Did you wish Mickey and Minnie Mouse a Happy Birthday? Today, they turn 91!
The dynamic Disney duo shares the same birthday because Nov. 18 marks the anniversary of when "Steamboat Willie" first showed at the Colony Theater on Broadway in New York in 1928. It is the very first cartoon to feature synchronized sound.
According to Dave Smith, Chief Archivist Emeritus for the Walt Disney Company, Disney created "Steamboat Willie" with sound in mind. He was inspired by Al Jolson's film, "The Jazz Singer," which was released the previous year with synchronized sound.
"Walt was determined to make his sound cartoons realistic," Smith wrote. "Each sound would exactly match what one was seeing on the screen."
The reception for "Steamboat Willie" was "phenomenal," Smith wrote. "It established Walt Disney as a key player in the animation industry, setting a standard that would encourage all of the other animation pioneers."
Here are some other fun Mickey and Minnie facts to help you celebrate their birthday:
1) Mickey and Minnie's actual first appearance is in a short called "Plane Crazy"
"Plane Crazy" was only showed to test audiences on May 15, 1928, but because it was a silent cartoon, it failed to sell to a distributor. Following the success of "Steamboat Willie," it was later released again, but with sound, on March 17, 1929.
2) Mickey's original name was Mortimer
When Walt Disney created Mickey Mouse, his original name was going to be Mortimer Mouse. But, Disney's wife, Lillian, didn't think it worked for his character and that he wouldn't appeal to fans. Disney went back to the drawing board and the name Mickey was received with better reception.
Mortimer was later used to name another character, who ended up becoming Mickey's rival and Minnie's uncle.
Speaking of names, did you know Minnie is just a nickname? The beloved mouse beauty's real name is Minerva.
3) Mickey's first words: "Hot Dog!"
Though "Steamboat Willie" was the first cartoon with sound, it wasn't until 1929 and some cartoons later when Mickey Mouse spoke his first words, which were "hot dog!" In the cartoon, "The Karnival Kid," Mickey is selling hot dogs at a carnival while Minnie Mouse is a dancer.
4) Mickey's current look stems from his redesign for "Fantasia"
Animator Fred Moore redesigned Mickey Mouse's look into the one we know and love today. He was redesigned for "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" in 1938, giving him a peach face, a bigger head and actual eyes with pupils.
The 1938 cartoon short, "Brave Little Tailor" was Mickey's last "pie-eyed" appearance... That was until 2013 when the Disney Channel combined his classic appeal with contemporary comedy for a brand-new Mickey cartoon series.
5) Mickey was the first cartoon character to get a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame
Mickey Mouse received his star on Nov. 18, 1978, which marked his 50th birthday. It would be another 40 years until Minnie Mouse received her star in 2018.
6) Minnie started as a flapper
Minnie Mouse was originally created to be similar to a 1920s flapper girl, a popular and progressive style at the time. Instead of her signature red color, Minnie started out wearing a blue skirt with her underwear sticking out, as well as a hat with a flower.
In the 40s, she was redesigned into the sweet lady we know and love today. Her hat was replaced by her signature bow.
However, the 2013 launch of the new Mickey Mouse cartoons has Minnie back in her hat and back to wearing just a skirt. But, to make it more modern, it includes her signature polka dots.
7) Mickey and Minnie are officially married
Walt Disney said in a 1933 interview that Mickey and Minnie are actually married in their private life, though they continue to appear dating on-screen.
