My Favorite Design of Mickey

 

I usually go out to library to buy some DVDs of old movies and some books that peek my interest. One of them was a collection of comics from the Carl Barks era of Donald Duck and also includes this interesting adaptation of Metropolis starring Mickey Mouse.

For one thing, I absolutely love this design of Mickey. The floppy ears, the cute expressions, just that old movie feel in my perspective. 

I love this cover so much. I also love the outline. That bold outline. Whereas the other corners are pretty thick. It's amazing, it almost makes me want to change my art style, it's maybe more appealing that way when it comes to publishing art.

 

These frames are just outstanding, each one is just cineamtic, so much personality. We get some stellar expressions. Something about it just gives Mickey and the others more character. It's more natural than the characters reacting kinda almost always optimistically. 

Just a quick example of what I like about old movies, I almost love all the climax sequences. I could make a full post on scenes I enjoy and feel inspired to, but one in particular is from The Third Man (1949), the Sewer scene is just phenomenal. Something about Harry Lime's reaction to what's he being chased by, and we have these cool environments that make the scene fun and explanatory.

It's very clear that movie directors aren't only influenced by movies, I see a connection to novels like chapter books and comic books. That's why I always liked storyboards. Next post I'm going to talk about a certain movie director who used storyboards as much as animators do.

I like some of the honest reactions we get here. Also a little sidenote is that the female lead isn't Minnie Mouse at all. It's just so cool to see an iconic character be with someone who while yes looks identical, has different facial features and a tougher more lively personality.

Almost like Oswald and Ortensia. There's just something more cuter but pleasent about their relationship, and not just a carbon copy.

Her name is Minerva, and she just reminds me of what I love about female leads, she's brave, not overly talkative and has a decent amount of emotional depth. She's a good character and I wished there was more of her.

I liked comics as a kid. I remember having alot of the Archie Sonic's and Spongebob comics, and I remember liking the illustrations and creativity. Even remember in elementary school in library class we got ourselves Rutabaga The Adventure Chef which I adored. I apparently got the 2nd book and was also just incredible. Eric Colossal, extremely talented.

But anyways, I still do collect comics, but I usually feel fine reading them only once, but there are some stories I keep on coming back to just like with some movies. 

I have difficulties drawing other things except for characters, I'm not sure if I ever might be animator for hire, I always felt more persuaded to designing, directing and storyboard art, but I would love to study more on drawing different angles and vehicles. Such as the image above, the design of the car is amazing.

I need to talk about the artists, I respect all the artists work that went into this. But from what I seen, Jonathan H. Gray and Paolo Mottura were responsible for the artwork. Mottura in particular outside of comics, his art is just incredible. He might be my favorite Disney artist.

He designed a couple of old movie parodies and this is his best. Obviously from Roman Holiday, Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn.

It's great because the film is B&W and the original movie posters aren't as visually stunning and lively in my taste. So beautiful, and really cute.

Here is his more incredible art. 

Love the sunset, also love Goofy's design. He looks really calm and appreciates the natural environments of what looks like The Grand Canyon? Not specifically a geologist myself on knowing that completely but still cool.

Another case where he designed Metropolis related artwork. This is just outstanding. Love these limited color tones. It's very passionate and honestly pays excellent tribute to the original Fritz Lang movie. I never actually seen it, but from what I researched so far, looks astonishing. It's a silent film but I grown more fond of them after I saw Safety Last and The Passion of Joan of Arc.

My Favorite Classic Animated Shorts

 

I remember doing a post way back when I started the exploration blog in August of 2024, I did two posts of my favorite cartoons, I since deleted it because I changed my opinion nowadays, and also most of the shorts I didn't really had enough thought to say that they were "masterpieces". I just sorta liked them, and that stems from what I had to say what were my biggest inspirations from over a million posts like how I stated musicals are supposedly better than other genres where I just like more or so the inventiveness and dancing not specifically the singing or anything else. 

These choices feel more clear to me. There will be some familiar cartoons if your a big huge fan of my blog ever since I created it.

The Great Piggy Bank Robbery (1946) 

Still my favorite Looney Tunes cartoon, I love the colors, the designs of the Dick Tracy inspired characters, Daffy's facial expressions are amazing, the action is some of the best in classic animation history. I absolutely love this short ever since I first saw it a few years ago. It was just unlike anything I ever saw.

Heavenly Puss (1949)

My favorite Tom and Jerry cartoon period. It just nails the Heaven and Hell imagery so well, it's challenging but very intriguing, the backgrounds are some of the best I ever seen. It's almost realistic in a way like when Tom enters the Heaven Gates. It's short but it's no exception.

Who Killed Who? (1943)

I was re-visting some old Tex Avery shorts and while I now have different opinions on his work, this is still my favorite out of his MGM shorts. It has everything I want to create myself. It has necessary live action scenes, incredible focus on the environment, and incredibly funny gags while having a mysterious ambience to it. It makes it more mature than the regular ol' comedic appeal and to that I really enjoyed it.

