Mickey turns 90 on November 18, 2018.
Mickey Mouse is one of the most recognised characters that was ever created. Walt Disney gave him reel life in 1928 and for 90 years now, Mickey, along with his gang, has not stopped entertaining this planet.
To celebrate the 90th birthday of this young soul, celebrations have been planned around the globe. Mickey Mouse binds generations together more than any other animated character. He reminds people of laughter, optimism and hope.
Mickey has become a household name, yet there are still a few things people do not know a few things about him. Or have forgotten that these things were originally associated with the mouse in the house.
Let's take a refresher course.
1. Mickey became an instant hit
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On November 18, 1928, with the release of Steamboat Willie, the first ever cartoon with synchronized sound. At that time, most other studios were still producing silent films and shorts while Disney adopted sound and raised the standard.
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2. How Mortimer became Mickey Mouse
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Walt Disney originally wanted to call Mickey 'Mortimer Mouse', and it was changed to 'Mickey Mouse' when Walt's wife Lillian said she felt that 'Mortimer' sounded too pompous and suggested another name that personified the qualities of fun and humbleness.
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3. Wardrobe update after a year
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In Opry House, a video short released on March 28, 1929, Mickey started wearing white gloves. He went on to wear them in most of his subsequent appearances until today.
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4. First cartoon character on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
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Mickey became the first cartoon character to have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on November 18, 1978, in honor of his 50th anniversary. The star is located on 6925 Hollywood Boulevard.
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5. Money making machine
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One of the most iconic Mickey Mouse products of all time is the Mickey Mouse wristwatch. The first one was produced by the Ingersoll-Waterbury company in 1933, and it was sold for $2.95. The company presented Walt Disney with the 25-millionth Mickey Mouse watch in 1957. Later, it became the foundation company for the brand now known as Timex. Disney Consumer Products is now a multi-billion company.
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6. Oscar win for Walt Disney
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The creation of Mickey Mouse earned Walt Disney an honorary Academy Award in 1932.
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7. Encyclopedia Britannica introduction
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Mickey was given his own entry in the Encyclopedia Britannica in 1934.
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8. Mickey in 'The Band Concert'
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Mickey appeared in colour for the first time in The Band Concert, which premiered on February 23, 1935.
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9. Mickey's final black and white appearance
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Mickey appeared in black and white for the last time in Mickey’s Kangaroo, which actually premiered about two months after the first colour one.
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10. Mickey's most popular role
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Mickey Mouse's feature film debut in Fantasia in 1940 as the Sorcerer's Apprentice was one of his most famous roles ever. The film introduced stereophonic sound to motion pictures through a special sound system called Fantasound, and cost $2.28 million to make.
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11. The Mickey Mouse Club
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In 1955, Mickey made his debut on television in The Mickey Mouse Club television show.
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12. Minnie will always be Mickey's leading lady
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According to Walt Disney, Mickey and Minnie Mouse have never been married on screen. But, in 1933, during an interview with Film Pictorial, Walt said, "In private life, Mickey is married to Minnie... What it really amounts to is that Minnie is, for screen purposes, his leading lady."
(AFP PHOTO / Ye Aung THU)
13. The origin of 'Hidden Mickeys'
In designing and constructing a Disney theme park or adding the final touches to an attraction, Disney Imagineers subtly 'hide' Mickey Mouse silhouettes in plain sight. It later became a tradition known as 'Hidden Mickeys.'
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14. Walt's greatest accomplishment
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One of Walt Disney's most famous quotes about his accomplishments: "I only hope that we never lose sight of one thing—that it was all started by a mouse."
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