Mickey's Orphans
Encyclopedia
Mickey's Orphans is a 1931 American animated short film produced by Walt Disney Productions and released by Columbia Pictures
. The cartoon takes place during Christmas time and stars Mickey Mouse
, Minnie Mouse
, and Pluto
who take in a group of disruptive kittens. It was directed by Burt Gillett and features the voices of Walt Disney
as Mickey and Marcellite Garner
as Minnie.
The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film at the 5th Academy Awards
in 1932, the award's inaugural year. It ultimately lost to another Disney film, Flowers and Trees
, which was Disney's first color film. Mickey's Orphans would be the first of nine such nominations received by Mickey Mouse.
The film was also Mickey's first Christmas-themed film. It was followed by other Christmas films such as Mickey's Good Deed (1932), Pluto's Christmas Tree (1952), and Mickey's Christmas Carol
(1983).
" is heard coming from the church, setting the time of year. The figure then approaches Mickey Mouse's house and peeks in the window: Minnie is playing "Silent Night" on an organ, Mickey is decorating a Christmas tree, and Pluto is peaceful sleeping by the fire. The figure then leaves the basket on Mickey's doorstep, rings the bell, and walks away.
Pluto caries the basket inside and discovers it is loaded with kittens, evidentially orphaned. Mickey and Minnie are at first charmed by the kittens, but the kittens soon prove to be a nuisance. Nevertheless, Mickey and Minnie are determined to make the kittens welcome. Mickey leaves the room momentarily and soon returns dressed as Santa Clause with a bag full of toys. The kittens remove the contents, the majority of which are various implements of destruction such as saws, hammers, and toy weapons. The kittens go to work and destroy the piano and other furniture. Finally Mickey and Minnie reveal their Christmas tree, but the kittens remove all the decorations and foliage.
Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. is an American film production and distribution company. Columbia Pictures now forms part of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, a subsidiary of the Japanese conglomerate Sony. It is one of the leading film companies...
. The cartoon takes place during Christmas time and stars Mickey Mouse
Mickey Mouse
Mickey Mouse is a cartoon character created in 1928 by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks at The Walt Disney Studio. Mickey is an anthropomorphic black mouse and typically wears red shorts, large yellow shoes, and white gloves...
, Minnie Mouse
Minnie Mouse
Minerva "Minnie" Mouse is an animated character created by Ub Iwerks and Walt Disney. The comic strip story "The Gleam" by Merrill De Maris and Floyd Gottfredson first gave her full name as Minerva Mouse. Minnie has since been a recurring alias for her. Minnie is currently voiced by actress Russi...
, and Pluto
Pluto (Disney)
Pluto, also called Pluto the Pup, is a cartoon character created in 1930 by Walt Disney Productions. He is a light brown , medium-sized, short-haired dog. Unlike Goofy, Pluto is not anthropomorphic beyond some characteristics such as facial expression...
who take in a group of disruptive kittens. It was directed by Burt Gillett and features the voices of Walt Disney
Walt Disney
Walter Elias "Walt" Disney was an American film producer, director, screenwriter, voice actor, animator, entrepreneur, entertainer, international icon, and philanthropist, well-known for his influence in the field of entertainment during the 20th century. Along with his brother Roy O...
as Mickey and Marcellite Garner
Marcellite Garner
Marcellite Wall was an American artist and voice actress. She is most remembered as the first regular voice of Minnie Mouse during her time working at Walt Disney Productions and has been partially credited with defining Minnie's personality.-Early life:Garner was born in Redlands, California in...
as Minnie.
The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film at the 5th Academy Awards
5th Academy Awards
The 5th Academy Awards were conducted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on November 18, 1932 at a ceremony held at The Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, California. The ceremony was hosted by Conrad Nagel...
in 1932, the award's inaugural year. It ultimately lost to another Disney film, Flowers and Trees
Flowers and Trees
Flowers and Trees is a 1932 Silly Symphonies cartoon produced by Walt Disney, directed by Burt Gillett, and released to theatres by United Artists on July 30, 1932...
, which was Disney's first color film. Mickey's Orphans would be the first of nine such nominations received by Mickey Mouse.
The film was also Mickey's first Christmas-themed film. It was followed by other Christmas films such as Mickey's Good Deed (1932), Pluto's Christmas Tree (1952), and Mickey's Christmas Carol
Mickey's Christmas Carol
Mickey's Christmas Carol is a 1983 American animated short film produced by Walt Disney Productions and distributed by Buena Vista Distribution Company. It was directed and produced by Burny Mattinson...
(1983).
Plot
A hooded figure walks past a church on a snowy night carrying a covered basket. The Christmas carol "Silent NightSilent Night
"Silent Night" is a popular Christmas carol. The original lyrics of the song "Stille Nacht" were written in Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Austria, by the priest Father Joseph Mohr and the melody was composed by the Austrian headmaster Franz Xaver Gruber...
" is heard coming from the church, setting the time of year. The figure then approaches Mickey Mouse's house and peeks in the window: Minnie is playing "Silent Night" on an organ, Mickey is decorating a Christmas tree, and Pluto is peaceful sleeping by the fire. The figure then leaves the basket on Mickey's doorstep, rings the bell, and walks away.
Pluto caries the basket inside and discovers it is loaded with kittens, evidentially orphaned. Mickey and Minnie are at first charmed by the kittens, but the kittens soon prove to be a nuisance. Nevertheless, Mickey and Minnie are determined to make the kittens welcome. Mickey leaves the room momentarily and soon returns dressed as Santa Clause with a bag full of toys. The kittens remove the contents, the majority of which are various implements of destruction such as saws, hammers, and toy weapons. The kittens go to work and destroy the piano and other furniture. Finally Mickey and Minnie reveal their Christmas tree, but the kittens remove all the decorations and foliage.
Releases
- 1931 – Original theatrical release
- 1983 – "Cartoon Classics: Volume 5: Disney's Best of 1931-1948Walt Disney Cartoon ClassicsWalt Disney Cartoon Classics was a series of cartoon compilations from Disney. It was their first attempt to put cartoons on home video. The first 14 volumes, from 1983–1986, came with 6 or 7 cartoons and ran from 30–60 minutes...
" (VHS) - 1997 – Ink & Paint Club, episode #1.2 "Mickey's Landmarks" (TV)
- 2002 – "Walt Disney Treasures: Mickey Mouse in Black and White" (DVD)
- 2005 – "Vintage Mickey" (DVD)
External links
- Mickey's Orphans at the Disney Film Project
- Mickey's Orphans at Animated Toast
- Mickey's Orphans at Mickey Mouse Follies