Mickey's Good Deed
Encyclopedia
Mickey's Good Deed is a 1932 American animated short film produced by Walt Disney Productions and released by United Artists
. Set during Christmas time, the cartoon depicts Mickey Mouse
and his dog Pluto
as poor street performers who try to make it a happy Christmas for an even poorer family. The film was directed by Burt Gillett and features the voices of Walt Disney
as Mickey and Pinto Colvig
as Pluto.
Mickey's Good Deed was Mickey's second Christmas themed film after Mickey's Orphans
(1931) and was the first film to depict an impoverished Mickey.
" on a cello
while Pluto howls along in accompaniment. Several passers-by appear to throw coins in Mickey's cup and Mickey wishes them a merry Christmas. However, when the two hungry pals go to eat at a restaurant, Mickey discovers his cup is filled only with nails, nuts, and bolts.
Mickey walks away disgusted and happens upon the home of a rich family. Inside, a crying child keeps throwing away toys given to him by his father and a butler. When the boy hears Pluto outside he demands his father to buy the dog. The butler goes outside and offers Mickey money for Pluto, but Mickey earnestly refuses. As he runs away, Mickey slips on some ice and his cello slides into the street where it is trampled by a horse drawn sleigh. The party in the sleigh cheerfully (and perhaps unwittingly) call out "Merry Christmas!"
Later on, Mickey and Pluto come across the house of a poor cat family. A single mother sits at the table crying and Mickey and Pluto can see that she has no food or toys for her children. Moved by the scene, Mickey returns to the rich man's house and reluctantly sells Pluto. With the money, he buys toys and food for the family, delivering the goods dressed as Santa Claus
. Mickey is then satisfied that he helped the cat family to have a happy Christmas, but he still misses Pluto.
Meanwhile back at the rich family's house, Pluto is treated badly by his new young owner. The child throws a temper tantrum and harasses Pluto. At last the father kicks the dog out and punishes his son. Pluto finds Mickey sitting next to a fire along with a snow sculpture of his absent dog. Pluto burrows through the snow and pops his head out the top of the sculpture surprising Mickey. The two of them share a roasted chicken which the boy had tied to Pluto's tail.
United Artists
United Artists Corporation is an American film studio. The original studio of that name was founded in 1919 by D. W. Griffith, Charles Chaplin, Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks....
. Set during Christmas time, the cartoon depicts 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...
and his dog 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...
as poor street performers who try to make it a happy Christmas for an even poorer family. The film 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 Pinto Colvig
Pinto Colvig
Vance DeBar "Pinto" Colvig was an American vaudeville actor, radio actor, newspaper cartoonist, prolific movie voice actor, and circus performer whose schtick was playing clarinet off-key while mugging....
as Pluto.
Mickey's Good Deed was Mickey's second Christmas themed film after Mickey's Orphans
Mickey's Orphans
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...
(1931) and was the first film to depict an impoverished Mickey.
Plot
Mickey Mouse and Pluto are street performers. Mickey plays "Adeste FidelesAdeste Fideles
"Adeste Fideles" is a hymn tune attributed to English hymnist John Francis Wade . The text itself has unclear beginnings, and may have been written in the 13th century by John of Reading, though it has been concluded that Wade was probably the author.The original four verses of the hymn were...
" on a cello
Cello
The cello is a bowed string instrument with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is a member of the violin family of musical instruments, which also includes the violin, viola, and double bass. Old forms of the instrument in the Baroque era are baryton and viol .A person who plays a cello is...
while Pluto howls along in accompaniment. Several passers-by appear to throw coins in Mickey's cup and Mickey wishes them a merry Christmas. However, when the two hungry pals go to eat at a restaurant, Mickey discovers his cup is filled only with nails, nuts, and bolts.
Mickey walks away disgusted and happens upon the home of a rich family. Inside, a crying child keeps throwing away toys given to him by his father and a butler. When the boy hears Pluto outside he demands his father to buy the dog. The butler goes outside and offers Mickey money for Pluto, but Mickey earnestly refuses. As he runs away, Mickey slips on some ice and his cello slides into the street where it is trampled by a horse drawn sleigh. The party in the sleigh cheerfully (and perhaps unwittingly) call out "Merry Christmas!"
Later on, Mickey and Pluto come across the house of a poor cat family. A single mother sits at the table crying and Mickey and Pluto can see that she has no food or toys for her children. Moved by the scene, Mickey returns to the rich man's house and reluctantly sells Pluto. With the money, he buys toys and food for the family, delivering the goods dressed as Santa Claus
Santa Claus
Santa Claus is a folklore figure in various cultures who distributes gifts to children, normally on Christmas Eve. Each name is a variation of Saint Nicholas, but refers to Santa Claus...
. Mickey is then satisfied that he helped the cat family to have a happy Christmas, but he still misses Pluto.
Meanwhile back at the rich family's house, Pluto is treated badly by his new young owner. The child throws a temper tantrum and harasses Pluto. At last the father kicks the dog out and punishes his son. Pluto finds Mickey sitting next to a fire along with a snow sculpture of his absent dog. Pluto burrows through the snow and pops his head out the top of the sculpture surprising Mickey. The two of them share a roasted chicken which the boy had tied to Pluto's tail.
Releases
- 1932 – Original theatrical release
- 1987 – "Jiminy Cricket's Christmas" (VHS)
- 2004 – "Walt Disney Treasures: Mickey Mouse in Black and White, Volume Two" (DVD)
- 2005 – "Holiday Celebration with Mickey & Pals" (colorized, DVD)
External links
- Mickey's Good Deed at the Disney Film Project
- Mickey's Good Deed at Animation Backgrounds
- Mickey's Good Deed reviewed by Dennis Grunes