The first two Mickey cartoons show us a very different mouse than the wholesome everyman we know today. In Plane Crazy (1928) he's a rogue who's not below forcing a kiss upon an unwilling Minnie Mouse while she's trapped in the air with him. In Gallopin' Gaucho (1928), he plays the rogue again: this time he's a wanted outlaw who smokes, drinks, and flirts with Minnie, who's a dancer in a cantina. They share an intense tango before Pete comes in and abducts her. What follows is a funny chase featuring a drunk rhea (or ostrich, I cannot tell) and ending in a sword fight.
This is probably my favorite of the first three Mickey cartoons. It's a delightful romp with lots of good gags, plus it's so surreal to see Mickey acting so differently. It's fascinating to wonder what would have happened had Walt kept using this version of the character rather than his later persona. One can only wonder.
This is probably my favorite of the first three Mickey cartoons. It's a delightful romp with lots of good gags, plus it's so surreal to see Mickey acting so differently. It's fascinating to wonder what would have happened had Walt kept using this version of the character rather than his later persona. One can only wonder.