M-I-C… See ya real soon!
K-E-Y… Why? Because it’s your birthday!
With everybody’s favorite mouse celebrating his 87th birthday on November 18th, Costume SuperCenter figured that there’s no better way to pay homage to Mickey than to remember the moments that led him into the hearts of Disneyphiles everywhere.
Before you buy your own Mickey Mouse costume, let’s take a stroll down Main Street, U.S.A., and venture off onto Memory Lane to see exactly why – and how – a magical kingdom, as Walt once said, “was all started by a mouse.”
1920’s
1928 was a busy year for Mickey Mouse. Not only was he born, but he also starred in his first eight films! The first, Plane Crazy, cost just under two-thousand dollars in production. The last, The Karnival Kid, featured the first words (Hot Dog!) ever spoken by Mickey. The most popular, however, was Steamboat Willie, which has lived on as the production logo for Walt Disney Animation Studios.
1930’s
The phenomenon of Mickey Mouse begins to spread in the 1930’s as he’s now being featured on notebooks, and in comic strips and toy form. As the Mickey Mouse Club debuts, and more Disney films are produced, fans are introduced to Mickey’s friends Minnie, Pluto and Donald Duck. Additionally, at the 1937 release of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, Mickey Mouse makes his first appearance as a live-action character. In 1938, he receives the first major change to his appearance in the form of pupils.
1940’s
In 1940, Mickey Mouse makes his big screen debut, as he starred in the Disney classic Fantasia. In the film, he’s voiced by Walt Disney, but six years later, the vocal duties are passed on to Jimmy MacDonald, who previously served as the sound effects man for Disney Studios.
1950’s
Two major events in Mickey’s life and career happened in the 1950’s. The first, the television premiere of The Mickey Mouse Club, was used to help fund the second, the construction and opening of Disneyland in Anaheim, CA. Disneyland opened its doors on July 17, 1955 and has hosted more than 650-million guests since.
1960’s
Mickey took a backseat to other Disney projects in the 1960’s, as 101 Dalmatians, The Sword in the Stone and The Jungle Book were all released in theaters. Additionally, Disneyland opened the still-popular attractions It’s a Small World, Pirates of the Caribbean and The Haunted Mansion. Walt Disney’s death in 1966 led to one of famed cartoonist Charles Brooks’ most well-known pieces – a tribute that features Mickey and his fellow characters gathering by the innovator’s grave.
1970’s
Business picked up again in the 1970’s for Mickey! He appeared as a float in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for the first time, was the star of the first attraction in Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL and was the first cartoon character to be given his very own golden star on Hollywood Boulevard.
1980’s
In the 1980’s Mickey returned to one screen and debuted on another. In 1983, he returned to the silver screen when Mickey’s Christmas Carol premiered in theaters and the following year, he appeared in the first Disney video game: Mickey’s Space Adventures. Additionally, toward the end of the 80’s, Ear Force One – a hot air balloon in his likeness – took flight.
1990’s
Mickey got a new home in 1993! Disneyland opened Mickey’s ToonTown, which included a life-size replica of his animated house. Shortly after, the idea was copied in Disney World, and another house was built next door – Minnie moved in!
2000’s
In the 2000’s, Mickey Mouse got a total makeover, as his show Mickey Mouse Clubhouse debuted on the Disney Channel and featured the icon in completely computer-generated animation.
2010’s
The 2010’s are halfway through, and, so far, they’ve been a decade of trying new things for Mickey Mouse. In 2010’s Epic Mickey video game, he appears as the story’s protagonist trying to wield a magic paintbrush that’s needed to restore a forgotten wasteland. The game has since had two sequels, all featuring everybody’s favorite mouse as the hero.
With a name as familiar as any, and a laugh that can be recognized by any set of ears (get it?), Mickey Mouse has had quite the journey in getting to his 87th birthday. Be sure to celebrate his age with costumes and party supplies from Costume SuperCenter.