Mickey's Surprise Party

A Commercial Short

Release Date : February 18, 1939

Synopsis

Minnie's biscuits are spoiled when she accidentally gets unpopped popcorn into the dough, and the whole batch explodes. ("It always happened to my mother, too," Mickey helpfully comments.) Luckily, Mickey had biscuits from the store with him all along.

Characters

Mickey Mouse

Minnie Mouse

Pluto

Fifi, the Pekinese

Credits

Animation

Walt Kelly

Video

Laserdiscs

United States

The Spirit of Mickey

Japan

Minnie's Greatest Hits / Pluto's Greatest Hits

DVD

United States

Disney Treasures : Mickey Mouse in Living Color (Volume 1)

Germany

Disney Treasures : Mickey Mouse in Living Color (Volume 1)

France

Disney Treasures : Mickey Mouse in Living Color (Volume 1)

Italy

Disney Treasures : Mickey Mouse in Living Color (Volume 1)

Sweden

Disney Treasures : Mickey Mouse in Living Color (Volume 1)

United Kingdom

Disney Treasures : Mickey Mouse in Living Color (Volume 1)

Technical Specification

Color Type: Technicolor

Animation Type: Standard animation

Sound Mix: Mono

Aspect Ratio: 1.37 : 1

Negative Format: 35mm

Print Format: 35mm

Cinematographic Process: Spherical

Original Language: English

Comments

A commercial short made for the National Biscuit Company and shown at the 1939 New York World's Fair.

From Jerry Edwards : The version on the Spirit of Mickey video is censored. All references to the Nabisco brand name, including removing the name from the cookies and boxes, have been deleted. I can only guess that Disney was not able to work out a deal with Nabisco to show this short as it was originally. I have never seen the original, uncensored short.

From Ryan : This short was originally made as a commercial for Nabisco (the brand name is censored now most likely for copyright reasons). It doesn't have any action in it and in my opinion, isn't too humorous except for some fun gags like when Mickey takes some water out of the fish bowl to put out the burning cookies. I guess I just like it because it has some familiar Disney characters.

From Roger : Although I don't recall ever seeing an edited version of this short, what I believe is an unedited version is hidden on the Walt Disney Treasures: Mickey Mouse in Living Color DVD. On the second disc, press the up arrow on your remote when 'play all' is highlighted. Mickey's head appears in the "o" of Mouse. Press enter to see the cartoon. It is fairly basic, but takes on a bizarre air for me when the commercial part starts. Who knew Mickey liked Fig Newtons…

From Hips : This is one of many "commercial" theatrical shorts of the '30s and '40s that pre-dated the "informercials" you now see on late-night television. Yes, it's clear that the aim here was to sell cookies (thus the simplicity of the storyline). Seeing this unedited print on the "Mickey Mouse In Living Color" DVD is a joy, not just because of its content, but it is a bit of a nostalgic trip to see the Nabisco packaging of the times. Rare Disney at its best.

From Kyle Hanson : I had seen this short on The Spirit of Mickey and I think this is a very cute short. I had many favorite parts for example when Minnie hears a knock on the door, she thinks it Mickey. So she puts some lipstick on, straightens her hair, and she says "Come In" when she plays the piano. Another part that really fascinate me that Pluto and Fifi does the same thing Mickey and Minnie are doing. For example, when Minnie cries because of the cookies Fifi cries too. Then Pluto joins in. When Mickey buys Minnie cookies, Pluto buys Fifi doggie treats.

From Walt Santner : The N.B.C. National Biscuit Company Magazine issue of January-February 1939 (Volume 26, Number 1) has an article entitled "N.B.C. Theaters at New York and San Francisco World's Fairs.".

"In New York, we have a circular space in Food Building North, and ...are erecting an air-condtioned motion picture seating approximately 266 persons.

On Treasure Island, in San Francisco Bay our Company has erected a modern motion picture theatre in the Food and Beverages building The theatre is rectangular in shape with rounded corners, and seats about 130 persons. There will be no charge to either theatre.

At both Fairs, the N. B. C. screen program will be the same (except that in San Francisco a few of the products featured are diffeent from those in the New York Version. ..."

Two versions!?

From Baruch Weiss : This was one of my favorite Mickey cartoons. I liked the ending where Pluto gives Fifi some "Milk Bone" dog treats. I wonder if Nabisco made them?

From Eric Pellegrini : When Minnie Was done making the cookie dough Fifi (Minnie's dog) saw a fly in the kitchen and she was chasing it Then she dropped popcorn kernels into the dough and no one knew it right before it started to burn. I Really like this 1939 Mickey Mouse cartoon.

From Dino Cencia : The last picture image with Mickey and cookies and boxes with the names on them, I bet that's the uncensored one because on "The Spirit of Mickey" video I saw the part when Mickey got the cookies and skipped the part with the Nabisco label on them. Also, I heard Russi Taylor's voice instead of the other actress who voiced Minnie at that part too. Why did they put Russi Taylor's voice on the video? I hope that I buy the Mickey Mouse in Living Color Volume 1, I know that they will have the uncensored one and the actress of Minnie Mouse a long time ago will be on there. I hope.

From Nick Lundy : I too have the Spirit of Mickey VHS and I noticed The Nabisco labels were censored and Russi's voice as Minnie. I knew it was a commercial short when I first saw it on Youtube. But I still think it's Mick's BEST work. RIP Walt Disney.

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