"HOOZOO" FILE #1: MICKEY MOUSE

[rich.bellacera@amail.amdahl.com]

                        HOOZOO FILE #1:  MICKEY MOUSE
                        =============================


CHARACTER:  MICKEY MOUSE
BREED:  anthropomorphized mouse
REAL NAME OR FORMER ALIAS:  Mortimer Mouse
FIRST PRINT APPEARANCE: Jan. 13, 1930 (comicstrip)
FIRST FILM APPEARANCE: Nov. 18, 1928 (animated cartoon: "Steamboat Willie")
KNOWN RELATIVES:  Minnie (wife/girlfriend), Morty & Ferdie Fieldmouse,
Montie, Morrie, Marmaduke (nephews), Molly, Maisie (neices), Agatha, Marissa
(aunts), Mortimer (uncle).
PETS:  Pluto the Pup, Bianca the Goldfish, Milton the Cat
FAMOUS SAYINGS: "Heh, heh" (nervous laugh)
HISTORICAL DETAILS:

Mickey Mouse is a clean-living, funloving, "nice guy".  He is a hard worker
who puts his "all" into anything he attempts.  Intelligent, quick-witted, and
a true optimist.  Mickey is contemporary at all times.  He is the kind of guy
who can make things happen!  He's the best!  he's everyone's favorite kind of
guy.

Throughout Mickey's "illustrious" carreer (in films, comics and merchandise)
he has held a number of occupations such as ghostbuster, fire fighter, prince,
ship captain, mason, bandleader, bellhop detective, statesman, etc.

As a family man, Mickey is a devoted lover and admirer of the fair Minnie.
According to official sources, he and the lady are indeed married, but this
information is strictly a matter of privacy.  On screen he is the devoted
sutor; perpetually courting for Minnie's affections.

Mickey is often seen as an idealistic "master" to his devout pet and pal,
Pluto.  The two are almost inseperable (at times).

Mickey is also often cast into the role of "father" to his two nephews, Morty
and Ferdie Feildmouse.  Though at first he seemed quite frightened of the
thought of raising children ("Mickey's Nightmare" -1932), he has since come to
equitable terms with the idea.

Perhaps Mickey's greatest foe is Bad Pete, but then Pete is "everyone's"
greates foe.  Pete has been Mickey's (and Donald's and Goofy's) perpetual
"thorn in the flesh" (angst).

Along with Minnie, Donald, Goofy and Pluto, Mickey is one of Disney's "Fab
Five" ( the line-up of Disney's top stars).  Despite his status as "The
Embodiment of Disney Inc." he has since been upstaged by his two best friends
Donald & Goofy in cartoons and high jinks.

INTERESTING OR OBSCURE FACTS:
  Voice Actors: Walt Disney (1929-1946); James McDonald (1946-1983); Wayne
                Allwine (1983-present)
  First Talkie: "Karnival Kid" -1929
  First "real" Film:  Plane Crazy -1928.  "Steamboat Willie" was actually the
                third film Walt Disney & Ub Iwerks produced.

ORIGIN:

  Mickey Mouse really finds his origin in Walt Disney's earlier productions
  called "The Alice Comedies" which were anthology about a "real" little girl
  who finds herself in the world of animation.  Her bestfriend is a silly
  mischevious "cartoon" cat named Julius.  Julius also went by the name "Mike"
  and he and a mouse named "Ike" were teamed up in Walts personal attempt to
  capitolize on the fame of "Krazy Kat."  With the demise of the Alice
  Comidies came an abrupt end to the careers of "Mike & Ike."  Later, Walt
  produced a series of cartoons featuring "Oswald the Lucky Rabbit."  Walt
  lost the rights to Oswald, but he too the concepts of Oswald and Ike and
  fashioned a brand new character:  Mortimer Mouse.  Well, as the story goes,
  Lillian Disney (Walt's wife) thought the name "Mortimer" was terrible and
  she suggested "Mickey" and a legend was born.

CORPORATE INFO:

  Mickey's Head (three perfect circles) is the known world-wide as the logo
  and symbol for all things "Disney", and is usually equated with "whole-
  someness."


NEXT:  HOOZOO FILE #2:  MINNIE MOUSE