The Last Hungry Cat (1961) and Birds Anonymous (1957)

Normally, I don't watch Sylvester and Tweety cartoons as much. I'm more of a variety viewer, but there is still good moments in their cartoons, but there was 2 shorts from this classic duo that I had to mention. 

The Last Hungry Cat is a parody of Hitchcock specifically Alfred Hitchcock presents. I have watched the 1st episode, but you may have known that I enjoy his movies, like ALOT. The whole short is just Sylvester himself completely paranoid that he somehow killed Tweety, there is some incredible backgrounds, some neat camera angles, and is honestly straightforward for the most part. It's honestly a brilliant move for Freleng to direct this and is truly one of the last greats of the classic Looney Tunes repertoire.

On the other hand, Birds Anonymous is probably one of my favorite Looney Tunes shorts story-wise. It's not going for zany energy, and repeated elements, it's literally all about Sylvester trying to quit being addicted to eat Tweety, and it builds up to some of the most underrated acting I seen in a cartoon. It's just got a gentle and emotional feel to itself and it deserved an Acamedy Award honestly. It was truly original, and was a charming short film altogether.

Trombone Trouble (1944)

I have mixed feelings with Donald Duck's cartoons. He's still a classic and likeable character, but when it comes to directors like Jack King, he can make some of the darkest but most imaginative Disney shorts ever. This is just great and underappreciated. I love the animation, the environment, the scenes of Donald using superpowers, it's just incredible and I highly recommend to give this at least one watch. 

The Goddess Of Spring (1934)

I have posted a full review of this specific cartoon back last July, and yeah, it's still a very massive and ambitious short film that honestly has quite importance especially when it comes to Persephone, it actually helped create one of the most iconic animated films of all time, Snow White, but all that aside, this short film is just beautiful. The natural environments feel alive and the animation with the storm and the imps jumping around is just some intense stuff. 

Pluto's Judgement Day (1935)

Pluto mostly has his heartwarming and tolerable cartoons but this one is just masterful. Disney shorts this era have never been so eerie and fearsome without being too scary for all audiences. This has some great designs, and colors that ooze the dreaded feel of The Underworld. It's kinda disciplinary and I love it.

Scaredy Cat (1948)

This was one of my favorite Looney Tunes shorts ever since I first watched it. It just had an excellent premise and Chuck Jones never disappoints. He was incredibly talented during this period of the Looney Tunes era, and the gags, and intensity crafted in this short still continues to inspire me to this day.

Peace On Earth (1939)

As I got older the more I appreciate this film's message and poignant tone. This film mainly focuses on the imagery of war and gaining world peace. They even mention a Bible verse in this short which is amazing since I'm considered a Christian. This short should be easily seen at least once, it's my favorite cartoon for a reason. 

Bimbo's Initiation (1931)

I easily enjoy Fleischers work. I don't think I liked most of the 1920s output for cartoons except for the awesomeness that was Out Of The Inkwell, such a great series of cartoons. I also think Fleischers 1930s shorts specifically the orchestrated era were easily the best from the Golden Age as well. They just bloom with energy, and the songs are absolutely catchy and fit the vibe of the rubber hose animation but my favorite is Bimbo's Initiation. This is a very funny but intense cartoon and the ideas are all impeccable. 

Duck Amuck (1953)

It's Duck Amuck, I mean what can I even say? It's a masterpiece. The gags, the timing, the energy, the acting I could literally remember more than 75% of the lines from this short. I keep on coming back to this one because it's just got that simple toned-down Chuck Jones charm that I absolutely admire, but also giving off Tex Avery relation to breaking the 4th wall.

Cheese Chasers (1951)

All I got to say for this one is it's ending where "IT JUST DON'T ADD UP!"

I always appreciated the Hubie and Bertie shorts and I often related to Claude Cat in the past. Just a great cartoon and incredibly drawn facial expressions too.

And finally just any of the Foghorn Leghorn cartoons. They are all perfectly watchable and have funny moments in them. That "loudmouthed schnook" will always be one of my favorite cartoon characters.

And that is my list of my favorite classic cartoons. I have piled all of them onto my Letterboxd. If anyone would to interview me ever about this topic this would be useful, you'll never know!

Sleeping Beauty (1959) - Screencaps

 

I watched Sleeping Beauty (1959) just about 2 weeks ago, and upon re-visiting it, it is one of the most massive, incredibly ambitious, most pleasurable animated film I ever seen.

You ever just watch a film with the vibrant colors, cute characters, and didn't expect as an adult to relate to the emotional depth of the characters, and some symbolism and dark imagery?

Sorry to say but Disney rarely does that in their films in my opinion. I mostly found their movies to be more aimed at beginners who are looking for something to start being amused by. Moana, Tarzan, Aladdin, they're perfect for regular people but not for me. 

Sleeping Beauty is just beautiful, simple as that. There's a purpose at least and there's a natural intelligence to the entire film that makes it likeable.

