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 which was actually funny and paced, executed very well. 

Mickey's Christmas Carol - Scrooge's Worst Nightmare

 

Last year I decided to watch Mickey's Christmas Carol, I liked it at first, but I seemingly like it more nowadays because of how more dramatic and deep this film is. It's still really timeless after 42 years! The particular scene I'm discussing is Scrooge's haunting nightmare. This is some stellar stuff for a rather harmless franchise. 

The imagery in this scene is fascinating.

Also given that Scrooge McDuck chosen the role of Ebenezer Scrooge is just perfect.

The colors remind me of Secret of NIMH especially with the final act. Those clouds though. Just wonderful.

The blue smoke layers add a little more depth. It's extremely well-crafted.

I always kinda liked the original story, it's dreadful but very interesting for what it is especially with the truly dark and menacing moment when Tiny Tim Cratchit loses fate. It's really emotional but well executed. 

I love this scene. Great animation and feeling of utter grief as Mickey sheds a tear. 

I also really miss when animated films added details to make the scenes more unique like when Mickey places Tim's crutch on the gravestone. 

If you haven't watched this film yet it does feature cameos. It was nice to see some traces of old Disney movie characters since I'm more interested in them than the Mickey Mouse characters. Characters from Robin Hood, and Wind In The Willows. They don't feel pointless either. 

Now we get into the most threatening part of all. Ebenezer's last fate, as the Ghost of Christmas Future lights a candle revealing his name on the gravestone.

It turns out to be Pete and smacks him inside. To be fair, Pete has never been a truly terrifying antagonist to me, but here he feels like an actual good villain, great animation as well.

It's insane to think this was an actual dream that Scrooge had all because he was too selfish and his lack of welfare. This type of behavior will put you in bad condition so that's why you should trust other people. 

Then, the coffin opens and shows the flames of Hell. 

My goodness, this is some cruel stuff. It's hard to allow these certain elements to a film that originally released in theaters but also television.

After Scrooge's unpleasant nightmare is over, he then learns his lesson. He spreads joy and happiness around London and comes to visit The Cratchit family house to send over gifts and gives Bob played by Mickey Mouse, a raise. Sometimes one dream could ultimately change you.

My final thoughts? I absolutely loved it. This might be one of my favorite adaptations of the original novel. I could easily relate to all the morality and emotion behind it. When they show scenes of the food, it really looks tasty and delectable. The early to mid 80s for Disney was honestly underappreciated. I felt like their concepts and character development was at their best, probably better than the Golden Age and Renaissance era. What's also special about this film is that it's getting more recognition. It's free to watch on YouTube, probably for a limited time though but feel free to experience it yourself. 

I would give this film a 9.5/10.

Lonesome Ghosts (1937)

 

It's October! 🎃 

Let's start this month off with a cartoon, Disney's Lonesome Ghosts (1937). It's a near perfect film that captures the spookiness and mysterious genre of films decently. 

There's some great backgrounds at the start. My guess is that Bill Herwig did some of the scenes because I researched into the original layouts and sketches and noticed his signature in one of the drawings like the haunted house.

This is the best way to start a cartoon in my opinion. We get to see what's inside and meet the zany and mischievous ghosts. 

I also loved how Mickey, Donald and Goofy looked back in the late 30s when they paired together. In my opinion this their best designs. I miss the simple oval eyes for Mickey and the white sailor hat for Donald. 

I love this few second scene of the trio walking in the snow. Backgrounds also are warm and calming. Animated by the legendary Milt Kahl!

Both Bob Wickersham and Izzie Klein animated my favorite moments of the film where Mickey tries to chase after a ghost and he dashes rapidly in drybrush frames. 

Alot of the shorts from this time period also remind me of The Three Stooges, and watching the other films, like Mickey's Service Station and Boat Builders, I can tell there's obvious tints of inspiration.

I also think the old Disney movies were at their best with camera angles and where to face the character in different circumstances and situations. Like with the multiplane camera, they knew how to make their films even their short subjects cinematic. 

Here's more great backgrounds, smart color scheme too.

I love this cartoon, I would highly recommend it now that Halloween is coming. Here's a few bonus treats for ya. 

Some ink publicity drawings. 

I would also like to credit the animators. 

Izzie Klein, Ed Love, Milt Kahl, Marvin Woodward, Rex Cox, Bob Wickersham, Gerry Geronimi, Dick Heumer, and Roy Williams.

Thanks to Mark Mayerson for the mosaics, feel free to experience his blog, he's done other mosaics and highly check those out.

https://mayersononanimation.blogspot.com/search/label/Mosaics?m=0

It's beautifully remastered on Disney+, but you can also experience it on Toontales if you don't have the app. Your choice. 

https://www.toontales.net/short/lonesome-ghosts/