon explaining the three kinds of drivers on the freeway. In the meantime, you can watch the cartoon on YouTube: Part 1 and Part 2. (Courtesy of JamieInnesNZ.)

"Goofy's Freeway Troubles" (released September 22, 1965)
Commonly known by fans as "Freewayphobia #2", this cartoon was also excluded, but mentioned by Leonard Maltin. Another cartoon I would like to see on DVD, especially in the "Treasures" line. Another educational cartoon, however, this time, focusing on one driver (played by Goofy, of course) and how to deal with car problems and emergencies on the freeway. Another cartoon to watch on YouTube: Part 1 and Part 2. (Also from JamieInnesNZ.)

"Sport Goofy in Soccermania" (aired May 27, 1986)
Yet another cartoon that should have been on DVD, but isn't. Not in the states at least. Could be a pilot for DuckTales since it's set in Duckburg and includes Scrooge McDuck, the Beagle Boys, and Donald's nephews - Huey, Dewey, and Louie, but this cartoon focuses on the game of soccer (as indicated by the title) and features Goofy as the boys' soccer coach. (The nephews', not the Beagle Boys'.)

And finally, I've saved the best for last. Drum roll, please. The last main cartoon on disc two is...

"How to Hook Up Your Home Theater" (released December 21, 2007)
Shown in front of "National Treasure: Book of Secrets" instead of "Enchanted" as we had hoped, this is one of those cartoons that's just too good not to be on DVD. You can, however, purchase it on iTunes through here.

The bonus features on disc two would be separate interviews with two of the people who voiced current Goofy projects with Bill Farmer, the current voice of Goofy. The first interview would be with April Winchell, daughter of the late Paul Winchell. April not only voiced Peg on "Goof Troop", but also Clarabelle Cow on "House of Mouse", "Mickey, Donald, and Goofy: The Three Musketeers", and, most recently, "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse". The second and last interview would be with Jason Marsden who voices Goofy's son, Max, since "A Goofy Movie". Having interviews with these two voices on their experience working on these Goofy projects would make this all the more special.

Of course, this is just my opinion on what I would like to see on a "Treasures" set. What do you think? Should there be a volume two to "The Complete Goofy"? Be sure to let me know by leaving a comment. I just hope whoever's in charge of Walt Disney Home Entertainment reads this and picks up the idea.

UPDATE 11/01/10: Disney has finally released "How to Hook Up Your Home Theater" on DVD in Volume 1 of their "have a laugh!" series. Check out Ultimate Disney's review here. It still would be cool to get the cartoon on a Walt Disney Treasures set though.

What a Wabbit!

We interrupt my Disney mood for the following post:

My favorite toons have always been Warner Bros.' Looney Tunes with their unique brand of humor. And the most popular of the LTs is none other than that "wascally wabbit" himself, Bugs Bunny!
On this day in 1940, Bugs lit up the screen in the classic Tex Avery short "A Wild Hare". And from that moment on, the wabbit has been entertaining audiences the world over. No wonder TV Guide named him the number one greatest cartoon character of all time! (Sorry, Mickey, you only made it to number nineteen.)

The wabbit even got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame! And that's the highest honor any movie actor can receive! (Pic from the wabbit's Wikipedia page.)

The best way I can celebrate the wabbit's b-day is to share with these fan-made music videos of Bugs' rap song from the "Space Jam" soundtrack, "Buggin'": this version uses classic cartoon clips (courtesy of Forman7) while the other has clips from "Space Jam" (courtesy of LURK).

Bugs shares his birthday with another important figure in my life: my mother! (Although, she was born a couple of decades after Bugs.) So, to any of her co-workers out there who might be reading this blog, be sure to E-Mail her a birthday greeting today, would ya? It would really make her day.

In conclusion, I just wanna say "Happy Birthday" to the world's most famous "old gray hare"! Only two more years 'til the big 7-0!(Screenshot from Matthew Hunter's Too Looney!)

We now return you to my Disney mood, still in progress.

Another Year Faster

Today, I break from Disney and, keeping with the birthday theme from my previous posts (namely, Goofy and Donald), celebrate the 17th birthday of Sonic the Hedgehog!

(Yes, I like other characters besides Disney in case you couldn't tell by the links on the right side of my blog.) I don't have anything prepared for him this year, but I did write a fanfic for his and Eggman's birthday on Fanfiction.net. (Dr. Eggman debuted the same day as Sonic, ya know.) If you still need a "Sonic" fix for his birthday today, Sonic Stadium had gotten the online "Sonic" community together and did a tribute to him for his 15th in 2006 called "The Summer of Sonic". And it looks like they're doing it again this year. Check the out the main site here.

