Disney Shorts - "Mickey's Rival"

From Rachel Henderson : This is definetly one of my favorite Disney shorts. It has everything: comedy, romance, action, etc. Mickey and Minnie are set for a quiet day in the countryside when all of a sudden, Mortimer drives along in his brand new car. Minnie just loves Mortimer, but Mickey thinks he's a real jerk. Later when a bull breaks loose, Mortimer drives off and it's Mickey who comes to Minnie's rescue. This is a great short! Watch it!

From Jerry Edwards : I don't care for this short - I just find the story scenes to be too "staged" for my tastes. I am unable to believe in the story and can't get interested in the characters. Mickey, Minnie, and Mortimer just don't come across as "real" to me - Mickey's car gave the best "acting performance" in the whole cartoon, for me.

From Ryan : Unlike Jerry Edwards, I liked this short. It was so much better than the later Mickey shorts (e.g. "Simple Things") because Mickey has more of an attitude and isn't so boring as he is in the late 40's/early 50's. One interesting thing is the fact that the rival is named Mortimer and that was originally going to be Mickey's name.

From Taylor Kerekes : Mortimer Mouse! Hmph! I'd be giving him a piece of my mind right now! Minnie, beware! It might be a trap! Mickey, that's right! Express that anger! Be mad at him! Beat him right up! You'll win back Minnie's heart somehow!

From John Gabriel Minjares : In my opinion, This is one of the best Mickey Mouse Cartoons ever made. I liked Mickey Mouse a whole lot when I was a kid. My favorite parts of this cartoon is when Mortimer pulled the buttons off of Mickey's trademarked red shorts. Another part I liked is when Mickey tried pulling off the buttons of Mortimer's pants, he got electrocuted! The buttons where attached to some wires the Mortimer had rigged to some joybuzzers that he had hidden in his pockets. This was just a good cartoon.

From Ross Lander Thorp : I think this cartoon is just wonderful! And I have to agree with Rachel, it is great! Mickey and Minnie having a nice picnic together in the countryside, I love that song Minnie la-la's at the beginning. It just so romantic. But then, when Mortimer Mouse arrives, ooh! do I get steamed just like Mickey. I do the same facial expressions just like Mickey does and I think, "Oh! that big bully Mortimer. He can't treat Mickey Mouse like that!" But later, when Mortimer pretends to fight the bull, oh-no! the bull breaks loose, Mortimer drives away, and oh-no! Minnie's in trouble! Hang on Minnie, Mickey will rescue you! Mickey was so wonderful, and I had to agree the car was very brave too. Then when Mickey and Minnie are rescued by Mickey's car, Mickey says, "Do you still think that guy's funny?" "Who, Mortimer?" says Minnie, "No" "Shake!" says Mickey happily, and they shake hands at the end. What an ending, and such romantic ending music too.

From Keiran Stones : This is one of my favourite Mickey Mouse cartoons. This cartoon almost made me boinkers.

A musical cartoon that all Disney fans should have.

From Ashley : I don't think I'll ever forget this one... And to this day, I can't stand Mortimer at all. Like Ryan, I prefer the older shorts with Mickey because he really did have a lot more personality... and that temper, ooh!

I really sympathized with Mickey because I've dealt with people who act a lot like Mortimer Mouse.

Mortimer: "You want that button?"
Mickey: "YES!"
Mortimer: "Okay" *PLUCK* "Here it is!" (you can see Mickey seething. It's written all over his face) "You want the other one?"
Mickey: "NO!"
Mortimer: *PLUCK* "Okay! Never a dull moment!

And of course, Morty shows his true colors in the end when the bull gets loose. It's a great show!

From Grace : Mortimer shouldn't do that to Mickey and I have to agree with Taylor Kerekes, show that angry expression Mickey, great job and you'll definetly win Minnie again!

From AJ Frost : A nice, solid cartoon especially from that time in Disney animation history. Great use of the in-joke concerning Mortimer's name. It seems that the animators loosely based the design on Walt Disney himself. Overall, a great cartoon.

From Baruch Weiss : This is another great cartoon, but that Mortimer was really obnoxious!

From Dino Cencia : Man, Mortimer is such a jerk! His jokes were not that funny. And I don't he's a real funny guy. I remember one short called "Big House Mickey" when Mortimer tricks Mickey to going to jail from stealing his baseball. But it was really Mickey Mouse's baseball. And then the police arrested Mortimer for lying the police from the baseball. So I hope that Mickey trys to stop Mortimer from stealing his girlfriend Minnie. And Mickey, don't be friends with Mortimer cause he will trick you and bother you. So anyway, I loved this short. I give it a 940 out of 940.

Referenced Comments

Oh, Teacher (1927)

Gallery

Pencil sketches showing the use of "squash and stretch" in Mickey's action.
Courtesy of The Cowan Collection