Throughout the early to mid-20th century, Disney has released multiple Mickey Mouse shorts. I’ve seen a bunch of them at my friend’s house. As a result, I have some favorites.

Even though I normally discuss full-length features on this blog, I do occasionally talk about short films. They still count as movies.

Anyway, here are my top 3 picks:

1: Ye Olden Days (1933)

Set in medieval times, Mickey plays a minstrel who rides on a mule. Meanwhile, Princess Minnie is about to wed the buffoon, Dippy Dog (or Goofy, as we know him today). But she hits him since she doesn’t trust him. The king then forces the guards to lock her in the attic. Luckily, Mickey comes and frees her. She falls in love with him. Yet the wedding is continuing.

Aside from the old-fashioned artistic styles and black and white animation, the music is beautiful at times – especially when Mickey and Minnie spend romantic times together. I also admired the early portrayals of feminism, such as Minnie slapping Dippy Dog. And this was set during a time when women still lacked equal rights to men.

2: The Nifty Nineties (1941)

Set in the 1890s, Mickey meets Minnie at a park, takes her to a show, and then a ride around town. And this is all for romance.

What stands out to me was how the 90s referred to the 1890s, because the 1990s hadn’t happened yet. In addition, I admired the accuracy of Mickey and Minnie’s outfits and how shows were much cheaper than today. But the price values were pretty much equivalent to the present.

One of the most beautiful parts was when the show began with a musical picture presentation of a little girl wanting her father to come home from the bar. It used a sad song and included the girl’s baby brother dying from an illness. But I found it odd that men sang in the background. Yet that doesn’t stop me from enjoying this short.

3: Brave Little Tailor (1938)

Set sometime after Ye Olden Days, Mickey is distracted by flies as he sews. But there is news about a giant, causing the citizens to panic.

Mickey tells the others that he killed them. But even though he meant flies, they think he meant giants. The king even promises him lots of money and to marry Princess Minnie if he defeats the giant.

Mickey accepts the offer but is scared because he never caught a giant. However, the giant turns out to be dopey and not that dangerous.

The plot of this short drew me in since everyone misunderstood Mickey, making him have to take a huge risk. Parts of it were also kind of funny, such as how the giant said, “Smoke.” He even made his own cigarette and smoked it.

For those who don’t know, smoking used to be appropriate for family-friendly entertainment. But now Disney Plus places a tobacco warning before this short begins.

Conclusion 

Although I’ve seen other Mickey Mouse short films, these are the ones that I favor the most.

If you have favorites that you want to share, feel free to let me know in the comments.