On a related note (or should I say, belated), Garfield celebrated his 30th birthday on the 19th of this month! I didn't notice until I read the comics the day after. Sorry for the delay, Garfield, I guess I forgot. And for those of you who don't believe me (that is, if you've never even heard of Garfield, and why shouldn't you?), here's the comic strip to prove it (from Garfield's official web site):

So, happy birthday to Sonic and Eggman and a belated happy birthday to Garfield! Neither of you look a day over year one. (But if you're a toon, that's not hard. LOL)

The Disney Duck Gets His Day

Donald Duck fans, rejoice! Today marks his 74th birthday!

Although this comes close to my previous post celebrating Goofy's 76th birthday, Donald needs this moment so that he doesn't feel left out. So, as I did with Goofy's birthday post, I'll provide some links of Donald at his best.

First, Mouse Clubhouse has an interview with Donald's current voice actor, Tony Anselmo: How he became Donald and on his career as an animator. Plus, exclusive greetings from Donald himself: Here and here.

Then, flickr has a couple online photo groups dedicated to Donald: Here and here.

It may not be much, but hopefully, it'll be enough to tide us all over until the duck's 75th next year. So, happy birthday, Donald! Just don't get carried away.

A "Goofy" Day

Today's a special day for Goofy: It's his birthday!
Ooh. Watch where you're skating, Goofy!

I'd thought I'd pay tribute by sharing some links that feature the Goof in all his glory. ...if you can call it that. (LOL)

Jeff Pepper's 2719 Hyperion has posts tagged to Goofy's 75th birthday.

Acme Factory pays tribute to Goofy by year:

First, the introduction.
1932, his debut in "Mickey's Revue"
1933, he plays villain in "Ye Olden Days" (Luckily, it's the only time he plays villain)
1934, in an act with Horace Horsecollar and Clarabelle Cow in the original version of "Orphan's Benefit"
1935, his first team-up with Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck in "Mickey's Fire Brigade"
1936, he tries to show a piano who's boss in "Moving Day"
1937, he, Mickey, and Donald go ghostbusting in "The Lonesome Ghosts"
1938, he flirts with a mermaid figurehead in "Boat Builders"
1939, his first solo cartoon, "Goofy and Wilbur"
1940, the first "How To" cartoon, "Goofy's Glider"
1941, the debut of the "Goofy Holler", "The Art of Skiing"
1942, his first foray into sports, "How to Play Baseball"
1943, "El Gaucho Goofy", his segment in the movie "Saludos Amigos"
1944, Goofy the quarterback in "How to Play Football"
1945, ice day for a hockey game in "Hockey Homicide"
1946, two teams of really tall Goofys in "Double Dribble" (It's about basketball, not drooling. Duh!)
1947, he and Donald try to survive in the desert in "Crazy with the Heat"
1948, he tries to give a circus elephant, Dolores, a bath in, what else, "The Big Wash" (Get it?)
1949, he works out his home workout in "Goofy Gymnastics"
1950, he shows us how not to drive a car in "Motor Mania"
1951, it's hard to relax when a mountain lion comes to your home in "Lion Down"
1952, crime is "Goofy" in "How to Be a Detective"
1953, he tries to play housewife in "Father's Day Off"
1961, he has a wild waterski ride in "Aquamania"
1983, he plays the role of Jacob Marley in "Mickey's Christmas Carol"
1990, he and Mickey are paupers in "The Prince and the Pauper" (Mickey plays both title roles by the way.)
Last, but not least, the conclusion.

Blue Sky Disney has posts tagged with Goofy, including a post that wishes him happy birthday on the 12th instead of the 25th, which some believe is when he debuted.

Cartoon Brew pays tribute to Goofy's first voice actor, Pinto Colvig.

Michael J. Ruocco's For the Birds showcases cartoons and films featuring the "Goofy Holler". (I also pay homage to it in a previous post.)

Mouse Clubhouse has interviews with Goofy's current voice actor, Bill Farmer:

How he became Goofy
His various voice acting odd jobs
And as an added bonus, there's a greeting from Goofy himself!

flickr has an online photo group dedicated to Goofy!

Clear Black Lines has a mini tribute to "A Goofy Movie". Speaking of which, a previous post of mine celebrates the movie's 13th anniversary.

April Winchell and Mr. KABC interview Goofy during Disneyland's "Happiest Homecoming on Earth" celebration.

Finally, check out my previous posts on Goofy's musical talent and pairing him up with Giselle from "Enchanted".

So, happy 76th birthday, Goofy! Another year older, another year goofier. Ahyuck!

UPDATE 6/2/08: This post has been mentioned by Imaginerding as, in their words, "being a fairly comprehensive link collection about Goofy!" Now, if that's not "woot" worthy, I don't know what is. See the mention here.