The start of the film is just perfect. So much power, my favorite bits are when The Three Fairies watch Aurora at birth and they grant gifts and we get to see these utterly cool effects. 

Maleficent is truly wicked and her castle is just like her personality, I love the green color palette. 

We get a glimpse inside of the castle.

What I notice is that the movies I like especially animated in this era, are not full on the dialogue. It's strange because movies I absoutely enjoyed that weren't fully animated are dialogue heavy to be honest, it's so weird. But maybe I just have certain tastes that fit the genre of the films best.

They did so good with the final act of the movie. The final fight of Maleficent's dragon transformation and everything.

Credits to FILMGRAB.

This movie was insane production-wise. It had taken nearly a decade to make. It was made during Cinderella's release and further releases like Alice In Wonderland and Peter Pan. There was alot of experimental elements to the movie, using the Cinemascope method like in Lady And The Tramp, the angular but still charming art style, and the rise of TV from Walt Disney's studio. It was alot, and luckily this film was confident enough to be released in January of 1959.

Unique Camera Angles from Old Movies

 

Here's some camera angles I find distinctive and useful for inspiration. Since I'm an artist, particularly both hand-drawn and digital, and soon starting animation. I experience cinema very differently. I personally have a unique interest in inventive scenes from old movies, since I'm drawn to actors/actresses from the Golden Age of Hollywood. Also it makes films with creativity blooming effects and passion more enjoyable, at least to me.

Usually when I'm watching a movie, I just watch the characters talk, follow through the premise and easily appreciate them, but sometimes a film is so impactful, I could swear I wasn't watching just a movie at all, felt like a real experience and actors aren't acting their roles, they LIVE their roles.

Something about movies resonates me. I can relate to these movies. They aren't short cartoons just to laugh at.

A Streetcar Named Desire, The Grapes Of Wrath, It's A Wonderful Life, North By Northwest, Strangers On A Train, Mr. Smith Goes To Washington, all of those movies have a certain element to them whether it's the performances, the writing, etc. 

This scene is from The Killers (1946). I have actually never heard of this movie until now. Apparently it's a mystery, and people enjoy it, so I might give it a chance. I like this shot because you can directly see the woman staring at an actor I'm familiar with Burt Lancaster. The whole situation looks amusing. 

It's definitely an appealing scene.

Next is Suspicion (1941), I'm a fan of both Hitchcock and Grant, I'll get to another scene of them shortly, but this is by far the most iconic shots of the movie. We don't get to see Cary's face, it's almost completely silhouette. The shadow effect of the stairs is also outstanding.

I recently watched Touch By Evil (1958) a film directed by Orson Welles. He's by far my favorite directors when it comes to the cinematography and camera angles as I stated in his other films like Citizen Kane and Mr. Arkadin. This shot is just chef's kiss. It's so serious but sophisticated. I like that tough look on Orson's face. Also it being B&W while Technicolor was considered a standard process at this point, fit the film best.

Time for another Hitchcock movie starring Cary Grant, Notorious (1946). 

Unlike Suspicion, I actually watched this film, and while I wouldn't say it's great, it's got a great scene in it. The whole scene is focused on Alicia's point of view as Devlin walks into the room and the camera starts to move downwards. It's satisfying.

Lastly for now is the close-up of Miriam's glasses from Strangers On A Train (1951). This is such a great shot in particular showcasing Bruno's utter mysterious but abusive behavior. I'm not going into too much spoilers even for a movie made 75 years ago. 

And that's all I have for now. I may as well be doing a Part 2, maybe Technicolor version? Yet I haven't seen too much of old movies in color, but I'll definitely be on that trail very shortly. Besides I've shown you pictures from movies I have not yet seen so it is possible. 

More Great Vintage Art + Unique Color Styling

 

Wow! When I saw one of these, I needed to save more. This art is just amazing!

This is from 1952. It has my favorite artstyle. Blending the two-tone color palette and human illustration.

This next one is beautiful. Designed by one of my favorite artists, Alexander Ross.

I like these poses. They feel like they actually belong in a movie with heavy on dialogue characters and the crazy scenarios around them.

Here's a solid one by Ward Brackett. I like the yellow and purple palette.

These drawings look very sophisticated, I like the different textures of each human whether it's their facial expressions and wrinkles so they don't look too basic or young by their appearance. The pink reminds me of Barbie for some reason.

"The Gift That Couldn't Be Wrapped" that sounds like a movie title. I seen that these were stories but they would've worked decently as supposedly parody feature film posters.

Vintage art like this aspires more clever, inventive pleasure at least to me. 

I think that's why I want to experience the most likeable, and appealing art from generations I'm mostly aware of. 

Here's some of my artwork with the two-tone style.

I would recommend you to check out this post if you haven't.

https://sngexplorationblog.blogspot.com/2025/10/vintage-art-two-tone-limited-color.html?m=1