The Complete History and Videos of Walt Disney's Animated Shorts: Part 2 (1925-1927)

Updated 4/17/10: Changed the formatting a little.
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The saga continues as we show you all of Disney's animated shorts. This is Part 2. 1925 continued Walt's success with his Alice Comedies, featuring Alice and the increasingly popular Julius the cat. The animated sections took the priority over the live-action gags once Walt got Ub Iwerks on board in LA. In late 1927, Walt traded his Alice Comedies for his Oswald the Lucky Rabbit shorts.

The History and Videos of Walt Disney's Animated Shorts

Part 2: 1925-1927

1925

1) Alice Comedy 12: Alice Cans the Cannibals - January 1, 1925 - Dir. by Walt Disney

Alice and Julius drive their car into the sea where they become stranded on an island occupied by cannibals.



Animation: Ub Iwerks, Rollin "Ham" Hamilton, Thurston Harper

Live action camera: Mike Marcus

Live action actors: Virginia Davis

NOTES: (1) Nice perspective when Julius lassos the fish.

NOTABLE GAGS: (1) Nice punny title! (2) I like the balloon tire they used to float away on. (3) When they landed on the tree, it felt like Dr. Seuss.


2) Alice Comedy 13: Alice the Toreador - January 15, 1925 - Dir. by Walt Disney




3) Alice Comedy 14: Alice Gets Stung - February 1, 1925 - Dir. by Walt Disney

Oddly, this short is included in The Adventures of Oswald Rabbit DVD set. Could it be Oswald's first appearance?


4) Alice Comedy 15: Alice Solves the Puzzle - February 15, 1925 - Dir. by Walt Disney



This is the first appearance of the oldest lasting Disney character, Pete:



Pete started out as a bear in the Alice shorts.

Though Pete is officially a cat, his feline appearance was later subdued in Goof Troop, and he resembled a dog like many other characters in the series.

During World War II, Walt Disney lent Pete to the Merchant Marines:



Pete also appeared as Donald's Seargant in some WWII shorts.


5) Alice Comedy 16: Alice's Egg Plant - May 30, 1925 - Dir. by Walt Disney




6) Alice Comedy 17: Alice Loses Out - June 15, 1925 - Dir. by Walt Disney


7) Alice Comedy 18: Alice Is Stage Struck - June 30, 1925 - Dir. by Walt Disney

In Alice Is Stage Struck (October 1, 1925) Pete is casted as the stuff of nightmares for little Alice. She is depicted performing a stage version of Uncle Tom's Cabin with her live-action friends when she falls unconscious. In her nightmare , Alice is being chased by Pete in his dog sled across an Arctic environment.

NEED OFFICIAL DATE!!!!


8) Alice Comedy 19: Alice Wins the Derby - July 15, 1925 - Dir. by Walt Disney

In Alice Wins the Derby (May 5, 1925) Pete, Alice and Julius are among several contestants in a combined horse racing/auto racing event. Pete first demonstrates his skill at cheating on sporting events to achieve victory. However a car accident takes both Pete and Julius out of the race. The ending is given away by the title of the short.

NEED OFFICIAL DATE!!!!


9) Alice Comedy 20: Alice Picks the Champ - July 30, 1925 - Dir. by Walt Disney

10) Alice Comedy 21: Alice's Tin Pony - August 15, 1925 - Dir. by Walt Disney



Alice's Tin Pony (November 15, 1925): The "pony" of the title was actually a train transporting passengers Alice and Julius along with a payroll shipment. The shipment attracts the attention of "Pete the Bear" and his gang of outlaws who attempt a train robbery. This was the first time Pete was depicted as leader of his own gang rather that a solitary villain. This depiction would prevail in his comic book appearances for decades.

NEED OFFICIAL DATE!!!!

Pete the Bear appears in Alice's Tin Pony (before he became a cat):




11) Alice Comedy 22: Alice Chops the Suey - August 30, 1925 - Dir. by Walt Disney

Wow, Walt was punny! Great title!


12) Alice Comedy 23: Alice the Jail Bird - September 15, 1925 - Dir. by Walt Disney


13) Alice Comedy 24: Alice Plays Cupid - October 15, 1925 - Dir. by Walt Disney


14) Alice Comedy 25: Alice Rattled by Rats - November 15, 1925 - Dir. by Walt Disney


15) Alice Comedy 26: Alice in the Jungle - December 15, 1925 - Dir. by Walt Disney



1926

1) Alice Comedy 26.1: Alice on the Farm - January 1, 1926 - Dir. by Walt Disney

In Alice on the Farm (January 1, 1926), Pete performs his first act of kidnapping. He abducts Alice from a farm early on the short. Pete places her in a bag, punches her out and gives his own, silent version of an evil laugh. Julius then has to win custody of his female friend in a duel. Arguably the first of many duels Pete would have in his long career. Notably both Pete and Julius received more screen time than Alice herself.

NEED TO VERIFY THIS ONE EXISTED AND THE DATE IS RIGHT!!!


1) Alice Comedy 27: Alice's Balloon Race - January 15, 1926 - Dir. by Walt Disney

As you can see, Walt was winding down on the popularity and the ideas for these Alice shorts. They ran their course, and the usefulness for combining the live action with cartoons was no longer present in these shorts. They felt like they should just be toons instead.

Pete upstaged Alice again in Alice's Balloon Race (March 1, 1926) where said balloon race serves as an excuse for another confrontation between Julius and his arch-enemy. Alice served as a bit player in her own film.

NEED TO VERIFY DATE!!!


2) Alice Comedy 28: Alice's Mysterious Mystery - February 15, 1926 - Dir. by Walt Disney

Pete received a darker role in Alice's Mysterious Mystery (February 15, 1926). The title mystery concerns the abduction of an entire school of puppies by two mysterious dog catchers. Amateur detectives Alice and Julius investigate the case. The trail leads to Pete and an unnamed anthropomorphic rat serving as his henchman. The duo had abducted the puppies to sell them to a local sausage factory. Arguably establishing Pete as more ruthless than a mere kidnapper.


3) Alice Comedy 29: Alice in the Wooly West - October 4, 1926 - Dir. by Walt Disney




3) Alice Comedy 29.1: Alice's Spanish Guitar - November 29, 1926 - Dir. by Walt Disney

In Alice's Spanish Guitar (November 29, 1926), Pete listens to Alice playing guitar in a Spanish café. Pete is charmed by her music and abducts the girl once again. He keeps her captive in his own castle. Julius once again has to save the damsel in distress.

NEED TO VERIFY THIS ONE EXISTED AND THE DATE IS RIGHT!!!


3) Alice Comedy 29.2: Alice's Brown Derby - December 13, 1926 - Dir. by Walt Disney

Alice's Brown Derby (December 13, 1926) depicts a horse racing contest where Pete attempts to cheat again while Julius rides a mechanical horse. Alice the Lumberjack (December 27, 1926), finds Alice and Julius working as lumberjacks. Pete interrupts their work to abduct Alice again. Julius is forced to come to the rescue once again. Both shorts can be seen as evidence of the repetition of plot themes that plagued the series as it progressed.

NEED TO VERIFY THIS ONE EXISTED AND THE DATE IS RIGHT!!!



1927

1) Alice Comedy 29.3: Alice the Gold Bug - January 10, 1927 - Dir. by Walt Disney

Alice the Gold Bug (January 10, 1927) had Alice, Julius, and Pete competing against each other in a surreal golf game. Alice Foils the Pirates (January 24, 1927) has a misleading title. Actually the short features Pete holding Alice hostage in a pirate ship while Julius comes to the rescue. Pete would later be cast as an experienced captain and occasional pirate in both his comic strip and comic book appearances.

NEED TO VERIFY THIS ONE EXISTED AND THE DATE IS RIGHT!!!


2) Alice Comedy 29.4: Alice at the Rodeo - February 21, 1927 - Dir. by Walt Disney

Alice at the Rodeo (February 21, 1927) features Alice and Julius in a rodeo. Alice rides a bull which has little trouble throwing the little girl off his back. Julius proves more successful in bronc riding and wins first prize. But it is Pete who escapes with his winnings. This naturally leads to another confrontation between the two rivals.

NEED TO VERIFY THIS ONE EXISTED AND THE DATE IS RIGHT!!!


1)Alice Comedy 29.5: Alice in the Alps - March 21, 1927 - Dir. by Walt Disney

Alice in the Alps (March 21, 1927) indeed has Alice and Julius ice skating in the Alps. They encounter Pete while mountaineering. Alice's Auto Race (April 4, 1927) actually features Julius and Pete competing in their usual style. Alice's Knaughty Knight (May 2, 1927) features Julius and Pete as knights in armour fighting over the affections of Lady Alice.

NEED TO VERIFY THIS ONE EXISTED AND THE DATE IS RIGHT!!!


1) Alice Comedy 29.6: Alice's Channel Swim - June 13, 1927 - Dir. by Walt Disney

Alice's Channel Swim (June 13, 1927) has Julius and Pete competing in a swimming race across the English Channel. Alice was actually the referee rather than a swimmer.

NEED TO VERIFY THIS ONE EXISTED AND THE DATE IS RIGHT!!!


1)Alice Comedy 29.7: Alice in the Klondike - June 27, 1927 - Dir. by Walt Disney

Alice in the Klondike (June 27, 1927) has Alice and Julius as gold prospectors in Klondike, Yukon, Canada. Their successful search attracts their old rival Pete who wants the gold for himself. This would be the final appearance of Pete in the series. The series would have four more entries , ending with Alice in the Big League on August 22, 1927. Pete would be the only character of the series to survive its ending.

NEED TO VERIFY THIS ONE EXISTED AND THE DATE IS RIGHT!!!


1) Alice Comedy 30: Alice the Whaler - July 25, 1927 - Dir. by Walt Disney



Of course, Disney revisited Alice 24 years later with the Alice in Wonderland movie in 1951.

This is when Winkler (Mintz) officially canceled his contract, and he had to come up with a character that more directly competed with Felix the Cat. Disney came up with Oswald...


2) Oswald the Lucky Rabbit 1: Trolley Troubles - September 5, 1927 - Dir. by Walt Disney



Before he created Mickey Mouse, Walt Disney drew cartoons of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit for Universal Pictures and Charles Mintz. This was the first of these films which was released to theaters. Disney actually thought he owned the rights to Oswald. However, in 1928, Charles Mintz showed Disney that he didn't own the rights to Oswald. Mintz conned Disney out of Oswald, and Oswald remained in Universal's possession until two years ago, when Robert Iger traded Oswald to Universal for a contract on a sports reporter.

Other animators who were involved included Ub Iwerks, Hugh Harman, Friz Freleng, Les Clark, Ben Clopton, Norm Blackburn and Rollin "Ham" Hamilton.
Note that the original film was silent. The soundtrack was added when it was re-released a few years later. This was actually the second Oswald cartoon released. The first one, Oh Teacher, wasn't a successful pilot because the studio heads thought the rabbit wasn't appealing enough. However, Disney still got Oh Teacher released a few weeks after this one.


2) Oswald the Lucky Rabbit 1.1: The Banker's Daughter - September 15, 1927 - Dir. by Walt Disney

A more characteristic depiction of Oswald came with The Banker's Daughter (September 15, 1927). Oswald was working as a limousine driver for a banker but is quickly fired for flirting with Miss Cottontail, the daughter of his employer. When Pete performs his first bank robbery at the same bank, Oswald comes to the rescue in order to become a hero and gain favor with the Cottontails. This love interest to Oswald would never appear again.

NEED TO VERIFY THIS ONE EXISTED AND THE DATE IS RIGHT!!!


3) Oswald the Lucky Rabbit 2: Oh Teacher - September 19, 1927 - Dir. by Walt Disney



The first Oswald short, it was released after the first.


4) Oswald the Lucky Rabbit 3: The Mechanical Cow - October 3, 1927 - Dir. by Walt Disney



Disney made a semi-sequel/remake to this short in 1932, The Mechanical Man, starring Mickey Mouse.


5) Oswald the Lucky Rabbit 4: Great Guns - October 17, 1927 - Dir. by Walt Disney




Oswald the Lucky Rabbit 4.1: Rickety Gin - October 19, 1927 - Dir. by Walt Disney

Rickety Gin (October 19, 1927) features Pete in a more comedic and romantic role. Oswald appears as a police officer who uses his fancy uniform to romance an unnamed young nurse. Pete succeeds at getting the officer drunk and proceeds in stealing his uniform and romancing the nurse himself. Apparently the lady was attracted to uniform-wearing men.

NEED TO VERIFY THIS ONE EXISTED AND THE DATE IS RIGHT!!!


6) Oswald the Lucky Rabbit 5: All Wet - October 31, 1927 - Dir. by Walt Disney

Nuthin.


7) Oswald the Lucky Rabbit 6: The Ocean Hop - November 14, 1927 - Dir. by Walt Disney



Pete's introduction to his new adversary came with the sixth Oswald short, The Ocean Hop (September 8, 1927). Apparently inspired by Charles Lindbergh, the two enter an aeroplane race across the Atlantic Ocean. Hugh Harman and Rollin Hamilton were responsible for animating several inventive gags during the film. At least one became a classic. At some point Oswald runs off a cliff and continues to walk on air without the effect of gravity until realizing there no ground to stand on. The gag would be reused in many cartoon shorts to come. One should note that Charles Lindbergh also served as the inspiration for Plane Crazy (May 15, 1928), the first cartoon to feature Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse.

NEED TO VERIFY DATE!!!


7) Oswald the Lucky Rabbit 6.1: Harem Scarem - December 20, 1927 - Dir. by Walt Disney

Harem Scarem (December 20, 1927) features Pete and Oswald in Morocco. Oswald falls in love with a dancer and Pete abducts her, leading to another heroic rescue for Oswald.

NEED TO VERIFY THIS ONE EXISTED AND THE DATE IS RIGHT!!!


8) Clara Cleans Her Teeth - 1927

The dentist ordered a sequel to Tommy Tucker's Tooth. These shorts are important because it shows how Walt was always willing to put his cartoons to good use for our society. He did this more later with patriotic shorts (most cartoons were doing this though) and to education (for example, the math and colors shorts featuring Donald Duck are still used in classrooms to this day).



Click here for the next section, 1928-1929!

- TAE