In our first proper look at the Disney studio, J.D. is joined by artist Kristi O. to discuss this essential Mickey Mouse cartoon. Topics include: Mickey’s status as Disney’s icon and how that affected his cartoons, how the Disney studio pushed animation forward, the particular talents of animators Bill Tytla and Fred Moore, the weirdness of the Brothers Grimm’s publication of “The Brave Little Tailor”, where to watch Disney movies in Canada in the 1990s, and Bill Roberts: Mystery Man.
Host/Producer: J.D. Hansel
Guest: Kristi O.
Content Warning for Animated Short: smoking depiction.
Selected Availability: Disney+ (unrestored); The Sword in the Stone; Mickey Mouse in Living Color; Mickey and the Beanstalk; Celebrating Mickey; Mickey & Minnie: 10 Classic Shorts.
Special Thanks: Tori Schmidt
References:
As mentioned in the episode, Devon Baxter’s excellent profile of director Burt Gillett for CartoonResearch.com is a nifty history of one of the most impactful cartoon directors.
Directing at Disney by Don Oeri and Pete Docter and The Illusion of Life: Disney Animation by Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston are cited throughout the episode, but I also relied on Of Mice and Magic by Leonard Maltin for further context.
The translation I used for “The Brave Little Tailor” by the Brothers Grimm comes from Jack Zipes’ 2002 third edition of The Complete Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm.