This Day in History May 15, 1928

Well, I got my information corrected tonight.  Here I thought Steamboat Willie was the first Mickey Mouse cartoon.  I was sure wrong.  That was the first talking MM cartoon.  It was on this date in 1928 that Mickey Mouse truly made his debut in a silent cartoon called Plane Crazy.  But it was not widely distributed.  It was screened by an audience, and the studio decided it needed a soundtrack.  So it actually became the third one widely released, and Willie became the first one widely distributed.

I'm sure you guys know this, but Walt Disney was the original voice of Mickey Mouse.  And I'm sure you also know that Walt Disney was not a good student in school.  I guess I always try to remember as a teacher that the kid that is acting up or not really paying attention in school may be the next great so-and-so.

I will tell you honestly that I never have been a Mickey Mouse fan, especially the classic ones.  In fact, I never got into all those characters that much.  Sounds strange, I know.  The only time I liked Mickey was in Mickey's Christmas Carol.  I remember listening to the record album way back when.  It was my introduction to Ebenezer Scrooge.  I memorized the album before I ever got a chance to watch the movie.  And here I am rambling.  That probably is a sign of my age.  In less than a month, I'll be 38, and that is just a stone's throw from 40.  But enough of that.

For lots more information, check out:
http://www.bcdb.com/cartoon_info/3821-Plane_Crazy.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plane_Crazy

Walt Disney's "Brave" Trailer and More

This is going to be a must-see film when it comes out this summer.  I love all the cute and fun films that Disney does, but this one looks like it is an animated film with a message!

BRAVE (In Disney Digital 3D™)

Disney•Pixar

Website & Mobile site: Disney.com/Brave

Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/PixarBrave

Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/disneypixar

Genre:                          Animation/Comedy/Adventure

Rating:                         TBD

U.S. Release Date:       June 22, 2012

Voice Talent:                Kelly Macdonald, Emma Thompson, Billy Connolly, Julie Walters, Kevin McKidd, Craig Ferguson, Robbie Coltrane

Directors:                     Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman

Producer:                     Katherine Sarafian

Composer:                    Patrick Doyle

Since ancient times, stories of epic battles and mystical legends have been passed through the generations across the rugged and mysterious Highlands of Scotland. In “Brave,” a new tale joins the lore when the courageous Merida (voice of Kelly Macdonald) confronts tradition, destiny and the fiercest of beasts.

Merida is a skilled archer and impetuous daughter of King Fergus (voice of Billy Connolly) and Queen Elinor (voice of Emma Thompson). Determined to carve her own path in life, Merida defies an age-old custom sacred to the uproarious lords of the land: massive Lord MacGuffin (voice of Kevin McKidd), surly Lord Macintosh (voice of Craig Ferguson) and cantankerous Lord Dingwall (voice of Robbie Coltrane). Merida’s actions inadvertently unleash chaos and fury in the kingdom, and when she turns to an eccentric old Witch (voice of Julie Walters) for help, she is granted an ill-fated wish. The ensuing peril forces Merida to discover the meaning of true bravery in order to undo a beastly curse before it’s too late.

Directed by Mark Andrews and Brenda Chapman, and produced by Katherine Sarafian, “Brave” is a grand adventure full of heart, memorable characters and the signature Pixar humor enjoyed by audiences of all ages. The film takes aim at theaters on June 22, 2012, and will be presented in Disney Digital 3D™ in select theaters.

Notes:

·        Director Mark Andrews served as story supervisor for the Disney•Pixar films “Ratatouille” and “The Incredibles,” and was Oscar^®-nominated as the co-writer/co-director of the Pixar short “One Man Band.”  He also contributed to the screenplay as co-writer and served as second unit director for the 2012 Walt Disney Studios film “John Carter.” Director Brenda Chapman directed DreamWorks Animation’s “The Prince of Egypt” and was story supervisor for the Disney classic “The Lion King.” Producer Katherine Sarafian produced the Pixar short film “Lifted” and served as production manager for “The Incredibles.”

·        Actress Kelly Macdonald stars as Margaret Schroeder on HBO's "Boardwalk Empire," and as Ravenclaw's ghost, The Grey Lady, in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.”  Her film credits also include “No Country for Old Men,” “Gosford Park” and “Trainspotting.”

·        Appearing in the movies “Men in Black 3” and “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2,” Emma Thompson is an Oscar®-winning actress (“Howards End”) and screenwriter (“Sense and Sensibility”) who most recently starred in, wrote and executive produced “Nanny McPhee Returns.”   

·        Scottish comedian Billy Connolly most recently served as narrator for the Walt Disney Animation Studios short “The Ballad of Nessie” and appeared in “Gulliver’s Travels.”

A grand adventure full of heart, memorable characters and signature Pixar humor, “Brave” uncovers a new tale in the mysterious Highlands of Scotland where the impetuous Merida (voice of Kelly Macdonald) defies an age-old custom and inadvertently unleashes chaos, forcing her to discover the meaning of true bravery before it’s too late. Opens June 22, 2012, in Disney Digital 3D™ in select theaters.