Why? Well, as explained on the company website, for many years his birthday was simply moved to tie in with some promotional campaign of one of the company's many licensees. Thus, the famous rodent's natal day was celebrated over the years on a variety of dates, from September to late December. Finally, in 1978 the corporation decided to go with the premiere date of Steamboat Willie, the Mouse's first onscreen appearance: November 18, 1928.
But back in 1953, September was still his birthday month, and that's the idea behind the ad above for the IGA grocery store chain with a 'Mickey Mouse Party' theme. It appeared in the Lorain Journal on September 10, 1953. (According to the Walt Disney Archives website, 1953 was celebrated as Mickey's 25th birthday.)
Anyway, the ad includes a nice illustration of Mickey atop his cake (yuck), surrounded by Goofy, Pluto Pup, Minnie Mouse, and Donald Duck Bongo the Bear.
6 comments:
The professional jealousy between said duck and mouse was well known all over Hollywood. Business both frequented were required to have a separate entrance for each. Each had their own, special, dinner sets to avoid touching or eating from cutlery or dishes the other had used.
Things only got worse when Minnie arrived home late one night with what looked suspiciously like bill marks all over her back and tushie. After that, Walt, the man himself, had to intervene to keep the mouse from committing duckicide.
It's a sad story, really. And one from which we all can learn.
Hey, who wouldn't want to go to a party where the host serves IGA-spiced luncheon meat, IGA corned beef hash, liver, Chee-Zo pimento cheese food and canned fruit cocktail!
Don - I remember reading about that incident in Hollywood Babylon. Almost as big as the Fatty Arbuckle scandal!
Buster - Don't forget about the baby beef liver - "Young and Tender."
Yeah... Rumor was, that to take the focus off his boys, Walt imagineered the entire Arbuckle thing.
Wouldn't surprise me one bit.
Forget Mickey.I like me some Annette Funicello.I just watched Beach Blanket Bingo the other day and she looked amazing as usual.
Eric von Zipper and “the finger!”
Eric von Zipper was hilarious! I even imitate him at work (sort of) to the confusion of my younger co-worker, designating things that "I like" or that "I do not like." Funny to think he was in "Stalag 17."
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