It’s Mickey Mouse’s birthday today! After 87 years, he doesn’t look a day over 25.
Mickey (and Minnie and Pete) starred in Steamboat Willie on this day, November 18, back in 1928. Audiences loved the comical little mouse. Ever since then, he has been an American icon that continues to appeal to generations after.
One of Mickey’s great roles is that of the Sorcerer’s Apprentice. The short film was developed to make Mickey prominent again. He was falling behind his friends who were getting a little more stardom during this time. Nonetheless, Mickey was always the leader of the gang. Still, Sorcerer’s Apprentice expanded him into something greater, and even made a bigger film impact: Fantasia. In 1940 this film premiered, and just a few days shy of the mouse’s birthday. This month the film is 75 years old, making Mickey just 12 when it was made.
Sorcerer’s Apprentice got Mickey into the realm of magic. Yes, there were a couple of shorts that had him playing magician, but this was magic. Mickey’s form of the learning magician has been seen in a lot of artwork, and especially in Fantasmic! It’s a beloved version of the character and brings delight whenever it’s used. Mickey is a fun sorcerer. He uses magic to help, entertain, liven up his surroundings. It’s a role that suits him and can be used in a variety of ways. The most recent notable use of at least costume is in Mickey and the Magical Map seen at Disneyland’s Fantasyland Theater. Even the Sorcerer, Yen Sid, is seen in the stage production.
Over the years, Mickey has brought not just magic to our lives, but laughter, tears, and child-like whimsy. He keeps getting older, yet keeps up with trends and kids of all ages.
So, happy birthday Mickey! Today we remember it all started with a mouse!
